(12-12-2019, 02:36 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: If you think Duke Tobin is a GM in all but name then I'm not sure you know exactly what it is that a GM does.

Just because a few people like to claim Tobin is essentially our GM doesn't make it close to true.

Has he gained additiinal input? Sure. Does he do more, or have more say, than the average scouting director? Perhaps he does. I'll even concede that he has a unique role, in a unique front office structure. But none of this makes him close to the "real GM" people often call for.

A GM usually oversees the entire football operations side of the organization. Does that describe Duke Tobin to you.

They often are in charge of the firing and hiring of coaches. Do you think Tobin is the one who ultimately made the decision to can Marvin? Do you think he had the most control in the signing of Taylor.

GM's generally lead and execute contract negotiations. Does Tobin do that? No he does not. Katie does.

The list goes on and on. Duke Tobin has nowhere close the role of an actual GM. Just because he's been given some additional duties doesn't make it so. 

Seriously, guys. Please stop with the nonsense that Tobin is essentially our GM. He's a yes man that worked his way into the family's circle. He has input, and he's in a unique situation, in a very unique structure. But Ozzie Newsome he is not. His role and responsibility is nowhere near. 

Also, to suggest that a legit GM would make it no difference on the field, and it is nothing more than a title, is one of the more ridiculous takes I've read on here.  All GM's, in every sport, greatly affect on the field performance. To say differently is like saying an architect has no influence on a building. It's beyond idiotic.

(12-12-2019, 04:46 PM)TJHoushmandzadehs Shiny Shoes Wrote: The point is that if you pressure the Bengals to name a GM they'll just give Tobin the title.

I do think Tobin was the one with the most control in choosing Taylor. He's on record as having led the search and that puts him in prime position to control the outcome. 

At the end of the day if you appoint a GM they are still answerable to the owner and the owner is hands on.
Any GM in Cincy is still going to have people looking over his shoulder, the Browns controlling the purse strings, having to work within the constraints ownership impose upon them. A fancy title doesn't change that.

(12-12-2019, 02:42 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Many fans are too hard on them.  These fans are not satisfied with just saying the Browns are bad at making football decisions.  Instead they claim that the Browns don't care about winning, laugh at the fans, etc, etc.

It is the same victim mentality you find in other parts of society.  Too many people love to be victims.  So we can't just have a poor front office.  Instead we have to have an evil one.

(12-12-2019, 08:16 PM)BengalsRocker Wrote: Once that reality of the world we live in is grasped...  don't take it personally(because it's reality like it or not)and do what's necessary to compete for a championship.

(12-12-2019, 05:08 PM)Ctfan73 Wrote: Absolutely right!  The Bengals need a gm/President with real power over football operations.  It’s not happening with MB in the picture. I’m holding out hope that when the time comes Katie/Troy will bring in a real football man and let him run the show.

(12-12-2019, 03:38 PM)BengalsRocker Wrote: So if I'm posing talking point questions to Mike Brown at this point...

1.  The Ravens lead our division.  They've drafted a starting QB successfully and parted ways with a their franchise Super Bowl winning QB.  It was an obvious move that was tough, but had to be made.  Are you prepared to make the moves necessary at the appropriate time to improve?

2.  Injuries hinder many teams.  The Steelers lost their starting QB, their #1 WR and starting RB have barely played.  That being said.  They still have a winning record despite being affected and have overcome those setbacks.  Why can't your current team win more than one game?

3.  The Browns have had a less than stellar season as expected.  Mayfield's first full year has slumped.  Kitchens is also being scrutinized for his first year as HC and there has even been talk of letting him go.  That being said.  They still have managed to win at least half of their games yet both of them are feeling heat.  Your team has one win.  What is the expectation of fan/media scrutiny for Zac and Andy at this point?  Have you and management done your best to put both of them in a situation to succeed?

(12-12-2019, 09:39 PM)I_C_DeadPeople Wrote: Need to be more blunt with the Tree Sloth:

1. Many people say you know a lot about football , if true, you obviously could see how shitty the OL and LB positions were but you did nothing , in fact worse than nothing , to fix it. You signed the same shitty players to bigger contracts. So do you know these position groups are league worst or not?
2. If you are a draft develop team why do you have the smallest scouting staff in the league and some of the worst coaches?
3. What is more important to you - making money or winning? Why do you think they are mutually exclusive?
4. What does it feel like to embarrass the good football name of your father?

(12-12-2019, 09:44 PM)BengalsRocker Wrote: 5.  You do know the RAVENS are the team you should hate to lose to?  That was the ownership that screwed your Dad.  That and your Mom of course...  ya friggin' moron!

(12-11-2019, 05:29 PM)fredtoast Wrote: The real question is what would any of you say if you were in Mikes position?

I predict Mike will say exactly what each and every one of you would say, i.e. "We had a bad year and we will try to be better next year."

Then you will all get your squeal on about how Mike said he was a super genius and all fans are stupid.

(12-12-2019, 03:38 PM)BengalsRocker Wrote: So if I'm posing talking point questions to Mike Brown at this point...

1.  The Ravens lead our division.  They've drafted a starting QB successfully and parted ways with a their franchise Super Bowl winning QB.  It was an obvious move that was tough, but had to be made.  Are you prepared to make the moves necessary at the appropriate time to improve?

(12-30-2019, 01:04 PM)grampahol Wrote: Q: Mike, how many miles are on your Lumina?
A: I'll answer that if you make a big enough offer to buy my classic car.. 

(12-30-2019, 12:58 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Mike is smart enough not to tell our opponents we are changing QB's before opening day roster is announced. Why would he? Why would anyone?

(12-30-2019, 01:08 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Ah, the Lumina jokes. There's an old saying "Rich people stay rich be living like they are poor, poor people stay poor by living like they're rich"

(12-30-2019, 01:08 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Ah, the Lumina jokes. There's an old saying "Rich people stay rich be living like they are poor, poor people stay poor by living like they're rich"