(01-05-2025, 09:45 PM)GodFather Wrote: With the dead cat bounce ending, Mike Brown couldn't be happier because there won't be any major changes this offseason and we will see Zac and particularly Lou back next season.

I didn't think for a second they would move on from Zac but had hopes we would completely revamp this horrid defense starting with Lou and working down the coaching positions but Mike is tickled because no money or effort will be spent on the hierarchy on the defense this offseason. We will pick up half ass players in the Rankins, Stone talent level and the Ole Groundhog's Day will begin again.

Mike got an early Birthday gift, an official reason to sit on his hands with his usual one liner he's been saying for decades...  "I like where we are at, we were doin' some good things" *



*Actual quote he has used after multiple disappointing seasons*

(01-07-2025, 04:42 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Except they surprised us this time. Defensive and OL coaching overhaul.

(01-05-2025, 09:18 PM)Gohards Wrote: I dont think anybody ignores the fact that mike brown is the problem.

I think as fans, at least recently, we are just hoping that having an elite quarterback can overcome the fact we have the worst owner in football.

We are learning though, that really nothing can overcome bad ownership.

I think even if we were to squeak out a super bowl, we would never become a dynasty because of mike brown.

(01-07-2025, 05:13 PM)phil413 Wrote: Pretty much this, making the SB loss even more tragic.  We know what we signed up for in this battered relationship 

(01-07-2025, 04:42 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Except they surprised us this time. Defensive and OL coaching overhaul.

(01-05-2025, 10:39 PM)Destro Wrote: We have reached the point where some people call having a winning record is an accomplishment. Burrow himself said this is a failure, but, yeah, winning record really means something come next week on the couch. 

(01-07-2025, 07:20 PM)reuben.ahmed Wrote: 2nd place is first loser, only one winner every year. What has a superbowl appearance got us.

(01-07-2025, 05:10 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yep, once again they destroyed the narrative of being happy with where we are at. We want a Super Bowl soon, Burrow is our only shot.

(01-07-2025, 05:42 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Still Phil, Mikey Boy cannot live forever and his family has done things different than he did. Hence firing all the coaches like they just did.

They are not happy with a winning season unlike they used to be with the old man completely in charge.

This last season was Super Bowl or bust and we couldn't even make the Playoffs because of a slow start and a terrible Defense.

They got rid of most of our reasons for the disappointing season, something I was questioning before it happened.

(01-07-2025, 10:51 AM)ochocincos Wrote: I had liked John Ross, Jackson Carman, Dax Hill (specifically at safety), and even Zach Carter.

John Ross I thought though needed to be used much more on short routes, as his college tape showed his best skill set was getting YAC.

Carman I thought was a good fit to be the starting LG in 2022 after seeing him play solid in limited snaps in the previous (post)season, but Pollack/Taylor decided to give the job to rookie Volson instead. I have to wonder if losing out on that starting LG spot in 2022 resulted in some lack of effort for him after.

Hill I think had the makings of being a really good FS. He had the range and talent to succeed at the spot, he just was more familiar playing CB and SS from college.
With how poor Stone ended up performing most of the year at FS as well, I have to wonder if it would have been better just keeping Hill at that spot to continue learning on the job.

And for Carter, his best spot may have ended up being 3-4 DE based on his size and length, but I thought he was a good pass rusher coming out of college.
He was kind of a tweener and was moved around different spots during games in college to take advantage of matchups.
Bengals never seemed to really move guys around to different spots, and I think Carter just was never able to handle full-time DT against those bigger, more powerful guys inside.
Anarumo's pass rush schemes are pretty bland for the DL, relying heavily on each individual being able to beat his man ahead of him.

When looking at all these guys though, they all needed some amount of coaching to refine their skill sets (and/or have the scheme tweaked to take advantage of their talents better), which didn't seem to happen. I'm sure some of it is on the player, but some of it might be on the coaching too.

(01-07-2025, 10:49 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: A lifetime contract for Zac Taylor.

(01-07-2025, 11:58 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: He'll be 90 by the start of next season. I highly doubt he does much of anything anymore. 

You're right because he used to do the bare minimum and didn't really care much because he kept costs down and, with revenue sharing, he'd still make money, even if we weren't selling many tickets.

The family seems like they're going all out to win now (fire coaches, expand scouting, practice bubble, etc), so hopefully we can win one before he dies and I'll happily give him all the credit.

(Yesterday, 04:13 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yeah, when you get that old you have to take a step back just on the fact you could pop off at any time. The rest of the family has 
been preparing for this and you can tell. Lou, Pollack and the rest of the coaches would not of been fired if it was all Mikey still. In 
the Mikey days, Lou would of done just enough and we would of been hearing the excuses, 5 straight wins, major Defensive turn 
around etc for keeping Lou.

This did not happen and I am grateful. I will not give Mikey ALL the credit tho as he evidently has little to do with all these moves.