Partying and Being Fat.

[samhain]

I had the pitchforks out for Lou as much as anyone.  Time will tell if the decision to fire him was correct or merely an out for Zac to defend a disappointing season.  A blood sacrifice was in order, and Lou was the most obvious.

With that in mind, there have been rumors about certain defensive players and a lack of professionalism.  Battle, who showed promise, struggled to get snaps early on.  Many gave Lou a ration of shit for this.  Now, I'm hearing that Battle came to camp significantly overweight and slow.  Not Bell and Lou favoritism.  Not Lou being stuck in is ways about veterans and youth.  It was a player coming in fat.  That's as unprofessional as it gets if true.  

CTB, oddly regressed after playing well as a rookie and in his second year.  Mental lapses killed him.  Lately, there have been hints that he'd embraced more of a party lifestyle this year and that it impacts this play.  It's weird to me considering what a good kid he has always appeared to be.  

You don't hear this stuff about Joe, Ja'marr or Tee.  Or Trey.  You hear about guys that shut their families out on Saturday to get focused on gameday.  Obsessive professionals.  

I think there may have been a bigger cultural lapse than we realize this year.  These guys are scapegoats, but how many others did similar things if true?

[Sled21]

While I was, and still somewhat am, conflicted about firing Lou because I think it's mostly talent and injuries that hamstrung him this year, something had to give. I hadn't heard that about Battle, but it makes sense. As far as CTB, I think he is well suited to be a #2 CB but not a #1. Losing Hill affected the DB room, then we lost Turner. That's a lot of speed out the door. Let alone with what went on with injuries to the D-line.
One of the main things I liked about Lou is he seemed to be able actually make halftime adjustments in a game and figure out things as the game went on, as opposed to Marvin, who said halftime adjustments don't exist.
Lou will get another position and I wish him well. We may very well rue the day we let him go.

[ERIC1]

(Today, 12:44 AM)samhain Wrote: I had the pitchforks out for Lou as much as anyone.  Time will tell if the decision to fire him was correct or merely an out for Zac to defend a disappointing season.  A blood sacrifice was in order, and Lou was the most obvious.

With that in mind, there have been rumors about certain defensive players and a lack of professionalism.  Battle, who showed promise, struggled to get snaps early on.  Many gave Lou a ration of shit for this.  Now, I'm hearing that Battle came to camp significantly overweight and slow.  Not Bell and Lou favoritism.  Not Lou being stuck in is ways about veterans and youth.  It was a player coming in fat.  That's as unprofessional as it gets if true.  

CTB, oddly regressed after playing well as a rookie and in his second year.  Mental lapses killed him.  Lately, there have been hints that he'd embraced more of a party lifestyle this year and that it impacts this play.  It's weird to me considering what a good kid he has always appeared to be.  

You don't hear this stuff about Joe, Ja'marr or Tee.  Or Trey.  You hear about guys that shut their families out on Saturday to get focused on gameday.  Obsessive professionals.  

I think there may have been a bigger cultural lapse than we realize this year.  These guys are scapegoats, but how many others did similar things if true?

considering our fan base..and what I would hope to be the integrity of Zac Taylor..I doubt very seriously that Lou  and Pollack were "blood sacrifices"..ridiculous...  furthermore your references to certain defensive players  is conveniently limited.. this was the year of Burton and I can remember recent years when offensive linemen came in heavy and were forced to do hills..we had Joe Mixon a couple of years ago,,,...etc etc etc......................WE had issues on defense  ..the offensive line still is not good..tackling by our linebackers......It was time to make some definitive changes. in these areas.Although we don't know all the reasons for the changes..some were pretty obvious

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

Get a second legit pass rusher opposite Trey, and everything improves.

I put this season on Lou for keeping Hubbard out there and a myriad of poor play calling decisions. WB bootleg everyone knew was coming against Pittsburgh, playing soft, off ball coverage on 3rd and short, etc..

That said with all the injuries on the d-line to start the season, and the injuries in the secondary at the end, he was already doomed to fail.

[ERIC1]

(9 hours ago)Sled21 Wrote: While I was, and still somewhat am, conflicted about firing Lou because I think it's mostly talent and injuries that hamstrung him this year, something had to give. I hadn't heard that about Battle, but it makes sense. As far as CTB, I think he is well suited to be a #2 CB but not a #1. Losing Hill affected the DB room, then we lost Turner. That's a lot of speed out the door. Let alone with what went on with injuries to the D-line.
One of the main things I liked about Lou is he seemed to be able actually make halftime adjustments in a game and figure out things as the game went on, as opposed to Marvin, who said halftime adjustments don't exist.
Lou will get another position and I wish him well. We may very well rue the day we let him go.

I watched Detroit play last week..First time all year..Maybe they were playing iMinnesota...the difference between the lions and the Bengals..at almost every position ..was like night vs day..and Detroit , like the Bengals had many players injured.....we don't know why Lou was let go....but until this team  gets more scouts and a real GM..it will always be "close but no cigar"....Right now..Detroit..even with all their injuries..is 2 touchdowns better than the Bengals and it is going to take a  complete organizational effort  adjustment , and changes to eradicate those 14 points...I  managed  my entire career .sometimes people get fired not because of performance ..but of attitude that is detrimental to the entire organization.Lou always came across as an articulate and decent person..But we don't know what goes on internally. This is a tremendously important off-season for the Bengals..I don't know how contracts work..But we have impending lease negotiations..Burrow if he stays healthy it would appear that he could play another 8 years..Does he have to resign with the team when his first big contract expires..OH well I am going to enjoy the NFL playoffs, College championship..we have a new..very good manager with the Reds , they should be competitive this year and fun to watch..MLB baseball will be carrying their games ..around 20 bucks a month..LIfe is good

[ERIC1]

(9 hours ago)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: Get a second legit pass rusher opposite Trey, and everything improves.

I put this season on Lou for keeping Hubbard out there and a myriad of poor play calling decisions. WB bootleg everyone knew was coming against Pittsburgh, playing soft, off ball coverage on 3rd and short, etc..

That said with all the injuries on the d-line to start the season, and the injuries in the secondary at the end, he was already doomed to fail.

Hubbard was injured most of the year..Detroit had just as many injuries as Cincinnati..if not more and they play lights out..I think that Lou and others were let go because we just needed new voices..I liked Lou..but sometimes a managers (Coach) their voice just stops resonating with players

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

- - - - - 

CTB was in his 3rd season.

If your players don't respect you enough to be in shape and be professionals, then you need to be fired regardless. All this "Lou is a fall guy" nonsense started up awfully quick. Guy had a below average defense in 5 of his 6 career years as a DC. But sure, it's just some bad luck and injuries.

[lone bengal]

I liked Lou and appreciate what he did for the franchise that Super Bowl run was lead by his defense. I don’t blame him completely but no way could we run it back after 2 years of this defense being horrible sometimes you need a new voice. At some point I’m sure Lou signed off on all these drafted players although I think Tobin deserves a ton of blame. I’m also not gonna use the injury excuse. Hubbard was hurt ok Myles Murphy is a 1st rd. Pick in year 2 and did barely anything in the 20 snaps a game he played ? DJ Tuner was bad all season also a 2nd rd. Pick in year 2. He made two nice pass breakups vs. the Chargers and it gets spun into Turner got hurt in his break out game in week 11 ! Why did it take two years to figure out Hill couldn’t play safety? The list goes on and on. What happened with Zac Carter ? Why did it take Ossai the last 5 games of his “4th year “to finally get sacks ? Stone awful most of the year and still can’t tackle.

[Bengalstripes9]

Whoever was responsible for the recent defensive draft picks should be the scapegoat.

I wouldn’t be surprised if if it was Tobin responsible, but if it were Lou he deserves the axe.

[*Synric*]

(7 hours ago)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Whoever was responsible for the recent defensive draft picks should be the scapegoat.

I wouldn’t be surprised if if it was Tobin responsible, but if it were Lou he deserves the axe.

I would guess the Coordinators get alot of say in how the Draft Board is stacked in Cincy, and they have stacked a fairly heavy defense three straight draft classes. 

[*bfine32*]

There was someone who used to be on these boards who PM'd me some disturbing news about the Defense after the Charger's game.

Not saying it's true, only relevant to the topic

[ERIC1]

(8 hours ago)lone bengal Wrote: I liked Lou and appreciate what he did for the franchise that Super Bowl run was lead by his defense. I don’t blame him completely but no way could we run it back after 2 years of this defense being horrible sometimes you need a new voice. At some point I’m sure Lou signed off on all these drafted players although I think Tobin deserves a ton of blame. I’m also not gonna use the injury excuse. Hubbard was hurt ok Myles Murphy is a 1st rd. Pick in year 2 and did barely anything in the 20 snaps a game he played ?  DJ Tuner was bad all season also a 2nd rd. Pick in year 2. He made two nice pass breakups vs. the Chargers and it gets spun into Turner got hurt in his break out game in week 11 ! Why did it take two years to figure out Hill couldn’t play safety? The list goes on and on. What happened with Zac Carter ? Why did it take Ossai the last 5 games of his “4th year “to finally get sacks ? Stone awful most of the year and still can’t tackle.

great post..did you hear what the owner of Detroit said  about the team after Campbells first season  (3-13)   she said they have a plan and "were going to stick with it"...Tobin is a big part of the problem. Time for football and Pappy with friends have a nice day 

[Soonerpeace]

(Today, 12:44 AM)samhain Wrote: I had the pitchforks out for Lou as much as anyone.  Time will tell if the decision to fire him was correct or merely an out for Zac to defend a disappointing season.  A blood sacrifice was in order, and Lou was the most obvious.

With that in mind, there have been rumors about certain defensive players and a lack of professionalism.  Battle, who showed promise, struggled to get snaps early on.  Many gave Lou a ration of shit for this.  Now, I'm hearing that Battle came to camp significantly overweight and slow.  Not Bell and Lou favoritism.  Not Lou being stuck in is ways about veterans and youth.  It was a player coming in fat.  That's as unprofessional as it gets if true.  

CTB, oddly regressed after playing well as a rookie and in his second year.  Mental lapses killed him.  Lately, there have been hints that he'd embraced more of a party lifestyle this year and that it impacts this play.  It's weird to me considering what a good kid he has always appeared to be.  

You don't hear this stuff about Joe, Ja'marr or Tee.  Or Trey.  You hear about guys that shut their families out on Saturday to get focused on gameday.  Obsessive professionals.  

I think there may have been a bigger cultural lapse than we realize this year.  These guys are scapegoats, but how many others did similar things if true?

Battle was Lou’s guy in the draft. It’s all on Battle he’s got a huge competition with Bell & Geno Stone coming aboard? He comes in over weight. The Bengals/Zac misjudged their culture. They felt Burton was immature and that their stellar WR room culture would help him. It didn’t. Possibly Battle as well. Zac has got to get some Parcells/Belichick in him. I realize it’s not his personality but it can be pretty effective when you do blow up. 

[*Synric*]

(6 hours ago)Soonerpeace Wrote:
Battle was Lou’s guy in the draft. It’s all on Battle he’s got a huge competition with Bell & Geno Stone coming aboard? He comes in over weight. The Bengals/Zac misjudged their culture. They felt Burton was immature and that their stellar WR room culture would help him. It didn’t. Possibly Battle as well. Zac has got to get some Parcells/Belichick in him. I realize it’s not his personality but it can be pretty effective when you do blow up. 

Jordan Battle was a Darrin Simmons' guy.

Edit: Which is another example of just how much say the Bengals Coordinators have in stacking the draft board.

[Soonerpeace]

(6 hours ago)Synric Wrote: Jordan Battle was a Darrin Simmons' guy.

Edit: Which is another example of just how much say the Bengals Coordinators have in stacking the draft board.

Not what I was told. Doubtful that high of a pick Simmons has muchhsay do you think? Did you read or hear Battle was Simmons guy? Safety spots Lou gets the love on in the draft. 

[reuben.ahmed]

(7 hours ago)bfine32 Wrote: There was someone who used to be on these boards who PM'd me some disturbing news about the Defense after the Charger's game.

Not saying it's true, only relevant to the topic

tell us the details

[*Synric*]

(6 hours ago)Soonerpeace Wrote: Not what I was told. Doubtful that high of a pick Simmons has muchhsay do you think? Did you read or hear Battle was Simmons guy? Safety spots Lou gets the love on in the draft. 

It was a Hobspin article I believe saying Simmon's gave Battle his red dot because he experienced defense and special teams at Alabama.


Edit: Here's an article with the quote.
https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/darrin-simmons-excited-to-work-with-jordan-battle-hes-very-well-rounded

[TecmoBengals]

(6 hours ago)reuben.ahmed Wrote: tell us the details

Party amongst defensive players with lots of women and fun. Some married dudes showed up. No offensive players were present. Then info about the occurrence spilled over into the locker room. So instead of a players meeting about ball, it became a players meeting about doing the nasty.

This is all info I heard from the person that heard about it. I have no idea what was or wasn't true.

[masonbengals fan]

This has to go down as one of the best thread titles this year.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

We are teying to win a Super Bowl.

If there are guys on the team who are not taking their jobs seriously enough they need to go. Period.

I am not saying 1 strike and you are out. But multiple instances? Yep.

None of CTB, Battle, or Burton are important enough to keep on the roster as knuckleheads. Plus, it pisses the serious guys off and they eventually will leave.

Benching Battle to start was fine. Burton is on his last strike. He can try to get his crap together on the PS as far as I am concerned if he messes up again. CTB is not ever gonna be CB1.

But we have so many other problems issues, most of them probably get another year.