10-26-2017, 12:33 AM
The Bengals scouting staff is incredibly small. The front office and coaches do play a very active role.
As for who makes "final calls" - no one really knows. They choose to keep that to themselves.
Regardless - it is fair to look through the recent drafts.
2012 - hard to argue with that draft at all, TBH.
2013 - Bernard is it, and while he's paid like a top RB, he's obviously not a franchise-changer at the position.
Eifert gave one good year out of five. Unfortunately, that can be considered a bust.
2014 - Bodine. Say what you want, but getting a starter from day one in Rd. 4 who played every game for four years on a rookie deal while you paid Whitworth/Smith/Zeitler in those same years is a decent pick and financially reasonable. Hill was a productive player for two seasons. OK role player, not quite the second-round star he looked to be. Dennard is drifting into Eifert territory. Basically he'll have an $8 million "prove it" year - maybe. If they don't pick up Jones' option next year can you really start Dennard over WJ3 on the outside next year with the way WJ3 is going? Yes, nickel corners are essentially starters but are any making $8 million?
2015 - We're in year 3. Big financial decisions loom this coming offseasons with Fisher, Kroft - if they are warranted. Same with Ogbuehi re: 5th year option. Dawson a bust. Role players at best (Smith, Shaw, Kroft) - good to have, sure, but no full-time starters at this point. Not good.
2016 and 2017 looking OK thus far.
Three missed drafts in a row though? Tough to overcome.
Not sure there is a honeymoon, but you're right re: "blame" - it's a shared responsibility. Everyone plays their role.
Here are my Q&A's with Tobin in the last two offseasons. You may not like his answers (like this one from '17 " I don’t really have a lot to offer in a thorough review of different draft classes."
2016: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/02/01/questions-cincinnati-bengals-director-of-player-personnel-duke-tobin/79626468/
2017: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2017/01/27/cincinnati-bengals-director-of-player-personnel-duke-tobin-talks-nfl-draft-mccarron-and-kickers/97154184/
As for who makes "final calls" - no one really knows. They choose to keep that to themselves.
Regardless - it is fair to look through the recent drafts.
2012 - hard to argue with that draft at all, TBH.
2013 - Bernard is it, and while he's paid like a top RB, he's obviously not a franchise-changer at the position.
Eifert gave one good year out of five. Unfortunately, that can be considered a bust.
2014 - Bodine. Say what you want, but getting a starter from day one in Rd. 4 who played every game for four years on a rookie deal while you paid Whitworth/Smith/Zeitler in those same years is a decent pick and financially reasonable. Hill was a productive player for two seasons. OK role player, not quite the second-round star he looked to be. Dennard is drifting into Eifert territory. Basically he'll have an $8 million "prove it" year - maybe. If they don't pick up Jones' option next year can you really start Dennard over WJ3 on the outside next year with the way WJ3 is going? Yes, nickel corners are essentially starters but are any making $8 million?
2015 - We're in year 3. Big financial decisions loom this coming offseasons with Fisher, Kroft - if they are warranted. Same with Ogbuehi re: 5th year option. Dawson a bust. Role players at best (Smith, Shaw, Kroft) - good to have, sure, but no full-time starters at this point. Not good.
2016 and 2017 looking OK thus far.
Three missed drafts in a row though? Tough to overcome.
Not sure there is a honeymoon, but you're right re: "blame" - it's a shared responsibility. Everyone plays their role.
Here are my Q&A's with Tobin in the last two offseasons. You may not like his answers (like this one from '17 " I don’t really have a lot to offer in a thorough review of different draft classes."
2016: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/02/01/questions-cincinnati-bengals-director-of-player-personnel-duke-tobin/79626468/
2017: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2017/01/27/cincinnati-bengals-director-of-player-personnel-duke-tobin-talks-nfl-draft-mccarron-and-kickers/97154184/
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