3 things that Must change next season

[*bengalfan74*]

1. We can't start out 1-3 again. Just ask Big Whit: https://thesportsrush.com/nfl-news-youve-been-terrible-at-starting-the-seasons-andrew-whitworth-sends-strong-message-to-the-bengals-hc-zac-taylor/

Whatever they've been doing in OTA's, camp, practice, and pre-season games they have to scrap it all because it doesn't work. And I feel long story short they have to just get tougher.

2. They have to fix the Oline. Specifically the guards. We can't let Joe Burrows best years slide by with the two worst guards in the NFL. Cut Cappa and bench Volson. We can't just roll the dice and hope it gets better. I'm ok with OBJ, Karras, and Mims but would like to see more depth than Lee (unknown) and Ford.

3. The defense, good gawd get it fixed. Ok so we fired Lou, great. Hire a proven coach and get the ball rolling. We can't continue being one of the worst D's in the NFL and expect to be in the Super Bowl hunt. We don't have to be top 5. Just middle of the road kinda thing.

I'm just hoping and praying...again, that the F.O. will step up and let the deadwood go and get Joe some help before it's to late.

[XenoMorph]

(01-13-2025, 01:22 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: 1. We can't start out 1-3 again. Just ask Big Whit: https://thesportsrush.com/nfl-news-youve-been-terrible-at-starting-the-seasons-andrew-whitworth-sends-strong-message-to-the-bengals-hc-zac-taylor/

Whatever they've been doing in OTA's, camp, practice, and pre-season games they have to scrap it all because it doesn't work. And I feel long story short they have to just get tougher.

2. They have to fix the Oline. Specifically the guards. We can't let Joe Burrows best years slide by with the two worst guards in the NFL. Cut Cappa and bench Volson. We can't just roll the dice and hope it gets better. I'm ok with OBJ, Karras, and Mims but would like to see more depth than Lee (unknown) and Ford.

3. The defense, good gawd get it fixed. Ok so we fired Lou, great. Hire a proven coach and get the ball rolling. We can't continue being one of the worst D's in the NFL and expect to be in the Super Bowl hunt. We don't have to be top 5. Just middle of the road kinda thing.

I'm just hoping and praying...again, that the F.O. will step up and let the deadwood go and get Joe some help before it's to late.

100% would rather rest starters week 18 than preseason

[c766]

Well, you could argue that had Mike Brown just extended Chase to the same contract + 1M that Jefferson Signed back in July, then the Bengals would have made the playoffs, and would have saved probably 25M over the next 4 years. (Chase has all the bargaining power now and can get 5M+ per year more than any WR in the game).

That also contributed to the slow start - that and the awful route trees that they had Chase run in Week 1.

DLine and Lbs all need upgrade, and on offense the guards.

The real question is how they are going to sign Tee and Chase.  They will command 65-70 M Combined per year.

[SunsetBengal]

1. Change is definitely in order. They can't keep on doing things the same way and expect different results.

2. One would think that having a strong interior OL would be a simple thing to achieve. They cost less than premium Tackles and there are more of them in the supply network. However, this team manages to continue to botch the most basic and fundamental positions essential to having a solid football team is beyond me.

3.Defense, this is where we differ. In the NFL you simply MUST be able to stop the run effectively and consistently, in order to have any chances of advancing deep on a championship run. Because when you can shut down the run, you force the opponent to become one dimensional, predictable and more apt to make unforced errors.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(01-13-2025, 01:53 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Because when you can shut down the run, you force the opponent to become one dimensional, predictable and more apt to make unforced errors.

Bengals rush attempts per game...
2024: t-30th
2023: 30th
2022: 24th
2021: 19th

[Joelist]

I think they know this, witness firing both Pollack and most of the defensive coaching staff.

The real telltale will be who they bring in. On defense they need a coach who molds his system to the strengths of his players and whose system can be picked up by younger players. Also who is good at player development. OL coach is similar with the added proviso that the blocking scheme needs to be compatible with the offensive system.

[SunsetBengal]

(01-13-2025, 02:27 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Bengals rush attempts per game...
2024: t-30th
2023: 30th
2022: 24th
2021: 19th

It's odd how stopping the run and being able to run the ball well go hand in hand. As vital as stopping the run will be to defensive success, presenting a more balanced attack could also open up a lot more big play opportunities for the offense.

[Soonerpeace]

Bengals rush attempts per game...
2024: t-30th
2023: 30th
2022: 24th
2021: 19th
[/quote]

(01-13-2025, 02:39 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: It's odd how stopping the run and being able to run the ball well go hand in hand. As vital as stopping the run will be to defensive success, presenting a more balanced attack could also open up a lot more big play opportunities for the offense.

As OP said the slow starts, guards, & defense. Of course there are several related things to all of them. When they fixed the defense in ‘21 in FA they didn’t have huge roster stars contract simultaneously. They’ve got to hit bullseyes in FA & the draft. No two ways about it.

[WeezyBengal]

The "poor start" thing is such a lazy narrative.

Burrow has literally dealt with something ever year since his rookie year. Knee, wrist, apendectomy, strained calf, etc.

They start slow because he has started slow. And its not like this team has started 0-4 every year to start the year. They've been OK.

2021: 3-1
2022: 2-2
2023: 1-3
2024: 0-4

Like I get it, more urgency would be a great thing...but its been a couple years of slow starts...mainly due to our QB not being able to move from the pocket for half the year and him recovering from/having to learn how to deal with a rare significant wrist injury.

[c766]

(01-13-2025, 03:00 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: The "poor start" thing is such a lazy narrative.

Burrow has literally dealt with something ever year since his rookie year. Knee, wrist, apendectomy, strained calf, etc.

They start slow because he has started slow. And its not like this team has started 0-4 every year to start the year. They've been OK.

2021: 3-1
2022: 2-2
2023: 1-3
2024: 0-4

Like I get it, more urgency would be a great thing...but its been a couple years of slow starts...mainly due to our QB not being able to move from the pocket for half the year and him recovering from/having to learn how to deal with a rare significant wrist injury.

Few things. They were 1-3 this year. Not 0-4

7 and 9 is not ok.

And 4-8 in the last 3 years is awful

It’s not a lazy narrative. It’s reality

[*ochocincos*]

(01-13-2025, 03:00 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: The "poor start" thing is such a lazy narrative.

Burrow has literally dealt with something ever year since his rookie year. Knee, wrist, apendectomy, strained calf, etc.

They start slow because he has started slow. And its not like this team has started 0-4 every year to start the year. They've been OK.

2021: 3-1
2022: 2-2
2023: 1-3
2024: 0-4

Like I get it, more urgency would be a great thing...but its been a couple years of slow starts...mainly due to our QB not being able to move from the pocket for half the year and him recovering from/having to learn how to deal with a rare significant wrist injury.

Don't forget 2019-2020:
2019: 0-4
2020: 1-2-1

Starting at least 2-2 or better in the Taylor era are the only two seasons in which the Bengals have made the playoffs and also double-digit wins.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

!. Improve the interior o-line. I would like to see picking up a guard in free agency, and another early in the draft, within the first two days. This improves the running game, which improves the defense numbers by keeping the offense on the field. Secondly, it gives Joe a legit pocket to step into/climb, extending his time to throw and likely his career as well.

2. Get a second pass rushing threat in there, whether that is another DE, a penetrating 3 technique DT, or a blitzing LB out of the 4-3. The added pressure would vastly improve the secondary make things easier on Trey, and keep QB's from being comfortable in the pocket.

3. Get a true possession receiver for Joe. Decent size, solid run blocking, and super sticky hands. Palmer had Housh. Dalton had Boyd, as did Joe for a minute. Maybe one of the TE's can step into the role, but they have to step up and stay healthy. If not, they should find someone to move the chains and make clutch third down catches when needed.

[*bengalfan74*]

(01-13-2025, 03:28 PM)c766 Wrote: Few things.  They were 1-3 this year.  Not 0-4

7 and 9 is not ok.

And 4-8 in the last 3 years is awful

It’s not a lazy narrative.  It’s reality

Exactly

Put the blame on whatever you want but that doesn't change the fact we start out in a giant hole.

[*bengalfan74*]

(01-13-2025, 02:39 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: It's odd how stopping the run and being able to run the ball well go hand in hand. As vital as stopping the run will be to defensive success, presenting a more balanced attack could also open up a lot more big play opportunities for the offense.

I bang this drum hard!! It starts up front. Fix it fellas

[007BengalsFan]

(01-13-2025, 01:46 PM)c766 Wrote: Well, you could argue that had Mike Brown just extended Chase to the same contract + 1M that Jefferson Signed back in July, then the Bengals would have made the playoffs, and would have saved probably 25M over the next 4 years. (Chase has all the bargaining power now and can get 5M+ per year more than any WR in the game)...

Chase is not worth 5 million per year more than Jefferson.  He doesnt have the bargaining power you think he does.  If he gets too greedy the Bengals can pay him his 22 million in 2025 for his 5th year option, tag him for ~27 million in 2026 and tag him for ~ 32.4 million in 2027.  That would be about 27 million per year average the next 3 years the Bengals could have him for with none of the money being guaranteed except for the current year he is playing in.  That is a good deal for the Bengals.  Im sure the Bengals dont want an unhappy WR doing this but if Chase gets too greedy with his demands, that could be the outcome.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(01-13-2025, 03:28 PM)c766 Wrote: Few things.  They were 1-3 this year.  Not 0-4

7 and 9 is not ok.

And 4-8 in the last 3 years is awful

It’s not a lazy narrative.  It’s reality

And if you look at just the first two games of seasons in the Zac era, it's 1-11.

[c766]

(01-13-2025, 04:52 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: And if you look at just the first two games of seasons in the Zac era, it's 1-11.

0-2 starting NFL teams have a 11.5% chance to make the playoff.

But, the slow start is just a 'lazy narrative'.  Our fans are soemthing else 

[t3r3e3]

(01-13-2025, 04:52 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: Chase is not worth 5 million per year more than Jefferson.  He doesnt have the bargaining power you think he does.  If he gets too greedy the Bengals can pay him his 22 million in 2025 for his 5th year option, tag him for ~27 million in 2026 and tag him for ~ 32.4 million in 2027.  That would be about 27 million per year average the next 3 years the Bengals could have him for with none of the money being guaranteed except for the current year he is playing in.  That is a good deal for the Bengals.  Im sure the Bengals dont want an unhappy WR doing this but if Chase gets too greedy with his demands, that could be the outcome.

The market is going to give Chase more than Jefferson. While it may not be 5 million more, it’ll be more, period. He’s younger than Jefferson, similar in production, and coming off of the best WR season in the league. If the Bengals play hardball and go cheap he’ll walk when he can. It’s a dumb strategy to go cheap, but then again, the FO is kind of dumb when it comes to these types of situations.

[pulses]

(01-13-2025, 02:39 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: It's odd how stopping the run and being able to run the ball well go hand in hand. As vital as stopping the run will be to defensive success, presenting a more balanced attack could also open up a lot more big play opportunities for the offense.

With a good OL chase could run for 12-1500 and Burrow could still get 45-5000 yards.

[*ochocincos*]

(01-13-2025, 03:28 PM)c766 Wrote: Few things.  They were 1-3 this year.  Not 0-4

7 and 9 is not ok.

And 4-8 in the last 3 years is awful

It’s not a lazy narrative.  It’s reality

Anything less than 10 wins is not ok.
Since going to 17 games in a season, every team to make the playoffs has been 10 wins or more.


If this team is really going to be a contender, I expect 12 wins or more.
This aligns with the teams I see as the only true threats to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl - KC, BUF, and BAL