(01-31-2019, 09:58 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Exactly, nearly every season there's a team that was 4-12 last season and is hovering on the playoffs this season.

It's by no means impossible ! We have a pretty good core still. But we also have a lot of holes and need to improve our depth. After free agency and the draft we'll have a better feel for where we are.

I'll say we'll be more competitive, i'm not sure we can become a true contender in one off season ?

(01-31-2019, 12:20 PM)PhilHos Wrote: Biggest keys to being a contender, IMO, are defense and OL. If we can get a top 15 defense and if our OL can block (or the OC can scheme around it), we will definitely be in the playoffs. As to Super Bowl contender, we'll have to wait and see how good the coaching staff is.

(01-31-2019, 03:13 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: I know we have a few holes to fill and I know some positions need to be strengthened, but could this team be a contender if things fall right?!

Taylor is going to bring in his own coaching staff, which means that they'll be qualified, especially since he's a young guy and will have more fire than Marvin, as well as more knowledge for the modern, offensive-oriented game.  Taylor will also bring a new energy to the team that the players will relate to.  He had the Broncos and Cardinals chasing after him this offseason, so I feel pretty good about him being qualified for the job.

As I mentioned, we do have some holes to fill and positions to strengthen. For instance, we definitely need to improve the line, as well as one or two linebackers, but that can be done through the draft and free agency.  Maybe bringing in a tight end would help.  I like Bates but I think Williams needs some competition.  

People bash Dalton, but the guy will have a former quarterback coach (and former college quarterback himself) leading the way and forming game plans to his (and the rest of the team's) strengths.

We have AJ, who's still one of the top receivers in the league and will also greatly benefit from the coaching changes, and we have young guys across from him like Core, Ross, and Boyd, who could also breakout with a change of scenery.  

Mixon's an absolute beast and could be in the running for the rushing title, and we also have Bernard to change things up and keep defenses off-balance.

I'm pumped about our defensive line with Atkins and Billings because I think he'll have a better year than anyone that's ever played NT/LDT and I think he can do a lot of damage.  With those two in the middle of the line, I'm excited what guys like Dunlap, Hubbard, MJ, Lawson, etc., can do on the outside when they're single blocked.

A pass rush will greatly help our corners and I think we could finally see them play to their potential.

I'm also excited for new coordinators and what they can do with the talent on this team.

I had more but I'm playing poker online and I'm tired, but are we a contender now?!

(01-31-2019, 09:58 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Exactly, nearly every season there's a team that was 4-12 last season and is hovering on the playoffs this season.

It's by no means impossible ! We have a pretty good core still. But we also have a lot of holes and need to improve our depth. After free agency and the draft we'll have a better feel for where we are.

I'll say we'll be more competitive, i'm not sure we can become a true contender in one off season ?

(01-31-2019, 03:13 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: I know we have a few holes to fill and I know some positions need to be strengthened, but could this team be a contender if things fall right?!

Taylor is going to bring in his own coaching staff, which means that they'll be qualified, especially since he's a young guy and will have more fire than Marvin, as well as more knowledge for the modern, offensive-oriented game.  Taylor will also bring a new energy to the team that the players will relate to.  He had the Broncos and Cardinals chasing after him this offseason, so I feel pretty good about him being qualified for the job.

As I mentioned, we do have some holes to fill and positions to strengthen. For instance, we definitely need to improve the line, as well as one or two linebackers, but that can be done through the draft and free agency.  Maybe bringing in a tight end would help.  I like Bates but I think Williams needs some competition.  

People bash Dalton, but the guy will have a former quarterback coach (and former college quarterback himself) leading the way and forming game plans to his (and the rest of the team's) strengths.

We have AJ, who's still one of the top receivers in the league and will also greatly benefit from the coaching changes, and we have young guys across from him like Core, Ross, and Boyd, who could also breakout with a change of scenery.  

Mixon's an absolute beast and could be in the running for the rushing title, and we also have Bernard to change things up and keep defenses off-balance.

I'm pumped about our defensive line with Atkins and Billings because I think he'll have a better year than anyone that's ever played NT/LDT and I think he can do a lot of damage.  With those two in the middle of the line, I'm excited what guys like Dunlap, Hubbard, MJ, Lawson, etc., can do on the outside when they're single blocked.

A pass rush will greatly help our corners and I think we could finally see them play to their potential.

I'm also excited for new coordinators and what they can do with the talent on this team.

I had more but I'm playing poker online and I'm tired, but are we a contender now?!

(01-31-2019, 03:25 PM)Earendil Wrote: Agreed.  I'm not expecting playoffs in Taylor's first season as a coach.  What I would like to see, though, is a team that is prepared in big games/Primetime, one that doesn't get completely outcoached and embarrased, and one that makes adjustments when something isn't working.  If that happens, I'm perfectly willing to give Taylor some time and see how the team progresses for a few seasons.

And for the love of everything holy, BEAT THE FRICKING STEELERS!

(01-31-2019, 03:13 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: I know we have a few holes to fill and I know some positions need to be strengthened, but could this team be a contender if things fall right?!

Taylor is going to bring in his own coaching staff, which means that they'll be qualified, especially since he's a young guy and will have more fire than Marvin, as well as more knowledge for the modern, offensive-oriented game.  Taylor will also bring a new energy to the team that the players will relate to.  He had the Broncos and Cardinals chasing after him this offseason, so I feel pretty good about him being qualified for the job.

As I mentioned, we do have some holes to fill and positions to strengthen. For instance, we definitely need to improve the line, as well as one or two linebackers, but that can be done through the draft and free agency.  Maybe bringing in a tight end would help.  I like Bates but I think Williams needs some competition.  

People bash Dalton, but the guy will have a former quarterback coach (and former college quarterback himself) leading the way and forming game plans to his (and the rest of the team's) strengths.

We have AJ, who's still one of the top receivers in the league and will also greatly benefit from the coaching changes, and we have young guys across from him like Core, Ross, and Boyd, who could also breakout with a change of scenery.  

Mixon's an absolute beast and could be in the running for the rushing title, and we also have Bernard to change things up and keep defenses off-balance.

I'm pumped about our defensive line with Atkins and Billings because I think he'll have a better year than anyone that's ever played NT/LDT and I think he can do a lot of damage.  With those two in the middle of the line, I'm excited what guys like Dunlap, Hubbard, MJ, Lawson, etc., can do on the outside when they're single blocked.

A pass rush will greatly help our corners and I think we could finally see them play to their potential.

I'm also excited for new coordinators and what they can do with the talent on this team.

I had more but I'm playing poker online and I'm tired, but are we a contender now?!

(01-31-2019, 03:25 PM)Earendil Wrote: Agreed.  I'm not expecting playoffs in Taylor's first season as a coach.  What I would like to see, though, is a team that is prepared in big games/Primetime, one that doesn't get completely outcoached and embarrased, and one that makes adjustments when something isn't working.  If that happens, I'm perfectly willing to give Taylor some time and see how the team progresses for a few seasons.

And for the love of everything holy, BEAT THE FRICKING STEELERS!

(01-31-2019, 04:06 PM)sandwedge Wrote: You know, this is where I'd like to see a culture change. Us worrying about beating the Steelers. Division rival, what do I mean? I mean the Steelers shouldn't be anymore important than beating 30 other teams.  I get us fans get amped up for Steeler Week, whether they admit or not, I'm sure our players do to, ask Mr. Burfict how he feels. To me, the little brother syndrome doesn't work when you have a goal. Maybe with no connections between them and our new staff, might help in that regards....

(01-31-2019, 04:31 PM)804 fan Wrote: Please no more MJ starting over Lawson or Hubbard and not as enthused about Core. Nothing personal toward you or the players I mentioned. As far as the original point it were a number of games that we could have won and should have. So I dont think we are as bad off as the national media want everyone to think. We had punksburg until the illegal pick at the end and the bad 2 point call against the Chargers come to mind instantly. We just need and right tackle and a linebacker or two along most importantly no major injuries to key players. It's too many stars on offense to not put up points, along with a fresh regime on that side of the ball to not succeed. I think maybe Price should go back to RG like he was at OSU and Hopkins take over center. As far as the defense a linebacker in rd 1 or 2 should do wonders as the line and secondary are the strength of the defense. 

(01-31-2019, 04:31 PM)804 fan Wrote: Please no more MJ starting over Lawson or Hubbard and not as enthused about Core. Nothing personal toward you or the players I mentioned. As far as the original point it were a number of games that we could have won and should have. So I dont think we are as bad off as the national media want everyone to think. We had punksburg until the illegal pick at the end and the bad 2 point call against the Chargers come to mind instantly. We just need and right tackle and a linebacker or two along most importantly no major injuries to key players. It's too many stars on offense to not put up points, along with a fresh regime on that side of the ball to not succeed. I think maybe Price should go back to RG like he was at OSU and Hopkins take over center. As far as the defense a linebacker in rd 1 or 2 should do wonders as the line and secondary are the strength of the defense. 

(01-31-2019, 04:01 PM)XenoMorph Wrote: Lol I mean lets at least officially hire some coaches before we start prediciting glory days ahead. lol

(01-31-2019, 03:49 PM)Tomkat Wrote: The team was what, 4-1 at one point last season with everyone healthy?
They're not THAT far away.

(01-31-2019, 05:04 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Bingo fellas

It's not just needing a RT or a MLB, or a WLB or a TE or a new offensive scheme, new defensive mind set, or running MJ and Redmond out there when they're not getting it done.

We need a complete culture change ! We have to learn how to win, learn how to put our foot down on teams necks ! You're not gonna beat Pittsburgh and all the other good teams playing not to lose.

Can they fix all of that in 7 months ?