(01-05-2023, 10:46 AM)TheCincinnatiKid Wrote: There is a lot of truth to this. And I'm not disagreeing here as you may be proven right, but the NFL is a little unique on this one. It's a pretty violent sport, and nobody can afford to not be 'all-in' when it comes to make a tackle etc. The requirements just aren't as big in some other sports, for you to put your body on the line as you do in the NFL.

In football/soccer, you could get away a little with some guys not going all out on everything. In the NFL, if we're fielding anyone who isn't fully ready to be there, it's going to show. The base requirement for being ready is bigger than in some other sports imo.

(01-05-2023, 10:49 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: You guys act like something like this has never happened before. 

Tua was literally seizing out on that same field in front of those same players like 6 weeks ago and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Guys on the team have been seriously injured, concussed. Obviously its not EXACTLY the same, but they are both pretty similar in that they were VERY serious things.

These guys know what they signed up for. ZT even said that yesterday. What happened Monday sucked, but it was a freak accident. One in a million chance and barely even football related. The guys will be fine. 

(01-05-2023, 10:51 AM)Wyche Wrote: I've played football, and done a little pee wee coaching. While it is more violent and dangerous, it's also very intense mentally. Weezy is right in that regard, once you step across that sideline onto the field, you block out everything but what you're supposed to do after the playcall is made. Most of the time, you don't even notice the crowd. Obviously it's MUCH MUCH louder at a NFL game than high school, but still....

(01-05-2023, 10:56 AM)Memphis_Bengal Wrote: Posted this in another thread but the biggest question in my mind is Tee...what does he do when he catches a pass and has a defender directly in front of him? His physicality is what he's known for. Hopefully this will not change that. The guy that Chucky Mullins tackled when he broke his neck was never the same afterwards even though he was in no way responsible.

(01-05-2023, 03:36 AM)WildCat Wrote: that balloon got deflated. feels more like bengals lose to ravens and then turn around and lose again in wildcard tbh. hope i'm wrong but i don't think i am.

(01-05-2023, 10:07 AM)Big Boss Wrote: Honestly, I feel the same way.  Though admittedly I am the resident pessimist.

I dunno.  It kinda feels gross even having this conversation so I hope people can forgive me for focusing on something so far down the priority list right now.  But I watched those Burrow and Reader press conferences and they both just seemed so... deflated, like you said.  It feels like whatever wind was in the team's sails has left.  

Now, maybe there's an element of PR to it.  Probably not a good look for Burrow to go up to the podium, beaming with excitement, talking about how ready they are to play just 2 days after the tragedy.  But if his demeanor is indicative of the actual team mood, then I don't know.  I think they've gone as far as they're gonna go this year. Just my gut feeling. The playoffs are sudden elimination. There's no luxury of time anymore, or being able to afford an "off" week. These guys would need to rebound immediately.

It really sucks, but given the circumstances it's something I could live with. Just would hate to see all of their hard work this season undone like this, and yet another "What if?" year for the team's history books.

(01-05-2023, 11:08 AM)TheCincinnatiKid Wrote: Lmao, I wasn't disagreeing with you... I was just making the point being ready for the NFL probably takes more than most other sports. You're all in on everything. It's why we love it. 


Yeah, I wasn't disagreeing with the guy, just making the point that there is a difference between the sports on the physical side. I played soccer for 15 years (not as a professional level or anything) and the requirements for being physically 'up for the game' are simply less. I absolutely agree playing sports in general is good for mental health.

(01-05-2023, 01:25 PM)Wyche Wrote: Oh I know.....and for the record, I was a lineman.... ain't no way I could run up and down a soccer field all day.