there on Saturday night.Merrin produced some of the best footy

CINCINNATI -- Something about the Bengals doesnt add up.The defending AFC North champions were among the leagues best in the first half of last season, when they won their first eight games.In what amounts to a full season since, theyve gone 7-9-1 -- including a playoff loss to Pittsburgh -- and no longer have the look of a contender.They entered their bye this week at 3-4-1 following a 27-27 tie with Washington in London. A team that has reached the playoffs five consecutive seasons -- and lost in the first round each time -- is in danger of not even making it that far.Weve got the guys in the locker room to do it, we just havent done it, running back Jeremy Hill said. So we can talk about it all we want, but until we go out there and do it, it doesnt mean a thing.The Bengals have a losing record even though theyve been one of the most fortunate teams in the league with injuries. Theyre basically at full strength now that tight end Tyler Eifert has returned from ankle surgery.I feel like we should be leading the division right now, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick said. Its not a long season (left), but we have a lot of games to make up for the early bumps in the road.There might be some changes in the second half, particularly on the defense.The Bengals returned the nucleus of a unit that gave up the second-fewest points in the league last season. It ranks only 21st this season and is on pace to give up nearly 100 more points than last season.The stars of the defense are having subpar years. Linemen Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Domata Peko and Michael Johnson combined for 34+ sacks last season; theyre on pace for 19 combined this season.Atkins, a two-time All-Pro tackle, had 11 sacks last season; he has only 3+ this season. Dunlap is down from a career-high 13+ to five.Its not only on the line. The linebackers and defensive backs have struggled, too.Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is using the bye week to evaluate each players performance and decide whether a younger player might deserve more time at their position.Some of the guys that have been here, that have been fixtures here, for some reason or another, whether its age or whatever it is, they are not playing at a high level, Guenther said. And Ive got to figure out where I can inject some other guys that can do it better or at least try to.The Bengals thought that the defense would improve when linebacker Vontaze Burfict returned from a three-game suspension for illegal hits. He is third on the team in tackles and has one sack, but hasnt made much of an overall difference.Cincinnati has given up 400 yards in three of the past four games. The only exception was a win over Cleveland in which the winless Browns rushed for 180 yards. Last season, the Bengals allowed 400 total yards only once.The offense is starting to look more formidable with Eifert back. He set a club record for a tight end with 13 touchdown catches last season.The offense was among the worst in the league at scoring inside the opponents 20-yard line while he was recovering from ankle surgery. In his first extended playing time, he caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown against Washington.The running game also has improved lately after struggling through the first part of the season. The Bengals scored a season high in points during a 31-17 win over Cleveland, followed by the 27-point performance against Washington.We havent scored enough points we need for us to win games, and we all know that, Hill said. We know we have the talent in the locker room, especially with Tyler back. We saw what he can do. No reasons and excuses, we have to go out there and do it.With so many starters back from last seasons team that ran off eight straight wins, the Bengals figure theyve got a chance to have a strong second half. They play Baltimore twice, host the first-place Steelers and play at Cleveland, so the division title is still a possibility.We did it last year, Kirkpatrick said. I dont see any reason why we cant do it this year. Same guys.But so far, different results.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max 97 Pas Cher .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Air Max Plus Tn Pas Cher http://www.chaussurepascherchine.fr/grossiste-air-max-plus-tn/nike-tn-homme-solde.html . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Air Max 720 Pas Cher .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Vapormax Flyknit Soldes . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. Trent Merrin feared his representative rugby league career was finished after he was overlooked for NSW in this years State of Origin series.But the star Penrith back-rower now has the chance to establish himself as a long-term No.13 for Australia in Saturdays Test against New Zealand in Perth.Merrin, 27 made his Test debut for Australia in the Anzac Test in May last year, but hasnt been part of the rugby league rep scene since.It was the toughest part of my career so far, Merrin said on Tuesday.The best thing about it is I have learnt so much about myself and how to combat it and how to work through it and know what it is like to miss out on something like thatIt is something that really hurts but there was a lesson there.There were personal challenges I faced during it. You start to doubt yourself and a lot of negatives come into the mind about not playing in the rep scene again and it is really a mentally challenging position.Corey Parker was passed over for selection in coach Mal Meningas 24-man Four Nations squad after announcing his NRL retirement. That leaves his Kangaroos lock spot up for grabs. Merrin will be chosen there for the nib Stadium clash against the Kiwis and it iss a spot he wants to make his own.ddddddddddddThat is my goal and that is my dream, to be the next No.13 for Australia, Merrin said.That is something I really want to make my own.I just have to have a humble approach to it all and work really hard and prepare well and take it out there on Saturday night.Merrin produced some of the best footy of his career in helping the Panthers to the second week of the NRL finals after moving from St George Illawarra in the off-season.He said he has now learned not to take anything for granted.Loz (NSW coach Laurie Daley) had a chat with me and said they wanted to head in a different direction this year, Merrin said.There are no hard feelings there. It was a tough pill to swallow but I just went away and worked on the things I needed to.Once I got comfortable with the uncomfortable (of missing selection) I started to play the footy I know I am capable of and gained a lot of confidence mid season.What that tough period has also highlighted for me is that once you are back in this position you want, to make the most of it. ' ' '