2014 BOLD predictions thread

[Norm]

I'm feeling optimistic today:

- We have a fantastic offseason
- We go 11-5
- We make the AFC Championship game

[Carlos Spicyweiner]

Mid-season, Mike becomes ill (He is getting up there).
And in an unprecedented move, Katie promotes ML upstairs, and Zimm to HC.
And MB becomes this teams rallying cry.

[SHRacerX]

Originally Posted by UCMehayward

Record
FA
Draft
Current Players
Coaches
Stats

What do you see us doing this year (or not doing this year) that will be a bit of a shock to some people??

I'm taking this as what I hope will happen, and making it realistic enough (No GM, Marvin isn't going anywhere, etc) so it can happen.

I think the Bengals keep their own, with MJ and Andre signing. I think they will extend Geno. My choice for "big splash" or "key move" is the signing of a stud FA SS like Dashon Goldson. Rookies so rarely contribute in this position and this guy has the toughness I want in our secondary. I know we all salivate over Taylor Mays' althletic prowess, but the guy simply doesn't have it between the ears.

I also believe the Bengals will sign a couple FA LBs to replace Lawson and Maualuga. I don't know if Howard will be the same player, but I will be prepared to field a team without him. If he comes back 100%, great. Icing on the cake. I want speedy veterans that can cover TEs and RBs out of the backfield. They don't have to be the biggest guys. I see the pass rush becoming so strong, I think these guys just need to have the quickness to cover short routes. Kind of like the Colts of a couple years ago.

The draft: "My boss likes offense", and so do the fans. I believe there are a lot of good pieces in place, and they don't need an overhaul here. I would go after a speedy, tall, WR early...yes, even in round 1. I see Sanu and Marvin as incredible #3 WRs with Hawkins as a complementary WR in the slot, but neither of them scare opposing defenses....at least not yet. Another vertical threat with height that can stretch defenses as well as make quick slant receptions could really create a synergistic effect on the rest of the offense.

I would also draft another TE to allow for more two TE sets. I love Kelce out of UC (No, not a homer) because he is exactly what I want in another TE: Big, strong, fairly quick, with great hands. He can stay in and block, or he can slide out and make a reception. Think Red Zone.

A speedy RB with "home run" ability is going to be on everyone's radar. I am not as concerned with 40 time as most. Look at the kid from FAU at Washington. He ran something like 4.58 but got 1600 yards this season. He has great vision and balance. This back is going to have to be the bell cow, with BJGE cecoming the short yardage back and change of pace that gets a series every third possession. It seems some of the shorter, bowling-ball types, with tight, compact bodies hold up pretty well as they are lower than their defenders and difficult to get a clear shot on. Someone in the Ray Rice mold.

Boling came in stronger this year, and the offensive line really benefitted from it. However, he did fade down the stretch. To be fair, it was really his rookie season as starting goes, and that is fairly common. I would still draft another G to push him and I have no idea what to expect from Wharton.

I would also draft a DE. Maybe a guy that doesn't fit the NFL classic 6'5" 265 lb body type, but someone with serious strength and speed. Someone who could offer a real charge on third downs and as a rotation to MJ, Dingleberry, and Dunlap. Think Moch, without the migraines.

Coaches aren't changing, but I would hope for a more aggressive offensive mindset. Stop the ridiculous "run to set up the pass" mentality from 1975. Spread teams out and attack them. I would like to see a minimum of 4 receivers in the pattern (could be 2 WR and 2 TE, but 4 legitimate receiving options) with a single back that can also slide out from protection to catch a dump pass. The team is a stud WR, RB, and 3rd TE from being lethal on offense. And I think we have the right trigger man in Dalton.

Who-Dey 2014: 11-5 AFC North Champs...and this time, they make the run.

[junglester]

I predict we draft a running back in the first round, line backer in the second round, and center in the third round. The passing game improves with AJ and others getting more yards. No changes on the coaching staff. The Bengals finish the 2013 season with a 8-8 record and miss the playoffs. We will lose close games to good teams. Dalton has a good year, but the Bengals have a problem putting teams away in the 4th quarter.

[Cardiackat]

I hope a Super Bowl

[SaintPatrickJR]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX

I'm taking this as what I hope will happen, and making it realistic enough (No GM, Marvin isn't going anywhere, etc) so it can happen.

I think the Bengals keep their own, with MJ and Andre signing. I think they will extend Geno. My choice for "big splash" or "key move" is the signing of a stud FA SS like Dashon Goldson. Rookies so rarely contribute in this position and this guy has the toughness I want in our secondary. I know we all salivate over Taylor Mays' althletic prowess, but the guy simply doesn't have it between the ears.

I also believe the Bengals will sign a couple FA LBs to replace Lawson and Maualuga. I don't know if Howard will be the same player, but I will be prepared to field a team without him. If he comes back 100%, great. Icing on the cake. I want speedy veterans that can cover TEs and RBs out of the backfield. They don't have to be the biggest guys. I see the pass rush becoming so strong, I think these guys just need to have the quickness to cover short routes. Kind of like the Colts of a couple years ago.

The draft: "My boss likes offense", and so do the fans. I believe there are a lot of good pieces in place, and they don't need an overhaul here. I would go after a speedy, tall, WR early...yes, even in round 1. I see Sanu and Marvin as incredible #3 WRs with Hawkins as a complementary WR in the slot, but neither of them scare opposing defenses....at least not yet. Another vertical threat with height that can stretch defenses as well as make quick slant receptions could really create a synergistic effect on the rest of the offense.

I would also draft another TE to allow for more two TE sets. I love Kelce out of UC (No, not a homer) because he is exactly what I want in another TE: Big, strong, fairly quick, with great hands. He can stay in and block, or he can slide out and make a reception. Think Red Zone.

A speedy RB with "home run" ability is going to be on everyone's radar. I am not as concerned with 40 time as most. Look at the kid from FAU at Washington. He ran something like 4.58 but got 1600 yards this season. He has great vision and balance. This back is going to have to be the bell cow, with BJGE cecoming the short yardage back and change of pace that gets a series every third possession. It seems some of the shorter, bowling-ball types, with tight, compact bodies hold up pretty well as they are lower than their defenders and difficult to get a clear shot on. Someone in the Ray Rice mold.

Boling came in stronger this year, and the offensive line really benefitted from it. However, he did fade down the stretch. To be fair, it was really his rookie season as starting goes, and that is fairly common. I would still draft another G to push him and I have no idea what to expect from Wharton.

I would also draft a DE. Maybe a guy that doesn't fit the NFL classic 6'5" 265 lb body type, but someone with serious strength and speed. Someone who could offer a real charge on third downs and as a rotation to MJ, Dingleberry, and Dunlap. Think Moch, without the migraines.

Coaches aren't changing, but I would hope for a more aggressive offensive mindset. Stop the ridiculous "run to set up the pass" mentality from 1975. Spread teams out and attack them. I would like to see a minimum of 4 receivers in the pattern (could be 2 WR and 2 TE, but 4 legitimate receiving options) with a single back that can also slide out from protection to catch a dump pass. The team is a stud WR, RB, and 3rd TE from being lethal on offense. And I think we have the right trigger man in Dalton.

Who-Dey 2014: 11-5 AFC North Champs...and this time, they make the run.

I want Toilolo out of Stanford at TE. 6'8.

[Morning Star]

Ravens not as good..steelers still weak..bengals will be 12-4!

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by Cardiackat

I mean for real I just hope we don't regress to getting worse "like widow of opportunity closing" Hope we could get a stronger coaching staff.

I but wait till next season

Its not always a linear progression in the NFL. Look at the Bears.

[Luvnit2]

Bengals 12-4 and win AFCN.

Bengals get 1st playoff win in a long time

Bengals win their 1st Super Bowl.

I believe in this team and coaching staff.

[kevin]

Not as much of a prediction as an observation.......Everybody thought playing the NFC East was a rough schedule. Everybody thought 2012 was a rough schedule..... 2013 looks like a harder schedule.....Look at all the play-off teams coming into Cincinnati : Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Packers, Vikings....and non play-off Steelers...and Browns and Jets. Then the 8 road games and winning on the road isn't easy. Ravens....Steelers...Browns....Chargers, Dolphins, Lions, Bears.....and somebody else...

The 2013 schedule looks even harder than the 2012 schedule. The 5 play-off teams in Cincy is alot. It's a good thing we have that D Line.

[Luvnit2]

Originally Posted by kevin

Not as much of a prediction as an observation.......Everybody thought playing the NFC East was a rough schedule. Everybody thought 2012 was a rough schedule..... 2013 looks like a harder schedule.....Look at all the play-off teams coming into Cincinnati : Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Packers, Vikings....and non play-off Steelers...and Browns and Jets. Then the 8 road games and winning on the road isn't easy. Ravens....Steelers...Browns....Chargers, Dolphins, Lions, Bears.....and somebody else...

The 2013 schedule looks even harder than the 2012 schedule. The 5 play-off teams in Cincy is alot. It's a good thing we have that D Line.

I see one team that may be better than us and that is the Pats.

[Morning Star]

Originally Posted by Luvnit2

Bengals 12-4 and win AFCN.

Bengals get 1st playoff win in a long time

Bengals win their 1st Super Bowl.

I believe in this team and coaching staff.

I like this post!

[SHRacerX]

Originally Posted by SaintPatrickJR

I want Toilolo out of Stanford at TE. 6'8.

I like a big red zone threat, but these REALLY long guys often struggle against smaller defenders while blocking (See Roland, Dennis) and they also are exposed to lots of shots at their knees.

I am not going to fall for an athletic freak for my next TE. I don't care if he can box jump 5 feet (Moch) or run like a Gazelle despite being 6'5" and 260 lbs (Gresham). I want a TE that can block and has good hands.

[Old White Guy]

The Bengals will draft a QB by the 4th round

[McC]

Originally Posted by Old White Guy

The Bengals will draft a QB by the 4th round

You might very well be right. If it happens, my money is on a guy who can run if need be.

[Burma]

Andre Smith walks and Jake Long is our new right tackle.

What? its a BOLD prediction thread, not a LIKELY predicition thread.

[Edge]

We draft a home run hitting RB , which opens the play action alittle more, Green and Sanu rip secondary's, defense hits top five ranking, offense hits top 10 ranking, ST's in the top 10, media is touting the Bengals roster as the most well balanced team in the league, we go deep into playoffs & with a little good fortune, we romp through the SB with a title.

Bold man,.....really bold.....

[rogestes]

I predict out big signing will be Tebow
Dalton goes down or gets benched and Tebow takes us to the SB.
Cincinnati will all be Tebowing... Even Mikey!
Is that BOLD enough for you?
Wait....what am I saying?
Face Palm

All of Bengaldom Forgive Me

[Carl Pickens]

We have the best season in Bengals history

[jdmac4]

The Bengals trade half their draft to move up to get Johnny Football in the draft after missing the Superbowl on a bad throw by Dalton in the final minutes of the AFC Championship game versus... the Jets!

(How is that for bold)

[OMAHABENGAL54]

We get Ogletree and he gets D.R.Y. Award as we make a run in the playoffs

[Goose]

Gruden hasn't impressed, who fault on dropped balls missed chances or tackles.
He does make adjustments but west coast it's not.
Let him go and get some mis direction or something to open it up,
pass to a RB?