05-13-2023, 02:37 PM
(05-13-2023, 01:17 PM)Nepa Wrote: Have we heard anything definitively that the Bengals didn't want DW? They may have thought they could pick up another 6th round pick for a punter, move down a few spots, and still get DW. Pittsburgh picking him up may have surprised them, since they didn't seem to be in he market for a TE after having used a high pick on one last year. Or, maybe they had a couple of players with about the same grade, including DW, and decided to trade down, pick up the 6th, and take the one who was left at their pick.
What made this draft exciting for the Zac’s staff & Tobin’s staff was they got their favorite people. They had some talent's they really liked that had good character but then they had some talent’s that had phenomenal character. About half of their picks had off the charts high character and leadership.
“It happened that the best players were also good people,” Tobin said. “That makes the decisions easier.”
Great article in the Athletic: https://theathletic.com/4486780/2023/05/04/bengals-draft-scouts-duke-tobin/?source=user_shared_article
Battle was one. Saban on Battle:
“Well Jordan’s first of all a very bright guy, he’s got really good work ethic, he loves the game, he loves to play, he loves to practice, he sets a good example, he’s a good leader, he’s got a really really good understanding of everything that we’re doing in the secondary. Of course he’s got a lot of experience but he’s a bright guy and because he’s very conscientious to go with really good ability, he’s got really good size, he’s improved his ability to cover people I think a lot last year and this spring and this fall so far,” Saban said.
“I just really think he’s a complete player and I think he’s helping other players play better with his leadership. Communication is so important in the secondary and when you have confident guys that aren’t afraid to call out, it helps other the people around them play with more confidence as well and he’s certainly contributed to that in a very positive way,” Saban said.
Jeff Brohm on Jones : “He has been a great teammate and our players love him,” Brohm said. “He competes every day, has been injured quite a bit of the year and not able to practice as much as you like, but he comes out here and works.”
Dabo on Murphy: He is really, really, really special,” Swinney said. “With another year, he may have been the first pick in the draft. I think he has that type of talent. There’s not many people walking the planet that have first overall pick type of talent. But Myles Murphy does.”
The Bengals are getting him at a value because he’s still a developing player. He was at Clemson for three seasons — two-and-a-half years. He’s an incredibly smart kid, loves football. His dad played pro football. He’s been around it his whole life. But his best football is still in front of him,” said Swinney. “I’m just really excited about seeing him take that next step. He’s just a rare talent. A great kid, very smart and a very cerebral player. Incredibly strong and can fly, you know? You just don’t see guys that can move like him and bend. He’s going to be a great one.”
“They are getting a guy who is relentless, powerful, and loves the game. (Murphy) is a physical player, smart. He’s great off the field,” defensive ends coach Lemanski Hall added. “He’s a professional. And he’s going to come in every day with the mindset of getting better.”
Chase Brown and Sydney Brown his twin story:
https://youtu.be/XxeGyrkrolo
“The early life adversity this kid has gone through has made him extremely family-oriented and loyal and very mature,” Sarkisian said. “That’s what you are getting. An all-around great human who works his tail off and runs aggressively and violently.”
The bottom line is they hit a home run out of the park and still bouncing on the combinations of talent and character. I just think they had their favorite people there that fit this culture and they went there.
Romo “ so impressed with Zac ...1 of the best in the NFL… they are just fundamentally sound. Taylor the best winning % in the Playoffs of current coaches. Joe Burrow” Zac is the best head coach in the NFL & that gives me a lot of confidence." Taylor led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports, en and appeared in Super Bowl LVI, the first since 1988.
