(12-27-2018, 02:25 PM)No-huddle Joe Wrote: I think, if there is new leadership at the coach level, and they really do "clean house" and basically hire new staff, you can get excited again. Remember the 90s HarleyDog. Nothing was as bad as that, and back then, we would have considered this year a success. Don't give up buddy....someday...someday

(12-27-2018, 02:50 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: I will never give up being a fan. I just don’t think I will be able to muster any level of enthusiasm prior to the season. I used to count down the months, weeks and days to the beginning of the season because excitement would take over. Just don’t know if that will happen next year. Mike basically telling Marv it’s his decision on if he stays was a big “screw you Bengal fans” gesture. There is no commitment to winning with our current organization.

(12-27-2018, 02:10 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: "I feel this organization is really telling us they don’t care about the fans or success. I mean there’s always been a little speculation on my part as to the level of care they may have given about the town and fan base. However, with our current course I am left feeling they don’t care at all. Zero."...

"Is it even possible that you fall for the hype, knowing what you know, and drink the kool-aid again?"

(12-27-2018, 02:10 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: I know some on here will say, “I’m Done!” After the season is over. With the events of late following a series of bad years, coaching, etc. I guess I understand more now than in the past about your frustrations. I’ve been a very strong supporter of this team in the past which I guess kept me from throwing in the towel or feeling like we can do it next year. Let’s just call that living in denial.

Although I don’t think I have the heart to ever throw in the towel on this team or stop hoping, what we’ve experienced of late has left me more deflated than in the history of my fan hood. I feel this organization is really telling us they don’t care about the fans or success. I mean there’s always been a little speculation on my part as to the level of care they may have given about the town and fan base. However, with our current course I am left feeling they don’t care at all. Zero.

I’ve noticed in my many years of being a member of the boards that most fans get excited after the draft and start jumping on board the excitement train again. This year they really gave us some hope and most on here drank the kool-aid, just like we have year after year. Now I’m sure they will attempt to pull some shenanigans to get fans interested again because, well, it’s revenue.

With everything that has happened this year, is it even possible to have that mustard seed of faith grow at the beginning of next year? Regardless of who we draft it is probable they will struggle to be successful on this team. The organization will still be the same. There will be no accountability whatsoever and we could go on and on. So my question is this:

Is it even possible that you fall for the hype, knowing what you know, and drink the kool-aid again?

I don’t think I can do it. I will still be a fan, but I strongly feel my enthusiasm meter will only point to blah.

(12-27-2018, 03:21 PM)Nebuchadnezzar Wrote: Bruce Coslet: "You get me some O Linemen, I can win with this guy"
Mike Brown: "Were taking a QB"

Enough said.

(12-27-2018, 02:25 PM)No-huddle Joe Wrote: I think, if there is new leadership at the coach level, and they really do "clean house" and basically hire new staff, you can get excited again.  Remember the 90s HarleyDog.  Nothing was as bad as that, and back then, we would have considered this year a success.  Don't give up buddy....someday...someday

(12-27-2018, 07:17 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: The one variable that may keep fans interested in next season is injury to key players.  The team that started the season with promise is a shell of the team that will play the last game of the season.  

Even if there are no significant changes at the coaching personnel, fans can rationalize that the season tanked because so many starters and key rotational players were placed on IR.  When the Bengals played the first game of the season, I had hope and believed that they may have turned the corner.  They drafted a popular Center in the first round which has not been done in years.  They brought in some decent free agents.  They fired Paul Alexander which, in itself, was uplifting.  

Coaching changes, notwithstanding, there were concerns that raised flags by many fans.  The front office did not adequately address the O-Line. The linebacker core was questionable along with Burfict’s injury/suspension history.  The 2018 draft was not that great and caused some head scratching with the later round picks.  I didn’t really count on Eifert to play many games due to injury history.

If the Front Office were to make sweeping changes in the coaching staff, Mike Brown decides to retire completely from day-to-day operations, and the 2019 draft addresses key needs at linebacker, Tight-End, and offensive line, then I will once again be hopeful and tuned in to watch games. Conversely, if the Front Office decides to “wash-rinse-repeat” then I will not watch games.  I will still be a Bengal Fan, but I will follow game stats and scores from afar.  I will still be an active supportive member on the Bengal Forum.  Even Mike Brown cannot take that away from me.
 

(12-27-2018, 07:17 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: The one variable that may keep fans interested in next season is injury to key players.  The team that started the season with promise is a shell of the team that will play the last game of the season.  

Even if there are no significant changes at the coaching personnel, fans can rationalize that the season tanked because so many starters and key rotational players were placed on IR.  When the Bengals played the first game of the season, I had hope and believed that they may have turned the corner.  They drafted a popular Center in the first round which has not been done in years.  They brought in some decent free agents.  They fired Paul Alexander which, in itself, was uplifting.  

Coaching changes, notwithstanding, there were concerns that raised flags by many fans.  The front office did not adequately address the O-Line. The linebacker core was questionable along with Burfict’s injury/suspension history.  The 2018 draft was not that great and caused some head scratching with the later round picks.  I didn’t really count on Eifert to play many games due to injury history.

If the Front Office were to make sweeping changes in the coaching staff, Mike Brown decides to retire completely from day-to-day operations, and the 2019 draft addresses key needs at linebacker, Tight-End, and offensive line, then I will once again be hopeful and tuned in to watch games. Conversely, if the Front Office decides to “wash-rinse-repeat” then I will not watch games.  I will still be a Bengal Fan, but I will follow game stats and scores from afar.  I will still be an active supportive member on the Bengal Forum.  Even Mike Brown cannot take that away from me.  
 

(12-27-2018, 08:33 PM)Devils Advocate Wrote: 2018 brought Bates, Hubbard & Price (who was playing well before being injured).

We need to mortgage our next few drafts to bring in players that are difference makers.

(12-27-2018, 09:14 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: If this team is to have any chance next season they've got to get a couple top tier free agents. You can't fill all of our holes in one draft.

(12-27-2018, 07:17 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: The one variable that may keep fans interested in next season is injury to key players.  The team that started the season with promise is a shell of the team that will play the last game of the season.  

Even if there are no significant changes at the coaching personnel, fans can rationalize that the season tanked because so many starters and key rotational players were placed on IR.  When the Bengals played the first game of the season, I had hope and believed that they may have turned the corner.  They drafted a popular Center in the first round which has not been done in years.  They brought in some decent free agents.  They fired Paul Alexander which, in itself, was uplifting.  

Coaching changes, notwithstanding, there were concerns that raised flags by many fans.  The front office did not adequately address the O-Line. The linebacker core was questionable along with Burfict’s injury/suspension history.  The 2018 draft was not that great and caused some head scratching with the later round picks.  I didn’t really count on Eifert to play many games due to injury history.

If the Front Office were to make sweeping changes in the coaching staff, Mike Brown decides to retire completely from day-to-day operations, and the 2019 draft addresses key needs at linebacker, Tight-End, and offensive line, then I will once again be hopeful and tuned in to watch games. Conversely, if the Front Office decides to “wash-rinse-repeat” then I will not watch games.  I will still be a Bengal Fan, but I will follow game stats and scores from afar.  I will still be an active supportive member on the Bengal Forum.  Even Mike Brown cannot take that away from me.  
 

(12-27-2018, 07:22 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: This is me Doc

If there aren't major moves I'm not buying back in.

(12-27-2018, 07:31 PM)Socal Bengals fan Wrote: We can’t keep using injuries as an excuse ever year.  Every team has them.  We were pretty damn healthy when we got smoked by Kansas City    We knew offensive line sucked three years ago and have nothing to improve it.  Except  lose our 2 best players and resign Dre Kirkpatrick who’s absolutely trash.  If Marvin comes back I’m saving money n not getting the NFL ticket.

(12-27-2018, 08:33 PM)Devils Advocate Wrote: 2018 brought Bates, Hubbard & Price (who was playing well before being injured).

We need to mortgage our next few drafts to bring in players that are difference makers.