A FEW MO' THINGS, 9/10/12
Invest in some lights, boys.
Programming Notes: Those two guys will one day have a radio show working for this company. Can't wait. I'm on today, tomorrow and Thursday. We're 21 days from me being on every day. We're two days away from the weekly chat. And depending on when you're reading this, we're mere hours away from Bengals. v. Ravens on ESPN1530, among other broadcast outlets.
Bengals v. Ravens
I can't think of a game I've waffled on more. Really, I can't think of a season I've waffled on more. I like the direction the franchise has moved in, and is moving in. I liked their draft. I liked the nice, quiet offseason. I'm intrigued by the possibilities of a coaching staff that's merely had to work on improving the team instead of working on improving its attitude and cleaning house. I think we could be poised for a fun year of watching a good, likable, team.
I just don't think they'll be great.
That's the thing. Based on last year's playoff appearance, the standard of success has been raised to the point that simply making the postseason and losing early won't cut it, at least from our simplistic fan standpoint. If 2012 is a good year, last year's team will turn into a great one. It might not be fair, it might even be a little premature, but I think we'll all walk away feeling a little unfulfilled if this season ends like the last one. Good won't be good enough in 2012.
The problem is, I don't look at the Bengals and see greatness. I still see a raw nucleus with some growing pains in front of them. I don't love the back seven of the defense. Four of the five offensive line spots concern me, at least a bit. I don't know that the running game gets markedly better. I have no idea what to expect from the wideouts not named "AJ." I worry about this team getting a consistent pass rush on the outside and I hope that as the offense expands, Andy Dalton has it in him to make the tougher throws.
There's a lot to like too. That AJ Green guy is pretty good. Jermaine Gresham seems unsatisfied with what he accomplished last season. While I don't know if the running game will be better, it could be more varied. Dalton doesn't seem like a guy who thinks he's arrived. And if they stay healthy, the Bengals' defensive line will still be the team's biggest strength. And as good as they were after such a stormy offseason in 2011, it's fun to think about how good they may be after such a calm one in 2012.
I like this team. I don't know that I love it.
I've got 'em at 9-7, second in the division, again making the playoffs as a Wild Card. Our opinion of the 2012 Bengals will rest on the result of their playoff game. I see the Bengals once again putting up a good record, but falling short of the elite.
Oddly enough however, I have them winning tonight against one of the NFL's elite...
Bengals 23 Ravens 20.
-I know I'm going to come off as a complete shill here, and I know you may have better and more important things to spend your money on than switching TV programming providers or on extra sports packages, but if it fits your budget you've gotta get the NFL Red Zone Channel.
Frankly, I don't know how I watched the NFL before it. Six hours of non-stop highlights, almost all of them in real-time, with no commercials. Every key play (and many non-key plays ) of every single game. None of the standing around and idle referee chatter that fills a full game broadcast. And all of it anchored by NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano, who might have the hardest and most fun job in sports broadcasting. I can watch full games on the Sunday Ticket package, but didn't even bother yesterday, instead vegging out with Red Zone. I saw the Jets have their way with the Bills. I watched RGIII's historic debut. I saw Michael Vick and Brandon Weeded try to out-suck each other. I followed the compelling Detroit/St. Louis game and the oddly compelling Los Angeles Jacksonville/Minnesota game. I saw everything I needed to see without hitting a button on the remote. Aside from when the home team plays, I don't know that I can watch football any other way.
If you've seen Red Zone, you're familiar with its awesomeness. If you haven't trust me on this one, get it. Today. Explain it to your wife later. Pawn some stuff around the house if you have to. Sell your least-favorite kid on the illegal Guatamalen baby trade. Whatever it takes. You'll thank me later.
-The replacement refs were okay. Most of the crews managed the games well. Others were pretty brutal, like in the Denver/Pittsburgh game. And others made blatant mistakes, the crew that awarded the Seahawks an extra timeout in the Seattle/Arizona game. But I feel like announcers are going a little overboard in scrutinizing every call and non-call. We get it. The real refs aren't there. Let's wait until they make a mistake instead of waiting for one and pouncing.
-I'm sorry. You can't lose two of three at home to the Astros. Yes, the Reds' next clinch party is imminent. Yes, this has been a fun season and could be a really fun fall. Yes, there are worse things than to be up 8.5 games. Yes, the magic number countdown is a good time. Yes, some people will go overboard because they're 2-4 on the current homestand. But you can't lose two of three to the Astros, and you can't lose to them when you're ace is on the hill.
What's troubling isn't Chapman blowing a save....I spent late Friday night talking myself into the belief that it was a good thing....and it isn't back-to-back sub-par efforts from Cueto, it's how hard it still is for runs to come by. One yesterday. Three on Friday, after a blown chance to blow it open. The inability to score Bruce from third yesterday. Votto is back. There's a new leadoff hitter. And yes, they've had to use Valdez and Gregorius at shortstop. But there's aren't many fixes left, the pitching will get tougher in three and a half weeks, and this team's offense is still frustrating, and at times maddening.
No large lead or shrinking magic number will do anything to ease those concerns.
-More later, including a blog previewing today's radio show. MoHawk Monday becomes MoHawk Tuesday tomorrow. Here's reason number 7,201 why Japanese TV > American TV.
