Bloggin' with Brad

Bloggin' with Brad is an online blog penned by Bengals radio play-by-play announcer Brad Johansen for bengals.com.

Johansen, currently in his eighth season as Bengals radio play-by-play voice, will be providing his thoughts on various Bengals-related topics throughout the 2007 season.

Time for Change

Merry Christmas everyone! Especially to Cleveland fans. Believe me we know the feeling well in the Queen City. Having the playoffs right there in front of you and just not being able to close the deal. Nice to see the defense rise up. Nice to see the rookie safeties make some big plays in their first joint start. I was looking forward to seeing DeDe Dorsey share carries with Kenny Watson. Unfortunately, the sharing ended after DeDe's first carry. Great effort by Kenny. Nice job by the O-line. Ready for the passing game to break out in Miami. Just in time to go home. Change is coming.

Posted: 12/24/07, 9:47 p.m.

Reduced to Spoilers

So much for the good feeling I had about Saturday. I swear I haven't been able to read this team all year.

In talking to guys in the locker room after the game, a lot of them can't figure it out either. Why this offense has been in the funk it has is beyond comprehension. The offensive line should get most of the credit when running backs "go off." So conversely, they have to be receiving a bunch of the blame when backs don't. It was a brutal display on the ground. Unless you watched Frank Gore. How could you not watch him? Makes you jealous for a guy with a bad ankle who runs like that.

My mom called to say "it sure looks like a lot of the Bengals players don't like each other ... and the national guys were saying the same thing." Nice national perception, which I suppose comes along with losing and underachieving.

Here comes Cleveland. Remember them? The team that looked like they weren't going to win a game after losing to the Steelers in Week 1? They've since won 9! The only thing the Bengals may be able to spoil is one Sunday afternoon on the Browns way to the playoffs. I sure am glad Baltimore got to be Miami's first victim. At this point, that's a big load off.

Posted: 12/16/07, 6:23 p.m.

West Coast Dreamin'

Been a great couple days in San Fran. Guys seem extremely relaxed at this point and many with California ties are enjoying time with friends and family in familiar spots.

A few of us on the trip rented bikes on Friday and rode across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito. Then we took a ferry ride back around Alcatraz and rode back through the city, up and down the hills before getting to the top of Lombard Street. We took the "snake-alley" all the way down on two wheels. What an exhausting and exhilirating trip.

Hear the snow is falling in Cincinnati. It's beautiful and in the 50's here.

With the playoff pressure gone, many of the guys seemed to have a renewed sense of desire to prove something, whether that be individual or team-oriented. It's been a long while since the Bengals played here and the history hasn't been good. But this is a 49ers team with a lot of problems, and the Bengals seem determined to figure out their own problems, even if there is no postseason is sight.

Got a good feeling about what we might see tonight.

Posted: 12/15/07, 1:38 p.m.

Playing to Win

I am self-admittedly one of worst bloggers ever. Just not a computer guy. When I am at the computer I'm doing other jobs. So regularly I have to apologize for being way behind in this space. Sorry again.

Pittsburgh sucked. I always get excited to go there because the game always means something. Always. This time it meant there was some postseason hope for the Bengals if they won. They should have won. The opening drive produced a touchdown, they created turnovers—four of them—and thus were provided with great field position. Do those things and you should win.

Things don't always work out the way they should. Especially if you don't execute. It certainly isn't the first time this year the Bengals have failed to execute. Unfortunately, that has come consistently.

The locker room following the loss was interesting. There was a segment that showed the frustration of a season with playoff hopes now dashed. The irritation of tremendous talent unrealized. Then there were others already moving forward as Marvin likes to put it. There was joking and laughter. Plenty of it, as if there was relief. It seemed odd and out of place. But who am I to say how guys are supposed to react to such a loss? All I know is Pittsburgh sucked.

This week has produced a lot of the frustration that goes with having no postseason to play for. Fans want to know what's going to change. Coaches and players want to know when the media will stop asking stupid questions. Actually that's an ongoing thing regardless of how the year's going. It just gets worse now.

A lot of guys are saying the right thing about playing this one out: "This is our job and we play to win." I'm certain a lot of them mean it.

Posted: 12/7/07, 11:51 a.m.

Steeler Week

It's one of those things that is talked about with 3-7 teams. How many still care? Apparently a lot. Now they're 4-7.

You don't have a ton of guys on this team just trying to pick up a paycheck. Pride remains. Plenty of passion remains. Impressive performance on Sunday from the get-go. Carson bounces back like you expect him to. Offensive line bounces back with 14 of 18 third down conversions. Rudi declares his leg finally feels good. Dhani Jones plays like he never should have been out of a job in the NFL. Actually he's playing like a defensive MVP. Johnathan Joseph played like he's healthy again. Defensive looking downright defensive. Chad played like the game was fun again. I'm looking forward to him talking again sometime soon.

The Titans played like a team that had to go to Denver on Monday night, have a Thanksgiving holiday, then go to Cincinnati for an afternoon game on Sunday. The Steelers just won 3-0 on Monday night over winless Miami. Man, that would have been sweet for them to lose that one. Heinz Field is horrible when the weather is good. The weather hasn't been good. Should be a mess for Sunday night. I like short weeks for opponents. Bengals like Heinz Field for whatever reason. They seem to be finding enough of reasons to play anyway. It's Steeler Week. Enough said.

Posted: 11/27/07, 12 a.m.

Mojo for J-Joe?

Joseph

Marvin talked about the Pittsburgh influence that runs through Arizona now that Ken Whisenhunt is running the Cardinals show. He anticipates another very physical battle this week especially with a defense that just held Detroit to minus 18 yards on the ground last week. That hasn't been done since 1947.

Any idea what Marvin's favorite song is? Bengals Nation airs Saturday night at 11:30 on Local 12.

Coach says he expects Roy Manning to be a big help on special teams on Sunday but not much else right away. Marvin never puts a lot of stock in the "long-travel" excuse but stats are still stats. These two teams have played eight times. The Bengals have never won in Arizona. The Cardinals have never won in Cincinnati. At least for this week, some things should never change.

Posted: 11/14/07, 10:55 p.m.

Off to Baltimore

Getting ready to head to the airport for Baltimore. It's an awkward feeling anymore leaving for a road game trying to get a handle on what's in store for Sunday. I still don't know.

It begins to impact a locker room when guys aren't sure whether they'll have enough bodies to compete. The loss of Anthony Schlegel again brings the linebacking corps to a critically low mass. The likely loss of Reggie Kelly could be devastating to an offense desperately trying to find confidence in a running game. Special teams has been playing musical chairs all year. So where will the music stop in Baltimore?

The only thing I like about this one is how well they understand Baltimore, and knowing they're facing a Ravens team dealing with its own share of desperation. Gotta go, I'll check in later.

Posted: 11/10/07, 1:27 p.m.

Finish to Win

Sunday was as quiet a ride home from a road loss as we've had in a long while. I think there's still some shock to go with the frustration, depression and disappointment that's come with this 2-6 start. Winning in the NFL is all about finish, and this team just hasn't been able to do it. There are a lot of mediocre teams out there with decent records because they've found a way to finish.

It's often been said "want-to" is the biggest component in blocking and tackling. That's what creates the greatest concern about a 28-yard rushing effort in Buffalo and boatload of missed tackles in the backfield.

Henry

As irritated and frustrated as I am over what I've seen so far, I still like the matchup against the Ravens. Especially after what I saw on Monday night in Pittsburgh. Baltimore's offense has been non-existent and now the defense is banged up in the secondary.

Glenn Holt was our guest for the Bengals Weekly taping this morning sporting his new teeth. Dhani Jones who knocked them out after Holt's kickoff return touchdown, offered to pay for the new chicklets but insurance took care of the whole thing. It's a special teams week as we feature coach Darren Simmons and the masterful job he's done to get things working again. With more guys getting nicked up in Buffalo, he'll probably have to make a few more adjustments this week. Shayne Graham will will our guest Wednesday at Gameworks for Bengals Nation. He'll be signing from 6:30 till about 7:15 on the Levee.

Posted: 11/6/07, 2:28 p.m.

Passion and Pride

Getting ready to leave for Buffalo. Interesting radio interviews this week as most Buffalo talk show hosts wondered whether there was really any reason to be fearful of the Bengals offense anymore.

Actually that question usually followed, 'Is the locker room in turmoil?' This from the media following a 3-4 Bills team. The perception in Buffalo is that the Bengals are mailing it in and the Bills are starting to find themselves.

Perception in many of the Cincinnati workplaces is not knowing what to expect from week to week. Geez, it's hard to figure out what's going to happen with this team from quarter to quarter.

I don't know that this one classifies as a desperate situation. Desperate has passed. This one is more about passion and pride. We'll learn how many of the players have it and how much tomorrow in Buffalo.

Posted: 11/3/07, 10:43 a.m.

Establishing Trust

I was honored to be able to MC the Butler County Leadership Event in Fairfield Tuesday night with Lou Holtz as the featured speaker. I know many may have heard the legendary coach present his motivational speech but if you haven't he is truly a treat. He pokes fun at himself as a 5-10, 150-pounder with a lisp appearing to suffer from scurvy.

So how does a guy like that become a legendary coach? Simple. He changed his attitude about what he can accomplish and suggests anyone and every team can do the same. I was able to spend some personal time with Coach and we talked a little about the Bengals recent woes. He suggested that teams with problems have players who refuse to accept their roles. Any player, he said, that believes his role is greater than the team's goal will impede the process of winning.

He shared a story about one of his losing South Carolina squads that he brought together for a team meeting in an effort correct its problems. When he asked the players why they didn't trust him, one young player responded by saying "I do trust you Coach, but there are a lot of guys on this team I don't trust."

Other players stood up to echo the same sentiment. From that point on, Holtz said, it became a self-policing unit. Any player who showed signs of making his role greater than the team goal was "called out" for attitude adjustment or removed.

Every team needs three things Holtz contends: Trust, commitment to excellence, and genuine concern for others. Hence, his three team rules: Do the right things and you will build trust; Do the best you can and your commitment to excellence will never be in doubt; Don't tell people you care, show them.

Titles, Holtz says, are easily handed out: Captain, Starting Wide Receiver, Starting Cornerback. Leader, however, is not a title that can be given. That one has to be demonstrated every day. Holtz spoke for more than an hour and held the audience in the palm of his hand. I like the attitude of the little ugly guy with a lisp. There's no magic to change. You just have to have a plan.

Bengals Weekly features Shayne Graham and Coach Bratkowski for the broadcast that airs Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. on Local 12. Wednesday's Bengals Nation will have Chinedum Ndukwe at Gameworks at Newport on the Levee from 6:30 to 7:30 signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. As always, Coach Lewis will answer questions from the fans as we tape the show from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday. Bengals Nation airs on Local 12 every Saturday night at 11:30.

Posted: 10/31/07, 10:35 a.m.

The Opera Ain't Over...

Johnson

It's hard to believe Pittsburgh has won the last six games in Paul Brown Stadium, which includes the '05 playoff game. That's an embarrasing dominance by the 'hated-towel-wavers' in your own house. I would say it's long past time to stop that nasty streak.

Chinedum Ndukwe and Shayne Graham joined me and Lap for the monthly luncheon with sponsors of the Bengals radio network at Montgomery Inn. Fans continue to be interested in the players reaction to, as Geoff Hobson puts it, "As Chad Turns." As you might guess, not too many in this locker room are interested in having a part in that soap opera.

It sure would be nice if the Bengals can get on a little run here to take the attention off "what happened with Chad today." I know the media loves it, but frankly it's gotten real old in Cincinnati. But as Chad told Keyshawn, he doesn't care what people think and he's not going to change. Therefore, the story will remain alive, and it will be awhile before the fat lady sings in this opera.

Tomorrow night is UC Night at Bengals Nation down at Gameworks from 6-8 at Newport on the Levee. Coach Brian Kelly will be on hand as will former Bearcat and current Bengal Blue Adams.

Posted: 10/23/07, 4:44 p.m.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

Not a good trip. Most guys talked about "backs against the wall" all week and most played like they had plenty of time to keep leaning on the wall.

No need to be talking about playoffs until they decide to reel off eight wins in a row. Can you imagine that? No, me neither. One win would be nice right now since they've only had one in their last eight tries. Bottom line: this is not a very good football team. I didn't want to believe it but they've made me. Because too many on this team believe it. You can see it during the week, you can see it on the field, you can see it on the sidelines with players screaming at coaches, you can see it after the game.

No one expects guys to go into deep depression after a loss but it would be nice to get the impression a few more feel the pain of losing. It would be nice for a few more to step up and accept some of the blame. It seems losing is a habit that too many have gotten used to. Oh well.

Marvin said a few weeks ago that guys need to begin looking in the mirror--from the best player to the worst--about how they can become part of the solution. How many are looking? Does anyone care what they see? Is the "same old, same old" getting old to anyone? I wonder if winning is getting old in New England.

Posted: 10/15/07, 11:41 a.m.

Walking Wounded

Watson

Lap and I were talking this morning about what a consummate pro Kenny has been; always doing what's asked of him in any capacity and never whining about it. Those are the kind of guys that stay around a long time because players, coaches and front office personnel love a guy who comes to work every day.

I hope it's Kenny's Sunday to shine since it may be another week before we see Rudi. It may be another week before we see a bunch of guys. Everyone was so excited that the bye week would produce healing but I'm not sure we'll get to see any linebackers rejoin the fray except Landon Johnson, who was poked in the eye against New England. Ahmad Brooks, Caleb Miller and Rashad Jeanty are all longshots to return in K.C. Hope Corey Mays had a fun study week.

Still waiting on Ethan Kilmer. Maybe we'll get a Tab Perry sighting this week. Had the first of many Kansas City radio inteviews today and the sentiment out there is the Bengals are underacheivers on the verge of imploding. Let's hope not.

Posted: 10/9/07, 4:17 p.m.

Looking to Regroup

Jeanty

Bengals Weekly is in the can as Marvin, Coach Brat and Rashad Jeanty came in for the shoot on Tuesday morning in the stadium. Lots of talk about resting, reviewing and regrouping for this team in the cellar of the AFC North. As always the theme is staying positive and eliminating selfish play.

As the team was meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Bengals released the signing of linebacker Corey Mays who was on the Patriots squad just hours before the Bengals and Pats kicked it off Monday night.

From all indications Tuesday's team meeting lasted about an hour with the coaches reiterating the "unselfish team" theme and creating a positive tone for starting the second quarter of the season.

Jeanty and Tab Perry joined us for Bengals Line at Porch of all Sorts Tuesday night. They had worked out together earlier in the day, as did Chris Perry and both talked about their desire to get back on the field for Kansas City October 14th. Tab is more likely to get that done than Rashad, but Jeanty seems determined to make a run at it. Chris Perry is getting close to returning to full speed but isn't eligible to return until the New York game on October 21.

Bengals Nation is the next coaches show on the rotation. Wednesday at 6:30 Marvin will be live at Gameworks at Newport on the Levee as will tight end Reggie Kelly. We'll tape the show from 6:30-8:00 as we do every Wednesday for airing Saturday night at 11:30 on Local 12.

Posted: 10/2/07, 10:16 p.m.

Ready for a Miracle?

Sitting here Sunday the results are in and everything has fallen the way the Bengals needed to be "right back in it."

It's almost laughable to hear people talking about "right back in it" in Week 4 but that's the desperation that 1-2 produces with the Patriots next. Then a bye week for time to reflect on mistakes made.

I've already heard people today say they feel better about the loss to Cleveland since the Browns can beat the Ravens. By the way, the Cardinals can beat the Steelers. The Chiefs can beat the Chargers and the Lions can score 37 on the Bears.

Bengals fans want a miracle on Monday night. It appears miracles happen in the NFL all the time. Just depends what you consider a miracle. Nothing has fallen in line for the Bengals so far this year. Except Monday night. Nothing makes fans feel confident about Monday's lineup. No Rudi, just Kenny. Probably no Ahmad or Caleb, just Anthony, Lemar and Dhani. I love it! This is ripe for a miracle.

Posted: 9/30/07, 11:55 p.m.

Time to Finish

It's a long trip back after a loss. Especially when it's Seattle. The flight actually only took about four hours coming home, but there's always more time to talk about what went wrong and how it's going to get fixed.

Special teams has certainly been through the personnel wringer and will continue to have to adjust as bodies get healthy. Makes you wonder if they should pick up a healthy kicker for this week to give Shayne Graham three full weeks to get healthy. Probably feel they can't afford the roster spot but you can't afford to lose in the kickoff game every week either.

Huge shot in the arm to have Dhani Jones step up in such a big way for the defense. His positive attitude is a nice addition as well.

Thought for the most part the team showed well in Seattle and did a lot of good things. There were plenty of moral victories: Jones, Anthony Schlegel and Lemar Marshall holding their ground with a beleaguered linebacking corps, Kenny Watson with the Bengals first rushing TD of the year at a rather crucial time filling in for an injured Rudi Johnson, Andrew Whitworth playing tackle and guard, and Carson, Chad and T.J. coming up big without an effective running game. All nice.

But the camp theme this year was not "Let's get moral victories." It was "Finish." This team is three to five plays away from finishing well enough to be 3-0. Instead it's 1-2 behind the 8-ball. Plenty of work to do before next Monday Night.

Think a lot of people give the Bengals a shot at beating the Patriots? I always kind of like those sitatuions.

Posted: 9/24/07, 4:32 p.m.

Waking Up in Seattle?

As fun as it was to go to work last Tuesday, that's how miserable it was for Bengals fans to go to work on Monday, and Tuesday and ...

Such is the the life of a Bengals fan. Just when you thought you knew what you were going to get, "Sybil" unveils another personality. I'm always fascinated at what a game does to the workplace, and to the mood of the people you meet on the streets based on what their beloved Bengals do the previous weekend. Win and life is worth living, at least for another week. Lose, and it's time to hide the knives.

No question this one was painful to watch because of the exhibition the defense put on against the Ravens. The frustration sets in when a team becomes bipolar week to week. I know the press box got the call when Ahmad Brooks injured his groin in the first quarter, but Dave (Lapham) and I never got the word in the booth. Building a game plan around a guy that works best by blitzing and then having to change it to a much smaller Caleb Miller who does not work best in blitzing probably had an impact.

But what do I know: Marvin has made it clear those of us outside the locker room can't understand the problems. So there is no reason trying to explain them beyond the team didn't play well enough. I do understand they didn't play well. I do sometimes fail to understand why it doesn't bother enough of the players that "they" don't understand enough to adjust while they're playing the game. The usual answer is the other guys get paid too.

I do understand it's just one game. It's one game that has suddenly made the Cleveland GM declare his team has now "come out of the hole." One game that has fans wondering which Bengals team they'll see in Seattle. Sleepless? That's what one game can do.

Posted: 9/18/07, 7:59 p.m.

To Leap or Not to Leap?

Johnson

I told them more people here were talking about overpowering the AFC North champs on the Monday Night stage by beating them at their own physical game. The calls later in the week were from Cleveland asking if "Chad would be stupid enough to leap into the 'Dawg Pound?' "

I told them if stupid was the term, he definitely might be, but I think it's more of a media hype to get everyone talking. Mission accomplished. I wouldn't bet on the "Lambeau Leap" on Sunday.

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I talked about being worried if Ghiaciuc couldn't go on Monday, but Alex Stepanovich stepped up in a big way when needed. I'm feeling better if Eric can't go on Sunday but it's troubling (like an epidemic with this team) he can't get healthy.

Monday proved nice to watch because of consistent "step-up" of the backups as guys went down with cramps and the like. Hope that's a confidence-builder for all.

In talking with lots of folks in and around the Browns organization there is a real sense of upheaval already after one game. It will be interesting to see what impact that has on Game 2.

Posted: 9/15/07, 9:14 a.m.

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!

Sick at home and able to watch the opening Sunday in bed. Wow! The Browns looked bad. I know a lot of Bengals fans hated to see Eric Steinbach go, but my guess is he's more unhappy than you are. Especially after you've seen Stacy Andrews develop at left guard. Cleveland's offensive line was a sieve against the Steelers in the dog-pound. Not a lot of positive to spin on this one for Romeo. Should be lots of 'we want Brady' controversy all week as the Bengals ready to head north.

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Ghiaciuc

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It will be interesting to see how this offense runs in earnest without a real four-wide set. Especially against a Ravens defense that will force Reggie Kelly to stay in and protect a majority of the evening.

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The Jungle will be happy to see Marvin back on the sideline Monday night. He hated being forced into the booth in the preseason with his ankle cast ... and declared Wednesday on Bengals Nation he was done with the booth and back on the turf. I'm not quite sure how he'll be able to get out of the way if he has to, but he insists he's become pretty quick on crutches.

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I'm actually intrigued by the amount of doubt that exists about this team on both sides of the ball before they play a down that counts. Gives them even more to play for ... as if they didn't have enough already against the AFC North champs in the national spotlight.

Posted: 9/9/07, 6:23 p.m.