(03-22-2020, 08:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I would define it less in a number, and more in a temperament that I see displayed.  Is the team growing, bonding, getting stronger?  Are they fighting to the death to the very end of every game?  Are they remedying past flaws and showing successes in their place?

(03-22-2020, 08:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I would define it less in a number, and more in a temperament that I see displayed.  Is the team growing, bonding, getting stronger?  Are they fighting to the death to the very end of every game?  Are they remedying past flaws and showing successes in their place?

(03-22-2020, 08:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I would define it less in a number, and more in a temperament that I see displayed.  Is the team growing, bonding, getting stronger?  Are they fighting to the death to the very end of every game?  Are they remedying past flaws and showing successes in their place?

(03-22-2020, 08:36 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Also, would like to see better coaching on both sides of the ball. We are good under Simmons on ST's...

Need to see the other two phases become competent.

Burrow sure will help on Offense and Reader sure will help on Defense.

(03-22-2020, 07:45 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: The Bengals have been unusually active in free agency, the draft will be upon us in a month, and Zac Taylor has had one season, albeit a disappointing one, under his belt.

What does a successful 2020 season look like to you?  Continue the rebuild?  A winning record?  A playoff appearance?  

For me, an 8-8 season would define success.

(03-22-2020, 08:55 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Very much so !

It''s not so much X number of wins although some winning goes along with it. It's more in the eye test for lack of a better way to put it. How many games over the past few seasons have we looked like the keystone kops out there ? Looked way over matched for the bulk of a game ? Forced our will on anybody that's any good ?

Like you say, I'm more concerned with seeing a team that's gelling and showing improvement. Staying in games, sustaining drives, getting off the field on 3rd and long more often. The list just goes on and on.

(03-22-2020, 09:11 PM)Bengalstripes18 Wrote: Hard to define. I want to see some glimpses at least from Burrow. I want to see growth. I want to see players start believing in themselves and the team. I want to see leadership from Burrow as well--and big plays.

I could definitely see a rough start with Burrow not getting much time, and the offensive line struggling. I'm hoping to see improvement along the line. Improvement from the defense. I'm hoping they draft some promising linebackers that grow as the season goes on.

A successful season leaves me feeling like we have a chance at the playoffs in 2021. A highly successful season puts in the playoffs this year.

(03-22-2020, 09:23 PM)McC Wrote: How much does it suck that we're getting the first pick and get to draft this guy and there won't be any OTA's or rookie camps?

I think the best way to mitigate that is to pretty much use his LSU offense like Kitchens did with Mayfield and OU's as a rookie.  Now, Zac has said his offense is very similar to that but maybe you just go straight to the LSU playbook.  The extra time lost throwing to his Bengal receivers is big, though.

(03-22-2020, 09:18 PM)Bengalstripes18 Wrote: Indeed. Too often when it came to the fourth quarter you just knew our defense would blow it or our offense would blow it. I'd like to see a reversal on that. A belief that we can get it done in the clutch. 

Like Nate said, I'd like to see better coaching as well. Putting players in the right position to make plays when it counts.

(03-22-2020, 09:38 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: For sure

There were many times last season when ZT just seemed to be winging it more than anything else, shooting from the hip. Hopefully it was an experience he's learned from and can use those lessons learned to get it together.

(03-22-2020, 09:47 PM)Bengalstripes18 Wrote: Definitely.

Hopefully Lou improves too. I wasn't necessarily impressed with his play calling either. They both can get better from that standpoint. I am encouraged though. It seems like they have the right approach. I truly believe if you go about life and work with the approach to continually improve and grow, that's what will happen. If you continue to do the same things over and over, not so much. Here's to hoping we see some true evolution/growth out of this team and coaching staff this year.

That said, it's not just the mindset. You have to put in the work. How do you think Bill Belicheck got where he is? Hard work. Yeah he's smart. Yeah he knows his shit. But that's because he's always studying. Always improving. Always learning. The more you have in your brain, the quicker you can make decisions and react without having to think too much. Like Burrow and his talks about winning the game during the week. Preparation. 

I think we are building something with coaches and players that have the right mentality. That's a start. But the work isn't done yet.

(03-22-2020, 07:45 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: The Bengals have been unusually active in free agency, the draft will be upon us in a month, and Zac Taylor has had one season, albeit a disappointing one, under his belt.

What does a successful 2020 season look like to you?  Continue the rebuild?  A winning record?  A playoff appearance?  

For me, an 8-8 season would define success.

(03-22-2020, 10:22 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Grit. I wanna see grit. I wanna see these guys play with a passion. As a single unit focused on winning and laying everything on the line for 60 minutes. I wanna see our guys crush the Steelers for the next 10 yrs.

(03-22-2020, 08:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I would define it less in a number, and more in a temperament that I see displayed.  Is the team growing, bonding, getting stronger?  Are they fighting to the death to the very end of every game?  Are they remedying past flaws and showing successes in their place?