Interesting take from Hobspin on AFCN

[BengalChris]

(06-09-2019, 05:06 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: How do you know the changes were minor? You have a new coaching staff who watched film and recognized some weaknesses and decided we can fix what we have here. Coaching is underrated by so many. They make a huge difference. Browns made big changes and only improved on paper. I have an inking that their whole locker room will become a problem. I know our minor changes are questionable, but we just don't know yet. As for losing to the Browns twice last year, even though we were injured (not using that as an excuse) I felt it was the coaches and lack of discipline. I wasnt pissed when we lost the 2nd time because I felt that had to be the nail in the ML coffin. So losing to the Browns finally had a coaching change which was long overdue.

I understand what your saying and I just don't agree brother. But let's be honest. When you consider the ML record against the Steelers, this change should have taken place long ago. Way before the Browns sweep. Yet, Mike is a loyal guy and it took a team who was 1-31 in the two previous years to sweep us that finally made him move. Not to discount the fans disapproval and lack of attendance and season ticket drops. He felt that one in the nads!

I think we had the perfect storm. Team embarrassment, fan embarrassment and an owner who feared he was close to losing the support of not only a city, but support of the fans nationwide (there are few outside Ohio, northern KY and SE Indiana). I feel this is why we've finally started seeing the Bengals act like an NFL team. The draft was more than many expected. I have good feelings about this year. We are going to be something special. We are still one of the youngest teams in the league and if they gel quickly under this new regime, man, oh man, we got some good stuff heading our way.

So, as you say, "Losing to the Browns twice last year was a dagger." Yes it was, but I beleive we will remove that dagger from our skin, and slay the entire NFL.

I wasn't thinking so much of the staff changes as player signings. Keeping Hart and Redmond, then adding Webb and Miller was about as exciting as having to clean up the vomit last year's team left on the field.

Marvin's inability to beat Pittsburgh was down right annoying and depressing.

But, consider that Marvin has been the only head coach who could put up a winning record with Mike Brown in charge. The others who couldn't were Sam Wyche, Dave Shula, Bruce Coslet (the one who wanted to trade rights to Ricky Williams to NO and use those picks to rebuild the OL and DL, but was handed Akili Smith instead) and Dick LeBeau. Outside of Dave Shula, those guys each were good coaches. Sam had taken us to the SB only a few years earlier, but he lasted only one season with Mike Brown.

I really did like the draft this year though. I loved the Williams pick and the Sample pick is growing on me. We kind of need Pratt to be a decent pick.

I'm a wait and see how it goes guy when it comes to the Bengals. Way more years than not I've gone into a season with a fresh bright outlook only to be disappointed completely by the half way mark. Just know that I remember when the Bengals being born. It was a big deal in Ohio when Paul Brown started another team. It's been many years and way too many of them have been with Mike Brown.

Taylor may just be a bunch of hot air for all I know. I think he'll have his ups and downs in the first year or two. I won't jump on him for some dumb calls cause it's just early for him and I expect him to learn from those things, if he's going to be a good HC.

I hope the team comes out and surprises us all, man handles the Browns and puts them back in their place, then kicks the snot out of Ben and his SqueelerSquad. But then my head says, "we'll have to see".