(03-13-2018, 10:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I'm coming around, but I wouldn't say that I'm back to fully optimistic just yet.

(03-13-2018, 10:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I'm coming around, but I wouldn't say that I'm back to fully optimistic just yet.

(03-13-2018, 03:07 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: Oh no no no.....they can’t fool me anymore. I’ve seen Peanuts when Lucy keeps pulling the football out from Charlie Brown.  Every damn time.  No, it’s going to take a hell of a lot more than just one signing of an oft injured OL to bring me back into the fold.  I know how our doctors operate. Are we sure Glenn is fully healthy or is he going to retire due to complications from his injuries?  Our team doctors can misdiagnose a common cold as a broken fibula.  I have no expectations whatsoever for Glenn or these new coaches we brought in.  You can paint a turd orange, it’s still a turd.

(03-13-2018, 10:18 PM)samhain Wrote: I feel better than I did before Monday for sure.  I'll feel real good if Bodine takes a walk.  I'll be damn near ecstatic if they sign a decent LB or safety in FA to open of the draft even more.

Have to admit, it's encouraging to know that they may be open to a relative overhaul on the offensive line.

(03-14-2018, 12:24 PM)Vas Deferens Wrote: Bingo.

And lets not all forget they were forced to do this by letting our 2 best OL walk in FA last year.  

My optimism will be back the moment they sell the team.  Unfortunately it will be too late at that point.  I'll always be a fan of the team and have a good time getting drunk screaming at the television.  But out of the thousands of dollars I wager on the NFL each year, the only bet I'd make on them is a prop to tie.

Results beget optimism.  Can't have one without the other.

(03-14-2018, 12:24 PM)Vas Deferens Wrote: Results beget optimism.  Can't have one without the other.

(03-14-2018, 04:04 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Not true at all.

Very few teams repeat as Super Bowl Champions so if you only have optimism after winning a Super Bowl it is probably going to be false optimism.

Personally I am capable of looking at multiple variables and deciding if I should be optimistic about something before it happens.

(03-13-2018, 02:31 PM)Nately120 Wrote: This situation reminds me a bit of how I felt when we fired Zampese during the year.  On the one hand, it was a good move and it was surprising Mike Brown did it, because that's not his usual MO.  On the other hand, there is also a sense of "Good move...not sure why you didn't do this a year sooner, but better late than never, I guess."

The bottom line is "good move" but there is also a notable reason why we are absolutely floored that our GM would make a trade to improve our o-line when it has been a glaring weakness for years.  That might seem like complaining to some folks in these parts, but so be it.

(03-15-2018, 09:16 AM)Shake n Blake Wrote: I almost went there initially, but decided to get caught up in the excitement for once. I couldn't help but think "we shouldn't be THIS excited over a trade for a good lineman" though. I mean, some teams make signings/trades like that every other year, but to us it was like winning some imaginary offseason Super Bowl. 

Like you said, still a good thing though obviously. It's just we shouldn't be so shocked to see the team seriously address a glaring weakness 2 years after it became an obvious weakness. Hopefully it's a sign of the mythical "change" we've been perpetually waiting for and constantly seeing when it's not actually there. 

For now I'll just appreciate it for what it actually is.

(03-14-2018, 04:04 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Not true at all.

Very few teams repeat as Super Bowl Champions so if you only have optimism after winning a Super Bowl it is probably going to be false optimism.

Personally I am capable of looking at multiple variables and deciding if I should be optimistic about something before it happens.

(03-13-2018, 02:20 PM)PhilHos Wrote: Those of you who've been around awhile know that I tend to trend to the optimistic side when it comes to many things Bengal (aside from Mike Brown). However, you'll likely recall that I was one of those that seriously considered switching my fanhood to another team once Merv was retained, not to mention MANY of the assistant coaches as well. Even after realizing it is nearly impossible to be a fan of another team after rooting for the Bengals for well over 20+ years, I resigned myself to at least 2 more years of the crap we've endured the past 2 years.

Even now, with some of the moves that make it seem as if the Front Office is FINALLY making the kind of moves they should be making EVERY year, I can't help but think this is mainly "lip service" (so to speak) in making it APPEAR as if the FO is doing stuff; trying to show the fans that things will be different this year.

With that said, the trade for Glenn is sparking the old optimism in me. I can't help but look back and think "If only we had a competent offensive line ..." which makes me look forward and think "If only we have a competent offensive line ..."

I can't say I'm hopeful for the future just yet, but the optimism is starting to come back. If the FO keeps making moves like the one they made for Glenn, it may come back stronger than ever.

Now, if only Merv can actually fix his coaching mistakes ...

(03-15-2018, 02:19 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Optimism? No.

But the "same ole same ole" dread has lessened a bit.

(03-15-2018, 06:56 AM)Lawless_1 Wrote: I will be when Bodine is officially gone.