(07-16-2019, 05:51 PM)kdgjr Wrote: Interesting take from Doc...

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/blogs/daugherty-blog/2019/07/16/tml-reds-cubs-nl-central-standings-clint-boling-bengals-ol-uc-fb/1742992001/


THE COLUMN TODAY was on Bengals guard Clint Boling, who retired Monday after 8 rock-solid seasons here. I praised his Everyman craftsmanship and his ability to play hurt. Boling was an unsung component of MLewis’ playoff teams. He’s just 30, isn’t disabled, seems to have a clear head and made millions of dollars. Good for him.

Then I thought more about it.

He saw docs for leg pain a couple days after the season. They discovered a pulmonary embolism in one of his lungs a few days after that. Boling did his health homework and decided to retire for the sake of his family. All well and good.

Why did it take him from January to now to make that call?

Nothing changed for him physically. A lengthy bit of agonizing was expected. Seven months?

He went to minicamp, he had a year left on a five-year, $26 mil deal. He said how excited he was to learn a new system. And then he retired.

I’d never question Boling’s reasoning. It’s completely logical. Logic doesn’t always rule in pro sports. It shares a seat with emotion. Boling started every game the last two years. He has escaped serious injury, he’s just 30. No doc told him he couldn’t play this year.

With Jonah Williams out for the season, Boling would have been vital to this O-line, if only for his supreme professionalism. To retire 10 days before camp starts strikes me as odd.

I should have asked Boling this:

Was there anything you didn’t like about the new O-line coach? Anything that caused you to wonder if playing for Jim Turner would be worth the effort? Turner is a former Marine, who coaches like one. His methods have been questioned in the past. He’s never questioned himself. Being profanely berated might be OK for a rookie. For a guy in his 9th year?          

Regardless, Boling’s exit this close to camp leaves the team in a lurch. And I’m thinking a fast start for this new, inexperienced staff might be close to mandatory, to keep the veterans on board.

I said in This Space when Zac Taylor was hired that he needed to bring in some assistants who were veterans at their jobs. Shoulders Taylor could lean on. For whatever reason, he didn’t. And the Bengals are not the Rams. They would not and did not go heavily into the free-agent market. Is this roster any better than it was last July? Only if everyone stays healthy, and that simply doesn’t happen in the NFL. The O-line surely won’t be better.

And now a rock of the line has retired, healthy and just 30 years old.

What say you, Mobsters?

(07-17-2019, 12:05 AM)psychdoctor Wrote: I was referring to players.  I know Turner is a questionable hire.  I think ZT felt comfortable with him.  We fans discussed both Turner and the DC hires.  It was not a pretty process.  I don't know why Pollack was not retained.  

(07-16-2019, 11:24 PM)samhain Wrote: I agree.  I don't agree about the paying part, at least not for a season or two.  They can afford to spend more money on this line, particularly after Boling being off of the books.  

Totally agree about the draft pick part.  I wouldn't give anything more than a 5th for him.  This team will likely have some pretty high draft picks in 2020, and giving any up at this point would be insanity.  

(07-17-2019, 07:51 PM)Kingslayer Wrote: Sucks to lose Boling but blood clots are nothing to mess with.  I wish him well.  

Hopefully the Bengals can use some of that extra money for another Tackle.  They have to make a trade or something

(07-15-2019, 01:29 PM)Millhouse Wrote: per twitter

Comment from Clint Boling, Duke Tobin and Mike Brown. pic.twitter.com/XOSxX9DfzM

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) July 15, 2019

Family No. 1 Concern As Boling Retires; Health Issues End Career at 30 https://t.co/SxA5PqL57Y

— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) July 15, 2019

(07-17-2019, 07:37 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: On the money part, it's not that they can't afford to pay Trent Williams, it's that it's a horrible deal.  The guy is 31, hasn't completed a season in 5 years due to injuries.  He already makes upper echelon money for part time participation, and has already made it clear that he wants top tier money.  

From where I stand, it appears that Trent Williams is really just looking for a guaranteed cash payout, so that he can get injured again and retire with his jackpot.

(07-15-2019, 02:10 PM)Au165 Wrote: I think the Bengals will be on the look out for a veteran cut during training camp

(07-17-2019, 08:59 PM)Nately120 Wrote: They do?