Jeff Blake

[Ctfan73]

(06-11-2020, 10:31 PM)Bryan Wrote: So let me start this by saying, Jeff Blake played before I became a Bengals fan and all that I knew about him came from this board. That said I watched his interview with Willie Anderson on Instagram and listening to him talk he sounds like he is incredibly intelligent and understands the QB position like very few do. Also listening to Big Willie gush over him was quite interesting. It also seems like the Bengals front office did him dirty. The way Blake describes it is the coaches had to push to keep him in the line-up as the front office never saw him as their guy, that they were always trying to replace him either with Boomer, Neil O'Donnell, or Akili. Could anyone who was a fan around that time tell me if that seems accurate? And share some of your favorite Blake memories as I'm very interested in learning more about the guy.

Blake was thrust into the starting lineup after Klingler and Hollas got hurt mid-season '94.   He instantly injected some life into a dead offense with his high arching bombs to Scott and Pickens.  Amazing that a 3rd string qb was so much better than the high drafted "Klingon". 

 There was a brief period  of Blake mania after he took over.   He came back to earth but was an above average QB in 95-96.  Good mobility, great long passer, average but inconsistent intermediate passer.  On dump offs and swing passes to his backs he was terrible.  He would throw those short ones full speed, no touch at all.   

I fondly remember how he brought some life to the franchise during a very bad time but overall turned out to be a fairly erratic performer and a bit immature at times.  I remember him rolling on the ground to celebrate a touchdown when losing by 30 points, that was troubling coming from a QB.   He struggled in '97, Boomer took his job late in the year and played much better.   He saw some playing time in 98/99 but never got back to where he was in 94/95/96.