I'm optimistic

[*SHRacerX*]

(12-19-2020, 09:24 PM)Benton Wrote: I get the angst and anger over this season. It's been a rough two years. And just when we looked like we were about to turn a corner, things got worse.

But I've got to admit, I'm optimistic about next season for a couple reasons.

1. Burrow. He was looking good when he went down and with the way things are, he's likely to come back around the start of the season as healthy as before.

2. Coordinators. Head coaching aside (and I realize in a few posts this is going to devolve into "we ain't going anywhere with ZT driving"), one of our biggest issues has been the coordinators. I don't see any way a few of the worst aren't gone.

But the big thing is...

3. Drafting. Our last draft was the best in a long time. And not just because we got Joe. Tee is looking good. Wilson is heading in the right direction. Akeem is going to take some time, but he's going to be decent. The rest, who knows? But the last I felt like we had four good picks by the end of the season was 2013. With another high pick and ZT's second year with the draft, I think we'll do good again.

4. FA. Last offseason we were aggressive for the first time in a long time. And this year, we're 5th or 6th overall in money available. I think we'll continue the spend (we've got a while before we have to worry about big resigning contracts).

Couldn't agree more.  I don't see the team as light years away, as their record or what is sure to be a pathetic effort Monday Night (Finley) would indicate.

I see a key acquisition (Thuney) and a couple draft picks on the offensive line (Sewell and another Guard) making a huge difference in protecting Joe as well as opening up the running game.  I'm hopeful for a speedster at WR that can take the proverbial top off the defense and get faster separation compared to the current crop, and I am optimistic that Tobin and co. see that need as well as they tried to find it with Ross, but he didn't pan out.

That offense could be very, very good.  I believe one of the first things Joe said to his dad after the injury was something to effet of:  "that is the best defensive front in the league and I had over 200 yards on them at the half".  He doesn't lack for anything.  Protect him a bit better, give him a speed option and I think this offense can score 30 on just about anyone.


The defense is a tougher sell.  I want to believe the LBs are capable of being really good if there was a better front before them.  The DTs the Bengals rolled out there this year were near the bottom of the league and it showed.   I don't want to assume that Wren and Tupou will come back after a year off as good or better than they left it, and I am investing heavily in the middle of the defensive line in the draft.  I would consider going back to back in Rds 2 and 3.  

Then we have the coaches.  On one hand, I say that a lab-created Frankencoach made with pieces of Lombardi,  Bellicheck, and Reid couldn't have won with this team and the roster they had after a few key injuries.  On the other hand, I saw coaches not able to respond to what the opponent was doing during the game.  When Burrow was getting killed week 2 and then again the next week against Philly, I was screaming at the TV:  "SCREEN THEM!!!", only to watch our slow-developing plays expose Burrow to more and more hits.  I think a 5 year old could have had a better game plan.

So, that's where I stand:  Optimistic the team can be good, but have little to no faith in the coaches.  With a better roster next year, I see them being able to win 6-8 games and that would likely be enough to save Taylor's job again.  This is why I am struggling with not firing him now.  I just haven't seen enough to think he can take a good roster to new heights.  Hopefully, you are right and the new coordinators make a big difference.