NEWS » 118 wins…the playoff losses. Maybe Mike Brown is feeling sympathet

Vontaze Burfict got through about six quarters after his latest suspension Michael Jordan Jersey 2019 , before making a play that could result in another one.The Bengals linebacker hit Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in the head during the third quarter, getting him with his arm as Brown was being tackled.He wasn’t penalized on the play, but his teammates defended the oft-suspended Burfict, who didn’t talk to reporters about the play, gathering his items and getting dressed in the Bengals trainer’s room.鈥淲e have to see what they call,鈥?Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick said, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.聽鈥淭he dude just plays football. I don鈥檛 think that was intentional. I didn鈥檛 even see it. He just plays football. They have to relax a little bit and give him a chance.鈥滱s Kirkpatrick was talking, Burfict came out of the trainer’s room, realized what was happening, and said:聽鈥淲hat they say, Dre?鈥?Kirkpatrick then said: 鈥淚 got you,鈥?before the ever-charming Burfict told reporters:聽鈥淕et your ass out of our locker room.鈥滱sked to elaborate, Burfict continued to walk out of the locker room.The league reviews each game, and routinely issues punishments after the fact, and Burfict’s recidivist status will certainly draw their attention. He missed the first four games of this season for violating the PED policy, but has multiple incidents of over-the-line hits. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsArticle continues below ...After a disappointing campaign, the Bengals hope to turn things around for 2017. Let’s take a look at why the new season could be a bounceback year.Well Michael Jordan Jersey Womens , the Bengals gave it their best shot. But the 2016 campaign came up short…again. The frustrating part about being a Cincinnati believer is the heavy crash after the burn. This was a year that could have been special, if not for the typical NFL problems that popped up. A mass exodus of coaches caused players to contend with new teaching techniques and personalities. But, that wasn’t the whole story. Injuries finally took their toll on the team. Along with that, familiar faces on offense left in free agency.For the first time in six years, the playoffs didn’t include the Cincinnati Bengals. Though the Stripes were close to getting a last-minute berth, they failed to beat the Steelers in Week 15. That L was followed by a disappointing loss to the Texans. Marvin Lewis has stated that the Bengals aren’t in need of a total overhaul. But, that’s something Cincinnati fans have become numb to. The promises of a new year always seem to include the incentive of patience and a turnaround. This is the ritual of a lifelong fan. Yet this could be the season that Lewis and the Bengals get it right. Before the off-year, they’ve had five tries to get the feel of being in primetime. Now, with time once again playing a factor, Lewis and company will be forced to find the answers. Ultimately, the Bengals should return to form…here’s why.Next: Another House CallAaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsGinger ManYes, the offense wasn’t great in the red zone. Sure, you can try to blame it on the leader. Finally, it’s all on his shoulders as the leader. But, through the problems and unforeseen glitches, Andy Dalton had a darn good year. His numbers didn’t match the stats that he piled up in 2015 before getting injured but he was still steady. C’mon, man. Give the guy a break. Ken Zampese was Dalton’s third OC in six campaigns as signal caller. Even if the scheme is the same Youth Michael Jordan Jersey , there are bound to be different philosophies tied to the play calling. What Jay Gruden did was a far cry from what Hue Jackson liked to do. As the season progressed, Dalton and Zampese seemed to get on the same page. There was also the loss of deep threats Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. Brandon LaFell finally developed the chemistry with Dalton that fans wanted to see. But, there was still the lack of offensive punch. Tyler Boyd also stepped to the forefront and offered his abilities. But, one training camp with new weapons doesn’t guarantee memories will fade. It takes time to develop a connection with the new toys. Hopefully, the offseason will be a time for them to connect. Dalton was still able to tie a franchise record. His 4,206 yards linked him with Carson Palmer as the only player to hit the 4,00-yard mark twice. Look for him to come out strong.Next: Backfield BattlesEvan Habeeb-USA TODAY SportsThe Ground GameFunny. The running game was just about in the same position that it was last season. In 2015, the Bengals rushed for 1,805 yards. That was good enough for No. 13 in the league and seventh in the AFC. The numbers practically the same from each year. What does this mean? Simple. The ground game wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Essentially, the Bengals’ offensive scheme didn’t deviate from the attack that Jackson employed. Fans wanted to see more of the run and thought it was happening. Nah. According to <i>NFL.com</i>, the offense had 446 rushes for a 4.0 ypc average. The numbers in 2015? They rushed 467 times for 3.9 average. Actually, the carries were down slightly. But, the answer is clear. Bengals coordinators like to pass. What’s interesting is the upward swing in the yards per carry. Evidently, that little hiccup occurred when Rex Burkhead was added to the mix. Rex got his chance when Giovani Bernard suffered a torn ACL. Then, Jeremy Hill fell to the injury bug and missed the finale against the Ravens. Burkhead stepped in and politely shredded the Baltimore defense for a career-high 119 yards. The formula is there. All three running backs will be trying to outshine each other. Hill will certainly be on alert. He’ll be in the last year of his rookie contract.Next: The Second Time AroundCharles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsEasy Zampese…AgainTo say his first year at the reins was disappointing is an understatement. The Bengals new offensive coordinator came aboard with fresh ideas and tons of hype. I’ll admit, my chops were watering thinking about the points that would be put up. What happened? Cincinnati moved the ball with ease. But, when it came to putting points on the board White Michael Jordan Jersey , the offense went flat. Some of the blame can be placed on the shoulders of former kicker Mike Nugent. But, the Bengals found themselves in too many 3rd-and-long situations in the red zone. Speaking of that area, Cincinnati scored 53 percent of the time. Sounds decent enough. But, when compared to the 2015 average of 65 percent, the struggle becomes clear. Zampese has taken the blame and says things will be different. He says the Bengals didn’t score touchdowns at the rate they were accustomed to. Scoring points is the bottom line. Everything else is frosting. The OC knows the problem. Consider it fixed. Zampese has dedicated his offseason to analyzing every play.Next: A New Attitude?Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsReturn Of The Last ChanceThis just may be the end of a long relationship. Marvin Lewis has been given chance after chance to prove his worth. The 2017 campaign could be his toughest test. Since being brought aboard to lead the Bengals into battle, he has become the winningest coach in franchise history. There’s only one problem with Lewis and those 118 wins…the playoff losses. Maybe Mike Brown is feeling sympathetic to Lewis because of a glaring similarity. Founder Paul Brown went 0-3 in the postseason. But, PB’s saving grace is his stint with the Cleveland Browns. His record there was 9-5 (.643) in the big games. Nevertheless, 2017 could be the year that Lewis decides to get mean again. When the Bengals were under the drill sergeant influence of Forrest Gregg, the made it to Super Bowl XVI. If Lewis can harness the fire that he once had, things could turn around. The last time the Bengals had a losing season under Marvelous Marv, they rebounded with a strong showing and a Wild Card berth. In fact, after the retooling, the 2010 campaign yielded five straight playoff appearances.Next: Who Was The Best Back?Lewis was adamant in saying that there’s too much talking and not enough action. Smells like team spirit in the making. Now, he needs to produce. More from Stripe HypeWho Was The Bengals’ Best Running Back In 2016?56m agoBengals: Can Free Agency Signings Fill The Holes?1 d agoBengals’ Andrew Whitworth Added to Pro Bowl Roster1 d agoBengals Need A Voice Like Mike Tomlin’s2d agoBengals’ Carlos Dunlap Selected To NFL Pro Bowl2d agoThis article originally appeared on