(Yesterday, 05:09 AM)t3r3e3 Wrote: He might be a “football guy,” but his record over the last 30+ years proves he isn’t a very good one, and he played college in the leather helmet era.  Mike’s way has unquestionably proven to be below average, and that’s being charitable. The Bengals have had a total of 10 winning seasons under 34 years of Mike’s leadership with I believe a grand total of 4 Division Titles  and 1 Conference Champion in those 34 years.  There may still be time yet for redemption in Mike’s twilight years, but he’s going to have to jump way outside of his comfort zone.  They almost caught lightning in a bottle in 21, but the front office quickly squandered that roster.  Here’s to hoping he can figure it out before he passes and Burrow leaves or retires.  I’m sick of bitching about nepotistic ineptitude and would like to see a title sooner than late.  If they don’t get one during Burrow’s tenure it likely ain’t happening.

(01-07-2025, 11:13 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: Yea no crap. Coaches get fired for what is ultimately Mike and Duke’s fault

(Yesterday, 01:53 AM)Bengal Dude Wrote: It came out in 2022 that Pollack didn't want Carman and he pushed for Humphrey. He also pounded the table for Trey Smith in the 2021 draft as well. I give credit to Pollack for that one. Carman falls squarely on the FO.

However, the FO listened to Pollack in the 2022 draft and gave him a guy he really wanted, which was Cordell Volson. 

Also, Pollack was clearly a front office hire. It was known that the FO loved him and didn't want him to leave after 2018. We had Jim Turner, who is arguably one of the worst hires ever in team history. Pollack's style doesn't mesh with the offense that we've had to implement for Burrow.

There's a lot of blame on multiple sides with these failures. 

(Yesterday, 10:46 AM)ERIC1 Wrote: nice work of fiction 

(Yesterday, 10:48 AM)ERIC1 Wrote: there are no facts that POllack wanted Humphrey ..nor does the fact that it was discussed on the "Board" make it true

(Yesterday, 11:00 AM)ERIC1 Wrote: lots of things "come out" does not mean they are factual and true

(Yesterday, 12:46 AM)Essex Johnson Wrote: You can debate decisions and success but Mike Brown is not a non football petson, he played college and has been involved in nfl football since 1968

(Yesterday, 11:55 AM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: What exactly would one be hoping to achieve with posts like this? 

(01-07-2025, 10:56 PM)samhain Wrote: No idea how valid this rumor is, but James Rapien, I believe casually dropped this tidbit yesterday: Pollack wanted the team to draft Creed Humphrey over Carman.  It was on the Locked on Bengals podcast during a discussion of the firings yesterday.

Also, don't recall of it was on that show or on Malik Wright's pod yesterday, but apparently Zac and Pollack never saw eye to eye, particularly with the run game coordination.  Zac was more or less forced to fire his homeboy in Turner, and Pollack was in the position of being the guy that ownership was familiar with.  We know how the fam loves familiarity.  

Why does this matter?  As to the Carman/Humphrey alleged overruling, you have wonder who made the call to take Carman.  Was it Zac?  Seems unlikely that it was.  Seems generally unlikely that it was a decision made by an actual current football person.  I'd say Piano Man blessing and a local background pulled on Mikey's heartstrings.  He loves local guys.  Alexander is gone, but far from forgotten in the organization.

The Carman impact was brutal.  Imagine having arguably the best center in the league to pair with the top QB in this offense.  We got a guy that started 6 games and stayed in the doghouse.  

Both tidbits should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt (If you really have no understanding of how the family historically operates).  IMO these occurrences should temper expectations in the current hiring processes.  As Big Willie once said, these guys want to hire their friends first and foremost.  Dudes they know and have worked with.  It's also unlikely that Zac wants an in-house threat to his job as a DC.  When they don't get to hire their guys, things can get dicey.  Then again, Willie also vouched for Carman......

Also, it doesn't matter what a new DC or OL coach may have as a personal vision if there's always a possibility of them being overruled by non football people up in the suites.