I am still trying to get my brain wrapped around the first two weeks as a Bengal fan.  

Taylor stated during an interview that most plays broke down because of a single player not doing his assignment during the game against the 49ers.  He said it was not the same player on different plays but in essence a different player blowing an assignment on differently plays.
 
Ok.  What worries me is that statement sounds frighteningly similar to Marvin's Lewis's comment that "it takes all 11 to execute" or something to that effect.  Although this is true it also tells me players were displaying lapses in concentration and maybe over thinking some plays maybe due to several factors like opposing team's talent and speed, schemes, weather, being in home environment, a number of things. 
 
The mental aspects of sports are equally important to physical talent.  GM and FO may get Taylor the physical talent (or in some cases limited physical talent) but it is a coach’s responsibility to get the players "ready" and focused for an opponent.
  
Remember, these were basically the same players that looked and played fast as a "team" a week earlier. They were ready for Seattle (yes, Randy missed a kick, Dalton fumbled, Erickson fumbled, and they lost the game); but there was a lot of synergy and chemistry between players in week 1.
  
I read these boards and hear a lot of negativity regarding talent.  I agree that talent at some positions outside of WR and DL is an issue.  But it also takes a synergy of team talent to form an impetus to impose their will on opposing teams.  Players cannot do their own thing or improvise, or it throws off gaps, responsibilities of others.
  
The mental aspects of the game are fixable.  Repetitions and physical conditioning help. The Physical talent aspects of the team will take time and requires the necessary scouts and talent evaluators.  (It doesn't help that the Bengals have one of the smallest scouting departments in the NFL as pointed out by Piston and others).  Quality FA players over quantity FA players would go a long way in moving this team forward.    Why not bring in a stud or two “outside” of the organization?  

Honestly, there's only so many things these coaches can say.

A lot of his post game quotes boil down to 'We have to play better and do our jobs.' Coaches aren't going to say that their players lack talent because nothing you can do about that. So it all boils down to just playing better. The thing is, untalented players...can't.

We know they hired inexperienced coaches. We know the training camp was 'easier' on purpose. We know that Lou was like the 6th choice. We know we didn't bring any big free agent splashes in. We know the draft didn't really produce much impact so far.

Going into the season we were banking on health and a new coaching staff being able to develop players. So far, outside of Ross...I'm not really seeing guys who have developed. On defense, it seems guys regressed.

The disturbing part is on defense, there are a lack of fundamentals. I remember reading that Lou emphasized these. These are things that NFL players should know like setting the edge.

You have great points. IF it were 1 guy making a mistake repeatedly, it's one thing. When it's different guys on many plays...that does seem to indicate poor coaching/preparation.

(09-17-2019, 10:35 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: We know they hired inexperienced coaches. We know the training camp was 'easier' on purpose. We know that Lou was like the 6th choice. We know we didn't bring any big free agent splashes in. We know the draft didn't really produce much impact so far.

Going into the season we were banking on health and a new coaching staff being able to develop players. So far, outside of Ross...I'm not really seeing guys who have developed. On defense, it seems guys regressed.

The disturbing part is on defense, there are a lack of fundamentals. I remember reading that Lou emphasized these. These are things that NFL players should know like setting the edge.

You have great points. IF it were 1 guy making a mistake repeatedly, it's one thing. When it's different guys on many plays...that does seem to indicate poor coaching/preparation.

I know 14 mil per year sounds like a lot but that backer from 49ers sure would have helped.   
  
I think the lack of mental aspects do support the players were unprepared for 49ers as the game progressed.  Remember, the Bengals were hanging around for a quarter or so.  But Shanahan kept using screens which is what teams will go against Bengals.  When a player gives up over 100 yards after contact, it snowballs quickly.  Missing tackles is the ugly I don't care how good the coaching.

In 2Q, 49ers got the Cincy D going the wrong way and brought Deebo Samuel (#SpursUp) across the formation again. Jessie Bates covers a ton of ground to make a great open-field tackle. pic.twitter.com/FIfIhasYXp

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 17, 2019

 

(09-18-2019, 08:40 AM)psychdoctor Wrote: I know 14 mil per year sounds like a lot but that backer from 49ers sure would have helped.   
  
I think the lack of mental aspects do support the players were unprepared for 49ers as the game progressed.  Remember, the Bengals were hanging around for a quarter or so.  But Shanahan kept using screens which is what teams will go against Bengals.  When a player gives up over 100 yards after contact, it snowballs quickly.  Missing tackles is the ugly I don't care how good the coaching.

Yep - Their coaches knew EXACTLY how to attack our weaknesses, and our coaches either didn't know how to adjust, or couldn't with the personnel we have.

I agree that adding a big time LB would help. The Bengals were supposedly interested in Alexander atleast at some level. That said, he graded out poorly on PFF last year and had a major injury. I think, he wasn't good in coverage last year either. He's the type of guy that we sign who ends up flopping here with our staff.

But, there were several other LB's worth considering and some weren't huge expenses.

(09-18-2019, 08:40 AM)psychdoctor Wrote: I know 14 mil per year sounds like a lot but that backer from 49ers sure would have helped.   
  
I think the lack of mental aspects do support the players were unprepared for 49ers as the game progressed.  Remember, the Bengals were hanging around for a quarter or so.  But Shanahan kept using screens which is what teams will go against Bengals.  When a player gives up over 100 yards after contact, it snowballs quickly.  Missing tackles is the ugly I don't care how good the coaching.

14 Mill went to Webb, Dennard, and Brown that could have easily went to Alexander.

They played disciplined on defense at Seattle, and it showed. Gap integrity was maintained, and they played contain on the edge almost flawlessly. Sunday, they did not.

(09-18-2019, 12:12 PM)Wyche Wrote: They played disciplined on defense at Seattle, and it showed. Gap integrity was maintained, and they played contain on the edge almost flawlessly. Sunday, they did not.

Seattle didn't do many misdirection plays that I recalled. Easier to have gap integrity in that scenario.

(09-18-2019, 08:40 AM)psychdoctor Wrote: I know 14 mil per year sounds like a lot but that backer from 49ers sure would have helped.   

Not much really.  When guys are running wide open downfield in the secondary Kwon would not have made any difference at all.

I admit that I wish the Bengals would have spent their money on better players in free agency, but Sunday's performance by the defense appeared to be more the result of mental errors and poor coaching instead of lack of talent.

If we were that far behind in talent the Seahawks would have rolled us also.

(09-18-2019, 12:13 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Seattle didn't do many misdirection plays that I recalled. Easier to have gap integrity in that scenario.

That much is true, but you still gotta set the edge. "No one outside of you, stay in your lanes." I learned that at 8 years old .....lol.

(09-18-2019, 12:24 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Not much really.  When guys are running wide open downfield in the secondary Kwon would not have made any difference at all.

I admit that I wish the Bengals would have spent their money on better players in free agency, but Sunday's performance by the defense appeared to be more the result of mental errors and poor coaching instead of lack of talent.

If we were that far behind in talent the Seahawks would have rolled us also.

Hmm, has Sweet Lou's achilles been discovered and put on tape 2 weeks into his career as an NFL DC?

(09-18-2019, 11:11 AM)Jakeypoo Wrote: 14 Mill went to Webb, Dennard, and Brown that could have easily went to Alexander.

ouch, that is a good point.  I think Brown is a good player but Kwon is better.

(09-18-2019, 12:34 PM)Nately120 Wrote: Hmm, has Sweet Lou's achilles been discovered and put on tape 2 weeks into his career as an NFL DC?

Sweet Lou stated Bengals gave up nearly 100 YAC.  That is a lot.  This defense will be vulnerable to screens unless they get new personnel and better backers.  

Is Kwon Alexander worth the money he's set to receive in San Francisco?

We took a dive into the PFF data to inspect.https://t.co/iBN7huJzYC pic.twitter.com/RUJUnxdYzq

— PFF (@PFF) March 12, 2019

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

(09-18-2019, 11:11 AM)Jakeypoo Wrote: 14 Mill went to Webb, Dennard, and Brown that could have easily went to Alexander.

That makes Tony McRae our starting slot CB right now playing two thirds of the defensive snaps.

(09-18-2019, 01:24 PM)fredtoast Wrote: That makes Tony McRae our starting slot CB right now playing two thirds of the defensive snaps.

When was Dennard injured?  Did he play any preseason?

(09-18-2019, 01:22 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote:

Is Kwon Alexander worth the money he's set to receive in San Francisco?

We took a dive into the PFF data to inspect.https://t.co/iBN7huJzYC pic.twitter.com/RUJUnxdYzq

— PFF (@PFF) March 12, 2019

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

These numbers...do they look from a player paid 14 mil per?

The #Bengals have “given their running backs less than a yard before contact per attempt (-0.1) resulting in a league-worst 1.8 rushing yards per attempt this season.”

Key takeaways and stats to know from Week 2 of the NFL ? https://t.co/mKnEY1Hs5j

— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) September 16, 2019

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

(09-18-2019, 01:22 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote:

Is Kwon Alexander worth the money he's set to receive in San Francisco?

We took a dive into the PFF data to inspect.https://t.co/iBN7huJzYC pic.twitter.com/RUJUnxdYzq

— PFF (@PFF) March 12, 2019

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I don't put much weight in PFF numbers, but I do know there is always a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth around here whenever we draft, sign, or trade for a player with significant injury history.  Kwon had only played 18 of 32 games in the previous two seasons, and $27 million of his contract is guaranteed.