Paul Daughtery: Doc: Zac Taylor came in strutting, without actually strutting. He was

[*SHRacerX*]

(05-05-2022, 05:20 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Zac Taylor lacked experience as a head coach and little OC experience. He was basically offered by Denver ( with staff conditions ) and Arizona. He liked the situation and ownership at Cincy. What did the other ownership/mgt teams see in him knowing he lacked experience? He had a plan and a vision that impressed them all. He wasn’t the lead candidate for any of them.

He took the Cincy job right after the Super Bowl and a lot of coaches he’d have liked to hire weren’t available. I’m sure he was encouraged to bring in an experienced DC like Jack Del Rio. Eventually he got Lou Aranumo who he’d coached with at Miami. His first year he had push back from the veterans. The roster was awful. He instructs the scouting department to put more emphasis on leaders, players of high character, and players that loved ball. It really didn’t materialize until the roster of 2020.

Handicapped by Covid restrictions and a rookie QB they start by losing to the Chargers by 3,Cleveland by 5, Tie Philly in 2OT,Beat the Jags, get drilled by the Ravens, lose by 4 to the Colts, and 3 to the Browns. Then they beat the Titans and get drilled by Pitt. They then get beat by Wash and lose Joe. Their record didn’t show it but before Joe’s injury they were near playing .500 ball.

Helped by a strong FA for ‘21 and drafting well they finally caught fire and gelled and made it to the SB. They won 3 playoff games and beat KC twice. Tell me the last team to beat KC and Mahomes two straight.

Taylor is not Bill Belicheck but Bill Belicheck wasn’t Bill Walsh in year 3 either and nor did anybody think he’d pass Walsh as a great coach. Not suggesting Zac is going to be a HOF coach.

But if fans can’t see the great strides and differences in the Bengals since he got here I can’t help them. He’s taken heavy criticism for his OC duties. This year with a better OL he does need to take it to another level. I think the defense will be improved and for sure the offense. I’m predicting with a much much tougher schedule 12-5. There’s going to be several AFC teams around that number. Injuries a key. I look for an offense much better in the Redzone and short yardage. I look for a defense that’s tough on third down.

Very well said.  That year where Burrow got injured, they were really starting to move the ball on offense (200 yards at the half against a very tough WFT defense) but all anyone around here wanted to say was 6-25-1.  "You are what your record says you are", as we head plenty.  I myself called 2021 the "No Excuses" season, as I could see the roster and the FA acquisitions filling a lot of holes.  You just hoped it all came together.


Zac had the foresight not to totally turn Joe loose early on.  You could see by the play calling and perhaps knowledge of a hole still in the offensive line (or three).  Then, Joe seemingly flipped a switch on a QB scramble against the steelers and it the shackles were removed.

Perhaps the greatest thing about the entire coaching staff has been their ability to make adjustments.  In game adjustments, even.  We were mocked by Marvin for suggesting that he was deficient in that area.  Well, the proof is in the pudding and now we have seen it from this staff.  

Folks might read this as me building a statue for all three coordinators and the one head coach, but it is really just showing my support and faith that we have the right people for the job.  

Exciting times, my friends.  Who Dey!