Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Cincinnati Bengals

Go For It On Fourth Fan Preview 2018: The Cincinnati Bengals

For my half of the Go For It On Fourth preview for the 2018 NFL season, I decided to ask fans of every team questions about how they think their team will do this season. Instead of asking just one fan per team, I decided to get as many fans as I could involved. For some teams, that was several. For some teams, that was just one fan. But we very much appreciate everyone who got involved in our Preview for the 2018 Season!

Representing the Bengals:

Thomas, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, @ThomasGoodall

First off, sum up last season for us.

Thomas: Last season was disappointing but looking back there were signs of promise from young players. The dreadful offensive line play really hurt the team and produced one of the worst offenses in the league, the team even opened the season without a touchdown in two home games, the first team to do so since 1939! From that point on it was very clear that the team wasn’t making the playoffs and despite a few good performances to close out the season, it was back to back losing seasons for the Bengals.

How was your offseason?

Thomas: The main aims this offseason was improving the offensive line. Trading a first round pick to Buffalo for Left Tackle Cordey Glenn showed the team recognised the need for drastic action and drafting first round Centre Billy Price confirmed this. With the release of George Iloka, drafting Safety Jessie Bates has now become a really important pick as he will start as a rookie as part of a young and immerging secondary.

What's your thoughts on your starting quarterback?

Thomas: Andy Dalton can divide opinion. He has games where, surrounded by a variety of talented skill players and a strong line, he can win games. He’s yet to return to his MVP calibre performances of 2015 and you can argue he never will. At any other organisation, it would be time to start looking for a replacement or QB of the future but that’s not how the Bengals work, so his job is safe.

And your thoughts on your head coach?

Thomas: Marvin Lewis is the winningest coach in Bengals history but has never won a playoff game. I felt that last season should have been his last and was frankly disappointed when he signed a contract extension. You look at what teams like the Rams are doing with a young and exciting coach like Sean McVay and the Bengals are crying out for some creative thinking and new ideas.

A player that will be key for you this season?

Thomas: Many would go for A.J Green, he’s be best player on the team and a top 5 Wide Receiver. But Green is as consistent as night following day, pencil him in for another 1000 yard season. I’m going for William Jackson III, a third year Defensive back from Houston who locked down Antonio Brown last year and will start on the outside this season. Jackson has all the makings to be the next shutdown corner in the NFL and very few people are talking about him outside Bengals fans and writers.

And who would you happily drive to their next club?

Thomas: Michael Johnson, an overpaid Defensive Lineman who is taking snaps away from a promising young group. With the Bengals recent cull of some veterans however I may not have to drive him away, hopefully he will be free to do that himself.

What made you choose to support your team?

Thomas: I stumbled upon Hard Knocks one Sunday morning on Channel 4, the year the Bengals were on and I’ve been hooked to the NFL and the Bengals ever since.

For a first-time NFL fan, tell us some reasons why they should support your team?

Thomas: A team with a rich history, founded by one of the greatest coaches ever – Paul Brown – and while they may not get a lot of attention, this is a team with exciting young players and a bright future (hopefully with a new head coach)

Compare your team to a European football club.

Thomas: Purely for the consistency with which they lose in knockout Champions league games I’ll go for Arsenal, obviously nowhere near the level of domestic success but come last 16 time you could be sure they’d be off home, and so it is for the Bengals on wildcard weekend in January.

What's the best-case scenario for you this season?

Thomas: Somehow sneak into the playoffs lead by the young talent on this team.

And what's the worst-case scenario?

Thomas: Bottom of the AFC North winning about 4 games and in line for a top 5 pick with A.J Green tearing his ACL in week one. Very dark indeed.

Does Marvin Lewis NEED to win a Playoff game this season to keep his job?

Thomas: No Lewis doesn’t need to win a playoff game because the Bengals have shown they will stick by him even when he didn’t and I really can’t see this team in the playoffs in the first place.

Predict your record for this season, and how far (if at all) you will go in the postseason.

Thomas: 8-8 for the season with some highs but ultimately finishing 3rd in the AFC North.

Tell us who you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta on February 3rd next year?

Thomas: Rams for the Super Bowl, the offseason additions and another year for Goff in the McVay system I think they’re ready.

Anything else you’d like to promote?

Thomas: I wrote a piece about the growth of the NFL in the UK recently which you can check out here - https://tgoodall2.wixsite.com/immj2018/blog/american-football-in-the-uk

Thanks to Thomas for his participation.