ArmyBengal

They have Kendall Milton on the practice squad as well. Not saying he's the next coming, but he could certainly be the next guy.

Dude should have thrown about 6 picks in that first half if the defenders had just caught the ball when it hit their hands. Purdy was more lucky than good last night.

It certainly didn't help when the defensive talent around them departed, but yeah, I get that point. Still don't think Pratt would have fared worse than Knight and Barrett. No way to bear that out, just an opinion. Clearly I could be off in that assessment. I'm glad we got some young linebackers in here though and hope they makes strides headed into their sophomore year. What we've seen from them is what I think fans should really expect when rookies take on starter roles early. Not every rookie that starts in thought to be all world from day one. Those are few and far between. It's more common to get a bust than an elite talent.

Well, since I watch the Texans play you kind of see that. Demeco Ryans was a defensive player, defensive position coach and now a head coach that comes from that side of the ball. The team made some bold moves trading up to get Will Anderson and have built a pretty good defense since his arrival. I'm not saying all defensive coaches would bear the same fruit, but give me the guy that knows that side of the ball when you obviously have the elite offense power this team does.

I don't give a fuck at all honestly, I was just commenting on someone bringing him up as a potential solution to Tee's concussion. My point in doing so is that apparently the coaching staff feels differently. But yeah, if thinking about it, they fucked up a 3rd round pick. Oh well.

Oh yeah, Indy's schedule isn't about shit either. They've played 4 teams with a winning record and are 2-2 for those 4 games. They are beating bad teams, so that helps the situation out as well.

Regarding Pratt, I think it's that he knows the defense and has better defensive players around him.

I know it wasn't a popular opinion when I said it, but I didn't like seeing Pratt leave. He stunk it up with the Raiders and struggled, but put him back where's he's had success and there you go. Seeing as how I don't think Golden changed up much, it's not hard to fathom he would have done better than these rookies. Such is football life.

Burton was a 3rd round pick with a better pedigree than at least several of the current WR's that have left him in their wake. Tinsley is just the most recent. Undrafted with little to no expectation and not only gets activated, but produces when given the opportunity. Jermaine is just one of those two cent head guys in my opinion.

I have no reason to think the Bengals are going to beat the Ravens, then the Bills and then the Ravens again. ANYONE who has watched this defense play this season should think that's something they would hang their hat on happening. Am I saying IT WON'T happen? No, I can guess how many betting people would be taking the Bengals straight up in any of those games. That's not being pessimistic or unenthusiastic. It's simply the reality of the situation. Now finishing off with Miami, Arizona and Cleveland with a healthy Burrow is more doable and I've said as much. 3-3 to finish the season. Thing is there isn't one single thing in that scenario that is a net positive in that happening outside of just winning some games. We are aren't knocking any of those last 3 teams out of the playoffs because they all suck. So who cares? Anyone saying, well if they finish well that carries into the next season is 100% totally full of shit. There is no correlation with that being the case in damn near any instance. New coaches, less injuries, free agency, the draft, the schedule, the fucking weather, luck. All of those are better reasons to expect an improved season then how a team finishes the season. I hate that argument almost as much as I hate the Steelers.

Yes, give me that. Sure, I (we) will be frustrated, but that's just where I am. Wish I wasn't, but there's no real hope to this season. We aren't sweeping the Ravens. I see a 3-3 finish to the season. Maybe. Sadly, that 3 game winning streak to end 2025 will be enough to save Zac's job. Nothing like justifying how one season ends to equate to what's going to happen the next. Total flawed thinking, but without that, there is no hope at all. Go Bengals...

Thought I saw somewhere in the this thread a mention of Burton at WR. Dude couldn't even get activated with Chase missing the game. That speaks volumes. If anyone needed further proof of what he means to this team, there you go. I can't help but think the only reason they are keeping him around is because he's so cheap. That and maybe, just maybe, he figures out how to go through life without his head up his ass. I'm thinking that's wasted thought and hope.

If Burrow plays, I will be interested in watching simply to see what he does. However, I will be hoping he kills it in a losing effort. Sort of like having a Lamar Jackson on your fantasy team. Throw for 500 yards and 3 TD's and run for 2 more, then lose.

Agree about the take on the Michigan cheating scandal and the impact that has had on players and coaches. Yes, find Mike Vrabel 2.0 or something along those lines. A hard nosed guy that will dictate shit to the team. Just a little accountability would be a pleasant surprise. I'm just so sick of the hope and pray approach they seemingly employ when knowing it's all shit.

You are probably right AMPHAR and I totally get where you are coming from. I just don't care. None of that will matter this year. I'm just a hard head... lol

Agree with incorporating the running game more and if you all remember that was the talk of camp. Chase Brown was going to be amazing and they were going to really push the running game. Right up until the didn't. Now, I don't know if that is Zac and his play calling or Burrow with the ability to call what he likes. Maybe a combination of both. My thoughts on change begin and end with firing Zac. Then the inevitable question, we won't like the answer to, is....... Anyone? Who are they going to get to coach this shitshow?

I only saw the highlights of yesterday's game, so I can't really comment about it. The Ravens are back on top of the Division (Saw that coming) and won't be relinquishing it any time soon. Even with Burrow coming back, they best they can hope for is 9-8 which won't be enough, nor will it happen. They will win enough games to take them out of the top 10 in the draft and piss down my leg. While rooting for Burrow, I will also be rooting for them to continue losing. I've never wanted this team to lose so bad in my life.

The Bengals need to do something along the lines of what the Patriots did in the offseason and go through a large turnover on the defensive side of the ball. Draft all defense in the first three rounds with DE, CB and S in any order. Get some average (because that's all we can ask for) free agents and start over. Thing is, I have no faith the front office or team is capable of that in it's current make up.

Don't disagree with any of that. Go Bucks !!

You don't see a great QB yet, because he never has been one. People make him out to be this savior of Colorado football and even retired his jersey number there. For what? Dude went 13-12 during his two years at Colorado. I don't care what he did at Jackson State. I mean, where? He led Colorado to a bowl game once and while playing in the esteemed Alamo Bowl, proceeded to get blown out by BYU 36-14. Dude, while athletically gifted (to a degree) is the epitome of overhyped. But yeah, hold onto him Browns, he's a keeper !!

Chip Kelly was an idiot for leaving Ohio State coming off that National Championship. Dude has never been more than a college level guy, but he's exceedingly good there.

I don’t really care what they do with Burrow or any of these guys at this point. The only reason I would have watched was if Burrow was playing. I have said many times I hope they continue to lose at this juncture in the season. Burrow won’t make a difference with this defense. I’m rooting for a high draft pick. I won’t bash anyone for thinking differently. It’s going to be a beautiful day tomorrow so I’m going to be out in it.

I tend to mute commercials these days. Anything with Mahomes for sure. They type cast him into every corny role they can. I think it’s to fit his voice.

Ok no Burrow? Backpack leaf blower mode activated !!

I wish Burrow the best if (as I expect) he starts Sunday. Not like I'm rooting against the guy. However, yes... an early season Burrow wouldn't surprise me either. In the two games he played, he went 21-36 for 189 yards, 2 TD's and no INT's against the Browns and Jags. Nothing stellar and walked away 2-0 to start the season, so it was enough. Sunday they play the Patriots who have won more games this year than the Browns and Jags combined. I guess we will see, but I will probably tune in since he's back. I'll just close my eyes when the defense takes the field.