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4 College Coaches the Cincinnati Bengals Could Hire

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The Cincinnati Bengals are days away from answering a question years in the making – who will replace Marvin Lewis as head coach?

We say “years in the making” because, quite frankly, Marv should’ve been out as the HC around the time you were finishing your 2016 Thanksgiving leftovers.

Don’t get us wrong. The team experienced some good with Lewis. Since 2003 when he took the helm, the Cincinnati Bengals won the AFC North four times and made the playoffs seven times.

But they appeared in the playoffs seven more times than they won a playoff game. And that 8-24 regular season record against the Pittsburgh Steelers? It doesn’t exactly put a big neon sign over your head that says “GIVE THIS GUY A CONTRACT EXTENSION!!!”

Part of the recent troubles can be attributed to the Bengals being the youngest team in the NFL last year (25.2 years), and third youngest in 2017 (25.5), So, with all that youth, why not go after a college football coach? Someone who can relate. Someone who can win. It’s been done before with success (Jimmy Johnson, Pete Carroll) and there are plenty of hot names out there.

Here are our top four:

Top 4 College Coaches Who Could Lead the Cincinnati Bengals

  1. Dabo Swinney – The Clemson head coach is a bigger deal in the state of South Carolina right now than Nick Saban is at Alabama – which is saying something. Swinney just captured his second national championship in three years (beating Saban) after beating Bama 44-16. His recruiting classes show how he can recognize and develop talent.
  2. Dan Mullen – Mullen just finished his first year with the Florida Gators. He engineered the biggest one-season turnaround at the NCAA level, improving from 4-7 to 10-3. He gets results quickly. We know a team who could use a quick turnaround.
  3. Urban Meyer – This one is a long shot, but name someone on this list who isn’t. Meyer recruits speed, teaches speed, and puts players in the NFL faster than almost anyone. Plus, he’s a Buckeye guy, having just stepped down from Ohio State. Don’t ask.
  4. Tom Herman – Expectations were bigger than Jerry Jones’ ego when Herman took over at the University of Texas in 2017. It took him a bit to get warmed up, but now, Texas football is hotter than a branding iron. Herman just capped the program’s first 10-win season since 2009 and beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

However this shakes out, Bengals fans will be on the edge of their seats until the new coach is announced. And hopefully, it’s a guy who won’t have fans out of their seats by the third quarter.

5 Things Cincinnati Bengals Fans Should Be Thankful For

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It’s turkey week, Cincinnati Bengals fans! Time to stuff our bellies, thank The Man Upstairs and our people in uniform for what they do, and settle in for the second half of the 2018 season.

Because, for the first time in a long time, we won’t just be watching to pass the time until the draft. No sir. With a few more wins, we’ll be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Just about everyone in the 513 area code is thankful for that.

If you root for Cincinnati, here are some other things to be thankful for.

Cincinnati Bengals Fans, Be Thankful That:

5. The offensive line is doing better in 2018. O-line problems are as familiar to Cincinnati Bengals fans as tiger stripes. But with new line coach Frank Pollack and the emergence of guard Trey Hopkins, we’re starting to be cured of the Andrew Whitworth/Kevin Zeitler hangover. The team is tied for 11th in the NFL with 9 rushing touchdowns and are 11th best in sacks given up (21).

4. Our young receivers are getting their chance. With AJ Green out because of a foot injury, it’s a golden opportunity for youngsters Tyler Boyd, John Ross and Josh Malone to get their names mentioned on ESPN. Boyd’s been making the most noise. He has 756 receiving yards through 10 games. He’s also tied for 6th in the league with 14 plays of 20+ yards. If Ross and Malone want to show what they can bring to the table – and get the paychecks to reflect it – now is the time.

3. You don’t root for the Cleveland Browns.

2. The schedule is friendly … ish. This point actually gets us the most excited. Four of the remaining 6 games are against teams with losing records. We could really build some momentum down the stretch. Conversely, the Ravens have to play Kansas City, the LA Chargers and Atlanta – all with a rookie QB in Lamar Jackson. And if not him, then Flacco and his gimpy hip. The Bengals can’t really afford another slip up, but the Ravens have a better chance to slip.

1. We’re doing better than in previous years. Even with Sunday’s loss to Baltimore, the 5-5 Cincinnati Bengals are still in the playoff hunt. The last 2 years saw them at 4-6 (2017), and 3-6-1 (2016) at this point in the season. Yes, their ’18 playoff hopes would look better with two wins against the Ravens, but Sunday’s game is not a deal-killer. Many players on D think brighter days are ahead now that Teryl Austin is out on his duff. If they can sew up some defensive holes, then we’ll get excited about the playoffs. If not … well, there’s always 2019.

Vontaze Burfict’s Fine Money Could Buy You Many Things

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Vontaze Burfict likes to play football. A lot. Vontaze Burfict seems to get fined. A lot.

His latest run-in, 2 separate hits in the last Pittsburgh Steelers game, cost him $112,000. Considering the opponent, it was almost worth it.

His career list of offenses, which reads like that list from season 2 of The Simpsons where Marge was documenting the ways Itchy and Scratchy were slaughtering each other, includes unsportsmanlike penalties, late hits, spearing, stepping on LeGarrette Blount, and the incident that makes us hope Ryan Taylor was wearing his jock.

Burfict’s total fines since 2013 clocks in at $415,637.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how much you could buy with the total of VB’s bad-boy money, the answer is … a lot.

What You Could Buy With Vontaze Burfict’s Fine Money

For 415,000 smackers, you could afford:

  • All cost-of-living expenses for 9 out-of-state students to attend Arizona State University (Burfict’s alma mater) for a year. Plus some beer money. But you didn’t hear us say that.
  • Burfict’s rookie salary as an undrafted free agent in 2012 ($390,000).
  • This beautiful 3BR, 4BA house on Berwyn Place in Cincinnati, with enough left over for home furnishings.
  • 415 Bengal kittens. Think $1000 for one of those critters is expensive? Mike Tyson spent about $4000 per month to care for his three white Bengal tigers back in the day.
  • 24,755 copies of The Simpsons (season 2) on DVD.

And FYI, these numbers don’t reflect the $4+ million in forfeited pay that Burfict has been docked because of his suspensions. Don’t get us started.

Run Gio

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How will the Bengals react with Joe Mixon out for 2-4 weeks?

When news of Joe Mixon’s surgery broke you could hear Bengals fans everywhere start to worry about what this means for the season. While we learned slightly optimistic news that the surgery could sideline him as little as one game, the news still stung. Mixon, who was on pace to rush for over 1,400 yards this year, has been a key piece to the Bengals offense. He has been the Bengals three down back. Now, suddenly, all eyes turn to a familiar face, Giovani Bernard.

Gio is no stranger, now in his sixth NFL season, all with the Bengals. Gio has never been a typical three down between the tackle runner, but instead has found his success doing both running and receiving. In his first three seasons as a pro, Gio totalled over 1,000 scrimmage yards per season, as well as a combined 17 touchdowns from 2013 through 2015. Production dipped in 2016 and 2017, due to Gio seeing less touches, but he has remained just as effective when given the chance. Now with Mixon out, Gio will again prove his worth and show just why the Bengals have kept him around.

In his six seasons, Gio has averaged over four yards a carry and around nine yards per catch. At just 5’9”, Gio is electric and very elusive. Last year through a four game stretch when Mixon was injured, we saw four games in which Gio had at least 10 carries. In those 4 games he averaged over 70 rushing yards per game, which would put him on pace for over 1,140 yards rushing over a 16 game season. He also added 18 receptions in those 4 games. Gio is one of the most underrated backs in the league and has proven he can carry the load for an offense. The offense will no doubt be a different team with Gio in versus Mixon, however, this is not to say that they will regress. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will have had 10 days to prepare for an offense featuring Bernard when the Bengals take the field on Sunday in Carolina. Joe Mixon will be missed no doubt, but we will again see what ole’ reliable can do for this new look 2018 offense.

Run Gio, Run!

Be sure to follow me on twitter @Pierson242FF, Who Dey!

5 Most Important Games On The Bengals Schedule

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ESPN is predicting an 8–8 record for the Cincinnati Bengals. That puts them within one win (based on ESPN’s predictions), either way, of five other AFC teams (Ravens, Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Colts). Meaning, those are the five teams the Bengals could possibly be competing with for a wildcard berth. If the Bengals want to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2015, who they beat is almost as important as winning in the first place. And we know juuuuust who they can beat.

Here are my five picks for the most crucial games of the Cincinnati Bengals season. Win the majority of these, and a postseason ticket looks very punchable.

It’d be Awesome if the Cincinnati Bengals Won These 5 Games

5. Sunday, December 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers
You may be surprised that this game is this low on the list. That’s mainly because it’s the last game of the season, and the Bengals’ role in the playoff picture could very well be decided by now. If the race is close, though, then the team’s postseason fate comes down to beating their most hated rival on their home turf. How’s THAT for motivation?

4. Thursday, September 13 versus Baltimore Ravens
Wins within your division are doubly important, for obvious reasons. Beat a divisional rival and you are a game ahead of them. The Bengals can make a statement early in the year by knocking off the Ravens. It’ll send a message to the rest of the AFC North. It also gives Cincinnati a little padding if they drop the second meeting in Baltimore 8 weeks later.

3. Sunday, September 9 at Indianapolis Colts
Indy QB Andrew Luck has said in interviews that he feels good. But it wouldn’t hurt him to spike his sideline Gatorade with white vinegar to help get some of that rust off.
He missed the entire 2017 season with a bad shoulder. That makes you wonder how slick the Colts’ offense will be. Hopefully, it’s as effective as that get-under-your-school-desk-to-be-safe-from-the-A-bomb drill your grandparents practiced. Winning here puts a wild card competitor in a hole with 3 of Indianapolis’ next 4 games against teams picked at the top of their divisions (Eagles, Texans, Patriots).

2. Sunday, October 14 versus Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s true that we don’t expect Cincinnati to win the division. We don’t even know if they’ll be favored to win this game. But if you can replace an expected L with a surprise W on your schedule, the season’s outlook changes drastically. Ending Pittsburgh’s 6-game win streak against the Bengals and getting over that mental hump is huge.

1. Sunday, October 7 versus Miami Dolphins
Both teams play tough opponents the week before this matchup. We’re guessing (well, hoping …… um, better make it praying) that the Miami Dolphins will be smarting more from their visit to New England than Cincinnati will be after its trip to Atlanta. If Andy Dalton and company can avoid looking ahead to game #2 on this list, that could pave the way to a pivotal win here.