Bengals Still Sloppy In Primetime
The Cincinnati Bengals looked like a team in total disarray in their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday night. They were sloppy, lethargic, and out of sync. After all, it’s just the preseason. Many teams are trying to get a good look at the starters while peppering the action with the rookies. But the performance given by the Bengals starters was unbelievably lackluster. Another typical primetime meltdown.
The Bengals struggled on both sides of the ball. Each unit made glaring mistakes that had coaches dumbfounded and ready to slam their playbooks. Yet they had the most embarrassing moments on offense. This was a veteran Bengals team that looked like peewee league players in need of guidance.
One of those peewee coaches in disguise would definitely be offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. He was visibly upset and let everyone know it. In a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Jackson addressed the apathetic play of the Bengals.
“You don’t want to see that, but it happens, and it did happen. I wish I had that magic answer. I know this: We are going to get it corrected. We are going to address it and move forward, because that is what you have to do. I am not going to sit and let those things go because it’s the preseason. I don’t look at it that way. Those things bleed over into your season and we are not going to have it.”
Bengals fans undoubtedly understand that it’s not time to panic. Preseason is the time to figure out combinations, get schemes and packages together, and keep the injuries to a minimum. But when a lackluster performance is turned in, after a near perfect victory the week before, heads turn and coaches mirror the feelings of the people in the stands.
The Bengals offense put the ball on the ground three times. Bengals QB Andy Dalton threw two interceptions. One of the thefts was turned into a pick six. RB Jeremy Hill lost a fumble on another drive.
Even though the Bengals suffered on offense, the defense had its woes as well. Cincinnati was manhandled by a Buccaneers team that was much-maligned last year. For two consecutive weeks in the preseason, the Bengals have failed to force a turnover. Against two teams which struggled on offense in 2014, the Bengals defense should have been licking their chops.
Despite looking like an Ugly Duckling in primetime again, the Bengals must pick up the pieces and look towards the regular season opener. Cincinnati fans can’t panic. Everyone loves a preseason victory. It means everything. A preseason loss seems to denote the end of the world. Actually, neither means a thing.
What counts are those 16 games leading to the Promised Land of Super Bowl L.
[Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images]
