12-09-2015, 12:53 AM
Has Adam Jones changed his mind about not wanting to be known as "pacman" ?
If not why isn't this detail being complied with ?
Referring to my story? ☺
On Sundays, he is Pacman. He says that, and his teammates call him that. And otherwise, he can’t really control what people call him anyway. In terms of mass appeal, that’s how he’s known, for better or worse.
Has there been any talk as to a contract extension for Marvin Lewis? I believe it's through 2016 currently. As an aside there, is there any indication from Marvin how much longer he WANTS to coach?
I think Marvin is going to be able to coach here as long as he wants, even if they lose in the first playoff game this year – which I know isn’t the popular sentiment. Although if they do lose, I would be interested to see if they’d try to move him to a more advisory role. To your other point, he did tell our Paul Daugherty if they win the Super Bowl he’d walk away. Not sure if that was in jest, just something to say, or if he’s waiting for that moment. No idea. He keeps that stuff pretty close the vest.
Looking at the weaknesses on the Bengals roster I'd have to say this:
Offense: Need a speed WR (Edelman type) and maybe an OG, C. We're very solid on that side of the ball it's scary.
Defense: DE and LB are the biggest needs there. We're sold in the secondary but I could see drafting a long term project at CB to groom.
My question is this: How do other teams go about attacking the Bengals on each side of the ball?
Marvin Jones can run with Edelman, so can Green. This offense doesn’t need a tiny slot guy who needs near-illegal rubs and 3-yard patterns to get open. New OC, new system, maybe. But not this one.
Disagree on defensive end. Michael Johnson isn’t a traditional pass rusher and he’s just 28. Dunlap is supposed to be that star – and it all centers around Geno Atkins being the guy he is. Again, it’s scheme and dollars. You can’t pay for it all. I agree at LB – but disagree with the CB thought at this point – Shaw and Dennard are those corners on the current team. Dawson is a WILL in waiting, but they need more talent at that position.
In the playoffs, I’d run the ball, and I’d make the linebackers cover – either tight ends, or running backs. Also, take shots at Kirkpatrick.
To stop the offense, make them one dimensional and have Dalton beat you deep. Load up the box, and I’d even shade a safety over Eifert. Green has fumbled in big situations (Pittsburgh, Houston) and often disappears. I’d make him, Jones and Dalton try to beat you deep and consistently.
How many of our Rookies draft and undrafted got to play yesterday. Jim, do you know the status of Shaw? Is he okay?
9 rookies, all eight draft picks. Shaw’s play was scary. He was hit in the head and immediately grabbed his back. His legs were stuck. XRays and MRIs came back OK, so now he’s working to see if he can play Sunday.
It has taken a long while for Marvin to grow into the HC job. Up until the Dalton/Green era he had a losing record and many wanted his head on a platter. What do good/great coaches do consistently that other coaches, who come and go, don't do that makes such a difference? Is it all drafting and an eye for talent or is there more to it? Inspiration I'm sure factors in. Bellichick and Lewis don't seem all that inspiring in their pressers and such, but they sure can put together a football team.
It’s the latter. Whitworth said it today – he can relate to players, and even after all these years, they still play hard for him. The talent pool has deepened since Lewis and Duke Tobin took more control of personnel, and Lewis could always coach. There’s a reason he earned the job in the first place. Ya, media presence has nothing to do with anything. The players love Lewis, what he’s about, and the way he handles them. No coach is perfect, even Belichick. So while there are game management (timeouts, challenges, etc.) issues – trust me – Lewis isn’t the only one. I saw it with Mike McCarthy in GB. The Giants see it with Coughlin. And those are Super Bowl winning coaches. I saw it with Lovie Smith in Chicago and they went to a Super Bowl. They’re human. It happens. Each fan base feels their coach is terrible at it. Now, the Bengals are winless in the postseason under Lewis. You can’t hide that or run from it. There are legitimate reasons for that (Palmer’s injury, the practice squad Dalton was throwing to last year vs. the Colts) and others that are more baffling (like San Diego and Houston). Honestly, this is Lewis’ best shot at a Super Bowl in his tenure. Now, any team can be beaten. If the Bengals go to, or host the Patriots, and they lose a great game 27-24 or 33-30 – hey, that happens. But if they get a bye and lose 27-10 to the New York Jets at home, then…well, maybe some conversations need to happen.
If not why isn't this detail being complied with ?
Referring to my story? ☺
On Sundays, he is Pacman. He says that, and his teammates call him that. And otherwise, he can’t really control what people call him anyway. In terms of mass appeal, that’s how he’s known, for better or worse.
Has there been any talk as to a contract extension for Marvin Lewis? I believe it's through 2016 currently. As an aside there, is there any indication from Marvin how much longer he WANTS to coach?
I think Marvin is going to be able to coach here as long as he wants, even if they lose in the first playoff game this year – which I know isn’t the popular sentiment. Although if they do lose, I would be interested to see if they’d try to move him to a more advisory role. To your other point, he did tell our Paul Daugherty if they win the Super Bowl he’d walk away. Not sure if that was in jest, just something to say, or if he’s waiting for that moment. No idea. He keeps that stuff pretty close the vest.
Looking at the weaknesses on the Bengals roster I'd have to say this:
Offense: Need a speed WR (Edelman type) and maybe an OG, C. We're very solid on that side of the ball it's scary.
Defense: DE and LB are the biggest needs there. We're sold in the secondary but I could see drafting a long term project at CB to groom.
My question is this: How do other teams go about attacking the Bengals on each side of the ball?
Marvin Jones can run with Edelman, so can Green. This offense doesn’t need a tiny slot guy who needs near-illegal rubs and 3-yard patterns to get open. New OC, new system, maybe. But not this one.
Disagree on defensive end. Michael Johnson isn’t a traditional pass rusher and he’s just 28. Dunlap is supposed to be that star – and it all centers around Geno Atkins being the guy he is. Again, it’s scheme and dollars. You can’t pay for it all. I agree at LB – but disagree with the CB thought at this point – Shaw and Dennard are those corners on the current team. Dawson is a WILL in waiting, but they need more talent at that position.
In the playoffs, I’d run the ball, and I’d make the linebackers cover – either tight ends, or running backs. Also, take shots at Kirkpatrick.
To stop the offense, make them one dimensional and have Dalton beat you deep. Load up the box, and I’d even shade a safety over Eifert. Green has fumbled in big situations (Pittsburgh, Houston) and often disappears. I’d make him, Jones and Dalton try to beat you deep and consistently.
How many of our Rookies draft and undrafted got to play yesterday. Jim, do you know the status of Shaw? Is he okay?
9 rookies, all eight draft picks. Shaw’s play was scary. He was hit in the head and immediately grabbed his back. His legs were stuck. XRays and MRIs came back OK, so now he’s working to see if he can play Sunday.
It has taken a long while for Marvin to grow into the HC job. Up until the Dalton/Green era he had a losing record and many wanted his head on a platter. What do good/great coaches do consistently that other coaches, who come and go, don't do that makes such a difference? Is it all drafting and an eye for talent or is there more to it? Inspiration I'm sure factors in. Bellichick and Lewis don't seem all that inspiring in their pressers and such, but they sure can put together a football team.
It’s the latter. Whitworth said it today – he can relate to players, and even after all these years, they still play hard for him. The talent pool has deepened since Lewis and Duke Tobin took more control of personnel, and Lewis could always coach. There’s a reason he earned the job in the first place. Ya, media presence has nothing to do with anything. The players love Lewis, what he’s about, and the way he handles them. No coach is perfect, even Belichick. So while there are game management (timeouts, challenges, etc.) issues – trust me – Lewis isn’t the only one. I saw it with Mike McCarthy in GB. The Giants see it with Coughlin. And those are Super Bowl winning coaches. I saw it with Lovie Smith in Chicago and they went to a Super Bowl. They’re human. It happens. Each fan base feels their coach is terrible at it. Now, the Bengals are winless in the postseason under Lewis. You can’t hide that or run from it. There are legitimate reasons for that (Palmer’s injury, the practice squad Dalton was throwing to last year vs. the Colts) and others that are more baffling (like San Diego and Houston). Honestly, this is Lewis’ best shot at a Super Bowl in his tenure. Now, any team can be beaten. If the Bengals go to, or host the Patriots, and they lose a great game 27-24 or 33-30 – hey, that happens. But if they get a bye and lose 27-10 to the New York Jets at home, then…well, maybe some conversations need to happen.
Beat writer for Cincinnati.com & The Enquirer. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Periscope.
