Football Frustration

The Cincinnati Bengals are beyond a shadow of a doubt the most frustrating team to be a fan of in the Queen City. The team is often regarded as stale, stubborn, and behind the times. Last Tuesday showcased that sentiment in spades.

With the NFL trade deadline approaching at 4PM on 10/29, the only news to break from the Bengals front office was that quarterback Andy Dalton would be benched after the bye week in favor of starting rookie Ryan Finley who was taken in the fourth round of the draft. I support the move. Dalton is essentially a lame duck quarterback at this point and the Bengals need to see what they have in Finley before the 2020 NFL draft. Unfortunately, that was the only move the Bengals made.

Reports were swirling that other teams had reached out to the Bengals regarding Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Dre Kirkpatrick, Tyler Eifert, and A.J. Green. Some serious draft picks could've been acquired in exchange for any of the guys listed and yet the Bengals did not pull the trigger on a single trade. Green alone could have garnered a first round pick and considering how he can walk away at the end of the season, it is baffling that this team did not move him as there is no guarantee he will sign another Bengals contract.

Coach Zac Taylor was heard multiple times throughout the week leading up to the trade deadline that they want to evaluate the current roster. I really hope somebody was telling him to say that, as bad as that sounds. When your team is 0-8, what is there to evaluate? The Bengals suck this season. That is your evaluation. Expecting something different with the same aging cast of characters next season? That's insanity. What's more insane than that? Being a Bengals fan.

Despite all the frustration the Bengals give me every week and the absolute incompetence demonstrated by the ownership and front office, I am still a fan. For some stupid reason, I am still invested in this franchise and want to see them succeed. That is why it is beyond infuriating to watch this franchise do nothing at the trade deadline. Instead of trading away players to gather draft picks that can help rebuild the franchise, the Bengals stayed stagnant and appear consent with the way things are.

Obviously, the fans are not content. The city of Cincinnati is not content. There needs to be a big change or shakeup within the Bengals organization. Something that would revitalize the fanbase and take this team to the next level is desperately needed. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. As for now, expect more of the same old, incompetent Bengals.

Who Dey...

Bengal Graphs 2017 Part 1

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the autographs he has gotten throughout the 2017 season of Cincinnati Bengals.

Bengal Graphs 2016 Part 2

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the different autographs he has gotten from the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2016 NFL season.

Autograph Page Update

#Autograph Page Update @ https://t.co/ULDHSOUCJg With New #Bengals Autographs#WhoDey #LetsRoar #NFL #CINvsNYG #TNF #MNF #nba #nhl #sports pic.twitter.com/yBv3mLCx5K

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 9, 2016

Photo Page Update

Photo Page Update @ https://t.co/JzwEdxiFEu With New #Bengals & #Bearcats Pics#WhoDey #MNF #LetsRoar #CINvsNYG #football #nba #TNF #NFL pic.twitter.com/9ZMvuAtJeX

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) November 9, 2016

My All-Time Favorite Cincinnati Bengals Game

With the 2016 NFL season officially underway, my Cincinnati Bengals are once again looking to end the playoff win draught that has plagued the Queen City for over 25 years. Being a lifelong Bengals fan, I have seen it all. I was a kid during the Dark Ages of the 1990s, and I have experienced the renaissance of this franchise during the Marvin Lewis era. I have seen dramatic comebacks and primetime meltdowns. I experienced the lowest of lows during the 2015 playoff implosion, but I have also experienced the highest of highs such as the 17 point comeback against the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, that is my all-time favorite Bengals game, and in this post, I will explain why.

The game between the Seahawks and my beloved Bengals happened during week 5 of the 2015 NFL season. The Bengals were riding a huge wave of momentum after sprinting out of the gates to a 4-0 start. The Seahawks were the Super Bowl champs in 2013 as well as the reigning 2014 NFC champions. This game had a big fight feel to it and was hyped in Cincinnati in the week leading up to the battle on the gridiron. Needless to say, it delivered.

The Bengals got off to a hot start by scoring on their opening drive and taking a 7-0 lead. The Seahawks responded later in the quarter and dominated the Bengals throughout the rest of the half and the entire third quarter. By the time the fourth and final quarter of play started, the Bengals were on the wrong end of a 24-7 score with the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” standing in their way. It was not looking good for Who Dey Nation.

Despite being down, the team was not out and still fought with determination and the will to win. Quarterback Andy Dalton connected with Tyler Eifert for a touchdown, Eifert’s second receiving touchdown of the game, to cut the lead to 10. Then with a little over three and half minutes left in the game, Dalton called an audible at the line of scrimmage and ran the ball into the end zone from five yards out to bring the Bengals within three points. Time was not on the home team’s side but the defense was able to force the Seahawks to punt the ball. After Adam Jones’ punt return was called back after a controversial fair catch call, the Bengals had one last shot to put points on the board.

They moved the ball down the field on a methodical drive that was highlighted by a tremendous diving catch by Tyler Eifert while the clock continued to tick. After a scramble by Dalton fell short of the first down marker, the offense rushed off the field as the special teams unit sprinted on with no timeouts left to use. Kicker Mike Nugent kicked the ball as time ran out, and the ball sailed through the uprights! The Bengals had tied the game at 24-24 and forced overtime!

Overtime was very competitive as both teams’ defensives were able to force stops. Neither team seemed able to break through and end the game with a scoring drive…until the Bengals were able to string together a couple of offensive plays that put them in a position to win the game. With a little over three and a half minutes left in overtime, Nugent ran onto the field to attempt a 42-yard field goal. The snap was good, the hold was good, and the kick began to sail to the left of the uprights in midflight. The ball hit the left post but banked in for the win! The stadium erupted with cheers, and I was going nuts on my couch! My beloved Cincinnati Bengals climbed out of a 17-point hole and defeated the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in overtime!

This was the most exciting Bengals game I have ever watched. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and by the time it was over, I was exhausted. It was the peak of Bengals fever in 2015, and is one of the first games I think about when discussing the 2015 Bengals teams. It is my all-time favorite Bengals game as it had everything that makes the sport of football so thrilling to watch. To see how incredible this game was, check out the highlights here.

Who Dey!

Cincinnati Bengals 2016 Season Outlook

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone previews the 2016 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bobblehead Collection 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows what he has added to his bobblehead collection through 2015.

Bengals Graphs 2015 Part 4

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the different Cincinnati Bengals autographs he has gotten.

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH #BENGALS SIGNATURES #WhoDey #LetsRoar #Reds #SuperBowl #NFL pic.twitter.com/90pPc7LvSC

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) January 30, 2016

Bengals Recap 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2015 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Photo Page Update

PIC PAGE UPDATE @ https://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BALvsCIN, #Bengals Line, #BeyondTheStripes & #Reds HOT STOVE PICS pic.twitter.com/HpcdkeYH5P

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) January 6, 2016

Bengal Graphs 2015

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the Cincinnati Bengals autographs he has gotten through the first four weeks of the 2015 NFL season.

RD Cards Care Package Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a care package from RD Cards. 

Give RD Cards a sub:  https://www.youtube.com/user/junkie4football

Tyler Eifert Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Forever Collectibles Cincinnati Bengals 2013 NFL Draft Edition Tyler Eifert bobblehead.

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE WITH NEW #BENGALS SIGNATURE @ https://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr #WhoDey #LetsRoar #KCvsCIN #NFL #Reds pic.twitter.com/W6qkUAo2O1

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) October 1, 2015

Bobblehead Page Update

#BOBBLEHEAD PAGE UPDATE WITH NEW #BENGALS NODDER @ https://t.co/7szAEAxyiu #WhoDey #LetsRoar #Reds #KCvsCIN #NFL pic.twitter.com/p7vy8agMtQ

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) October 1, 2015

Autograph Page Update

#AUTOGRAPH PAGE UPDATE @ http://t.co/oiRAWLpVYr WITH NEW TYLER EIFERT AUTO #Bengals #BeyondtheStripes #Whodey #NFL pic.twitter.com/N2dW0O067r

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) September 16, 2015

Photo Page Update

PIC PAGE UPDATE @ http://t.co/yzF6TznxxM WITH #BENGALS LINE & #BEYONDTHESTRIPES PICS #WhoDey #LetsRoar #SDvsCIN #NFL pic.twitter.com/9BW6NG2O7v

— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) September 16, 2015

Andy or AJ

Please note that this was created and posted before the final preseason game of the year, and as a result, the final preseason game was not taken into consideration when this post was written.

Quarterbacks are considered to be the most important players on football teams. Not only do they manage the offense and are responsible for making sure that an offensive drive ends with points being put on the scoreboard, but they also are the centerpieces of their respective franchises as teams often attempt to build a successful dynasty around the quarterback position.

The Cincinnati Bengals believe that they have in fact created a successful team with Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. However, Dalton’s erratic style of play that has defined his career with the Bengals has many fans in Cincinnati calling for a change in leadership. Many members of Who Dey Nation have pointed to backup quarterback AJ McCarron as the savior of the Bengals offense, citing his success as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide as to why he should start over Dalton.

More fuel to this argument was added when Dalton left the third game of the preseason against the Chicago Bears with an apparent neck injury. Dalton had snuck the ball into the end zone for a touchdown that capped off an impressive Bengals drive before leaving the game. After his first drive ended with a three and out, McCarron came back on the second drive with the entire first team offense, the same offense that Dalton had commanded two drives ago, and successfully stormed down the field before throwing a laser to wide receiver Marvin Jones who scampered into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown.

The following offensive possession of the Bengals resulted in another touchdown after McCarron dropped in a 25-yard pass to tight end Tyler Eifert that set up a Jeremy Hill touchdown run from the one-yard line. It was a very impressive outing for McCarton who finished the first half with a passer rating of 158.3. So does he deserve the chance to become the starting quarterback for the Bengals?

Absolutely not. At least not yet. As much as half of the city of Cincinnati wants McCarron to get the nod over Dalton, the fact of the matter is that this was only McCarron’s second NFL game of his career. The Bengals, who signed Dalton to a massive contract last season, are not going to make the man they tagged as the face of the franchise a backup to a guy who has only played in two NFL preseason games. However, should Dalton get hurt or play horribly, then McCarron will get his chance to shine when the games matter during the regular season. Until that happens, expect to see McCarron on the sideline rather than the playing field.

I’m not going to lie. The thought of McCarron being the starting quarterback for the Bengals entered my mind as he continued to throw accurate passes on a consistent basis throughout the game. It was an entertaining thought, but as I said earlier, the job is Dalton’s unless he gets hurt or just flat out stinks. Based on the game though, it looks like the Bengals should be in good shape with either Dalton or McCarron leading the offense.

Who Dey!