02-18-2019, 03:17 PM
(02-18-2019, 02:44 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Potential head coaches are supposed to network and be ready for when this moment arrives...but Taylor is a very young guy. That said, so is Flores and he had all his spots filled 10 days ago. It does look like Dennis Allen was the primary target, but with a target like that (a guy who isn't likely to take a lateral move to an inferior team) we should've had a clear plan B, C and D.
When you have a clear plan with guys in mind, that tends to expedite the process. Unless Taylor has something very specific he wants, he should already have a very good idea if the coach will be a fit before he even interviews.
When you add up how many names we've been associated with, with several rejections mixed in (Grantham, Capers, Aaron Glenn, Hafley, etc) and how long this is taking, it's clear we either had poor plans or didn't get any of our top options. I respect the Bengals and Taylor trying to save face, but I'm not buying that this has taken so long simply because they're doing a thorough search.
It sounds nice, it's a nice spin to put on it, but looking at the list of name we've been associated with (and what happened) tells a different story:
Dennis Allen: Predictably stayed with the Saints
Jack Del Rio: Apparently Taylor didn't want him
Dom Capers: Said no thanks, for whatever reason you want to insert
Todd Granthem: Turned us down for various reasons
Aubrey Pleasant: Little has been said, but it's apparent we're not interested
Aaron Glenn: Blocked by Saints
Jeff Hafley: Turned us down
Vance Joseph: Apparently we were interested, but he said he'd only come to Cincy as a HC
Marquand Manuel: Rumored interest in an interview hasn't amounted to anything
Just the number of names on the list is alarming. Sure, the Bengals can paint this as them casting a wide net and being thorough, but the amount of blocks/rejections (6 at least) on the list kinda goes against that narrative and makes it seem like we're likely having to scramble.
But, that's the thing...there are reasons behind each of those. We turned down Joesph for HC, so can't blame him for not wanting the runner up prize with the same team. Allen was always a serious longshot. There was a conversation with both Del Rio and Capers, but the mutual interest just wasn't there. Grantham chose to go back to UF for a much sweeter deal. Glenn was blocked. Hafley has just signed with OSU a month prior and wanted to honor that.
We really don't know what did or didn't happen with the likes of Nolan, Pleasant and Manuel because there's been next to no information. However, when you look at the other cases individually (IMO) it doesn't look nearly as bad as when you look at it as a whole. They've looked at different guys, talked to some guys, but to this point...haven't been able to find a match that worked for both sides.
Whoever they end up with...I want it to be a guy that Taylor absolutely wants by his side, and also a guy that absolutely wants the job. I'm honestly not sure what fans are wanting. Are they wanting expediency just for the sake of getting the process over with? Are they wanting Taylor to pick someone he doesn't really want to work with? Are they wanting him to hogtie a guy and force him to take the job?
The fact is, whatever people's opinion may be of the process, there will eventually be a new DC named...and then we can hopefully start talking about how good or bad he is within seconds of him being hired.
