Ask a Bengals fan

[WhoDeyBengals]

I've got a thread going in smack, but no one seems to want to play.

I know you guys aren't feeling so hot about your team right now, and I guess that's why. So I thought I'd take a different approach.

Not a lot of people outside of those who follow it closely know much about this team. That's why everyone acted all surprised when the Bengals beat the Browns. It didn't surprise those who know the team. The Bengals have a strong core of talent on both sides of the ball, and while the team has its weaknesses, Bengals fans have some cause for optimism during what was billed as a rebuilding year.

Obviously, you guys will get to see it first-hand on Sunday when the Bengals meet the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

So let's talk some football. Being a regular on this board, I know plenty about the Broncos, but not many of you know much about my team. I'm here to help.

Let's talk Bengals. Got a question? Ask it. Want to talk matchups? I'm game.

Note: This is not a smack thread. I've started one, but no one seems to be in the mood. So I come in peace. Please keep it respectful.

[the0rangecrush]

Do you feel Dalton is the answer at QB?

[denver9ers]

Who starts under center? Gradkowski's statline wasn't exactly magic but Dalton has a bum wrist.

[Bronco51]

I've got a thread going in smack, but no one seems to want to play.

I know you guys aren't feeling so hot about your team right now, and I guess that's why. So I thought I'd take a different approach.

Not a lot of people outside of those who follow it closely know much about this team. That's why everyone acted all surprised when the Bengals beat the Browns. It didn't surprise those who know the team. The Bengals have a strong core of talent on both sides of the ball, and while the team has its weaknesses, Bengals fans have some cause for optimism during what was billed as a rebuilding year.

Obviously, you guys will get to see it first-hand on Sunday when the Bengals meet the Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

So let's talk some football. Being a regular on this board, I know plenty about the Broncos, but not many of you know much about my team. I'm here to help.

Let's talk Bengals. Got a question? Ask it. Want to talk matchups? I'm game.

Note: This is not a smack thread. I've started one, but no one seems to be in the mood. So I come in peace. Please keep it respectful.

Is Andy Dalton the real deal?

[shawinkerpoppin]

Bengals draft players I wanted denver to draft. But then I forget to follow them. How is Michael Johnson(I think thats his name) Carlos Dunlap and ray maluga (I think I butchered that) doing?

[WhoDeyBengals]

Do you feel Dalton is the answer at QB?

I think it's too early to tell, but the early results have been encouraging.

He's a smart football player. He makes good decisions. His accuracy has been a little off, though. I've seen him sail some balls. I don't think it's anything that's not correctable.

The media jumped all over him for his poor showing in the second week of the preseason against the Jets, but I thought that was thoroughly unfair. Simpson and Green dropped three passes apiece, and one of the interceptions he threw was off of a bobble. He did throw a mistake of a ball in that game, but playing against two of the most ferocious pass rushes in his first two starts (Detroit in Week 1, NYJ in Week 2), I thought he looked OK.

I'm hoping this injury of his isn't serious. I've heard several conflicting reports, but Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com said he's "questionable at best" for Sunday. If he's ready to go, I think he can have a good day. If not, we'll be relying on Gradkowski, who I'm sure would benefit from first-team practice reps, unlike against Cleveland.

[fightinglee]

I just dont look at the bengals and think of a good team. I dont see talent there. I am not saying Im right, just saying the bengals come into my mind as one of the worst 5 teams, right there with the broncos.

You watch them though. Do you feel confident that the bengals are a good team?

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

I've seen Andy play a few times in college, and specifically against Boise State a couple of times. I said before the draft some team was going to get a very good QB who might be the most pro ready of all them.

However, the Bengals are going to get spanked...the end.

[WhoDeyBengals]

Bengals draft players I wanted denver to draft. But then I forget to follow them. How is Michael Johnson(I think thats his name) Carlos Dunlap and ray maluga (I think I butchered that) doing?

Dunlap came on strong in the later part of his rookie campaign. Contrary to the knocks we heard on him in the draft, he's a high-motor guy who is relentless in pursuit. I personally haven't seen him take a play off. He's been battling an injury, but he's a key piece on our defense on passing downs.

Johnson's a flat-out beast. I love the guy. He's good for knocking down a ball or two at the line every game, and he can get to the quarterback with the best of them. Definitely worth the pick we invested in him, considering we took him in the third round.

Maualuga's finally playing at his natural position after two years playing OLB. I've only seen him in a few games at MLB, but I've really liked what I've seen. He's been a vocal leader in the absence of Dhani Jones (nice guy, but good riddance), and I've really liked what I've seen so far. I think he's got a shot to be special now that he's moved inside.

[rock_tapps]

I have a question for a Bengals fan. Since we suck about as bad as you how do you deal with this year after year? I am struggling with this losing stuff............

[BroncoFanBoy]

I have two questions.

1. What do you think of AJ Green?

2. Should Gradkowski start and mentor Dalton, or is Dalton ready to be a starter?

[fightinglee]

I have a question for a Bengals fan. Since we suck about as bad as you how do you deal with this year after year? I am struggling with this losing stuff............

Thats pretty funny, and yet its not. I was actually wondering the same thing. How does it feel? I guess you just learn to be more of a pure football fan, and just love the game more each year, because its too hard to just be a broncos fan these days. Its not enough. You have to be a broncos fan, and then go watch a few games that are actually entertaining.

I wonder if this is how detroit and bengals fans did it for so long.

[WhoDeyBengals]

I just dont look at the bengals and think of a good team. I dont see talent there. I am not saying Im right, just saying the bengals come into my mind as one of the worst 5 teams, right there with the broncos.

You watch them though. Do you feel confident that the bengals are a good team?

If you don't see talent, it's because you're not familiar with the team at all. If you're looking at the roster and you don't see it... well, I don't know what to tell you other than you don't really follow football very closely, do you?

The offensive line is anchored by Andrew Whitworth, arguably one of the best LTs in the league. Andre Smith goofed off his first two years here, but he finally showed up ready to play RT for us this year. He had some very impressive blocks in the Browns win.

The Bengals' offensive skill positions are loaded to the gills with talent. Everyone knows about A.J. Green. Jordan Shipley's a great slot guy. Jerome Simpson finally came into his own in the final three games of last year when TO and 85 were both hurt, and he averaged over 100 yards per game. He's got the chops to play the deep threat. At tight end, we invested a first-round pick in Jermain Gresham, and he's shown he warranted his draft position.

On defense, you've got a pretty darn good offensive line and a good corps of linebackers. Michael Johnson, Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins can flat-out get after it, and Robert Geathers is still a rangy DE. At LB, we've got Rey Maualuga finally playing MLB, with Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard. Man, Howard had a really nice game against Cleveland. I'm surprised Oakland decided to let him walk.

Of course, we've also got Leon Hall and Nate Clements. That's a pretty nice tandem at CB.

Safety's the only real question mark. I like Chris Crocker, but Reggie Nelson is still in "prove it" territory with me.

There's your talent.

I've seen Andy play a few times in college, and specifically against Boise State a couple of times. I said before the draft some team was going to get a very good QB who might be the most pro ready of all them.

We're glad to have him.

However, the Bengals are going to get spanked...the end.

[JWinn]

Do your players do interviews on WKRP?

What's it like to lose to the Browns?

Why are your colors Orange and Black?

Are you half Broncos and half Raiders?

Why are your cheerleaders so fat?

Why is the sky blue and orange at sunset?

Why is Sarah Palin's chin so weird.

Why is Richard Cheney gun shy?

Why is Hillary Clinton still married?

Why is BILL?

Why is it raining?

Why isn't it snowing?

Why does the sun shine?

Why is red red?

Why is green green?

Why is my post so stupid?

[Hoserman117]

Thats pretty funny, and yet its not. I was actually wondering the same thing. How does it feel? I guess you just learn to be more of a pure football fan, and just love the game more each year, because its too hard to just be a broncos fan these days. Its not enough. You have to be a broncos fan, and then go watch a few games that are actually entertaining.

I wonder if this is how detroit and bengals fans did it for so long.

I don't really see what's so bad about the Bengals. IMO I see a talented team with a dysfunctional front office/coaching staff.