Way too close today.  If they had lost that game it would have been a real gut punch.

Yeah, they tried to give it away in the 4th. That would have been such a waste of a good show early on. Glad they pulled it together. I was really scared Nugent would miss another, as I'm sure every Bengals fan watching was.

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/Pulling-No-Punches/October-2013/The-NFL-is-Running-a-Billion-Dollar-Con/

The NFL is Running a Billion-Dollar Con

The welfare kings of the NFL are laughing all the way to the bank, and you’re not in on the joke.

 

Includes a tidbit about our lovely stadium.

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/Pulling-No-Punches/October-2013/The-NFL-is-Running-a-Billion-Dollar-Con/

The NFL is Running a Billion-Dollar Con

The welfare kings of the NFL are laughing all the way to the bank, and you’re not in on the joke.

 

Includes a tidbit about our lovely stadium.

 

Although it's a bit of hyperbole. While the stadium deal was absolutely terrible for the county, I'd say the collapse of property values and the tax rollback are the root cause for the county's lack of funds.

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/Pulling-No-Punches/October-2013/The-NFL-is-Running-a-Billion-Dollar-Con/

The NFL is Running a Billion-Dollar Con

The welfare kings of the NFL are laughing all the way to the bank, and you’re not in on the joke.

 

Includes a tidbit about our lovely stadium.

 

Did they ever fix the design?  At the first game it was abysmal.  Lots of dead ends, no pedestrian stairs or ramps:  only escalators. 

 

Supposedly they had actual long lines to get on the escalators, which began well away from the entrances to same.  The Browns fans ignored them, and got right on.  I know we did, after looking vainly for the ramps.  Remember, our own new house was only a year old at the time.  We expected some similarities.

To be fair. There were two stadiums built not just one. So the Reds and Bengals are bankrupting Hamilton County. Then again it will never happen. They will just raise sales tax again to make it not happen.

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/Pulling-No-Punches/October-2013/The-NFL-is-Running-a-Billion-Dollar-Con/

The NFL is Running a Billion-Dollar Con

The welfare kings of the NFL are laughing all the way to the bank, and you’re not in on the joke.

 

Includes a tidbit about our lovely stadium.

 

Did they ever fix the design?  At the first game it was abysmal.  Lots of dead ends, no pedestrian stairs or ramps:  only escalators. 

 

Supposedly they had actual long lines to get on the escalators, which began well away from the entrances to same.  The Browns fans ignored them, and got right on.  I know we did, after looking vainly for the ramps.  Remember, our own new house was only a year old at the time.  We expected some similarities.

 

There wasn't anything to fix - there are big wide stairs right next to the escalators. The escalators are just a bit more visible.

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/Pulling-No-Punches/October-2013/The-NFL-is-Running-a-Billion-Dollar-Con/

The NFL is Running a Billion-Dollar Con

The welfare kings of the NFL are laughing all the way to the bank, and you’re not in on the joke.

 

Includes a tidbit about our lovely stadium.

 

Although it's a bit of hyperbole. While the stadium deal was absolutely terrible for the county, I'd say the collapse of property values and the tax rollback are the root cause for the county's lack of funds.

 

And the county over estimated how much they would bring in with sales tax. The lease is also problematic as the County is on the hook for maintenance

costs and future improvements like the new scoreboard. Central Indiana did it the correct way, 5 counties sales taxes fund Lucas Oil Stadium (noticed there

are naming rights income as opposed to PBS, another County mistake), The Colts are not the exclusive tenant, it is a retractable dome multipurpose

facility that gets rented often.

 

I like low taxes, but would not be too pissed to see an increase in a sales tax to cover the county shortfall for PBS, to build a jail, and a new crime

lab facility. The current crime lab facility is a mess.

^ all correct.  The sales tax covers the debt payments. It's the upgrades we can't afford. That's why the reds are much better than the bengals. They share cost in almost every upgrade while bengals so far have refused to.

 

Also, if our stadium had a roof it would be used WAY more. But mike Brown said, no roof and no naming rights or we leave. Douche.

 

 

Also, KyleCincy, please email [email protected] and [email protected] with a simple email saying.

 

I love low taxes, but our crime lab is a mess and upgrading it while freeing up 100 new jail beds is a smart investment. Please consider the proposal to make those upgrades.

 

 

Now- back to those Bengals...

To be fair. There were two stadiums built not just one. So the Reds and Bengals are bankrupting Hamilton County. Then again it will never happen. They will just raise sales tax again to make it not happen.

 

There were two stadiums and an arena built in Cleveland during the same time period...

 

I think the main difference was Al Lerner, and Mike Brown.

^ all correct.  The sales tax covers the debt payments. It's the upgrades we can't afford. That's why the reds are much better than the bengals. They share cost in almost every upgrade while bengals so far have refused to.

 

Also, if our stadium had a roof it would be used WAY more. But mike Brown said, no roof and no naming rights or we leave. Douche.

 

Actually, he was right on both.  But again, Cleveland did the same thing. 

Stadiums are like roads. Conservatives think they're a good value proposition, without any eye to real-world ROI. They feel they're a good value in the gut. Why else was COAST a big supporter of this horrendous deal?

 

With the demands Mike Brown was making, it probably would have been a better business decision for the county to call him on his bluff and let him walk. Having a sports team is not the be-all, end-all of being a respectable city. Does anyone think Cleveland has a leg up on Cincinnati because they have a basketball team? Is Portland a miserable pit because they don't have football or baseball? Not to mention Cleveland just had a team walk and another come right back -- with the proven fan base in the city, it would have likely happened in Cincinnati. If Mike Brown actually followed through on his threats.

 

Bearcats football wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. (Though in its late '90s form it would have been.)

Another nice win.  I'll take it. 

 

With the demands Mike Brown was making, it probably would have been a better business decision for the county to call him on his bluff and let him walk. Having a sports team is not the be-all, end-all of being a respectable city. Does anyone think Cleveland has a leg up on Cincinnati because they have a basketball team? Is Portland a miserable pit because they don't have football or baseball? Not to mention Cleveland just had a team walk and another come right back -- with the proven fan base in the city, it would have likely happened in Cincinnati. If Mike Brown actually followed through on his threats.

 

Bearcats football wouldn't be a bad consolation prize. (Though in its late '90s form it would have been.)

 

I think pro sports definitely make Cincinnati seem more big league than some of our regional peers.  With the riots and tumultuous time the city had in the early 2000's, I think the Bengals leaving would have been a huge psychological blow.  Our pro sports are one of the few opportunities we have to broadcast ourselves to a national audience.

 

Bearcat football is a terrible consolation prize, IMO. With the Buckeyes an hour and a half up 71, it's hard for someone with no attachment to UC to really consider the Bearcats a viable football option. Basketball for sure, but UC football has never really been anything to speak of...

^The football seems to be better than the basketball lately, no?

My only question: since we have statues of Pete Rose and Joe Morgan at GABP, when will we find a statue of Mike Nugent at PBS?  :-D

Another nice win.  I'll take it. 

 

Nugent hammered that FG. Good weekend, Bengals and Bearcats win.

He missed one last week too.

Leon Hall out for the season.

Leon Hall out for the season.

 

Not good.

Bengals looked like a Super Bowl team today. The Jets don't suck that badly; especially not their defense. Dalton was on point. Marvin Jones had an amazing show.

 

Hope Maualuga makes a quick recovery.

They got nicked up pretty good, but I like them against Miami on Halloween.

 

Chris Crocker gets cut by the Bengals every year and they bring him back when DBs get hurt.

Big game this week.  If they can go on the road and pick up another at Miami, it will certainly tell us a lot about the toughness of the team.  I was pleased they finally blew someone out.  They had been on the verge of doing that but kept letting people back in games. 

Tough loss. Lost Geno for the year. ACL tear.

Ouch.  Even as a Browns fan, I am forced to respect Atkins and the huge impact he has on the game.  Best 4-3 DT in the league if you were to ask me.  Possibly top 10 player in the league.  The other DLineman are going to find their jobs to be much harder without Atkins commanding a double team on every play.

Sorry to hear about Geno. Great player. Browns have lost three players to torn ACLs this season. So I feel your pain.

Dalton is not the answer. He only had a good three games in Oct.

Woof!

Man, it's a weird feeling right now--7-4 and first place by 2.5 games going into the bye, but the bad taste of the two OT losses and serious doubts about Dalton don't have me feeling great. 

8-4 is a good record. They are winning despite Dalton's play. He did make 2 good throws, but the team needs much better play from him if they are going to win a playoff game.

The Sunday game was a bust in the 1st half. Dalton looked like a college freshman. The 2nd half was much better. I am impressed with the way the defense is playing overall considering the injuries they have had. There must be something to the talk about how good Zimmer is as a defensive coordinator.

 

And Hawkins looks like a definite threat especially on those short crossing routes in the center of the field. Hawkins and Bernard give them the speed threat they have been lacking. Bernard reminds me of Ray Rice - where did he go? I am not saying he is as good as Rice, but he has definitely helped to turn up the running game.

 

Dalton simply needs to recognize he has other good receivers out there and quit trying to force the ball to AJ Green. That one 1st half interception was not even worthy of a college freshman. Marvin Jones needs to get more touches. When a guy gets 4 TDs in one game, you need to get him the ball.

 

That one TD where Gresham and Green crossed and the defense bit on Gresham giving Green probably the easiest TD catch of his career was a thing of beauty. Of course the Bengals had already given SD an absolutely easy TD right down the center of the field on a blown coverage.

 

The end of this season should be exciting. Playing at home should help, but I am not one to count my chickens before they are hatched.

 

 

Good win today. Dang  NE. I guess they had to have a call go their way sometime.

Good win today. Dang NE. I guess they had to have a call go their way sometime.

 

More like all the time. The Golden Boy gets all the help he ever needs.

They literally got hit to the jaw. I would hope a fine is leveled on that dude. The bad start did them in. 2 more games to go.

 

I think the Bengals can forget about the 2nd seed unless Baltimore beats the at their place.

GIF of the hit on Bengal's punter Huber last night. Broken jaw and a cracked vertebrae in his neck. Probably out for the season. Looks like a pretty dirty hit to me (leading with the head and making what appears to be helmet to helmet contact on a punter).

 

I'm still trying to grow accustomed to the current NFL where getting "earholed" is considered an illegal hit.  Don't get me wrong, I understand the rationale...... it's still just weird.  I'd have to see another angle on that hit.  From the above gif, it's hard to tell if he truly was leading with the crown of the helmet or his right shoulder.  Was he flagged? 

Was he flagged?

 

He was not flagged on the play.

According to article 12.2.7(a)(6), "a kicker/punter during the kick or during the return" qualifies as being in a "defenseless posture." That's Huber for the entire length of the play.

http://deadspin.com/missed-penalty-gave-pittsburgh-a-touchdown-and-broke-a-1484135728?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

^That doesn't make sense.  If that really is the correct application/interpretation of the rule, then kickers/punters shouldn't be allowed to tackle the return man.  They should just kick the ball and then be forced to run off the field. 

I think the general understanding is that NFL rules are becoming more of common sense judgment calls that protect player safety. It is okay to block someone; it’s not okay to purposely pop them in the jaw when they don’t see you coming. I think it’s a result of more pads and protection – the more protected someone feels in their equipment, the more likely they are to lead with their helmet, and hit at full speed with intent to inflict pain rather than make an efficient block or tackle.

 

At first, I hated the new rules that started with QB’s, and now include almost everyone on the field – but they’re growing on me. I want to watch people play football, I don’t like to see cheap shots that end peoples seasons and careers. It’s not like a hockey fight or even boxing, it’s 250+ pounds at full sprint hitting unsuspecting people. The only reason to hit a punter like that in the jaw is to cause injury.

 

On a related note, I still believe the Steelers coaches actively encourage their players to take advantage of cheap shot opportunities. That’s the sort of classlessness that is indicative of the entire city of Pittsburgh.

 

Idk.  It looked as if Huber had a chance to make a tackle and the block certainly cleared the path for the return man to keep running.  The Browns kickers forced Hester out of bounds twice this past week and kickers in general are known to make touchdown saving tackles.  They are still professional athletes and some even run in the 4.6 range.  2 years ago, that would be considered a great block.  Return teams routinely assigned cross-blockers who would, instead of backpedaling, go at a diagonal towards the sideline and then come in at an angle to pick off unsuspecting coverage team members.

 

If it was my call, it would all come down to whether he led with the helmet.  If he did, then it should be a flag.  But if he hit him that hard using his shoulder (hard to tell from the GIF), then it is a clean play.  Like I said, if Huber doesn't want to risk injury, then don't go after the ball carrier.  What if there was no blocker and Huber had laid Brown out?  Would that have been a penalty?

^ If you have a mac, drag the gif onto your desktop. When you open it up you can watch it frame by frame. You can probably do the same thing on PC.

 

 

Well the NFL ruled that it was an illegal hit, and Terrence Garvin was fined $25,000.  The real tragedy is that had the call been made, the touchdown would have come back.  It could have totally altered the course of the game. 

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000300537/article/steelers-terence-garvin-fined-25k-for-kevin-huber-hit

$25,000 isn't enough, but perhaps Garvin will miss that in 10 years when he has unpaid medical bills, no savings, and works at a WalMart.

 

People can nitpick at the rules and go back and forth if they want, but what it comes down to is the overarching theme that people should be blocking, and tackling, not purposely trying to cause injury.

Well the NFL ruled that it was an illegal hit, and Terrence Garvin was fined $25,000.  The real tragedy is that had the call been made, the touchdown would have come back.  It could have totally altered the course of the game. 

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000300537/article/steelers-terence-garvin-fined-25k-for-kevin-huber-hit

 

Welcome to our world.  The Browns got flagged on an "illegal hit" a few weeks ago, which wasn't ruled illegal when the NFL reviewed.  The resulting penalty essentially gave NE the win.

 

From the article - As we understand the rules, Garvin was free to hit Huber as hard as physically possible -- just not with the crown of his helmet above the punter's neckline.

 

I agree with that.  If he had just used his shoulder, the hit would have been legal regardless of whether Huber was a punter or the resulting injury.

 

 

Welcome to our world.  The Browns got flagged on an "illegal hit" a few weeks ago, which wasn't ruled illegal when the NFL reviewed.  The resulting penalty essentially gave NE the win.

 

Sucks, but the stakes were higher for us.

^ No doubt. It hard to replace a kicker that gave us good field position.

^ No doubt. It hard to replace a kicker that gave us good field position.

 

Yeah, he was a sure thing for the Pro Bowl. Having a punter like that really helps in close, low scoring games, like the 13-6 victory over New England, for instance.

Rumor has it:  There's problems selling out the stadium despite the winning record and playoff run???

Problems? What do you mean? They sold out every game this year and this will be too.