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Bryan
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Atlanta Hawks Have the Best Record in the NBA Eastern Conference
What’s a team got to do to get a little respect around here? The Atlanta Hawks have earned that exact amount of respect the past couple seasons and they want more. The Atlanta Hawks stormed onto the scene in the ‘07-‘08 playoffs by taking the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics to seven games in the first round. They barely made the playoffs that season, boasting a losing record of 37-45 in the regular season.
Nevertheless, everybody was intrigued by what the ‘08-‘09 version of the Atlanta Hawks would look like. Would that be the same below average team that just happened to of had a few good games against the Celtics the year before or was this team maturing into an actual decent team? The Hawks replied to all those answers and more by improving upon their ‘07-‘08 season run. They finished the regular season 47-35 last year and retained the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. They then took care of business in the first round of the playoffs taking out the 5th seed Miami Heat in seven games. They met up with the Cleveland Cavs in the second round only to get pummeled four games to none. The Hawks proved they are a good young team, but they also proved they weren’t ready to be an elite Eastern Conference team.
It’s now the ‘09-‘10 season and the Hawks are proving to everybody they aren’t ready to go away. When the season started the Eastern Conference was about only three teams; the Magic, Cavs and Celtics. After all, nobody else even has a glimmer of a chance in the East. Right? Not so quick. What about the Atlanta Hawks? Doubters across the nation will say it’s just the regular season, and it’s only not even a quarter of the way through. They will say the Hawks are good, but can’t match up with the three elites of the Eastern Conference. Let’s not forget the Magic didn’t get much pub last year either. Sure most people thought they were a great third team in the Eastern Conference, but nonetheless the third best team. People will even say now, that if the Celtics were healthy than it would’ve been a different story. I can’t argue that since the Celtics were indeed missing their heart in Kevin Garnett. I also can’t say that I’m sure the results would’ve changed if they had Garnett.
I’m not even saying that the Atlanta Hawks are better than any of those three teams this year, although they do have a better record at 9-2. What I’m saying is I think this is the year that we better give the Hawks some true respect. Not just as a playoff team, but as a team that does indeed have a chance at least causing some havoc in the playoffs and competing with the elite three. They might even surprise us and take one or two of them out. The Hawks have serious talent, and therefore are a serious threat in the Eastern Conference this season.
I know people will make the same arguments. They can’t match up with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter. They can’t play as physical as Kevin Garnett and his Celtics. They can’t stop Lebron James. Heck, who can? These arguments might still all hold true come playoff time. What the Hawks do have is an elite scorer and all around player in Joe Johnson. They have a young and hungry, double-double machine for a big man in Al Horford. They also have an absolute stat sheet stuffer, and all around player in Josh Smith. They even have some great supporting cast in Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford and Marvin Williams. The truth is this Hawks team still might be one piece away from being just as good as the elite three, but they have the talent to make something happen if the chips fall just right. If they hit stride and gel going into the playoffs, what team can match up with them?
Nevertheless, everybody was intrigued by what the ‘08-‘09 version of the Atlanta Hawks would look like. Would that be the same below average team that just happened to of had a few good games against the Celtics the year before or was this team maturing into an actual decent team? The Hawks replied to all those answers and more by improving upon their ‘07-‘08 season run. They finished the regular season 47-35 last year and retained the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. They then took care of business in the first round of the playoffs taking out the 5th seed Miami Heat in seven games. They met up with the Cleveland Cavs in the second round only to get pummeled four games to none. The Hawks proved they are a good young team, but they also proved they weren’t ready to be an elite Eastern Conference team.
It’s now the ‘09-‘10 season and the Hawks are proving to everybody they aren’t ready to go away. When the season started the Eastern Conference was about only three teams; the Magic, Cavs and Celtics. After all, nobody else even has a glimmer of a chance in the East. Right? Not so quick. What about the Atlanta Hawks? Doubters across the nation will say it’s just the regular season, and it’s only not even a quarter of the way through. They will say the Hawks are good, but can’t match up with the three elites of the Eastern Conference. Let’s not forget the Magic didn’t get much pub last year either. Sure most people thought they were a great third team in the Eastern Conference, but nonetheless the third best team. People will even say now, that if the Celtics were healthy than it would’ve been a different story. I can’t argue that since the Celtics were indeed missing their heart in Kevin Garnett. I also can’t say that I’m sure the results would’ve changed if they had Garnett.
I’m not even saying that the Atlanta Hawks are better than any of those three teams this year, although they do have a better record at 9-2. What I’m saying is I think this is the year that we better give the Hawks some true respect. Not just as a playoff team, but as a team that does indeed have a chance at least causing some havoc in the playoffs and competing with the elite three. They might even surprise us and take one or two of them out. The Hawks have serious talent, and therefore are a serious threat in the Eastern Conference this season.
I know people will make the same arguments. They can’t match up with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter. They can’t play as physical as Kevin Garnett and his Celtics. They can’t stop Lebron James. Heck, who can? These arguments might still all hold true come playoff time. What the Hawks do have is an elite scorer and all around player in Joe Johnson. They have a young and hungry, double-double machine for a big man in Al Horford. They also have an absolute stat sheet stuffer, and all around player in Josh Smith. They even have some great supporting cast in Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford and Marvin Williams. The truth is this Hawks team still might be one piece away from being just as good as the elite three, but they have the talent to make something happen if the chips fall just right. If they hit stride and gel going into the playoffs, what team can match up with them?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Allen Iverson On the NBA Free Agent Market Again, as The Memphis Grizzles and Him Split.
Allen Iverson and The Memphis Grizzles decided to part ways on Monday night. Does this shock anybody? Raise your hand if you were wondering how the heck Allen Iverson and the Memphis Grizzles could have ever made a good match? Go ahead Mr. Iverson, raise both hands because even you knew there was no way this marriage was going to last. I think everybody scratched their heads and tried to come up with a reason as to why Iverson would want to play for Memphis or that the Grizzles would want to add Iverson. It was a lose-lose situation.
We must venture to guess that Iverson chose Memphis because he didn’t really have any other options. Somehow, he was appalled by the idea of coming off the bench for the Grizzles, but I question how he didn’t see that coming? The whole reason the Grizzles signing of Iverson didn’t make sense is because they have incredible young talent in the positions Iverson would play. Iverson can obviously only play the point guard or the shooting guard spot with him being a generous six feet tall.
The Grizzles best two young players are O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. Mayo must play shooting guard because Gay is a small forward. There is no way any coach in this league would start Iverson over Mayo, so that leaves only one starting spot open for Allen. That spot is currently filled by third year point guard Mike Conley. Conley hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations, but remember he was drafted fourth overall just three seasons ago. He is just now starting to show a little bit of the reason why he got drafted so high. Do you have him come off the bench and possibly stunt his progress as a player so that Iverson can start at point guard? If the Grizzles were contenders and they felt that Iverson was the last piece of the puzzle, than I could see that happening. Honestly though, does Allen Iverson running point guard on a young team seem like a good idea to anybody?
Iverson is best when he can play the two guard and have an unselfish point guard to play next to him. Now, Iverson is on the free agent market again and one has to wonder; will anybody bite? We are talking about a guy who has won an NBA MVP and led the league in scoring four times.
Iverson has worn out his welcome in most places, though and the old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard seems pretty bare when it comes to suitors for the 34-year-old guard. The New York Knicks have said they might be interested and would seem like one of the only realistic options for Iverson.
We must venture to guess that Iverson chose Memphis because he didn’t really have any other options. Somehow, he was appalled by the idea of coming off the bench for the Grizzles, but I question how he didn’t see that coming? The whole reason the Grizzles signing of Iverson didn’t make sense is because they have incredible young talent in the positions Iverson would play. Iverson can obviously only play the point guard or the shooting guard spot with him being a generous six feet tall.
The Grizzles best two young players are O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. Mayo must play shooting guard because Gay is a small forward. There is no way any coach in this league would start Iverson over Mayo, so that leaves only one starting spot open for Allen. That spot is currently filled by third year point guard Mike Conley. Conley hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations, but remember he was drafted fourth overall just three seasons ago. He is just now starting to show a little bit of the reason why he got drafted so high. Do you have him come off the bench and possibly stunt his progress as a player so that Iverson can start at point guard? If the Grizzles were contenders and they felt that Iverson was the last piece of the puzzle, than I could see that happening. Honestly though, does Allen Iverson running point guard on a young team seem like a good idea to anybody?
Iverson is best when he can play the two guard and have an unselfish point guard to play next to him. Now, Iverson is on the free agent market again and one has to wonder; will anybody bite? We are talking about a guy who has won an NBA MVP and led the league in scoring four times.
Iverson has worn out his welcome in most places, though and the old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard seems pretty bare when it comes to suitors for the 34-year-old guard. The New York Knicks have said they might be interested and would seem like one of the only realistic options for Iverson.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Peyton Manning Takes advantage of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots' Errors to Lead the Colts to Impossible Win
The much-hyped up Sunday Night match up between the New England Patriots and The Indianapolis Colts was for the most part a one-sided affair. The New England Patriots seemed like the better team the entire night and outplayed the Colts in every facet of the game. So why were the Colts jumping around in excitement when the final seconds ticked off of the clock?
After the game last night, I tried to count how many times I caught myself saying this game is over only to stop and think, but that is Peyton Manning over there. That happened so many times that I gave up trying to count how many there was and I’m a very stubborn person. The amazing thing was is that I kept saying, but what about Peyton Manning on a night when Peyton Manning didn’t resemble Peyton Manning. Make sure you are seated for this one Manning fans, but Peyton looked almost human last night. I know, who would’ve thought that was even a possibility? I know that Manning fans will be quick to point out that he was 28-44 for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Were the two picks that bad that I’m saying he was unlike himself last night? Actually, yes that is what I’m saying. The two interceptions he threw were dead ducks and he even had one or two others that were pretty ugly. Does that mean Manning had a bad game? No, it just means that he is so great that we come to expect near perfection from him. Against the New England Patriots, the Colts usually need that from Manning to get a win, but the Patriots felt in a bit of a giving mood last night. So much so that they gift-wrapped opportunities for the Colts to stay unbeaten and no matter how off of a night the Colts are having, that is something I just don’t suggest doing. Early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots improved their lead to 17 points. The Patriots don’t blow 17 points leads. It’s so rare that this was first time that a Bill Belichick coached Patriots team lost when they had a lead of 13 or more points in the fourth quarter. The Patriots did what they could to keep the Colts just barely hanging in there like fumbling at the goal line. How rare is that for the New England Patriots? It is the first fumble lost by New England on a rushing play all season! The Colts breezed down the field for a touchdown and cut the deficit down to 34-28 with 2:23 left in the game and all three time outs remaining.
That’s okay Patriot fans; you have Bill Belichick on the sideline. There is a reason he is widely considered the best coach in the game. He never does anything that is even borderline stupid let alone go for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 28-yard line with 2:08 remaining in the game. Is that the Patriots lining up on fourth down? It’s okay they are just trying to draw the Colts off-sides there is no way they are going to…snap it. They didn’t really just snap it, did they?
The game went much how it should go after that decision. Kevin Faulk pulled in the pass around the first down marker, but was juggling the football and it was ruled to be just short of the first down. The Patriots had used up the last of their time outs just before that, so they couldn’t challenge the play.
The Colts had just shy of two minutes left and less than thirty yards to go. Is there anybody that watched this game that didn’t think Peyton Manning would find a way to lead his team to victory with just a few seconds left? Just as if it was scripted, Manning found Reggie Wayne in the end zone with only 13 seconds left and the Colts rallied for an impossible 35-34 win. At least, it should’ve been impossible, but that is why you keep watching.
After the game Peyton Manning showed why he is so well respected and loved for giving all the credit of the touchdown grab to wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Peyton didn’t say that he called the play, or even that they decided, but instead admirably admitted that Reggie Wayne called the final play.
After the game last night, I tried to count how many times I caught myself saying this game is over only to stop and think, but that is Peyton Manning over there. That happened so many times that I gave up trying to count how many there was and I’m a very stubborn person. The amazing thing was is that I kept saying, but what about Peyton Manning on a night when Peyton Manning didn’t resemble Peyton Manning. Make sure you are seated for this one Manning fans, but Peyton looked almost human last night. I know, who would’ve thought that was even a possibility? I know that Manning fans will be quick to point out that he was 28-44 for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Were the two picks that bad that I’m saying he was unlike himself last night? Actually, yes that is what I’m saying. The two interceptions he threw were dead ducks and he even had one or two others that were pretty ugly. Does that mean Manning had a bad game? No, it just means that he is so great that we come to expect near perfection from him. Against the New England Patriots, the Colts usually need that from Manning to get a win, but the Patriots felt in a bit of a giving mood last night. So much so that they gift-wrapped opportunities for the Colts to stay unbeaten and no matter how off of a night the Colts are having, that is something I just don’t suggest doing. Early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots improved their lead to 17 points. The Patriots don’t blow 17 points leads. It’s so rare that this was first time that a Bill Belichick coached Patriots team lost when they had a lead of 13 or more points in the fourth quarter. The Patriots did what they could to keep the Colts just barely hanging in there like fumbling at the goal line. How rare is that for the New England Patriots? It is the first fumble lost by New England on a rushing play all season! The Colts breezed down the field for a touchdown and cut the deficit down to 34-28 with 2:23 left in the game and all three time outs remaining.
That’s okay Patriot fans; you have Bill Belichick on the sideline. There is a reason he is widely considered the best coach in the game. He never does anything that is even borderline stupid let alone go for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 28-yard line with 2:08 remaining in the game. Is that the Patriots lining up on fourth down? It’s okay they are just trying to draw the Colts off-sides there is no way they are going to…snap it. They didn’t really just snap it, did they?
The game went much how it should go after that decision. Kevin Faulk pulled in the pass around the first down marker, but was juggling the football and it was ruled to be just short of the first down. The Patriots had used up the last of their time outs just before that, so they couldn’t challenge the play.
The Colts had just shy of two minutes left and less than thirty yards to go. Is there anybody that watched this game that didn’t think Peyton Manning would find a way to lead his team to victory with just a few seconds left? Just as if it was scripted, Manning found Reggie Wayne in the end zone with only 13 seconds left and the Colts rallied for an impossible 35-34 win. At least, it should’ve been impossible, but that is why you keep watching.
After the game Peyton Manning showed why he is so well respected and loved for giving all the credit of the touchdown grab to wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Peyton didn’t say that he called the play, or even that they decided, but instead admirably admitted that Reggie Wayne called the final play.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
NFL Week 10 Game of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) At Pittburgh Steelers (6-2)
It’s week 10 in the NFL and one is hard pressed to find too many great matchups. In fact, when looking to anoint one game the game of the week, only two games even come into consideration. On Sunday night, the New England Patriots play at Indianapolis against the undefeated Colts. The Patriots are (6-2) and don’t want the Colts to have a chance at replacing them as the most recent team in NFL history to go undefeated during the regular season. This game is great and I have every intention to watch it, but it is still not the game of the week. The Patriots and Colts might both be AFC powerhouses, but anytime there is a key divisional rival game between two good teams where the winner gets the inside track on the division, then that is the number one game to watch.
The AFC North is up for grabs in a winner-take-all showdown. The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Super Bowl defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 PM on Sunday afternoon. Both teams are (6-2) and currently tied atop the AFC North division. The two teams played back in week three at Cincinnati and the Bengals rallied late to beat the Steelers 23-20. The Steelers had the led the entire game until Carson Palmer connected with Andre Caldwell in the end zone for a 4 yard touchdown with a mere 14 seconds left in the game. That tough loss dropped the Pittsburgh Steelers to a record of (1-2) and threatened to put them into a year long struggle to even return to the playoffs, but they had a different plan. Why struggle when you can just start beating the crap out of your opponents like they are all third graders and you are the sixth grade bully on the playground? They have even done a great job of spreading the pain around to good teams and bad teams both the same. The Steelers gave the same butt whooping to good teams like the Vikings, Broncos and Chargers that they gave to the lowest of the low teams like the Lions and Browns.
The Steelers come into this game on a five game win streak with their last loss being that one in Cincinnati, but they better be careful; the pressure is on them this time. If they lose to the Bengals this week in Pittsburgh, then they will be one game behind Cincinnati and will lose the tiebreaker to them, which in essence really would give the Bengals a two game lead over the defending champs.
The AFC North is up for grabs in a winner-take-all showdown. The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Super Bowl defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 PM on Sunday afternoon. Both teams are (6-2) and currently tied atop the AFC North division. The two teams played back in week three at Cincinnati and the Bengals rallied late to beat the Steelers 23-20. The Steelers had the led the entire game until Carson Palmer connected with Andre Caldwell in the end zone for a 4 yard touchdown with a mere 14 seconds left in the game. That tough loss dropped the Pittsburgh Steelers to a record of (1-2) and threatened to put them into a year long struggle to even return to the playoffs, but they had a different plan. Why struggle when you can just start beating the crap out of your opponents like they are all third graders and you are the sixth grade bully on the playground? They have even done a great job of spreading the pain around to good teams and bad teams both the same. The Steelers gave the same butt whooping to good teams like the Vikings, Broncos and Chargers that they gave to the lowest of the low teams like the Lions and Browns.
The Steelers come into this game on a five game win streak with their last loss being that one in Cincinnati, but they better be careful; the pressure is on them this time. If they lose to the Bengals this week in Pittsburgh, then they will be one game behind Cincinnati and will lose the tiebreaker to them, which in essence really would give the Bengals a two game lead over the defending champs.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell Fines Chad Ochocinco $20,000
Most people know that the acronym NFL stands for National Football League. However, to most football fans the acronym NFL has another meaning; No Fun League. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made no effort to rebel against that image during his short tenure. Goodell became NFL commissioner on September 1st, 2006, and has quickly engraved an image of being strict and coming down hard on rule breakers. There is no doubt in my mind that in his own little head he thinks he is doing what is best for the NFL. However, there is a thing as stepping over the line and I think Roger Goodell has just done it.
During a coach’s challenge in the Bengals and Ravens game this past Sunday, Chad Ochocinco decided to show his sense of humor. Yes, the same Chad Ochocinco that once sent Pepto Bismal to Cleveland Browns cornerbacks before a game. He walked up to a ref on the field and playfully acted like he was slipping him a $1 bill as a bribe to get the call in his favor. A ten-year old kid could tell that this was a joke. Roger Goodell didn’t think this was funny and decided a $20,000 fine was in order for Ochocinco.
I laughed for two minutes straight after seeing Ochocinco pull this trick. Then again, I’m a huge fan of the NFL so my opinion doesn’t matter, right? Oh, wait a minute. I’m the one that the NFL is trying to entertain? Are you sure? In that case, then why in the world of football would Roger Goodell fine Chad Ochocinco, for trying to do that very thing.
Chad Ochocinco is a smart person; he knows that his job is to entertain his fans. It doesn’t mean that he tries any less on the field. It means in his free time he sits down and says to himself how can I make people laugh or smile today. Is that really such a bad thing?
Memo to Mr. Goodell; there are NFL players trying to kill people. There are NFL players beating the crap out of their wives, girlfriends or a female that dared to say no. There are NFL players bringing loaded guns to clubs and deciding the only way to solve their problems is to shoot them in the air or into their own legs. Not that anybody did that, right Plaxico Burress?
We hear stories like this all the time, but there are only a small percentage of NFL players doing this stuff. For every one idiotic NFL player that does something criminal, there are five or six others that are good solid people. A lot of NFL players even donate extreme amounts of money and time to good causes and charities. Instead of trying to send players like Chad Ochocinco to the doghouse, promote them as the fun and friendly face of the NFL. It’s the image makeover the NFL needs to perform.
During a coach’s challenge in the Bengals and Ravens game this past Sunday, Chad Ochocinco decided to show his sense of humor. Yes, the same Chad Ochocinco that once sent Pepto Bismal to Cleveland Browns cornerbacks before a game. He walked up to a ref on the field and playfully acted like he was slipping him a $1 bill as a bribe to get the call in his favor. A ten-year old kid could tell that this was a joke. Roger Goodell didn’t think this was funny and decided a $20,000 fine was in order for Ochocinco.
I laughed for two minutes straight after seeing Ochocinco pull this trick. Then again, I’m a huge fan of the NFL so my opinion doesn’t matter, right? Oh, wait a minute. I’m the one that the NFL is trying to entertain? Are you sure? In that case, then why in the world of football would Roger Goodell fine Chad Ochocinco, for trying to do that very thing.
Chad Ochocinco is a smart person; he knows that his job is to entertain his fans. It doesn’t mean that he tries any less on the field. It means in his free time he sits down and says to himself how can I make people laugh or smile today. Is that really such a bad thing?
Memo to Mr. Goodell; there are NFL players trying to kill people. There are NFL players beating the crap out of their wives, girlfriends or a female that dared to say no. There are NFL players bringing loaded guns to clubs and deciding the only way to solve their problems is to shoot them in the air or into their own legs. Not that anybody did that, right Plaxico Burress?
We hear stories like this all the time, but there are only a small percentage of NFL players doing this stuff. For every one idiotic NFL player that does something criminal, there are five or six others that are good solid people. A lot of NFL players even donate extreme amounts of money and time to good causes and charities. Instead of trying to send players like Chad Ochocinco to the doghouse, promote them as the fun and friendly face of the NFL. It’s the image makeover the NFL needs to perform.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thanks to Carson Palmer the Cincinnati Bengals Are on the Prowl Again.
If I were to tell you right now that I predict the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs, you would probably nod your head in agreement. After all, the Bengals are now sitting at 6-2 and coming off a big win over division rival Baltimore. Now what would’ve you said, if I told you this prediction in August? I doubt, I would have gotten the same response from most, if not all of you. I will brag for one moment and say yes I actually had the Cincinnati Bengals going to the playoffs, when I made my preseason predictions. Now before people start appointing me a liar, I should also mention that I picked the Ravens to beat the Giants in the Super Bowl and the Carolina Panthers to win the NFC South. Yes, the same division where the Saints are now 8-0 and those Panthers are a lowly 3-5.
The real question is why would’ve anybody that isn’t a huge Bengals fan and is legally competent have picked them in the preseason to make the playoffs. Well, let’s start off by saying don’t jump the gun on that competent stuff yet, the state tests I took are still waiting to be reviewed. I wish I could tell you I knew that halfway through the year Cedric Benson would be on pace to rush for over 1600 yards, but I didn’t. What I did know about Benson is that he would rush for a career high in yards this year. Now before we go calling this a bold prediction, let’s check to see how many yards he needs the rest of this season to reach that personal plateau. Oh yeah, that’s right! He already did. It’s a pretty strange oddity to think about but the NFL’s second leading rusher this season broke his single season record in only 8 weeks and it’s his fifth season in the league. Benson has 837 rushing yards and is as close as one can get to being a shoe in to get his first career 1000-yard rushing season.
So if not Benson than why predict the Bengals to get back to the postseason. They must have made a big splash in the free agent market right? Not exactly, in fact they lost one of their best talents wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to the Seattle Seahawks via free agency. The answer is so much simpler. This team revolves around one player and my apologies to my man Chad Ochocinco, but it isn’t you. The Bengals go as far as Carson Palmer and his mighty arm will take them. That is what was missing last year and the Bengals fell apart in all branches of the game trying to make up for that missing part. There is no quick fix to replacing Palmer. He is one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL and he is once again showing it now that he is healthy. Carson Palmer is quietly on pace to pass for 28 touchdowns and over 3600 yards. They aren’t out of this world numbers, but are strong contributions and just what the Bengals need to even out their now deadly ground attack.
As long as Carson Palmer stays healthy, Chad Ochocinco will be his productive self and the Bengals will be around in the playoffs. The question is what do they need to do to get further once they are there.
c
The real question is why would’ve anybody that isn’t a huge Bengals fan and is legally competent have picked them in the preseason to make the playoffs. Well, let’s start off by saying don’t jump the gun on that competent stuff yet, the state tests I took are still waiting to be reviewed. I wish I could tell you I knew that halfway through the year Cedric Benson would be on pace to rush for over 1600 yards, but I didn’t. What I did know about Benson is that he would rush for a career high in yards this year. Now before we go calling this a bold prediction, let’s check to see how many yards he needs the rest of this season to reach that personal plateau. Oh yeah, that’s right! He already did. It’s a pretty strange oddity to think about but the NFL’s second leading rusher this season broke his single season record in only 8 weeks and it’s his fifth season in the league. Benson has 837 rushing yards and is as close as one can get to being a shoe in to get his first career 1000-yard rushing season.
So if not Benson than why predict the Bengals to get back to the postseason. They must have made a big splash in the free agent market right? Not exactly, in fact they lost one of their best talents wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to the Seattle Seahawks via free agency. The answer is so much simpler. This team revolves around one player and my apologies to my man Chad Ochocinco, but it isn’t you. The Bengals go as far as Carson Palmer and his mighty arm will take them. That is what was missing last year and the Bengals fell apart in all branches of the game trying to make up for that missing part. There is no quick fix to replacing Palmer. He is one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL and he is once again showing it now that he is healthy. Carson Palmer is quietly on pace to pass for 28 touchdowns and over 3600 yards. They aren’t out of this world numbers, but are strong contributions and just what the Bengals need to even out their now deadly ground attack.
As long as Carson Palmer stays healthy, Chad Ochocinco will be his productive self and the Bengals will be around in the playoffs. The question is what do they need to do to get further once they are there.
c
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