| 20 September 2011
Did you think the Bengals were going to make the playoffs this season? Of course not. Therefore, don’t be pissed about the 24-22 loss at the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Sure the Broncos aren't a good team, but the Bengals aren't going anywhere this year. It's all about planning for the future and it’s suddenly looking bright. There were several encouraging signs in the Broncos game, including:
* We are seeing the beginning of the Andy Dalton/A.J. Green era and they look like they’re going to be an excellent tandem for years to come. I can’t say enough about how Dalton plays beyond his years. Nothing is too big for him. He’s never going to have the strongest arm in the league, but it’s plenty strong enough and he’s accurate. Dalton had his breakout NFL performance in just his second game. He was 27-of-41 for 332 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Impressive to say the least. … And Green is a monster in the making at 6-foot-4, 207 pounds. He exploded for 10 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos. Also, unlike every top receiver the Bengals have had going back to Carl Pickens, Green is not a headcase. That’s refreshing.
* Jay Gruden is such an upgrade over Bob Bratkowski as offensive coordinator that it’s not even funny. I can’t believe more isn’t being said about this. (Hey, I guess I'm doing my small part.) And if Gruden is already this competent, you have to think he’ll only get better since he’s a rookie OC in the NFL who is still learning on the job to some extent. In that respect, he has a lot in common with his rookie standouts, Dalton and Green. It's exciting that they look good now because they are only going to develop and get considerably better with time.
* Mike Nugent has morphed back into the kicker that broke all the records while at Ohio State. He’s nailing his field goals and his kickoffs have been impressive as well. Nugent was coming off a torn ACL, so there were some questions in terms of how strongly he would come back right away, but he’s immediately eased those concerns.
* We’ve talked a lot about standout second-year defensive linemen Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins – and rightfully so – but third-year pro Michael Johnson also deserves his just due. He’s turned into a very-effective edge rusher, taking the spot previously manned by Antwan Odom. With Johnson and Dunlap on the outside – and Atkins and Domata Peko inside at tackle – the Bengals have a formidable defensive front. They also have a quality backup in Jonathan Fanene who can play end or tackle. And Pat Sims is no slouch either. … As for Johnson, he had a tremendous game against the Broncos with seven tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He's always flashed the ability to be great and it seems as though he's coming of age.
* Thomas Howard continues to look like a good find at outside linebacker. He led the team with eight tackles against Denver and he’s proven to be an immediate upgrade over the former first-round bust known as Keith Rivers. (Who is out with a “non-football-related injury.”) Also, fellow outside ‘backer Manny Lawson has been a decent free agent pickup for the Bengals.
* I'm still not sold on Andre Smith, but man I'm getting close. The third-year right tackle continues to play well and if he can stay healthy he might not be the bust I thought he was. He blows up defenders at times and really brings a physical presense to the right side of the line. Also, it seems as though rookie right guard Clint Boling is holding the fort down pretty well while the team awaits Bobbie Williams' return from a four-game suspension. This offensive line is coming along pretty well, although Nate Livings is still average-at-best at left guard.
* On the downside, Brandon Tate looks like a complete trainwreck to me. I was wrong about that one. I thought it was a good pickup at the time, but a good team like the Patriots wouldn’t have released Tate (who wasn’t scheduled to make much money in New England this year) if he was a good player. When he’s not returning kickoffs from eight yards deep in his own end zone, Tate is dancing laterally on punt returns. Is it too late to bring Quan Cosby back? Sure, he wasn’t flashy, but he also didn’t suck.
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