12-12-2022, 03:08 PM
(12-12-2022, 01:27 PM)higgy100 Wrote: And, more importantly, he's coached them up very well.
To that point, I was speaking w a client who's a Steelers fan and pointed out that Mike Tomlin has failed to develop and keep - or sign - some very key positions... especially on offense. Like, does anyone think Mike Tomlin is going to help take Kenny Pickett to the top of whatever mountain KP's peak COULD be? Hell no. Tomlin's not capable. I don't think that today's NFL players... who are mostly under the age of 30... like guys like Tomlin or even respond to people like that very well. Generationally, the under 30 crowd most likely view guys like Mike Tomlin as being a ridged asshole. This isn't the actual military. It's a game and nobody WANTS to work for guys like that.
Conversely to that, ZT has made Cincinnati cool and hip via the players and culture he is very very involved in creating.
DJ Reader coming to the Bengals and a lot of what he has said as to why was very reminiscent to me of Reggie White coming to the Packers back when he made the switch. A lot of Similarities to me between those 90s Packers teams and the Bengals.
Lastly, something incredibly cool that doesn't get enough run or discussion in Bengals land is the fact that several FAs upon signing have mentioned in their early interviews that the coaches laid out a vision and a plan for them and their career during their FA visit. In the interest of signing them, the Bengals coaches have specifically told guys (Hayden Hurst mentioned this) how they were going to be used, to what strengths that would show of theirs, and how that would help their career in the long term. The coaches thinking from the players side of the desk in these FA meetings is fascinating to me and, I think, has helped sway FAs tremendously. This is why these guys talk about how unique of a visit Cincinnati is. They talk about how the coaches are and how they love them. They talk about how different it is from other places... even different form traditionally successful places. I absolutely LOVE that this is the direction of the new Bengals.
