02-18-2025, 07:39 PM
(02-16-2025, 03:33 PM)CJD Wrote: You forgot what else the front office gave Lou in his time here: Intense levels of draft capital into the defense. From 2022 to 2024, The Bengals drafted defense in 8 of their 10 day 1 and day 2 picks. The only non-defense picks were Amarius Mims and (ugh) Jermaine Burton in 2024.
Of those 8 players, only 1 is arguably locked in as a quality starter on this defense, Dax Hill (and some may even say he's still an unknown). Cam and DJ have had their moments, but have also been maddeningly inconsistent, Zach Carter is already gone, Jordan Battle started the year on the bench before slowly taking snaps away from Bell, but has not yet proven that he should definitely hold a starter's spot yet, Murphy is...who even knows what he is. He had 0 sacks last year and the coaches never seemed to trust him to be a starter. And we're already talking about DT being our biggest need because we drafted Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson in 2024, neither of whom actually showed proof that they could be a quality starter on this defense.
This is what ultimately got Lou fired. He was unable to develop premium talent that was given to him through the draft.
It should not require major injections from the free agency when you're spending the entire front end of multiple drafts on infusing talent into the defense. Free agency should always be a complement to your drafting successes.
The Bengals let talent leave from the defense instead of paying them, then draft a bunch of bad to mediocre talent and its Lou's fault they arent better? Lou should have been able to turn Zach Carter into a good DT? How did Carter do with the Raiders last year? He had Patrick Graham as his DC and a bunch of people wanted Graham as the DC instead of Golden so why didnt Graham do anything with Carter if Graham was such a good DC as some have claimed?
The Bengals let Bates go so they drafted Dax Hill with the intention of him taking over for Bates. Lou gave him a chance at safety and he was horrible which is why he was moved to cornerback. If Hill is this great talented player Lou should have developed I guess we can move him back to safety now that Golden is here? I think most people that saw Hill play safety would agree the move to cornerback was the right decision
Myles Murphy was never an elite pass rusher in college and even when he was drafted people were questioning the pick but Lou is to fault for Murphy not being good? Murphy was always a big gamble with the 1st round draft pick. I wouldnt expect him to turn into Aiden Hutchinson just because Golden is now the DC.
I could list issues with most of the rest of the picks but the overall talent we have on defense is mediocre withe exception of Hendrickson. I do think the defense will be better this year because these guys have some more experience and should be healthy but I wouldnt expect anything more than a mediocre defense if they dont add some quality free agents. Lou should not be blamed for the lack of talent he had to work with and neither should Golden. Golden does not have a ton of talent to work with at this moment. I do think it could be tough sledding for Golden this year.
