04-23-2021, 11:35 PM
The notion that the Bengals operate in a wildly different manner to the NFL norm is largely fan hysteria and misconception. I think isolated moments in time really amplified that perception (e.g., the No Gatorade Incident or Mike Brown spitballing about converting a DE to TE on Hard Knocks). They operate quite a lot like Pittsburgh in general. The last couple offseasons notwithstanding, both franchises tend to eschew noisy free agency splashes, build through the draft, and retain coaches for a long time in spite of fan vitriol. Hell, even the Patriots have long followed a relatively similar pattern.
They're lauded as model franchises, and we're regarded as a joke. We can validly note the difference in postseason success when it comes to the coach retention variable, but otherwise it's not that different.
They're lauded as model franchises, and we're regarded as a joke. We can validly note the difference in postseason success when it comes to the coach retention variable, but otherwise it's not that different.
