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Bengals have plenty of room to improve
Four losses in last five games weighs heavily on Cincinnati's midseason report.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Bengals hit the midway point of a roller-coaster season at 4-4, and they're reeling — with four losses in five games spoiling a 3-0 start. Fans are perplexed, coaches are unhappy and players are chirping at one another. Sounds like pre-2003, eh?
Five of the Bengals' remaining eight games are against division leaders, so problems better get fixed in a hurry. How we grade the team at the midway point of the 2006 season:
Extras
Offense
The Bengals have scored 20 or more points once in five games. After beating Pittsburgh to go 3-0, the offense relaxed, fell off its stack of press clippings and transformed into a gang that can't shoot straight. QB Carson Palmer has already been sacked 23 times after going down just 19 times last season. And WR Chad Johnson's receiving yardage (483) projects to 966.
Halftime adjustment: Palmer needs to work overtime with the wideouts for the passing game to get in sync. The O-line must become more physical and start knocking defenders off the ball.
Grade: D
Defense
The unit picked off 31 passes and recovered 13 fumbles to lead the league in takeaways (44) last season. Those numbers (9 picks, 5 fumbles) are way down. Despite the lack of turnovers and weak pass rush, the unit deserved a better fate when it yielded just 14 and 19 points in losses to Tampa Bay and Baltimore.
Halftime adjustment: Replace DT Sam Adams and CB Tory James with Domata Peko and Johnathan Joseph. James has lost a step and Adams' gas tank is dry. Peko pushes the pocket; Joseph covers well and is a willing run defender.
Grade: C
Special teams
Kyle Larson averages 44.3 yards (38.9 net) with 17 of his 43 punts getting downed inside the 20. Shayne Graham has converted 14 of 16 field goals with his only misses from 44 and 62 yards.
Halftime adjustment: Teach Keiwan Ratliff not to field punts inside the 10 and coach up Chris Perry on ball security.
Grade: B
Coaching
Head coach Marvin Lewis accepts, and deserves, the blame for not controlling his players' actions on and off the field.
Halftime adjustment: Quit saying, "We keep getting better." It's time to prove it.
Grade: C
Fans
There's lots of room on the bandwagon with so many fair-weather fans jumping off.
Halftime adjustment: Get a grip. Success sure tasted good last year, and you want more. But parity rules the NFL. In your moments of despair, think about your rivals in the Steel City — and smile.
Grade: C
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253
or cludwig@daytondailynews.com
