Game Thread: Bengals vs. Browns

[flamingrey]

I hope Gruden gets a HC job, I hope we draft a new QB, I hope Zimmer punches Marv in the face for being an idiot.

I just can't agree with the hate on Gruden. How often do we say Dalton had a bad game (last week being the latest), but still came up with (very) good numbers. The offense is good. Dalton is bad.

 

[Tubbs1518]

I just can't agree with the hate on Gruden. How often do we say Dalton had a bad game (last week being the latest), but still came up with (very) good numbers. The offense is good. Dalton is bad.

The play calling is horrible a lot of the time. He has great stretches and then horrible stretches

 

[ckhokie]

The play calling is horrible a lot of the time. He has great stretches and then horrible stretches

I think play calling is handcuffed by who we have under center. If the QB can't make throws an NFL QB should be able to make, it really eliminates a good part of the playbook. I can't think our playbook is 90% passes < 7 yards.

 

[Servo]

The play calling is horrible a lot of the time. He has great stretches and then horrible stretches

I think he realizes the limitations of his qb which is why he calls so many quick short patterns.

 

[Tubbs1518]

You can't call passes under 7 yards all game I don't care who the QB is. He doesn't get the TE's involved at all. Eifert and Gresham are absolute mismatches. Seam patterns should be a staple of this offense. Dalton has shown he can hit those. Gruden isn't adjusting at all. He calls the same exact game plan every week.

 

[flamingrey]

I think play calling is handcuffed by who we have under center. If the QB can't make throws an NFL QB should be able to make, it really eliminates a good part of the playbook. I can't think our playbook is 90% passes < 7 yards.

This.

Plus, it's obvious you have to get the ball out of Dalton's hands early or it usually ends up in a lost play.

 

[Tubbs1518]

This.

Plus, it's obvious you have to get the ball out of Dalton's hands early or it usually ends up in a lost play.

you know what the biggest plays have been the last couple of weeks? To the tight ends. He doesn't use them nearly often enough and that his his fault.

 

[bengaldoug]

Defenses are going to continue to close down on these short passes, because there is no fear of Dalton beating them downfield.

 

[flamingrey]

Gruden is not perfect, but he's good for this team.

FWIW, the last 2 plays for this offense when there was since a chance - albeit a long one - Gresham dropped a pass deep across the middle and Eifert dropped a pass for an interception.

Sure, we have 2 capable TE's, but we overrate them (Eifert has potential though). And teams aren't going to just keep letting us go to them all game.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Gruden is not perfect, but he's good for this team.

FWIW, the last 2 plays for this offense when there was since a chance - albeit a long one - Gresham dropped a pass deep across the middle and Eifert dropped a pass for an interception.

Sure, we have 2 capable TE's, but we overrate them (Eifert has potential though). And teams aren't going to just keep letting us go to them all game.

Eifert didn't drop that pass. It was poorly thrown and it was knocked away by Jackson.

 

[bengaldoug]

Bottom line---I think we can now safely say this team is going nowhere with Dalton. He must be replaced somehow.

 

[futballiscool]

the Browns are tied for 1st place and have an extra first rd pick in the 2014 draft. that's about as good as things could have gone for them after an 0-2 start.

even the Steelers aren't out of it yet

 

[Tubbs1518]

Bottom line---I think we can now safely say this team is going nowhere with Dalton. He must be replaced somehow.

I agree. Before the draft I said we shouldn't take Dalton before the 4th round. I wanted Mallet Or Kaepernick. After the draft I tried to talk myself into liking him. Now i know my initial thoughts were correct.

 

[Tubbs1518]

the Browns are tied for 1st place and have an extra first rd pick in the 2014 draft. that's about as good as things could have gone for them after an 0-2 start.

even the Steelers aren't out of it yet

I disagree. Bryan Hoyer isn't the answer even as well as he looked today. They would have been better off losing and getting a higher pick.

 

[futballiscool]

I disagree. Bryan Hoyer isn't the answer even as well as he looked today. They would have been better off losing and getting a higher pick.

their 1st loss was to Miami who looks legit now. The other loss was by one score on the road in Baltimore. they look like a legit contender for 1st place as weak as this division is now

 

[Tubbs1518]

their 1st loss was to Miami who looks legit now. The other loss was by one score on the road in Baltimore. they look like a legit contender for 1st place as weak as this division is now

That still doesn't help them going forward. They will be in the same position we are. A good defense, 1 receiver, a TE and no legit QB.

 

[flamingrey]

Bottom line---I think we can now safely say this team is going nowhere with Dalton. He must be replaced somehow.

Not to toot my own horn, but I've been saying it since about 6 weeks into his rookie season. And I used to get blasted for it. His limitations were evident in his rookie season and they haven't improved since.

...ok, I am tootin' my own horn.

 

[flamingrey]

That still doesn't help them going forward. They will be in the same position we are. A good defense, 1 receiver, a TE and no legit QB.

Players are not going to quit on a season. Especially when they know they have a legitimate chance for the playoffs.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Not to toot my own horn, but I've been saying it since about 6 weeks into his rookie season. And I used to get blasted for it. His limitations were evident in his rookie season and they haven't improved since.

...ok, I am tootin' my own horn.

I knew his limitations then, but I assumed they would get better. I was wrong.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Players are not going to quit on a season. Especially when they know they have a legitimate chance for the playoffs.

Oh I'm not saying they will, I'm just saying I don't think it is as good for them long term.