(07-17-2018, 10:03 AM)Beaker Wrote: Some think the Bengals are being overlooked:

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/16/bengals-nfl-most-underrated-teams/

We have had some pretty good seasons in our history when being overlooked. Here's to catching the NFL sleeping on us and having a deep playoff run.

(07-17-2018, 12:18 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Just messing with you. I totally understand a slight bit of optimism this time with some of the changes that have been made. I just wish ol Marv wasn’t still patrolling the sidelines looking confused lol

(07-17-2018, 11:59 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: There’s one name that never changed until this year...

(07-18-2018, 09:16 AM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: Is he just living off of the reputation he generated in the early 2000s?

(07-18-2018, 09:16 AM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: Losing Paul Alexander will hopefully improve this team. I am optimistic. I just don't know what would make the Bengals keep him for so long (or the Cowboys from signing him so quickly) if he were truly as bad as people around here thought.

Is he just living off of the reputation he generated in the early 2000s?

(07-18-2018, 12:18 AM)samhain Wrote: As dismayed as I am about Marvin's return, I think the Bengals have always been an easy target for the national media.  If we aren't loaded with talent and coming off an 11-win season, we're gonna be trash to everyone.  That's just how it is.  

I'm not so sure this is the case.  All it will take is one or two things to swing our way.  Would I bet a paycheck on the Bengals being great?  Maybe not.  Would I be completely shocked?  No.  They Bengals were massively underprepared and stale last year.  I think they've done enough bloodletting and made enough changes to reasonably think that things might be different.

(07-18-2018, 02:23 AM)BengalChris Wrote: I agree that the Bengals are underrated. Even the article underrates them as it says the team could get back to 9 wins, if not more.

For me a 9 win season would be close to a if it doesn't bring a playoff appearance.

Preferably, the team will have 12 or more wins and earn a week off come playoff time.

(07-18-2018, 07:41 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I am not a big Marv guy, either.  He supposedly lets the coaches coach, but his one greatest weakness is clock management and knowing when to challenge.  A close second is being too damn conservative, but I hope that continues to progress with a developing offensive line and a new coach.  

I will say, however, that looking back, having Marv this season is probably a good thing to keep stability in the organization and give him one last chance to see what he can do with an offensive line. 

My hopes for Marv and the Bengals are pretty simple:

On offense, I hope they are more attacking, with a power rushing attack.  I want them to throw a 30 burger at teams, and a 40 burger at shitty teams.  Attack.  Don't play clock games, don't run in to a pile and basically offer the ball back on downs, and spread the ball around to get all of your weapons involved.

On defense, I hope they can generate pressure with their front four (the key being a solid rotation of players) and generate some big plays in the turnover department.  Blitz on occasion, and don't have it always be from a LB.  Use your safeties and CBs on blitz looks at times.  Avoid predictable packages and contest every pass in the air.  No gimmies.  

(07-18-2018, 09:25 AM)Tiger Teeth Wrote: Whatever the reason, I'm just glad he's gone.  Along with Bovine.  With Pollack, I'm certain we have a much better coach, and I think once we figure out the right side of the line, we won't be underrated anymore.  Better run game, and a real pocket for Andy to throw from.  

(07-18-2018, 10:45 AM)Wyche Wrote: Well, we found out several things this year about him that weren't common knowledge.  We knew he taught a passive/reactionary technique versus being the aggressor and attacking.  What we didn't know, was that he was the run game coordinator for the past several years, he also ran passive practices (see articles on him using arm pads, and Pollack having to bring in practice equipment like the chute), and was responsible for the blocking schemes.  Look at the run game numbers over the last several seasons, the abysmal draft picks recently (and then standing on a soap box and defending them until the end instead of admitting a mistake and canning them), and how bad the line looked.  Considering all of that, what do you think?

In Dallas, I highly doubt he has that kind of influence and power over the offense.  He will probably do ok in Big D because he will likely only be tasked with conducting practice, other typical position coach duties, and won't have as much input as he did here.  Plus, the line is loaded with talent.  His biggest problem here was ego, no pressure to perform from management, too much power given to a position coach, and apathy.  He never adjusted to the times, his personnel, or the competition.

(07-18-2018, 07:41 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I am not a big Marv guy, either.  He supposedly lets the coaches coach, but his one greatest weakness is clock management and knowing when to challenge.  A close second is being too damn conservative, but I hope that continues to progress with a developing offensive line and a new coach.  

I will say, however, that looking back, having Marv this season is probably a good thing to keep stability in the organization and give him one last chance to see what he can do with an offensive line. 

My hopes for Marv and the Bengals are pretty simple:

On offense, I hope they are more attacking, with a power rushing attack.  I want them to throw a 30 burger at teams, and a 40 burger at shitty teams.  Attack.  Don't play clock games, don't run in to a pile and basically offer the ball back on downs, and spread the ball around to get all of your weapons involved.

On defense, I hope they can generate pressure with their front four (the key being a solid rotation of players) and generate some big plays in the turnover department.  Blitz on occasion, and don't have it always be from a LB.  Use your safeties and CBs on blitz looks at times.  Avoid predictable packages and contest every pass in the air.  No gimmies.  

(07-17-2018, 11:59 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: There’s one name that never changed until this year...

(07-18-2018, 07:54 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: Lot of good posts in here. Marvin probably is the biggest reason we are graded so low. Just hoping his hands were tied all this time and now has freedom to do what he wants. Culture is different this year, coaches are different, line is different, etc. they appear to want to do what it takes to win. Sucks we won’t really know till game 3/4 how well they have improved.

(07-18-2018, 10:45 AM)Wyche Wrote: Well, we found out several things this year about him that weren't common knowledge.  We knew he taught a passive/reactionary technique versus being the aggressor and attacking.  What we didn't know, was that he was the run game coordinator for the past several years, he also ran passive practices (see articles on him using arm pads, and Pollack having to bring in practice equipment like the chute), and was responsible for the blocking schemes.  Look at the run game numbers over the last several seasons, the abysmal draft picks recently (and then standing on a soap box and defending them until the end instead of admitting a mistake and canning them), and how bad the line looked.  Considering all of that, what do you think?

In Dallas, I highly doubt he has that kind of influence and power over the offense.  He will probably do ok in Big D because he will likely only be tasked with conducting practice, other typical position coach duties, and won't have as much input as he did here.  Plus, the line is loaded with talent.  His biggest problem here was ego, no pressure to perform from management, too much power given to a position coach, and apathy.  He never adjusted to the times, his personnel, or the competition.

(07-18-2018, 01:07 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Oh I believe there's no doubt that will have a big impact !


I feel the culture has changed, question is did it change enough ?


I believe the impact of PA bringing this team down was far greater than any of us even believed, and we believed A LOT !

I'll never forget that interview PA did with Dave Lapham like game 10 of 2017 about Ced. PA said words to the effect of "we don't care what you're doing, we're trying to win ballgames here". Speaking on Ogbuehi of course. BS ! It took a team full of professional coaches 10 games to figure out what we knew by game 2 or 3 ? Don't buy it, he was just saving face.

MB gave PA the asst. head coach title several years ago and it went right straight to his head. His ego was to giant to admit he missed on Ogbuehi, Bodine, and others. He wouldn't change his blocking to adapt to change. He was running amuck over everything Bengals offense because after all it was 'his plan/schemes" so they had to be good right ? 

I fully believe Lazor finally convinced Marvin to tell MB bout midway last season PA has to go, his schemes have to go, his blocking style has to go and he was all but fired there towards the end. MB is just to nice a guy to do it during the season.

Will his departure be enough change ??

(07-19-2018, 08:19 AM)Wyche Wrote: I hope it will be enough.....as for interviews, the one that got me to really believing it was time for him to go was the infamous "witch hunt" schpiel on Russell Bodine.  Dude, he was the worst rated C in the league that year!  I get that you don't throw a guy under the bus, but wouldn't it be better to say something along the lines of "Russell is learning, and is working his tail off to get better.  I think you will see him continue to improve....etc."?  He came out looking like an arrogant fool.  Then comes out a couple years later acting like a hard ass with Og.....ppppfffffttttt!!!!

(07-17-2018, 10:03 AM)Beaker Wrote: Some think the Bengals are being overlooked:

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/16/bengals-nfl-most-underrated-teams/

We have had some pretty good seasons in our history when being overlooked. Here's to catching the NFL sleeping on us and having a deep playoff run.

(07-20-2018, 01:08 PM)TheUberHuber Wrote: I live on the east coast and i cant remember a time where the bengals were not being overlooked... by fans anyway.

Every year i have to explain to people that no, we are not the worst franchise in the nfl. In fact, we are one of the better ones, recently anyway. And if they are redskins fans i have fun informing them that the bengals are actually a better franchise. i generally get a very perplexed look out of people.. the "bengals are the worst franchise" koolaid is very strong where i live.

(07-20-2018, 01:13 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I actually know a Redskins fan here in Wyoming and we actually have good football conversations.

Everyone else is either a Steeler fan (almost everyone) or a Broncos fan who i can somewhat stomach.

(07-20-2018, 01:32 PM)TheUberHuber Wrote: I been to Wyoming once. Kinda surprised so many steeler fans that close to denver. They literally are the worst. Although i got a food friend who played for the steelers for a year and he is super nice when we talk about football. But Outside of him, i cant stand steeler fans...