02-03-2024, 06:56 PM
(02-03-2024, 05:59 PM)GodFather Wrote: I understand the importance of continuity with coaching staff, but why would he not push for a new offensive line coach/run coordinator when those have been the biggest issues from day one in his tenure and nothing has changed since?
As tired of a topic this must be for some, I really am dumbfounded with the stubbornness sticking with Pollack. If we had an OL that could protect Joe and create a good run game this offense would be absolutely unstoppable.
Yet here we are going into another season and I don’t care who we pick up this off-season in free agency and draft picks, Pollack is going to get out schemed by the opponents on both fronts and Zac is going to have to take the blame for keeping him on.
So why are they choosing to keep him?
The easy answer is that the problem is more complex than many of us fans like to admit.
The issue isn't all on the offensive line. Running back is an issue, for example. The style of offense that Cincinnati runs is an issue for pass protection. Now, I understand that the buck stops somewhere eventually and Pollack may very well end up being fired, largely for his talent evaluation and how they fit into the offense. I am not going to be up in arms about this, but I will say that I don't believe that much changes if you do fire him. If the Bengals continue sending out five into routes often, Joe will continue getting sacked and hit at higher than league average. If Mixon is still the bellcow, the run game will still continue to underperform.
The Bengals offensive linemen aren't doing anything notably different than the rest of the league. Pollack has changed the run game to fit their strengths and aside from more under center looks, I think the run game is being squeezed for all it can be with Mixon as the lead guy. Could the offensive line be better? Sure, but they aren't the bottleneck IMO. The backs are. In pass pro, is it infuriating to see a rusher come free and smash Burrow? Yes, but when the defense sends six and you only have five blockers it becomes arithmetic. Or maybe you have six blockers, but the sixth blocker is one of our RBs that can't pass protect and the pick-up is missed.
I will say it all off-season - firing Pollack is probably warranted and I'm not some staunch Pollack defender but I do believe we will be having another OL conversation next off-season unless the offense changes or a new, more dynamic RB is inserted as the lead guy.
