Why the Bengals No Huddle Bogs Down

Why the Bengals no huddle bogs down.

We have all seen it time & time again. The Bengals go into the no huddle and then go three and out. It is that Carson is being out schemed by the DC (defensive coordinator), probably at times. How many times have I screamed at the T.V. let Bob (Bratkowski) call the damn plays, way too many times lately.

I think, however, that is only part of the problem. Yes, Carson does get snookered every once in a while, but Carson will get better with time. He is a great student of the game. I have prodigious faith in Carson Palmer. I think the bigger problem is the personnel on the football field when we run the no huddle. Let’s review who this is:

QB) Carson Palmer
RB) Rudi Johnson
FB) Jeremy Johnson
WR) Chad Johnson
WR) T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE) Reggie Kelly
LT) Levi Jones
LG) Eric Steinbach probably replaced by Andrew Witworth
C ) Eric Guicheck
RG) Bobbie Williams or Stacy Andrews
RT) Willie Anderson

First of all, when healthy there is no better O (offensive) line in existence at this time. None. What other line in the league can power block one play, pull a guard and sweep the next play, cut a counter after that, and then pass protect on a seven step drop? That’s right the Bengals; they are the platinum standard. So is there a problem in the line? They are supplemented by a fine blocking tight end and full back, however; this is exactly the problem. How so?

The premise of the no huddle is to keep the other team’s specialist players of the field along with having superior conditioning of your players. Are the Bengals in better condition? I wonder. The bigger problem is that the DC from the other team can scheme effectively because he knows what is likely to occur.

Firstly, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh must be accounted for. That however is it. No one else is going to burn the defense for a long play. Frankly, Rudi, Jeremy, and Reggie do not have big play ability. Frankly, they are very pedestrian. Rudi runs inside well and that is about all. He is dependable and durable. He is not frightening. He has no speed, no shimmy, no shake, and mediocre hands. Rudi running a draw, or catching a screen pass is frankly painful to watch.
If Rudi is bad, then Jeremy is more so. No speed, no shimmy, shake, his hands may be a little better-just great. Reggie Kelly is much the same, although he can upon occasion sneak down the field; he is never ever going to make Bengals fans forget Bob Trumpy, Dan Ross, or Rodney Holman, nor is he a huge problem for the opponents DC.

The Bengals are quick to point out that they have Chris Perry and Chris Henry for that sort of play, but then you have substituted and scrapped the no huddle. When in the no huddle here is a list of plays that will not be effective:

Draw Play
Screen Pass
Sweep
Stretch Play
Counter
Deep Smash Route by the TE

The Draw play should be enormously effective in the no huddle, but it falls short because Rudi is just not nimble enough to get past the line.

The Screen Pass should also be there, but Rudi struggles to catch the ball. After (or if) he secures it. He is very pedestrian. Jeremy is even more so.

The Bengals running the sweep with Rudi are frankly an embarrassment. Rudi does not have the speed to get out side. The same can be said of the stretch play. Defenses can simply react to the play; there is no home run ability.

The counter play, again Rudi may get 10 to 20 yards while Tomlinson or Alexander would run for a touchdown.

Reggie Kelly is not a deep down the field tight end, so the defense does not have to plan for him. If the linebacker or safety carries out their assignment, he will be a non-factor.

For a moment wonder if the Bengals had a threat at tight end and a running back who could handle all the duties. Whose job just got easier, probably everyone’s.

With a decent pass catching running back in the game, Carson can now dump the ball off without it being a negative play. With a pass catching threat at tight end, Chad and T.J. are no longer double teamed. The offensive line now has something to put the defensive line back on their heels, the prospect of a successful draw play or screen. The outside running game makes a return to the realm of the possible, Bob Bratkowski’s job just got easier and he is not nearly so predictable- all with out substituting.

The reader might correctly state yeah, but we have who we have. True, but here are some ideas. The Bengals must acquire a bona-fide pass catching threat at tight end either through free agency or the draft. Eric Johnson of the 49’ers is out there I think the Bengals should make a tremendous run for him. The running back we all ready have. It is time that Chris Perry proves himself to be a big time professional running back. The time to pass the torch is this year, 2007. Rudi, never a burner, shows signs of slowing down. He can not run outside, he has improved his receiving but still can not make anything happen when he catches the ball. Chris Perry, however, is a threat to take it to the house on every play. He can also run the deep circle route or the sweep route, for Rudi not even a dream. This situation would open up the quick slants for Chad and T.J. and the tight end. The time is now.

If the Bengals can not make this situation happen, it is my feeling that the no-huddle should be totally and completely scrapped. The Bengals are better frankly with three wide outs in the game, or substituting like a regular NFL team would.