12-29-2019, 10:53 AM
(12-29-2019, 10:32 AM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Joe Burrow is a terrific player; no doubt about it! He’s had a great season and he’s set college football records which may never be broken. The Cincinnati Bengals will make Burrow the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and he’ll get some solid sideline mentoring from Andy Dalton who Mike Brown, right or wrong, will not trade and demand he stay in Cincinnati though his last contract year.The offense, if you mean the players, were there when Joe got there. Did they design plays to showcase his strengths? Yes. Will Zac have the QB who he can design plays for? Yes. Will having a QB who can move in the pocket and throw on the run help? Hell yes. Opposing defenses will have to totally change their game plan when facing Burrow compared to Dalton. No one thinks there won't be a learning curve but we will be a better team in years to come. Whether it's Zac or any other manager you are only as good as the people around you. If you believe we had that this year you aren't being realistic.
When it comes to Joe Burrow I’m neither a detractor nor a contrarian. I am very cautious and extremely pragmatic. With this in mind please understand I want one and all to see what Joe can do against Clemson. I’m all for drafting him even if Clemson beats LSU badly but let’s temper our expectations once Joe becomes a Bengal. It’s one thing to rip the Oklahoma defense a new one and another thing to dominate the Ravens or Patriots with stellar quarterback play. I truly hope Joe can elevate his game in the NFL but as a lifetime fan of the Cincinnati Bengals I’m too realistic.
Will Joe Burrow be better than Andy Dalton? Yes, this will be painfully obvious during the first mini camp and onward into the future. There is no way Andy beats him out for the starting job. Andy knows this and it’s okay. For every established quarterback this awful day arrives.
My fear, however, is real: Zac Taylor’s offense is a mess and his play calling is atrocious. Great quarterbacks can overcome lots of adversity but no quarterback in the history of football has ever overcome incompetent coaching. When Joe Burrow comes to Cincinnati an offense will need to be created around his skills just like LSU did. Will the Bengals do this? Do the coaches have the brains to know they need to try?
