Bengals Loss Eased by Mile High Miracle
| The Bengals defense had no answer for the Texans rushing attack in Saturday's 31-10 loss in Houston. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
As bad as the 31-10 loss was on Saturday to the Houston Texans, there is, however, a silver lining.
Not only did the Bengals exceed all expectations by just making the playoffs in the first place, which is quite an accomplishment in itself, but their arch rivals and the most hated team in Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Steelers, lost to Tim Tebow Sunday night. As a Bengals fan, the loss Saturday really was tough, but seeing the Steelers defense give up an 80-yd touchdown pass from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime, was one of the best moments I've had as a football fan this season.
I try to be as objective as possible in my blog and I will have to say the Pittsburgh Steelers are a very good football team. They have a lot of really good players and I know they weren't at full strength against Denver, but as a Bengals fan, there is no team that I dislike more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. And seeing the number one ranked defense give up 316-yds passing and 29 points to Tim Tebow and the Broncos offense, was simply a thing of beauty.
I think the Steelers underestimated Tim Tebow and the Broncos passing attack, I underestimated it, and so did most football fans that don't reside in Denver, Colorado. Even after their win, there still are people who don't believe in Tebow. It will be very interesting to see if Tebow can keep it going next week against a team the Broncos lost to in Week 15, the New England Patriots.
Getting back to the Bengals, the end of the season is always tough, but I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that the Cincinnati Bengals would be playing a playoff game in January. The Bengals accomplished more this season than they have in the last two seasons combined and the future could not be brighter. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are only going to get better, the defensive line is one of the best young groups of players in football, and with their two first round picks in this year's draft, and the Bengals could really be an improved team in 2012.
I'll have more on who the Bengals need to go out and get when we get closer to the draft, but I think Saturday showed us exactly what changes need to be made if this team is going to return to the playoffs next season.
First off, the secondary has to be addressed. Leon Hall is a very good corner, but Nate Clements is past his prime and Adam Jones is a great athlete, but only an above average corner. Safety Reggie Nelson is a free agent and I'd bring him back. As for the other safety, Chris Crocker, see you later. Crocker won the Bengals Good Guy award and is a solid player, but he blew the coverage on the Andre Johnson touchdown and his tackling on Arian Fosters' long run was pathetic.
A corner and safety are two of the top priorities going into the offseason and there are two positions on the offensive side of the ball that have to addressed as well. Number one, the offensive line. I thought at times this year the line was a pretty good run blocking group, but the last 9 games of the season proved otherwise. Once the Bengals played tougher competition, like the Ravens, Steelers, and Texans, they had no running game whatsoever. Guards Nate Livings and Bobbie Williams (who is a free agent) need to go. They are decent players, but I doubt they would be starting on many other teams in the NFL.
| RB Cedric Benson might have played his last game as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
Finally, running back. Cedric Benson had just 7 carries for 14-yards and a touchdown on Saturday and with his contract up, I think he has played his last game in a Bengals uniform. Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard are solid backups, but a number one running back, like an Arian Foster, who can run hard and catch the ball out of the backfield, is desperately needed. There are two guys in this year's draft that I really like, Trent Richardson from Alabama and LaMichael James from Oregon, who both be nice additions in my opinion.
There will be plenty of time to discuss the ways the Bengals can get better for next year, so try and enjoy the season the Bengals had, and hope that they can build upon their success this season. Plus, the Steelers are out of the playoffs, so be happy Bengals fans, things are finally starting to look up.
Not only should Bengals fans be happy, but Reds fans, as well as the entire City of Cincinnati should be happy for what Barry Larkin has been able to accomplish in his baseball career. I personally want to give a well-deserved congratulations to former Reds shortstop, Barry Larkin, for getting elected to the Hall of Fame on Monday.
Barry Larkin is a Cincinnati native, he went to Moeller High School, my Alma mater, and he spent his entire career in a Reds uniform. Larkin was member of the 1990 World Series team, he won the NL MVP award in 1995, and he became the first shortstop to have 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in a season. He also was a 12-time All-Star, 9-time Sliver Slugger, and 3-time Gold Glove winner. A very impressive career for the Reds captain.
Growing up in Cincinnati, it was truly an honor getting to watch Barry play baseball in a Reds uniform and he is truly a class act, and one of the best shortstops to ever play the game.
Congratulations Barry on a great career.
An entire photo gallery of some Barry's greatest moments is on Cincinnati.com. Barry will get inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 22nd in Cooperstown. Who's up for a road trip?
| Reds shortstop Barry Larkin is a Hall of Famer. Congrats Barry! (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
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