Guestblog: We're Beating Ourselves

Guestblog by our now-and-again sports writer, my brother Bradley!

We're Beating Ourselves

And no, for once I'm not talking about Carson Palmer.

It seems like Bengals fans are wandering around, looking for who to blame-- looking for that one special person to shoulder the criticisms and be the brunt of frustrations for angry fans. A 2-4 start is not how any of us wanted this season to go. Trust me, it stings me as much as anyone when I see our team power ranked next to the Jaguars and 49ers. Weren't we the dominate kings of the AFC North just one year ago?

But what seems to burn most people's asses around the city is that when you look at Cincinnati's roster: we've got just as much talent as the rest of 'em. Big names, big draft picks, and big performers stand-out big, as underrated and undervalued players pepper the remaining slots. So for the first time in a long while, the Bengals fans have no heads to place on the chopping blocks.

For the first time in maybe ten years, we can't hid behind personnel problems.

A whole football team is really put in perspective when you've got glaring problems like the Bengals once had. Those penalties we give up don't seem so bad when Palmer has no weapons. And rushing averages don't seem so bad when your line is unhealthy. And when you can't long-snap to save your life? The little problems that've accumulated seem to take a back burner.

So for anyone who's watched an NFL draft, we're finally starting to see the emergence of player intangibles. The leadership qualities and work ethic of players. The kind of qualities that evolve only with time, experience, and working hard. My guess is that for most NFL fans, this is a hard concept to grasp. The thought of making adjustments and practicing fundamentals is grossly overshadowed by huge player salaries and constant highlight reels.

We can play football if our head is on straight and we do what we're supposed to do. We don't lack talent, we just lack focus and efficiency.
- Chris Crocker

So my biggest plea for Bengals fans: give this team the environment to grow. The players have already proven they have the physical ability it takes to impress the coaches, and the drive to make a starting spot. Let's stop hoping for changes overnight, let's stop hoping for our favorite players to touch the ball every game, and for the Bengals to play like your Madden team. Let's start setting realistic expectations.

So I'll finish out this post with something to look forward to. As former first-round draft pick Andre Smith finally gets some solid playing time, he's developing as an excellent run-blocker for Cedric Benson. When all was said and done, Benson finished (in our game with Atlanta) with a 6.1 yard rushing average behind Smith and Bobbie Williams on the right side. Now that's something to smile about.