ArmyBengal

Look… injuries… THAT was the issue. It’s not hard to figure out. On top of Burrow and his appendix, Collins was just cleared to practice right before the 1st preseason game. Out for the 2nd preseason game was Carman, Collins again, and Prince. This is where the rookie Volson starts coming into play more at LG. Then Volson gets dinged in week 2, sitting in week 3, which gives Carman the start and plays most of the game. Karras was getting Veteran rest as well and then week 1 hits. Damn near every starting o-lineman and backup had missed preseason games with minor dings. There was simply no way there was going to be continuity or 100% readiness at this point. Has nothing to do with a soft camp. At least not when looking at the focal point heading into the 2022 season.

Injuries suck. We should all be VERY used to that concept. Heading into week one in 2022 was exactly that. I would rather be cautious to start the season, knowing we might struggle than risk further injury extending deeper into the season. Instead of dropping games at the beginning, that could have been extended. It’s an ebb and flow but not something you can pin on the way camp is ran in my opinion.

God damnit, can someone help me stop getting older?

While TE might not be my #1 sitting at 28, I really like Kincaid and think he would continue to thrive in this offense. There would be many more picks that would irritate me more than Kincaid here.

If it doesn't work out for Germaine to stay, I wish him nothing but the best. Thanks for that interception against the Raiders in the Wild Card game to seal the win and break the "curse" !!

Callahan wouldn’t really bother me leaving seeing as how he doesn’t call the plays, Lou would have been a tough loss.

Great news for us fans and the Bengals !! Sorry Lou. You deserve a head coaching gig.

Agree in that I don't know quiet yet what to think about Mauch either. I've been hesitant to take him when I'm doing mock draft simulations. I'm addicted to those damn things. Truly my go to when I have a minute of time to pass.

Agree within reason. I don't mind the approach of Zac with TC "for the most part". I think last year was a bit of an anomaly in that Burrow had an appendectomy and some of the o-line was dealing with minor dings. I don't think they had enough time to work on chemistry early and it showed in the first couple of weeks of the season. Without Zac killing the guys, I would simply like to see them get playing time together earlier. But again, injuries really dictate how that's going to work out. What I don't want is a TC like the Ravens where their all out assault approach leads to many injuries, impacting the entire season negatively. Find that happy space !!

The thing I hate about the Super Bowl and why I typically don't watch, is that they have made it all about the celebrities in attendance. You can't go more than a couple of breaks before the camera men point out all the "important" people that have shown up for the Super Bowl. Gone are the days when an average Joe could spend a little bit more and splurge to go catch the Super Bowl. Now spending a little bit more equates to thousands of dollars per ticket. Had the Bengals went, I was considering looking at tickets for my son and I. Then you go and see that the absolute cheapest tickets, in the absolute worst seats in the house, are still over 5k a piece. That just sucks. But hey, at least when you tune in to watch the game, you get guest appearances, by Jay-Z, Elon Musk, and Paul McCartney. I mean, that's fun... Maybe I'm just old and bitter. That's equally believable.

For “letting them play” that was one of the worst calls at the worst time. In a Super Bowl nonetheless.

Great points Stripes !! It really has been a fun time to be a Bengals fan. Here’s to hoping we continue to see more of it !!

Up With People… I was 10 years old when dad took me to Super Bowl 16. That was the halftime show.

Let me know when the Bengals are winning and I will tune in !!

Agreed COB. They are just dragging out what the team has known they were going to do when they brought him in from jump. They are just checking all the blocks to meet coaching hire requirements. I don't think Saturday will do a damn thing for them.

Just goes to show how uncertain things are from one season to the next. Here's a thought I have regarding Burrow's contract... While I want him to sign a "Team Friendly" deal and understand that would free up at least some money to keep other players, there's no real certainty in that... right? I mean, what if he takes less, but another player (I'll use Higgins, AS EXAMPLE ONLY) says, "Fuck it, I want the bank" and the team lets him walk? Don't get me wrong, I still want the team to have some operational wiggle room, but it certainly doesn't guarantee anything. The bonus I think is that both Chase and Higgins WANT to be here and play with Burrow. Oh and for the love of God, that stupid made up report about the Bengals possibly trading Higgins needs to be squashed hard. I don't want there to be any doubt placed in a player's mind about him being wanted here. That's the kind of nonsense that puts an ill taste in their mouth.

Not trying to be a dick, but Callahan is far less concerning that Anarumo leaving. Zac makes all the offensive play calls, whereas Anarumo would be a huge hole to fill. I wish him luck, but hope he doesn't get the job in Arizona for our own selfish reasons.

It really seems bittersweet. I'm really happy he has been recognized and extremely happy for his family. However, I think it's a disgrace the Hall has overlooked him all these years. People talk about getting "snubbed" and Riley being overlooked all these years defines that term.

Mentioned it in the other thread. Completely deserving and should have happened long before he passed. Glad his family will be able to honor his memory like this.

You know... I had no idea who the hell the Browns coach was. I had to look it up.

And Ken Riley finally gets the recognition he most assuredly deserved when he was still alive. I’m happy they elected him into the Hall, but let’s be honest, he should have been there long ago.

Still can’t figure out how Zac isn’t in the conversation for coach of the year.

I hope that is true as well, as I think they are both deserving. However, I will believe it when I see it.

I have no issue with Dax. I’m excited to see him get more reps this coming year. Again, if they want to resign Bates, I would be thrilled seeing both Bates and Dax roaming the secondary. Not sure that happens, but I’m standing by waiting to see how it plays out.

While I want a team friendly deal for Burrow, I want that for all players. Burrow deserves whatever they agree upon and maybe more considering the team. We went from 2-14 and happy to make the post season, to expecting to be contending for the Super Bowl each season. That’s worth a lot to me because this shit is fun !! Here’s my thing with Bates. It appears that he just lacks self awareness to the situation. He’s great friends with everyone here, has had great success in this scheme, and wants to stay. However he has said multiple times he can’t leave 10 million on the table. Ok, well how much can you leave on the table? What is worth not having to start over with new everything and risk not being in contention? The career earnings have been well documented.