Are We A Contender Now?!

[Luvnit2]

(02-04-2019, 01:49 AM)samhain Wrote: It's a tough comparison.  Marvin had some of the best player in the history of this franchise in place when he arrived.  Chad, TJ, Willie, Rudi, Levi, Braham, etc were a solid foundation.  Taylor will have AJ, Boyd and Mixon.  Other than that, there are many more question marks on offense.  No clear number 1 TE on the roster. Absolutely nobody of value on the right side of the o-line.  

On top of that, Marvin had a number 1 pick in his pocket coming in.  This was in a year when what many perceived to be a generational talent at quarterback was available in Palmer.  He was made to be a QB, had size, a rocket arm, and could make literally any throw.  Even if the Bengals had the number 1 pick, that guy is not in this draft.  

All of the skill guys were in place for Marvin.  Bookend tackles were in place, too.  On top of that, you had a guy coming in to lead your team for the next decade at qb.  Taylor will not have this luxury.  he's got the skill guys, but that's about all.  This team is looking at a 2-3 year rebuild to contend again.

Tough comparison?
 Steinbach was not drafted yet and an unknown in 2003 once he was drafted.
TJ was injured - did not play a game in 2003
Spikes the leading tackler moved on.
Rudy J. was an unknown
Again, Palmer was drafted number 1, but he did not start in 2003, Kitna's team.
The tackles were in place, but Levi was a 1 year guy and hardly established as an all pro, in fact, how many time were Anderson and Levi all pro?


On defense and special teams, ML inherited a far worse roster of talent, not even close. So, even if you give the edge to the OL, say even on skilled players, the QB is a seasoned vet and they have 2 outstanding DL in Atkins and Dunlap and solid safeties with Williams and rookie Bates. Huber and fat Randy are far better than the specialists for ML.

Having said all that, ML improved 6 games from 2-14 to 8-8.
All I am asking (expecting) is Taylor to improve 4 games from 6-10 to 10-6 with in my opinion a better supporting cast.. Look back at the scores of the games in 2002 and you will see a bunch of blow outs ( double digit losses) versus 2018 double digit losses of 5, but 2018 team had double digit wins also, 2002 team had one big won). That tells me 2002 was a disaster, not close and anyone expecting 8-8 back then was drinking the Kool aid, but ML did it. The 2018 team was competitive, the 2002 team was not.