Battle For Ohio

We've got your Ohio sports fix here!

Archive for the ‘Bengals’ Category

Love to follow the orange and black? Love to be disappointed just about every year by horrible management? Welcome to a page dedicated To all that and more!

« Previous Entries

Football talk? Hello? Anyone?

Posted by George Herron on April 18, 2011

They are probably similar in their draft analysis as well.

Yeah this will be tough for me too.  Let’s all just try to get through this together.  Actually this is kind of a bittersweet time for me.  The Reds are off to a great start.  Offensively shredding, which is bailing out the inconsistent pitching.  But there is enough to be optimistic about, and just enjoy getting out in front to start the season.  So life is good right?  Well yes….but….this is normally the time of year that I start to get really excited about the NFL Draft and the upcoming spring camps.

Hope springs eternal.  I can always get excited about the Bengals this time of year, where there is always that hope that they fluke their way past bumbling management and powerless, apathetic coaching.  Right?  You get a look at the exciting talent coming in that might be useful for about two, if the fans are lucky three, years before the contract is up, or the player has become Bengalized.  If you need an example of what I’m talking about look no further than current quarterback/pink elephant in Mike Brown’s office, Carson Palmer.  A former company man turned trade-demander with a drastic measure in place to ensure he won’t ever play here again….man.

Tough to blame him though.  Seriously, as much as it hurts to get dumped by the prom queen, it might be better in the long run.  While Palmer did give Cincinnati some good years, and I have no doubt that he always gave you everything he had and tried to make the best out of a great many situations he was given here.  The reality is that he knows that he is about to be 33 and has no real shot at ever winning with this organization.  I think what hurts the most is that this is a staunch reminder that things really haven’t changed, they are more the same than ever.  Palmer is slapping the blindfold from everyone’s eyes.  Those good years spoiled a starving Cincinnati fan base.   The promise of even better things to come was there finally, but after questionable bad drafts filled with more risks that didn’t pan out than did and talent that has regressed in ability it clears that 2005 was either a fluke or the blind squirrel finding the nut.  Good luck Palmer, although I doubt as to how successful you will ever be again due to the beating that this awful offensive line allowed you to go through the last three years.

It is best for both sides to part ways.  Give Palmer a chance to win somewhere else, because it won’t be here.  This offense is in year two of another rebuilding year and Palmer doesn’t have the time to go through more rebuilding.  The Bengals signed Owens last year knowing that Palmer’s window was shutting, and it just made them worse.  Plus this will allow the Bengals to start over and have young receivers develop with a young quarterback and hopefully give this team a couple nice years of football before the players are Bengalized.

And then there is this ugly battle going on between the owners and players that’s just nauseating.  As Andy pointed out if you are choosing sides, you should really choose the owners.  I myself choose to hate both side equally.  Shame on you, you selfish bunch of A-holes.  We the fans get to turn on Sports Center, read in the Newspaper and hear on the radio all about every time one of you farts.  We are over indulged with information and I think most people would agree that both sides just come off as greedy turds fighting over how to properly share a billion dollars.  There are other issues on the table, but that is what 80% of the people hear about.  Get it settled, now.  The longer this goes on and the uglier it gets, the harder people are going to be able to relate.  Personally, I think both sides are smart enough to get a deal done before the season actually starts, but for now football is disgusting and just so hard to talk about.

Rant over.

Just a friendly reminder of a "good" Bengals decision.

Whew still with me?  Alright, let’s talk draft.  What will the Bengals disastrously do with the fourth over all pick in the draft?  The decision that the Bengals make can really only go a couple of ways.  They can either make the right call and draft a great player, with promise and a seemingly high ceiling of ability, only to be ruined in three years due to the other 98% of bad decisions.  Or The Bengals can make one of the just previously mentioned bad choices.  See as recent as Andre Smith.  Either way we all know the end result here.

Quarterback.  Assuming Palmer follows through and just retires, or Mike Brown continues to be Mike Brown and refuses to do something smart like listen to trade requests for Palmer.  The quarterback situation will need to be addressed.  Here are the likely candidates:

Guys I’m warm on:

  • Blaine Gabbert.  He got better every year and has looked good over all this off-season and looks to be one of the first three quarterbacks taken.    If the Bengals feel the need to draft a quarterback in the first round they could do worse than drafting this guy.  I might be more excited if I knew what a disaster this kid was coming into and can’t help of think about what Tim Couch came into at Cleveland and what happened to a promising talent.  But I wouldn’t completely hate this pick either, I could be persuaded to get behind it.  But ultimately I don’ think he will be available in the draft for our chance to snag him.  He would have to slip past Carolina at 1 and a very quarterback hungry Bills team as well.  If they both take quarterbacks that SHOULD eliminate a first round quarterback selection for the Bengals.
  • Christian Ponder.  He intrigues me, but only in the second round.  He should scare me a little bit….will the ghost of Chad Pennington haunt him this early in his career?  It’s not like the Bengals have a top-notch training and doctor staff either, so yeah this is a very real concern.  But the smarts and accuracy might be worth a roll of the dice in the second round.
  • Colin Kaepernick.  I really like this kid, but he comes from a weird Nevada offense and we have already seen the Bengals struggle time and time again with projects.  Would they be able to teach him a pro offense?  Would they show the fore-site to include some plays that would help him and try to play to his strengths or try to force a square peg in a round hole like they typically do?  Doubtful, which is why as excited as I am about the potential for this kid, I ultimately know that he probably needs better coaching than the Bengals have to offer.  Plus I think that he is not polished enough to take at 4 over all and I don’t think he will be there in the second round when the Bengals draft again.  The Bengals would have to make a trade on draft day in order to make it happen, losing valuable picks that they really can’t afford to give up.  Plus, the Bengals don’t like trading up to get a player.

Guys I hate that the Bengals have shown interest in:

And with their first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals select....

  • Cam Newton.  Seriously?  Did they learn nothing from Akili Smith?  Is Mike Brown’s memory that short?  Newton is a mistake, he’s not Michael Vick.  That is what makes Vick so special (on the football field, I personally find him a disgusting human being) there is only one of him.  I don’t know that Newton is smart enough, motivated enough or possesses the intangibles that allow someone like Tom Brady to be the quarterback he is.  Cam Newton doesn’t feel like a leader, and Cincinnati needs that.  He might be gifted athletically, but he is not what the Bengals need.
  • Jake Locker.  Who is Brady Quinn?  Final answer.  Seriously does anyone else get that feeling from Locker?  Please stay away from picking Locker, this guy has more question marks than the Riddler’s suit.
  • Ryan Mallet.  Sadly I really think that if the Bengals do have to settle for another position in the first round this will be their pick in the second round.  I think this kid is a mental case and much like Newton doesn’t posses the mental maturity you want in a NFL quarterback.  Cannon for an arm, but what was it that Crash Davis says in Bull Durham?  “Come on, Rook. Show us that million-dollar arm, ’cause I got a good idea about that five-cent head of yours.”  Yeah that pretty much sums up Ryan Mallet.  I would stay away even though he should be available in the second round, but the Bengals will love all the baggage like prior drug related arrests he will bring to the table.

Wide receivers.  Chad Whateverhisnameis is 200 years old and clearly not the guy he was 5 years ago.  He must still be respected, but he isn’t the deep threat he once was and no longer needs the double coverage on every play.  Plus there will be no familiarity with whatever rookie the Bengals are going to bring into the franchise.  Chad is even less likely to be mentally engaged enough to care about this season.  There are some options at receiver after Chad, but none that are screaming to be studs to be counted on every game.  The Bengals might consider drafting a couple of guys at number 4, although the Bengals have almost never taken a receiver that high in the draft.

Guys I like:

  • A.J. Green.  A great receiver and an immense talent.  Might be a good idea to take someone like this and then draft a quarterback in the second round and start off fresh with two guys who can grow into each other.  Just an idea.  Green is a talent that you might not come across every year, and while I’m only luke-warm on most of the quarterbacks, I love what this kid has to offer.  But as I mentioned, the Bengals rarely if ever look at receivers this early.  Mike Brown is the anti-Jerry Jones.  He hates shiny toys.  He prefers to shop in the bargain aisle and get cans with dents to save a couple bucks.

This is why the Bengals SHOULD draft Julio. Look at how he sells out to block for his running back.

  • Julio Jones.  Another kid that I really like and would not hate the Bengals for drafting even as high as number 4.  It might be a little bit of a reach, but this kid is a great receiver, he is also a very good and aggressive blocker that is invaluable in the AFC North division.  Just ask Pittsburgh how valuable Hines Ward is to them.  Look at Hines career with the Steelers, wouldn’t you kill for that kind of consistent production plus a great blocker to help with the running game?  It would be a smart pick, which all but rules it out.
  • Jonathan Baldwin.  Great size and decent speed.  If the Bengals go quarterback in the first round this would be a nice gift in the second round if he was still there.  Obviously not worth drafting at number 4, but a worthy consideration in round 2.

Other guys the Bengals will consider:

  • Leonard Hankerson.  A kid of average size that had a great Senior Bowl that Marvin Lewis got to witness first hand.  He has huge hands apparently which will cause the Bengals to be enticed to reach for him in the second round if he is available ala Jerome Simpson.   At least Hankerson has Division I experience.
  • Randall Cobb.  Never heard of him?  A receiver from Kentucky that is a bit undersized will get the Bengals attention, because scouting him was so easy due to only being a couple of hours away.  I doubt this kid will get much attention till maybe late third round or fourth round, but you never know with the Bengals.
  • Greg Little.  A kid from North Carolina that has second round talent but also has more red flags than anyone knows what to do with.  Just the type of kid the Bengals look to roll the dice on.  If he is there the Bengals will draft him in the third round despite what they have drafted in the first two rounds.  Mark my words.  This guy screams Mike Brown pick.

The Bengals have other needs, but none that can be answered with the pick that they have.  They have holes on the offensive line, but not at tackle.  And at that high you would have to take a tackle, it’s to early for centers or guards.  Running back will be a need, but again I don’t see an overwhelming need to get one at the four spot, there are none that are that talented.  Same with safety.   It is rare that a safety of any kind would normally go that high anyway, but especially not this year.  Linebacker will have to be addressed as well, but it is not so urgent that it can’t be addressed later, maybe first thing day three?

Some might point to the defensive line as being a spot to consider.   I like what the Bengals have on the defensive line.  I like the tackles, Pat Sims, Geno Adkins, and Domata Peko.  The Bengals could use one more for the rotation, but it is not an overwhelming need, so I think all the Nick Fairley talk is just a smokescreen.  And am I alone in wanting to see what would happen if the Bengals decided to line Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap up across from each other?  Geathers and Odom have been wildly unspectacular.   Why not give the kids a chance?  Let them loose, at this point what harm could it do?  Can it be any worse than year after year being at the bottom of the NFL in sacks.  You have to be able to get to the quarterback in the NFL to stand a chance of winning.  Rattle them, make them worry and scramble, force them into errors, help out your corners that are covering the receivers.  It’s so important, which is why it might be time to see what the talented by raw kids can do.

Cornerback might be a need, but I still think that it will be more important to get a receiver or quarterback with that first pick.  Corner might just have to wait until the second half of the draft.  plus I think that the Bengals will make a VERY strong push to bring back Jonathan Joseph, making a corner a luxury pick.  If Joseph comes back you still have Adam Jones and Leon Hall as well as some guys like Ghee and Trent that are young and still developing.  Oh and some how Keiwan Ratliff made it back on this team.  So provided Joseph does come back drafting a corner like Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara in the first round would be ridiculous.  Of course saying that almost guarantees it will happen.

Well I hope that was a fun little trip to Never-Never Land for everyone.  The Bengals are unconventional and unpredictable when it comes to drafting talent.  So all this was more than likely an exercise in futility.  But it makes me feel hopeful, if just for a few mere seconds.

My final analysis:

  • Trade Palmer.  Trade him and get a second and fifth round pick.  He certainly isn’t worth a first round pick to anyone, even Arizona.  But I think getting a second and fifth isn’t too outlandish at all.

Well, he seems to be able to take a sack like a champion, and thats all you have to be able to do to play quarterback for the Bengals.

  • Sign a veteran quarterback.  It would be nice if the Bengals were serious about trading for Kevin Kolb from Philly, but I doubt that will happen.  So at least sign a veteran guy to sit in until whatever rookie you are going to draft is ready to step up.  Current roster quarterbacks Jordan Palmer and Dan LeFevour, are not even temporary answers.
  • Now armed with three pick in the first two rounds the Bengals can virtually get whoever they want.  They can take Gabbert if he is there with the fourth pick.  They can draft a receiver either Jones or Green in the first and use one of the second round picks on a quarterback.  Or they could decide that none of the quarterbacks are worth drafting this year and wait till next year when Andrew Luck will be available.  The Bengals have to know that they will have a lottery pick again next year.  Then they are free to use those three picks on and offensive lineman or three, a running back, and receiver is still a need.
  • Go to the Golden Corral to celebrate.  Let’s face it Mike Brown had to be a Golden Corral guy, it’s a buffet, more for your money that way.  Plus i’m sure it reminds him of all the player projects he has taken on.  Golden Corral has never given anyone a reason to trust it as a reliable source of food, but they are still in business, so there has to be something to it right?  Golden Corral, the Chris Henry of restaurants.

I hope you all made it through this un-holy football talk.  I promise I will try to keep it to a minimum.

Posted in Bengals | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

I’m Back. And with some thoughts.

Posted by George Herron on April 4, 2011

Turn up the AC/DC.  I’m Back.  I’mmmmmmmm Baaaacccckkkkkkk.   Maybe it was the super nice day.  Maybe it was the Reds finishing off an opening series sweep of the media elected 2011 National League Central Champions, the Brewers.  Well, only your hairdresser will know for sure.  Whatever the case maybe, you lucky ten people reading this are once again treated to my musings.  Enjoy.

Football:

Death to the BCS

Don't we all wish. Too bad there is too much money in it.

  • The BCS is having a rough offseason, and I’m just tickled.  For anyone that might have missed it in the wake of the disaster in Japan, one of the BCS’ major bowls got blown up with allegations. These allegations were  ”a report of brazen, scandalous behavior by Junker and others on the Fiesta Bowl payroll that included, but wasn’t limited to: funneling money to politicians through bowl employees; coaching witnesses, and altering documents during the investigation that followed; taking junkets to college football games with politicians and their families — all on the bowl’s dime. On page 210 is a charge that the bowl footed the $33,188 bill for Junker’s 50th birthday party, a four-day bacchanal in Pebble Beach that had, according to one attendee, absolutely no business purpose.”

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/ncaa/03/29/fiesta-bowl-junker/index.html#ixzz1IUirn1D2

  • No wonder there is such a  push to keep the BCS around. If there was any doubt as to how much money bowl games are producing on a yearly basis look no further. I never want to hear that B.S. about how it’s better for the kids, it’s all about the kids.  No sir, this is all about losing control of your personal cash cow.  Those kids play the game just as long as they have to in order to be eligible to get drafted and make the money they more than deserve, are nothing but dollar signs to you.  I have no doubt that some of you have spread sheets of which kids are worth more and just how much.  Some graduate from MIT has wasted his time coming up with a formula that will measure all that instead of something useful because the BCS has that kind of money to waste, they can out pay something useful like cancer research.  But this is pretty blatant, it doesn’t look like there will be any dancing around this one.  And if you read further in the article two other Bowls are under investigation as well.  Now is the time to change.  My friend Andy even posted something he found on the highlights of a bracket system like what works so well for college basketball here.
  • This dove tails nicely into my next issue.  The lockout.  Andy wrote a great article about this already, here.  I agree completely with him, but I will say that unfortunately as a Bengal fan it doesn’t matter what will happen.  I would go to say that maybe the lockout is a good thing and that Bengal fans everywhere should embrace the lockout and hope that the owners and players don’t realize how damaging a lockout into the season could be.  That way we can forget that no matter what happens with the lockout that Mike Brown is still the owner in Cincinnati.
  • People don’t like that Chad Whatshisname is playing soccer.  Who really cares?  He’s locked out of his current job, he likes to play soccer.  Go for it.  If he gets hurt playing soccer will it really affect the Bengals?  Who’s going to throw him the ball?  Jordan Palmer?  A rookie that they are going to be forced to draft because the former face of the franchise threw everyone a curve ball and demanded a trade or he will retire.  To which I again say, who cares?  Most anyone that had a voice was complaining about him and how he was a washed up bust.  And really, who can blame him?  He had finally been “Bengalized.” It happened to all the greats in the Mike Brown era.  It’s not like this team was just a piece or two away from a Super Bowl.  Unproven, untested receivers, plus a 33-year-old prima donna.  A questionable offensive line that featured one of the fattest, dumbest human beings in another first round bust in Andre Smith.  No way Cedric sticks around this giant turd, he will declare free agency as soon as football activities resume.  Which the bell cow running back is often injured and undersized Bernard Scott.  The only two bright spots are an undersized receiver that was a rookie last year and an extremely talented receiving tight end that was a rookie as well that couldn’t block an invalid.
  • Carson Palmer will have to retire.  If there is anything I have learned it’s when Mike Brown says something he means it.  That man will win any pissing match he is involved in and he has proven it countless times. Just look back to Hard Knocks and negotiations that he would have with Andre Smith’s agent.  So I believe him when he says that he isn’t going to trade Palmer, despite interest from other teams.  I doubt he even answers the phone.  This is the same man who turned down two first round picks for Chad when Chad wanted out a couple of years ago.  Nice try Carson, but you can’t out con a dumbass.  He’s already out-conned himself.

Baseball:

I don't really know about this guy, but it was certainly a clean sweep of the Brewers thanks to the heavy hitting of the Reds.

  • The media really fell in love with the Brewers in the off-season didn’t they?  Who can blame them really.  They went out and got a former Cy Young winner in Zach Greinke, and a good young pitcher from a tough American League east division in Shaun Marcum.  Those certainly are nice toys, and pitching is always smart.  And I guess that’s why I love the fact that the Reds, who had a very quiet off-season other than signing some of their own, just took the Brew crew to the back of the wood shed.  And no they didn’t have to face Greinke, but they did tee-off on Marcum.  Personally, I don’t think that the Brewers did enough to help them defensively especially up the middle.  But it’s a long season, just a nice start for the Redlegs.
  • The Reds had a mostly brilliant off-season.  They locked up Jay Bruce for six years.  Dude is only 24 and last year he had 25 home runs 80 runs, 71 RBI and a respectable .281 average.  The Reds get him through his prime.  Oh yeah and he has gold glove potential in the outfield.  Great deal, and Bruce seems to like it here, which is something that is always nice.
  • The Reds buyout Votto’s arbitration years.  Is it a nice long contract?  No, but this way the Reds have some time to decide what they want to do about Yonder Alonso while gently feeling out Joey and what the chances will be of getting him back here after the next three years.  All signs point to no way Jose.  He is 26 this year and already an MVP and easily the most consistent offensive player the Reds have.  Yonder I’m sure will be very talented, but he will never be able to replace Votto.  Tough call for the Reds and one that will more than likely be out of their control when the Yankees, Red Sox, Angles, Dodgers, Mets and Cubs come knocking in three years with more money than God.
  • Did the Edgar Renteria deal surprise anyone else?  In his best years Edgar was known more for his defense than his offense.  He wasn’t a slouch with the bat and he did have some speed. But the guy is like somewhere in the 40-50 range, we’ll never know for sure.  So this is the guy you choose to help that pit you get in your stomach when you realize that you are a big league team that is starting a guy with a soft ‘H’ in his name?  Soft J’s skills are almost entirely defense, he gives you only slightly more than a pitcher does offensively and you get a fossil that in his best days was a defensive guy as well?  Is Tood Frasier THAT BAD in the field that we can’t give this guy who has been a highly ranked guy in the minors for years a chance?  Is this Dusty’s ridiculous reliance on aging veterans coming to haunt again?  Whatever the case I didn’t like it then and I still don’t like it today.  Why not take that money and try to get a left fielder that maybe can hit lead off and kill two birds with one stone?
  • My thoughts on Jonny Gomes.  I love him.  As a person.  I don’t like that this guy will as always lose steam after the all-star break and have a terrible second half.  I don’t like that this guy is a definite liability in the field.  But the reason he is so popular around here is the same reason that Ryan Freel was so popular.  Why Chris Sabo was so popular.  It’s also exactly why people hated Adam Dunn even though he actually gives you more offensively and about the same defensively than Gomes.  Gomes goes 100% all the time.  I love that, everyone here loves it.  It reminds everyone of Pete Rose.  Unfortunately he is not Pete and although he is going 100 mph, he is still making the same errors out in left that Dunn was making, he just tries a lot harder to make them.  And on a line up that doesn’t really have a high percentage on base guy, Jonny becomes expendable.
  • Any one else notice that Ramone Hernandez has been out the last two games after going 4-5 with an opposite field home run to win the opener?  Not that it has mattered since Hannigan homered twice yesterday.  But do you think Ramone put whats left of that elbow in that opposite field shot?  Color me concerned.  It might be time to get Meseraco on the phone.

Basketball:

This is Kenny ready to hang with the Rat Pack.

  • Xavier had a surprising season.  I honestly thought that losing Jordan was just too much.  He seemed like a one man show most of the time last year.  And even early in the season this year it seemed like it was the Tu Halloway show.  If he was off, the team was off and ultimately lost.  They lost Redford, which would have been a huge player coming off the bench, a poor man’s Jimmer Ferdette.  The kid has crazy range.  Canty was hurt and another player was ruled academically intelligible.  Despite all that they only lost one game in A-10 play and got another NCAA berth.  Chris Mack deserved the A-10 coach of the year for the damage control he did.
  • Looking forward to next year.  Halloway comes back, hopefully ready to quit pouting so much and be the leader that Mack will need him to be.  Healthier and deeper.  My concerns are losing Jackson’s voice and leadership and Kenny Frease. As Missouri found out pretty quickly Kenny is SLOWWWWWWW.  While he has certainly gotten better every year and maybe next year he will be an even stronger presence in the paint, I doubt there is anyway he gets any quicker.  Just about any team that has very good slasher will be able to negate Kenny’s size advantage by just blowing right by him.
  • Jamel McLean reminded me of Lloyd Price.  I know there was talent there, but we only seemed to see it in flashes and ultimately just not consistent enough.
  • Mark Lyons needs to slow it down just a little.  I mean if he takes it down just one notch he is still playing faster than most guys out there, but he might play with a little more control, and that would be nice for my ulcers and heart condition that he caused to begin with.
  • The NBA still sucks.  But I will say that I’m shocked that announcers seem to make a big deal about how well the Lakers have played lately and how bad they were playing in the middle of the year.  They do this ever year, and every year the media makes a big deal about it.  Kobe is tired, his knees hurt.  Let him take the middle of the season off and come back and use the last month as a warm up to get the Lakers to the finals again.  Even with a bad middle of the year they are still going to go into the playoffs as at least a two seed.

That should be plenty for all of you to digest for a few days, and I promise to try to not let it go months before I post again.

Posted in Bengals, Random Thoughts, Reds, Xavier Basketball | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Which Side Should You Take On The NFL Labor Dispute?

Posted by pacmanxu on February 10, 2011

I hear all the arguments about this and to me it’s utterly laughable.  There is no questions which side ALL FANS should be on with all major sports labor disputes.  Of course, it’s the…owners?  YES. YES. YES.  Every day of the week and twice on Sunday, as a fan, you side with the owners.

Why?

Why should you side with the billionaires instead of the millionaires.  It’s simple.  Because you love your team and you want them to win.  You really don’t give a crap about which players wear your uniform, only that the ones that do wear it win games, divisions, playoff games, and Superbowls.  Am I wrong?

Let’s examine a little more closely…

Owners represent your team, regardless of who wears the uniforms.  I don’t love the Browns because Colt McCoy, Joe Thomas, and Peyton Hillis play for them.  I love the the team, the Brown and Orange.  Put 22 homeless guys in Browns uniforms and I would still root for them.

The answer is all about financial viability.  Would you rather your team have MORE capital available and more financial flexibility, or LESS?  Would you like to be able to get rid of over-priced players that don’t produce, or do you like being held to their salaries and watch them fail knowing there is little that your team can do about it?

If the owners win this labor deal, they will make more money and the players less…so what…how does that affect you?  Well, it means they can put more money into stadiums and fan related items.  It also means that they can have more money to throw at players if that’s what they want to do?  It would also mean a rookie salary cap, giving teams more money to actually spend on players that have a resume and might deserve some of it.

If the players win and they get more money, how does that affect you?  It means that more money is tied up in player salaries, whether they are good or not.

Let's give this guy more reasons to be stupid

It means more restriction on what GMs can do and greater financial risks, especially given that nature of the sport and injuries.  It won’t change the product on the field…all it will do is give guys the ability to buy another Bentley or have further distractions with more money than they know what to do with.

It also means that the NFLPA get more power and starts moving down the road toward the NBA, where the players have the league by the balls.  It means that down the road you’re looking at players that will want guaranteed contracts, which is ludicrous for any business, but especially a business where injury is such a huge factor and players decline rapidly.

80% of NFL players are broke after two years out of the league.  It must be because they don’t have enough money, right?  WRONG.  They suck at having money and spend it all.  So if they get more, they will just spend it on more extravagant things.  What do you get out of that, as a fan.  Nothing.  What you get is more spoiled players than we have already, more holdouts for more money, more guys that don’t have an incentive to prepare and play hard every game (if contracts are guaranteed).  In other words, you get the NBA.

What do you get, as a fan, out of the owners winning this battle.  You get more chances to have better teams, more flexibility in player personnel, a healthier franchise that you so dearly love.  Isn’t that what all fans want?

It’s definitely what I want.  I hate the fact that the Cavs owe so much money to players they don’t really want and have no way out of the situation.  Why would I want that to happen to the Browns?

The NFL is the only league where the owners have dominated the balance of power over the years.  THAT IS A GOOD THING!!!  Obviously it’s worked because the NFL is by far the most popular, well run, financially viable pro sports league out there.

Union wants and desires always detract from the product on the field.  Just like the United Auto Workers ruined American cars, the MLBPA and the NBAPA have ruined their sports by winning labor negotiations.

The NFL is the one league that has stood strong and by no coincidence is the strongest league with the best product.  I want the league and the product to IMPROVE, which is why backing the owners is the only play here.

The players are only out to improve themselves, which nets the fan nothing.  The owners are out to better the league and their teams, which nets the fans exactly what they want.

Money that goes to the teams really goes back to the fans.  Money that goes to the players is lost forever.

As always, I’m rooting for my team.

Posted in Bengals, Browns, Random Thoughts | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

NFL Pickems Week 10

Posted by George Herron on November 13, 2010

The Bungals have officially returned.  Fumble the opening kickoff that leads to a Steelers touchdown and then have a punt blocked after just two series, setting up a field goal.  That is the very essence of what it is to be a Bungal team.

These guys are hot commodities

Fabulous work fellas.  I’m just waiting.  This season is progressing right along, just the way I said it would.  All we need is one of the Dynamic Diva wide receivers to start pitching a fit.  Pssst, Chad, that’s your cue.  Mark my words friends, Chad is getting tired of being Robin and is just a couple one catch games (that we lose) away from going bonkers to the media.  Then the prophecy will be complete and I will just sit back and laugh as Rome burns.

Once again I under-estimated the Browns and all I can do is apologize.  They played some of the best AFC North football I have seen all year.  They did what the Bengals did well last year, they ran the ball.  Peyton Hillis looked like a run away freight train all day long.  Sprinkle in some trick plays and viola, you get to see Bill Belicheat look like you ran over his dog and tea-bagged his wife.  It was beautiful.  I was kind of surprised he didn’t just leave the field early, I guess he reserves that kind of classiness for the Super Bowl.  Dear Colt McCoy, Cleveland can now say LeBron who?  I hope you’re ready to LOVE that city.

Three concussions for the Steelers during the Bengals game.  Not one was Worthlessburger or Hines Turd, so complete failure.  Hell I don’t even know if the Bungals defensive line even sneezed on Big Douche.

Steelers suck.

Ravens suck.

That about covers last week.  Moving right along to this week.

Baltimore vs Atlanta:

  • George:  Baltimore.  I was going to take the Falcons at home, but Roddy White’s knee has me concerned.  Baltimore is going to swallow up Michael Turner and force Matt Ryan to find other reliable targets to win this game.  I don’t think he is up to the challenge.  Plus this is one of the maybe three weeks that most of Baltimore roster is healthy at the same time.
  • Jesy:  Ravens versus Falcons – sounds like a new Angry Birds game!  Yup, I went there which only seems perfect because everyone I know is addicted to that game.  Well, except for Tony.  Poor Mr. Rieger has a Blackberry and it doesn’t support addictive games like Angry Birds.  I’m going to mentally toss my coin in the air and………..pick the Falcons to win.
  • Andy: A Thursday game on a short week always favors the home team.  I would have loved to say that I picked the Falcons, but since I’m writing this post jubilant Falcons victory, I have to admit that I was ready to write up the Ravens for a win even with the historical stats.  The Unibrow just was long or bushy enough to get them over the top.  I’m sorry I won’t be in Baltimore to see the absence of all that purple camouflage.  I would be rubbing it in big time.

New Jersey B vs Cleveland:

  • George:  Cleveland.  All right assholes don’t let me down now.

    Hate to admit it, but this is funny

    I bet against them all year, so finally I am going to give them the leg up being at home and Mangini wanting the revenge factor this time.  The players seem to like him judging by the strange Gatorade bath after beating the Patriots last week, so they will probably be looking forward to fighting hard for this game too.  I think the Jets might try to overlook this game.  Sanchez is progressing well, but Braylon Edwards might see some ghosts of footballs past and catch a case of the dropsies upon his return home.

  • Jesy:  Cleveland is the “comeback kid” story or at least I hope they are!  I’m going to pick Cleveland (you’re welcome Andy) and cross my fingers that they can beat out the second New Jersey team.  Who is the New Jersey B team again?  Oh well, doesn’t matter because Cleveland will get the “W.”
  • Andy: There is no way that I’m not picking the Browns, right?  After the way it’s turned around and consecutive wins over the Saints and Patriots?  WRONG!  I’m going with the Jets here.  I don’t think Rex Ryan will take this game lightly against his brother and Edwards, thinking Cleveland wronged him (how exactly???), is more likely to be focused.  The Jets are not as good as everyone thought and maybe a second straight road game will beat them down.  But I have to pick against the Browns…because of superstition.  I picked against them the last two games and they’ve won, so I’m just doing my part not to jinx them.  I’ve also been wearing the same underwear for the last 3 weeks and have not taken off my face paint.  The people at work are worried.  I’ll summon the spirit of Lou Brown from Major League for an appropriate quote: “Let’s see if we can stick around and give ‘em all a nice, big shit burger.”  I think that sums up the attitude of the Browns.

Cincinnati vs Indianapolis:

  • George:  Indianapolis.  Oh let me count the ways.  Well maybe not, it’s been a rough week and I really don’t feel like depressing myself more.  The Colts are the best at keeping Manning protected, the Bungals are the worst at getting to the quarterback.  Sound like a disaster?  Oh yeah factor in that God’s other son is the one throwing the ball for the Colts.  I don’t care how banged up the Colts are, they will decimate the Bungals at home.
  • Jesy:  The Bengals did surprise me after I heard their slight come-back on Monday against the Steelers.  But why can’t they play like that from START to FINISH?  They like to start a game and basically thrown in the towel before halftime then come back out from the locker room and try to play catch up.  Don’t you think it would be easier to play like that for the whole game?  I’m going to pick Indy – I think Manning and team will outsmart and outplay the Bengals.
  • Andy: It’s hard to pick the Bengals after the last few weeks, so I won’t.  Wade Phillips won the race to be the first coach fired.  Lewis might be next.  Without a significant pass rush, Manning will pick this team apart…a team whose fragile spirit seems broken now.  T.O. – I’ve got my popcorn and I’m ready to enjoy watching you suffer!!!

New England vs Shitsburgh:

  • George:  New England.  Not a wise pick since the Steelers are at home.

    I wanted to save this for a Browns win, but it's just too good

    But consider this, the Steelers almost lost to the Bungals, I mean it was actually close at the end.  Brady will have a case of the red-ass after getting humiliated in Cleveland last week.  Those two things spell a Shitsburgh loss to me.  This will actually be a pretty good game to watch.  I will also consider it a Patriot win if Hines Ward leaves on a stretcher, even if the Steelers score more points.

  • Jesy:  This game makes me a bit nervous, if the Browns are beating out the Patriots……okay I’m back on my seriously hating the Steelers bandwagon.  I’m picking the Patriots over “Ben there Raped that Worthlessburger.”  That line is courtesy of one of my friends on Facebook, thanks Diana Cook!
  • Andy:  There is no way I can top Jesy’s pick, so I won’t try.  Brady and the Pats win this revenge game.

Lock of the Week:

  • George:  Brad Childress is fired.  The “Firing Coaches cherry” has been broken, so now all coaches in the hot seat be prepared.  Brad I’m looking at you specifically.  You lost control of the locker room letting players and coaches fight.  Your quarterback hates you.  And you just released a player that you traded away a third round pick to get…without telling your boss.  How the hell you are still there now is beyond me.
  • Jesy:  The Bengals will let Indy pretty much have the ball and score 2-3 touchdowns in the first quarter then decide in the fourth quarter that they want to play.  ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, frustration!
  • Andy: The Ryan bowl’s most significant stat will be injuries.  I foresee a long, hard-hitting game with several guys on both teams leaving injured…hopefully one of them is not Colt McCoy and one of them IS Braylon Edwards.

Flop of the Week:

  • George:  Shawne Merriman.  I think God is trying to turn the “lights out” on him.  Seriously dude, are you ever going to be healthy enough to even start a game, let alone finish one?  I’m just pretty tired of hearing about your over-hyped ass.  Call me when you play in two or more games in a row, then maybe I’ll pay attention again.
  • Jesy:  This sounds terrible but have to say it… When George and I were driving to the hospital on Tuesday he saw a man running in very short running shorts and all that you could see was his “you know what” flopping around.  Yep, that is my flop of the week!  It was gross and very much like the moment in Juno (think about it!)  (Well played Dear.)
  • Andy: Me.  I don’t feel very good about my half-assed analysis this week and I don’t think I was very funny either.  It won’t happen again.

Posted in Bengals, Browns, Random Thoughts | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

NFL Pickems Week 9

Posted by George Herron on November 7, 2010

That's the "I just lost all my negotiating power for a new contract because my super shitty team is exposing me as a fraud" face.

What an amazing week last week.  In case no one noticed, I went an astounding 4-4 in my picks.  The weather might be getting colder, but it looks like I’m just warming up.  My jokes, however, seem to be getting worse.  So speaking of jokes, how ’bout those Bengals huh?  Remember just last year when Carson Palmer said this was the best locker room he had ever been in?  How’s it feel now?  Amazing what a difference a year makes, right?  I can’t remember, who it was that said Marvin Lewis was an over-rated coach?  Oh yeah it was me.  Basically the same team, sprinkle in some rookies and a generous side of diva receiver, but basically the same team.  And here they sit, 2-6 (future prognostication).  Could really use some of that there coaching Marvin.

There was some good news though, Drew Brees shut up Shitsburgh’s defense for a week.  What an absolute delight to not to have to hear some sort of comparison to the Steelers defenses of the 70′s this week.  Browns fans must have mixed emotions this week.  I’m sure everyone in Cleveland has a heavy dose of McCoy fever up there, but have to be concerned that the first time they will get to see him in live action is against a very good Patriots team.  Cleveland is pretty used to heartbreak, so no doubt most are expecting the worst.  Ray Lewis is still pretty good and Ray Rice has been pretty disappointing in the fantasy touchdown department for my team this year.  Yeah, that’s all the face time the Ravens are getting this week.

Let’s get to some picks.

Miami vs Baltimore:

  • George:  Baltimore.  I know Miami doesn’t lose on the road, but the Ravens have had an extra week to prepare for this game.  Ray Lewis with extra time, are you kidding me?  Oh yeah, there is that matter of Miami almost actually losing to the Bengals, that is not the sign of a winning football team.  Close game, but Baltimore extra week give them the edge.
  • Jesy: Miami beat the Bengals but at this point, who isn’t beating the Bengals.  I think Baltimore will win this one, I know I know they lost to the Bengals who were beat by Miami but that game was a fluke for Who Dey Nation.  We were being teased that Sunday thinking that we were going to have a better season but obviously not.  Again, I pick Baltimore.
  • Andy:  There is no way the Ravens should lose this game, but after seeing them have to eek out a win against Buffalo, I’m not placing any wagers on this one.  Miami is a decent running team and a decent defensive team.  This will probably be closer than it should be, but the Ravens will probably pull this one out after the Dolphins tease me…at least I don’t have to live in that city anymore and have to listen to all those rabid bandwagon fans.

New England vs Cleveland:

  • George:  New England.  Bill is going to make it his personal mission to embarrass Mangini in front of Holmgren.  He knows that Holmgren still isn’t 100% on Mangini and he would do anything to make him look worse, because Belicheat is that kind of guy.  Plus let’s face it Cleveland has a curse.  It’s no secret, perhaps Andy could go into more details, but I feel a Colt McCoy, nasty injury coming on.
  • Jesy: Wow, sorry Cleveland but you don’t have a shot.  I guess the Brownies have done pretty good this year but still we are talking about New England.  I’m picking New England and I’m thinking it will be a 14 point lead.  Yea, that’s right I went ahead and took a shot at points!

Well that's a bit harsh isn't it?

  • Andy:  The Browns are off of a bye week and at home after a win against the defending Super Bowl champs.  All would seem to indicate a positive tone and general good feeling going into this game…Howevahhh.  It is the Patriots coming to town with one of the best QBs in the league and the best coach in the league and the former mentor of my coach, who has a long way to go to be anyone’s mentor.  Pile on that our rookie QB, McCoy, has looked good but now will have seen the Steelers, Saints, and Patriots in his first 3 starts.  At least Massaqoui and Cribbs will be back and Hillis should be healthy.  I think this will be close for about a half, but Brady will pick apart our still-shreddable secondary.  Patriots win.

Shitsburgh vs Cincinnati:

  • George : Shitsburgh.  I just don’t feel like talking about it.  If Hines Ward leaves the game injured, it was a victory.
  • Jesy: I have NEVER picked Shitsburgh and I swore I wouldn’t pick them so why start now.  OH that’s right because they are playing the Bengals and there is no chance in hell the Bengals will come out of this with a “W.”  I still can’t give in to the terrible towel and their cheating, low-life players…I’m looking at you Big Dumb and Hines Ward and don’t get me started on “Palaumalo” (have no clue how to spell that guy’s name) fro-perm!  I’m picking you, Cincinnati Bengals, please don’t let me down too bad!
  • Andy:  I don’t know what the hell to expect out of the Bengals anymore.  I’ve picked them over their last 3 games, which have all been losses I believe.  No more.  I’m going the easy route here and picking the Steelers.  Palmer looks like he’s tired of all the negative attention and circus atmosphere.  I think he’s checked out and will throw a few picks.  The Big Rapist will pull down the Bengals pants and feed his addiction…OK that was a horrible analogy.  (But I love it!  Two thumbs up; one for putridness and one for hilarity.)

Lock of the Week:

  • George:  Michael Vick talk will dominate all the pre-game shows.  Thought it was bad before when he was playing well?  It’s going to be worse now.  He’s back and cleared to play, but wait, Kevin Kolb played pretty well when Vick was out with the ribs.  Uh-ohhhh, when was the last time Andy Reid had to deal with a QB controversy?  Ever?  Top that story line off with the fact that this is a pretty big game because it’s against the Colts who have a M.A.S.H. unit for a team and are just struggling to scrape enough people to play let alone win anymore.  Yep, prepare for Michael Vick overload.
  • Jesy: George said that he knew what I was going to put as my Lock of the Week so let’s see if he was right.  We are at 32 hours until we get to find out Baby Herron’s sex!!!!  That is my LOCK of the week – finding out the sex!!  George, were you right?
  • Andy:  Oakland will look impressive and score more than 40 points again.  That’s right I said Oakland.  I don’t know what new kind of steroids they are taking but they’ve been on fire and scoring at will.  It’s weird, but I’m kinda rooting for them.

This is how Andy views my eventual death.

Flop of the Week:

  • George:  The Monday Night Game.  What looked like a year ago to be a great Monday night game will now just be something to flip to 5 minutes after the games starts.  What will I get sick of first; Andre Smith getting abused by anyone they line up against him or Hines Ward’s shit eating grin?  That’s the toughest call I have had to make all week.
  • Jesy: This is a no-brainer.  The flop of the week will most likely be the Bengals vs Steelers game.  What makes this worse is that we are going to lose to the terrible towel on our own field, SUCK!!!
  • Andy:  Dallas will continue flopping and Jerry Jones will break his promise and fire Wade Phillips before the season is over.  I will expel a hearty belly laugh as I smoke my pipe with cherry tobacco and curl my handlebar mustache…wait, what?  George will celebrate by eating some raw piece of meat but miraculously will not get sick from some bacteria.  Instead he will absorb the strength of the animal he’s devoured…OK, now I need a beer.

Posted in Bengals, Browns, Random Thoughts | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

« Previous Entries
 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.