cincyhokie

So ownership gets to improve by hiring the right coach. It's kind of both. Ownership and coach have been sucking. Ownership can't fire itself. They just make the best decisions from here on out. I really like the decision to hire Taylor. Now, we'll figure out if he's as good of a coach as the decision was to hire him.

This was an 8-8 team before the injury. At best. He'll be back for next season. In the meantime, it'll be interesting to see Taylor's impact on the season despite the setbacks. Do they bring in a decent FA at OL? A veteran camp cut?

Just helping a brother out.

Marvin Lewis coached the Bengals for 16 years. He worked as an assistant in the NFL for 11 years before that. With nearly three full decades in the NFL, has it been a difficult transition for Lewis to leave pro football? “No, it has not,” Lewis recently told Zach Gelb of CBS Sports Radio. Does he miss it? “I do not.” Will he return at some point? “I don’t think so. I’m fine.” Lewis was talkative in response to most of Gelb’s questions. But the answers became short and quick when certain topics came up, like why did the Bengals fail in the postseason on his watch? “The other team ended up with more points,” Lewis said. Lewis, who will work with former NFL coach Herm Edwards at Arizona State this year after giving TV a test drive, sounds like he won’t be paying much/any attention to pro football in 2019. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/06/16/marvin-lewis-doesnt-miss-the-nfl-may-not-watch-games/

I have a feeling this season is going to make us more pissed at Marvin. And all the wasted talent and years. Not that I think they'll make the playoffs. But I do think we'll see a difference in performance in much better and refreshing way, like you said.

This is why the Taylor hiring was a home run. Who knows how he ends up but the selection of a younger coach with a fresh mindset is desperately what this organization needed. Denver can have Fangio, Miami can have the next NE golden coach, I'll take Taylor everytime.

What if this guy puts on a more weight? What if his arm strength increases a bit? It's not crazy to consider. It's likely. I think that the Patriots draft Finley if he's there for them. And then everyone is talking about how awesome he is going to be. Should be interesting to see what develops. But for now, Ryan Stidham is the next Tom Brady. Don't forget.

This shouldn't surprise anyone. From the same coach who refused to play the best players in favor of the veterans on many, many occasions. The same coach who didn't want to hurt fe-fe's by actually disciplining players' behaviors that were clearly disruptive. Chad, Burfict, Jones, etc. Marvin brought this team out of the basement. But then throttled the talent when the teams could have been so much better. You wonder why Palmer wanted out? No accountability. None. I won't be shocked at all if this team does pretty damn well this year simply from the change in culture. All I hope is that I don't look back and say "what if?" as we're looking at AJ Green exit his prime.

Both LB and OL are needs. Go with the better player. The better player is Jonah Williams. It's really not that hard of a choice. Pittsburgh traded up and got a good player. Good for them. They also burnt up a 2nd and 3rd doing it. But in no way did they "get one over" on the Bengals.

Mohammed Sanu

Ran for 202 yards and 2 TDs in the semi-final game against Georgia in 2017. Killed it that game.

I have no idea if he is healthy enough to play in 2019. Might end up on IR. But if/when he plays, he obviously a top tier talent at RB. No stretching there. He's really really good.

Really warming up to this guy. Still not sure I'm ok with how high he was taken. But it's all a lot easier to swallow once the draft is over and you've seen the entire process unfold.

From NFL.com Overview Late bloomer who came to school as a skinny wide receiver with 4.7 speed and leaves with outstanding height, weight, speed measurements and a shot to go on Day 2 as a cornerback. Brown's athletic ability and recovery speed increases his opportunities to make plays and flip the field, but he needs to trust his instincts and sharpen his eyes. If a coach can improve his assertiveness against big ball-winners, he has the physical and play traits to become one of the surprise cornerbacks in this draft. Strengths Prototype for height, weight, speed at the position Elite level athletic ability with rare fluidity for size Traits and cover talent are scheme independent Above-average ball production as three-year starter Feet and hips to mirror and trace routes from press or off Good bend and balance to stay connected to multi-breaks Long speed to handle vertical challenges Stick and click twitch to smother routes underneath Above-average closing skill Former wideout with soft hands and feel for attacking passing lane Weather-tested Weaknesses Plays light for being a bigger cornerback Gets out-muscled at break point too often Unusually short arms for a tall cornerback Lack of length shows up at times and could hinder trail technique Needs to play more assertively against size Gives away critical body positioning in potential 50-50 situations Needs better eye-balance to read quarterback clues Can improve his read and squeeze off routes from off coverage Will get jostled and bounced as run supporter. Sources Tell Us "He's big and can run and that's what we need. Hell, that's what everybody needs now. He's not soft, but I just wish he had more dog in him to impose his presence on receivers. If he had that, he would be a top-40 pick." -- Director of scouting for NFC team

He's clearly a one cut runner. But he can catch the ball well and when in open space he's moving one direction. Forward. You'll see in the highlights that he is powerful and accelerates quickly with that first move. I can see why he lasted to the 6th but he's got a lot of potential if the Bengals do play action and can get him in space. Led the SEC in rushing. Great pick.

When we're grading the draft we're grading the strategy, right? Not trying to look into the future and see if these picks pan out. I have the same feeling about this draft as I did when the Bengals hired Zac Taylor. I love the picks. Who knows what happens, but damn. It's nice to see a change. And you can clearly see where Zac Taylor has a heavy influence on who is drafted vs. Marvin. Hallelujah. ***damn and good riddance, Melvin. Zac Taylor is building HIS squad here and this is the first crack at it. This is an unfinished product but you need to give credit for them sticking to their plan. I'll give it a B+.

Zac Taylor cleaning up the O line mess that Melvin and Alexander left behind. Of course, that doesn't explain the Bobby Hart signing.

Let's go get Finley's WR Kelvin Harmon next.