(07-22-2017, 10:56 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: I want to say the OL will be ok. However, such a daring thought to entertain. So many questions there. Even if they suck this year, as long as our team stays healthy and we have our best guys on the field, that will take a lot of heat off the OL because there is too much talent other defenses need to focus their attention. However, when we start getting injuries, it will put more pressure on the line.

And then there's Marvin. Ugh!

(07-22-2017, 03:21 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: It seems to me that the front office's number one priority is to maintain the Bengal family.  The front office has shown unconditional acceptance for mediocrity of players and coaching personnel.

(07-22-2017, 02:59 AM)BonnieBengal Wrote: But does he mean it?  

(07-22-2017, 11:07 AM)Pat5775 Wrote: I don't doubt Mike's desire to win, I never have. He's just too stubborn and delusional to really understand what it takes. I'm happy he seems to have backed off in recent years, but his close relationships with coaches and players (i.e. His employees) is just plain stupid. It creates conflict of interest. It's bad business. Which is why the likes of Marvin, Paul Alexander and Pacman will be here as long as they please.

(07-21-2017, 08:38 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: As I was browsing JN, I was dumbfounded that I couldn't find a thread on this.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/7/21/16007086/mike-brown-pledges-dedication-bengals-winning-super-bowl-letter-fans

(07-22-2017, 02:59 AM)BonnieBengal Wrote: But does he mean it?  

(07-22-2017, 10:38 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree Harley, Mike Brown wants the team to win, just not in any urgent sort of way.  I don't doubt his sincerity, he truly loves this team.  It will be interesting to watch as TC and the Preseason unfolds, to see if the team has any motivation to make any moves to shore up any weaknesses on the roster.  

In my opinion, the entire key to this season is going to be the play of the OL.  They have the skill position weaponry on board to put up Patriots like numbers on the scoreboard, but will the OL be able to give Andy time, and open holes for the RBs?  I have every confidence in the defense to stand strong, and pull out some 10-7, 13-10 kind of games, but every now and then, you have to be able to win a shootout as well.

(07-24-2017, 02:50 PM)3wt Wrote: And this is where his credibility breaks down.   Not for being without the passion to win, not for being an intelligent man and not for being a quality individual.   I will be glad to be wrong, but to me letting the fortunes of the team ride on Ogbuehi, Fisher and Smith is just too much of a risk.   He should have retained both Zeitler and Whit - at least Whit.

If for no other reason than to make SURE you have a plan B.

(07-24-2017, 06:58 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I see both sides of the issue at hand.  However, if they had no intent on signing Whit or Zeitler, they could have at least showed a little more interest in OL in free agency or the draft.  (yes, I get the whole "it was a bad year for OT" in this year's draft)  Perhaps (at least hopefully) they're counting on a quality veteran OLman or two to get their unconditional release in TC this season?

(07-24-2017, 06:58 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I see both sides of the issue at hand.  However, if they had no intent on signing Whit or Zeitler, they could have at least showed a little more interest in OL in free agency or the draft.  (yes, I get the whole "it was a bad year for OT" in this year's draft)  Perhaps (at least hopefully) they're counting on a quality veteran OLman or two to get their unconditional release in TC this season?

(07-24-2017, 11:43 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: As his coach once said... "I see better than I hear".

(07-25-2017, 12:03 PM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: After 26 years as the GM he still keeps making the same mistakes because he can't or won't learn from his mistakes.

I doubt he even wrote the letter. Probably hired another family member to do PR.

(07-24-2017, 02:50 PM)3wt Wrote:   He should have retained both Zeitler and Whit - at least Whit.

(07-25-2017, 08:32 PM)Awful Llama Wrote: Well said.   I'm over Mike and his nicely written letters and his desire to win, and his ties to the community, and blah blah blah.  The results speak for themselves: mired in mediocrity with Mike and Marvin. 

(07-26-2017, 08:43 AM)Sled21 Wrote: He'd have been a full for paying either one of those players what they got. Whit is at the end of his career, and Zeitler was overpaid (glad for him, but he was overpaid). Besides, both of those players, along with Peko and Maualuga,  were part of the losing mentality that was the "old and slow" Bengals. This is the "young and fast" Bengals. Big Ced, who I was really down on last year, got his pride hurt and put in the work this off season. I suspect he will be a different player now back on the left side. And I suspect Fish will hold down the right just fine, he certainly put in the gym time as well. And if not, they can swap Fish and Dre and put Dre back at tackle and Fish at Guard. Ced and Fish.... "young and fast", as opposed to Whit and Z.... "old and slow". Get that losing mentality out of the locker room....

(07-26-2017, 11:04 AM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: Whit is basically signed to a one year deal for close to the same amount the Bengals reportedly offered (if the reports are to be believed) and he can be cut with only 3 million in dead money if his level of play falls off the face of the Earth.

As far as Zeitler, we build through the draft. Right?  Except when we don't.  At least that is the BS Mike uses to explain his Kmart Blue Light Special approach to free agency. Zeitler won't be overpaid before he finishes his contract. Meanwhile the salary cap continues to increase annually. How much under the cap are the Bengals right now?  I'm not sure, but I do know that artificially inflated injury cushion Hobson reports for the Bengals every spring could have covered a significant portion of Zeitler's salary this year. Meanwhile, Mike is still overpaying one year wonder, Michael Jonson. Cue the "his play doesn't show up in the stats" crowd to Johnson's defense.

(07-26-2017, 12:48 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Whit would not sign a one year deal here, remember? He wanted a multi year deal, and at his age, that just is not smart. There was no good olineman in this draft to build with, so they signed Smith as a stopgap and will draft Z's replacement in the Spring.