05-02-2021, 12:35 AM
(05-02-2021, 12:20 AM)BritishBengal Wrote: Why not eek a bit more out of this topic right?!
In all seriousness, something to consider here, which I think has been overlooked is the impact this has in keeping Burrow on board.
Let me expand and contextualize my point. Some of the bigger offseason dramas of late have involved star QBs being publicly disgruntled with their teams direction and decision making. The obvious one this season is Rodgers. The Packers have frequently neglected drafting him weapons, keeping him engaged and taking him seriously. Prior to that it was Watson (pre rub-downgate). Deshaun felt isolated from personnel decisions and clearly loathed the way the team was having a bumper sale with star assets. Then there was Russell Wilson, who publically took exception to how the team were operating offensively. Need I even mention Carson Palmer...
All of these issues stem from a coaching staff and star QB at odds with one another. We can argue the hind legs off a horse regarding Sewell/Chase (which we have) but what of the impact of overrulling Burrow on his clear preference at 5. As much as fans like to talk about players and prospects as individual talents, this will always remain a team sport. Our moves the last two years in the draft have reunited a number of teammates and you can tell from social media alone that these young Bengals are happy and proud to be playing together. We shouldn't overlook this. Taylor is doing a great job of working closely with Burrow and keeping him a large part of future plans. A happy team is far more likely to be a successful team!
So far he seems happy here, but I do worry that if he takes a beating like last year that he may sour on the team pretty quickly. We have seen plenty of our premier players become disgruntled over the years. Like Palmer, Dillon, Pickens, Spikes. If I was him I would care about my long term future if the team repeatedly ignores the OL, or does a poor job improving it. I could also see him retiring early if there are multiple seasons like last season.
