12-27-2018, 08:33 PM
(12-27-2018, 07:17 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: The one variable that may keep fans interested in next season is injury to key players. The team that started the season with promise is a shell of the team that will play the last game of the season.
Even if there are no significant changes at the coaching personnel, fans can rationalize that the season tanked because so many starters and key rotational players were placed on IR. When the Bengals played the first game of the season, I had hope and believed that they may have turned the corner. They drafted a popular Center in the first round which has not been done in years. They brought in some decent free agents. They fired Paul Alexander which, in itself, was uplifting.
Coaching changes, notwithstanding, there were concerns that raised flags by many fans. The front office did not adequately address the O-Line. The linebacker core was questionable along with Burfict’s injury/suspension history. The 2018 draft was not that great and caused some head scratching with the later round picks. I didn’t really count on Eifert to play many games due to injury history.
If the Front Office were to make sweeping changes in the coaching staff, Mike Brown decides to retire completely from day-to-day operations, and the 2019 draft addresses key needs at linebacker, Tight-End, and offensive line, then I will once again be hopeful and tuned in to watch games. Conversely, if the Front Office decides to “wash-rinse-repeat” then I will not watch games. I will still be a Bengal Fan, but I will follow game stats and scores from afar. I will still be an active supportive member on the Bengal Forum. Even Mike Brown cannot take that away from me.
2018 brought Bates, Hubbard & Price (who was playing well before being injured).
We need to mortgage our next few drafts to bring in players that are difference makers.
-That which we need most, will be found where we want to visit least.-
