Talkin' Bengals Episode 13

This week we discuss the three best and worst first round draft picks in Bengals history and answer the question what would we do if we owned the Bengals.
Talkin' Bengals Episode 13

Talkin' Bengals Episode 12

This week's episode gets into a lot of rants about the bad decisions and ideas coming out of the Bengals head shed. Plus we discuss AJ McCarron's true trade value.
Episode 12 Link

Talkin' Bengals Episode 11

Talkin' Bengals Episode 11
This week we discuss the latest free agent moves and the future of Adam Jones.  Special guest Ian the "Hulk" will join us once again.

Talkin' Bengals Episode 10

This week we discuss the latest in free agency and in honor of our tenth episode we will give our top ten concerns and excitements heading into the 2017 season.

Check out the link here : Talkin' Bengals Episode 10

Talkin' Bengals Episode 9

This week we talk all the free agency madness and access where the Bengals must go from here.Talkin' Bengals Episode 9

Talkin' Bengals Episode 8

Talkin' Bengals Episode 8 Link
This week we will discuss the Combine, Bengals playoff chances, and give a nod to our favorite special teams performers. Houlehan's will have me outnumbered yet again as special guest Jon Houlehan joins us.

Talkin' Bengals Episode 7

This week we go back to the classic style as just Nick and I dive into various offseason topics including a naked bandit with Bengals ties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EETsRfmruPA

Talkin' Bengals Episode 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti0GLQzAF44This week we're joined by Corner 3 podcast host and former StripeHype writer Tim Daniel as we talk free agent signings, possible Bengals Hall of Famers, and debate who is more likely to make it through a full season, Devin Mesoraco or Tyler Eifert.

Talkin' Bengals Episode 5

This week we discuss Shayne Graham's retirement, signing Chris Brown, the Bengals biggest need moving into 2017, some on the spot Roast it or Boast it, and our favorite Bengals memories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI0WeAWKLTg

Talkin' Bengals Episode 4

This week we share our thoughts on the Super Bowl, commercials, possible AJ McCarron trade, and much more as we're joined by special guest Ian "Hulk" Johnson.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/83197/472464-talkin-bengals-episode-4

Talkin' Bengals Episode 3

Check out the latest edition of Talkin' Bengals where we break down the Pro Bowl, Randy Bullick, Marvin Lewis contract extension, the moral compass of the NFL, and some great Roast it or Boast it topics including the entirnal debate of Goldstar or Skyline. We also figure out if two Houles are better than one as Nick's older brother joins the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV7vlTQiGHk

Talkin' Bengals Episode 2

Talkin' Bengals Episode 2: We discuss replacement Pro Bowlers, Chad Johnson as a kicking solution, Super Bowls picks and more!

Talkin' Bengals Episode 1

Check out the first episode of Talkin' Bengals live show/podcast!
https://youtu.be/CBmHa7eiLew

Talkin' Bengals: Final Thoughts on the Bengals 2016 Season

Talkin' Bengals: Final Thoughts on the Bengals 2016 Season: The 2016 season is now in the rear view, thank God.  For Bengals fans this season was painful to live through after five straight play...

Final Thoughts on the Bengals 2016 Season

The 2016 season is now in the rear view, thank God.  For Bengals fans this season was painful to live through after five straight playoff appearances.  In this final thoughts article it would be easy to focus only on where the Bengals fell short.  Instead let’s take a holistic approach and identify what Cincinnati should sustain and improve in order to make 2017 a better campaign.

Wide Receivers- Sustain

                While this angle may come as a shock to many its hard not to feel positive about Cincinnati’s wide outs going into the offseason. The absence of AJ Green and Tyler Eifert forced Andy Dalton to became familiar with new targets.  Brandon Lafell was the most popular target for Dalton in Green’s absence, compiling 64 catches, 862 yards, and 6 touchdowns. 

                Though impressive Lafell’s campaign was not the most promising aspect for the Bengals receiving core moving forward.  Near the end of the season the increasing role of Tyler Boyd and Cody Core allowed Dalton to gain confidence in them.  A look at the stat sheet doesn’t show anything spectacular for either wide out, but their increased repetitions will pay dividends next season. 

                Making a bold prediction for next season, Cody Core will be the Bengals number two receiver with Tyler Boyd still occupying the slot.  This move may not happen right off the bat, but by midseason Core will have become an explosive threat in the Bengals offense.  The battle for the number two receiver positon will fuel both Core and Boyd to play better which means great things for the Bengals.

Offensive Line- Improve

                This area of improvement should be obvious to everyone.  The Bengals O-line was banged up and disappointing all season long.  Their terrible play allowed Andy Dalton to be sacked 41 times during 2016.  Aside from the sacks, Dalton was pressured nearly every time he dropped back in the pocket.

                If the Bengals are to improve in 2017 they need to sure up their O-line.  One of the biggest questions is what to do with sunk cost that is Cedric Ogbuehi.  His contract is not up until after the 2019 season and there is likely little interest in him on the trade market.

Perhaps the Bengals may shift him to a guard position.  That shift would make sense considering Cincinnati is likely to re-sign left tackle Andrew Whitworth and lose guard Kevin Zeitler.  Regardless of what moves are made the Bengals must improve their struggling O-line.  

Dalton-Green- Sustain

                The season may have been disappointing but the Bengals headlining stars shined in 2016.  Andy Dalton was able to amass his second highest passing yard total and second lowest interception total in 2016.  The yardage numbers were extremely impressive considering that AJ Green and Tyler Eifert missed a substantial amount of time.

                The biggest disappointment for Dalton this year was that he only threw for 18 touchdowns which was career low.  Much of this could be attributed to the absence of Green and Eifert.  Green was having a career year and in 10 games had 66 receptions for 964 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Green vowed to return in 2016 but was shut down for the season by ownership.

                If the Bengals want to have any success in 2017 they need Dalton and Green to perform.  The most important part of their performance is for them to stay healthy and play an entire season.  If both Andy Dalton and AJ Green can improve on their impressive resumes Cincinnati should bounce back in 2017.

Defense- Improve

                It was too hard to pin point a single flaw in the Bengals defense so therefore the whole group needs to improve.  First the aging defensive line struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks.  Atkins and Dunlap took a step back this season which caused a ripple effect throughout the rest of the defense.

                The line backers were nonexistent outside of Vontaze Burfict and Vincent Rey.  Carlos Dansby was not player that he used to be and contributed little to the defensive effort.  Speaking of little production, Rey Maualuga had only 27 tackles in 2016 and needs desperately to be released.  Cincinnati needs to find a strong supporting cast for Burfict and Rey going into the 2017 season.

                Perhaps the most disappointing part of the Bengals defense was the secondary.  The loss of Reggie Nelson seemed to destroy what had been a productive secondary.  In addition to the loss of Nelson the lack of production from Adam Jones left a lot of pressure on the unreliable Dre Kirkpatrick.  Cincinnati must step up in all defensive aspects if they are to be successful next season.

Conclusion

In a nutshell the Bengals must find a way to improve their defense and offensive line while expanding the role of their young receivers and empowering their stars to perform even better.  Though 2016 was the most dreadful season thus far in the Dalton-Green area, there is some promise for the future.  If the Bengals follow through on the topics discussed in this article 2017 may indeed be a bounce back season.