05-31-2019, 03:36 PM
(05-31-2019, 01:27 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Story on ESPN about Bengal TE's fining each other, but they say that system was in place last year. Some position groups, like WRs, don't have any fines, but I found that last paragraphs of the story interesting
http://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/31309/thats-a-fine-bengals-have-fun-holding-each-other-accountable
The linebackers have their own system that appears to be led less by the players and more by new linebackers coach Tem Lukabu. Even though things were explained at the beginning of the offseason, linebacker Preston Brown still found that out the hard way.
Brown went his entire career without a team fine, noting that he’s a bit of a rule follower. His only fine came from the NFL when the league fined him for hitting Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck while he was sliding. But Brown returned to his locker one day this offseason to find a picture of himself circled in red with the word “fine” written over it. He had apparently messed up a drill, so now he had to put some money into the position group’s pot.
Last year a bad move during practice might have earned you a negative grade. Now it’s going to hurt a player’s wallet. “If you do something wrong, you have to put it in the pot,” Brown said. “It definitely makes sure you’re on your P's and Q's no matter what’s going on. I don’t want to get fined anymore.”
It’s a friendly incentive, Brown said, but the message is clear: Be accountable. That’s what new coach Zac Taylor has been trying to preach since Day 1. “It wasn’t as it is now, so now you really have to make sure you’re doing what you’re doing right, or you’ll get a fine in your locker,” Brown said.
Wow, didn't know this was going on. Love this, talk about changing culture. This is something i didn't really expect from Taylor him being so young. Tells me he is really in charge and creating a team from discipline and accountability all the while the team is uptempo and also having fun and becoming a family.
Have to say, the more i hear the more excited i get about this team under Taylor and company. Love that Lukabu is a disciplinarian, our LB's will be better this year under him better believe it. No one is exempted, awesome!
