From: daled@meaddata.com (Dale Drummond)
Subject: Re: What happened to the Bengal Offense?
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 21:15:02 GMT
Distribution: usa

In article <haverdin.717695277@judy.cs.iastate.edu>, haverdin@cs.iastate.edu (Mike Haverdink) writes:
|> It's tough being a Bengal fan these days, especially when your friends are
|> Packer and Viking fans.  I remember the days when the Bengal offense was
|> one of the best in football.  What happened?
|> 
|> Is it the offensive line?  I know they lost Montoya, but I thought they 
|> still had a good nucleus left (led by Munoz, of course).
|> 
The offensive line is still good, but much better at run blocking than pass
protecting.  Munoz was hurt in the 2nd (?) quarter yesterday, which didn't
help.  Boomer seems to be the big problem.  He's missing wide open receivers.

The won their two games on turnovers, decent defense and their running game.
Without turnovers and with an early deficit, they had to pass, which put more
pressure on Boomer and the line, which led to 4 interceptions, which put
more pressure on the defense, etc., etc.,...

|> Is it the receivers?  I realize that Eddie Brown is out (for the season?),
|> but I would have thought that McGee and Rembert would be adequate.  How does
|> Pickens look?  Is he worth the high draft choice?
|> 
McGee, Rembert and Pickens have been getting open and catching what's thrown
to them, to their credit.  If this doesn't turn around, they'll start dropping
passes because they'll be so surprised they're actually catchable.  I think
Pickens has the potential to be a *great* receiver, and he's doing well
returning punts.

|> Is it Boomer?  His numbers this year are _pathetic_ (something like 97 yards
|> on Sunday).  Is he afraid to throw the ball downfield or what?  I have been
|> a Boomer fan for most of his career (OK, until the underwear commercials :-),
|> but I am starting to think that he has completely lost it.  Does anybody
|> else out there agree (besides the "Boomer *sucks*" guy that has already
|> posted).  Suddenly the Klinger draft pick doesn't seem so bad...
|> 
I'm afraid I have to concur with the "Boomer sucks" guy.  He doesn't even seem
to have confidence, let alone the cockiness he used to.

|> Is the play calling too conservative?  I realize that the Bengals are (were?)
|> running the ball well, but if you can't throw the ball, I would think that
|> defenses would start to stuff the run.  This information is hard to come
|> by since the Bengals games are never televised in Iowa.
|> 
I don't see a problem with the play-calling, except maybe Boomer has to think
too much and he's not able to concentrate as well.  When they can run, that
sets up the short passing game, but they're not able to mix in a bomb every
now and then as a serious threat.  Defenses that can stop the run can pretty
much shut them down.

|> I was starting to think the defense was improving until the Vikings decimated
|> it.  Apparently the defensive line has improved, but the secondary looks 
|> pretty bad.  Maybe if they stay healthy they'll be better. 
|> 
The secondary will be aided by the return of David Fulcher and Ricky Dixon.
"Toast" Jones must go.  The pass rush has been a bright spot...they already
have more sacks this year than last.  I don't expect the defense to be much
above average, but even that's an improvement.  

|> In the past (before 1991 :-), the Bengals could at least outscore opponents 
|> when the defense was bad, but now I'm starting to worry.
|> 
|> I'm pretty starved for Bengal news out here in Iowa.  Any discussion will be
|> appreciated.

After yesterday, I don't know what to expect.  Shula has stated that he will
start Boomer against Houston, which the Jungle fans won't like.  He'll either
stink and get replaced by Hollas, or he'll do well enough to save his job.
I hope Shula gives Hollas a chance to win the game if it's the former.  
|> 
|> --Mike

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dale Drummond          		"This calls for my projectile raisin breath!"	
daled@meaddata.com		
...!uunet!meaddata!daled		-- Powdered Toast Man