AMPHAR

I was on board with Lou leaving right about the time the Washington Monday Night game ended. I wouldn't be shocked if the Bengals concluded his departure sometime before the season. So? What really went into the search? You'll never know unless an "insider" drops some knowledge. I wasn't too thrilled with Myles Murphy and Battle. Early in camp they were running with the scrub unit, filled with players destined to be cut. Only reason MM moved up was injuries in TC, then he himself gets injured. Even thou Lou deserved to be fired. He's not incompetent. He's a bona fide NFL coach, debate the level you want (position, coordinator, head coach). So Battle and MM scream lack of professional duties, IMO. Myles Murphy, IMO, when he came back played like he was out of shape. His work out clips that make it too twitter scream that as well because they cut them off as soon as he completes the drill and he goes hands on hips immediately. Dax Hill? IMO, 100% Lou's fault. Bengal fans scream about Jessie Bates. Anyone ever compare Jessie's stats Bengals vs Atl? Jessie Bates whether Bengals fans want to admit it or not was a PFF warrior. He had very little impact stats. No one without PFF would ever declare him "elite". With Atlanta Jessie's impact stats are killing his Bengal days mostly because Jessie never had them. 0 sacks as a Bengal, Very few TFL. Very few Ints. Dax Hill has those talents (maybe needs to catch the INT). Lou too busy trying to make him into an invisible Safety. What Al does with Dax will be interesting because he's got ability, range, IMO. Murphy, Battle better shape up, IMO, or they could easily be cut in camp this year. Dax is one former draft pick that could blossom into an elite player, IMO of course he's gotten a shit deal. Could have played more as a rookie. Got thrown under the bus his second year and misused, IMO. Made position switch then hurt (played good)

Yeah I don't think Zac can throw up another season like this past year. Losing record at home. No winning record inside the division again. No playoffs. I also think with success, Golden isn't staying long.

Supposedly Al is moving towards finalization.

Al Golden would be an excellent add to the coaching staff.

Some nice praise for the new OL coach from McNally. Hope it works. Its critical to get some players or any player for that matter to perform in the top tier of OL. The 3 sack game has just become the norm for the Bengals since the departure of Alexander.

I'm in agreement with all Steeler and Raven fans. 1. Trade Watt 2. Trade Lamar, Andrews 3. Fire Tomlin 4. Fire Harbaugh These guys among others are easy to replace. Do it.

I don't see a problem at all. They made a great hire in 2020. Bengal fans upset because they know the name.

Al Golden would be a great hire. Bengal fans just mad because the Bengals made a great hire back in 2020 and they know the name. Nothing is for certain. They may not be able to hire him IF Notre Dame wins because of potential bigger opportunities. I think he stands a good chance to improve the shitty defense. Then probably moves on to a Head Coach spot.

He was on their AFC Championship and Runner up staff and he's now coaching in the National Championship game. What's the problem? Golden has been apart of improving defenses and teams for a long time as assistant and head coach. He's very comparable to any DC available. Especially in the last 4 years. I hope they can get him. Especially after seeing how well he's gotten college kids to play at that level and the fact he'll be dealing with a number of young defenders in Cincinnati.

Watching some ND/OSU previews film breakdowns. In summary NDs defense is well prepared, coached, disciplined. I guess secondary is one the best despite no 5 stars?

Usually the only Assistants the people get geeked up about are fired Head Coaches that are returning to the level they had most of their success. Patrick Graham is a guy I think could do a good job. His profile seems to be that of an up and comer and his experience has improvement through out.

SI sources are saying 2 people are in the running. Golden and Patrick Graham. With Golden being the favorite. Then goes on to speculate that Golden will be the DC. We'll see. I like both resumes so game on for either one. I think Bears are wanting to Interview Freeman so that throw a wrench in the works. Golden has led winning college teams as Head Coach. So if Freeman goes then would he have a shot?

Locked on Bengals podcast noted there hasn't been any movement with DC league wide. Referenced Dehner's opinion that the Bengals are the most desirable DC opening and people are waiting for the first chip to fall. My thought is they are waiting for a coach in the post season college or pro to finish up. Just a guess.

I generally like the Rams to do well basically because they were the main nemesis to Joe Montana and 49ers in that division. After Superbowl 16 and 23 I wasn't real fond of those guys. But now the Rams won Superbowl 56, so I guess I can hate them too.

Tic Tac Dough was cool. But I always enjoyed Press your luck or Jokers Wild. Of course Double Dare. Marc Summers could probably coordinate a defense. If you can't get Summers, Marc Harmon would be cool. He used to QB UCLA.

Wink Martindale has entered the conversation apparently. He is interviewing with multiple NFL teams so it looks like NFL is were he wants to be.

I think Rams vs Eagles is going to be a good game. Looking forward to that one right behind Bills/Ravens. Would love for the KC Chiefs to come out rusty and lose to the Texans.

Yeah has to be frustrating for a Vikings fan. Cruising along and you've found your Franchise QB, can trade away the one you drafted and then boom disaster.

Not to say Zimmer would be a gamble but it be worth it to see if he could do what he did back in 2008. It seemed like an instant turn around. IMO, the best defensive units in franchise history. But he got so many miles out of former 1st round DBs thought to be washed. Newman, Nelson, Pac-Man, etc. You get that turn around coupled with Burrow/Chase. Could be a huge home run. All of sudden Pittsburgh Steeler fans are the ones crying "cheap" shot, lol. But he is also getting up there in age. Wonder how long he wants to coach.

With the delayed firings. I'm guessing a DC has been decided and they are now going through the process of staff changes as a result? I guess. Or Lou is close to another job and he's tapping those guys to come along.

I'd have to look at the stats over a 17 game season but sure glad Cleveland ran Baker out of town. That would have been a "fun" rivalry with Lamar, Burrow and Baker. That Cleveland team would have been a force to deal with the past 3 years with a more stable QB spot. Out of the slow start 1-4. Only the Patriots aren't in the divisional round of the playoffs. All losses less than 7 points. With the coaching changes up and coming. Zac should be on the hottest of seats with a season that repeats this past one. 1-4 start sucks all life out of the season. 3-5 at home which includes another home loss to the biggest rival Steelers. Pulling for Mixon and the Texans the rest of the way with a secondary team of Buffalo. A Buffalo/Houston AFC Championship would be fine with me. The City of Houston hasn't been in that game for a long time I think, 1979? As an old AFC Central fan and hater of the Oilers, can't really believe I'd pull for Houston but that's were we are today. Then Buffalo back in the Superbowl. Could they possibly go 0-5 in the big game? Yikes.

I'm guessing "WTF". Most fans are going to what a "name" coach. Then the rest everyone runs to google and defensive rankings etc to determine. Thinking back to the Zimmer days. Most initially were disappointed in not getting Rex Rayn, I think. Then Zimmer was a homerun.

3 rookies surpassed Tee. Another 3 rookies surpassed Tee's 2023 numbers or close enough. I believe all were 1st/2nd rounders. So its not some wild irresponsible roster move to go pick 17 or 39 and replace Tee. I'd give the Bengals an A+ getting Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson extend out to 2026 or 2027. I'd really be worried if the price for Higgins was $25-$30m. He'd have to jump his production up by increasing his availability. He'll go from fan favorite to asshole real fast pulling some of the stuff that went on this year. Not saying it was on purpose or anything like that, but coming up lame Thursday before the opener sucked. Missing KC sucked. Then a total of 5 games then at a few times sitting on the bench. Knowing how the year panned out, its hard to say he was worth the tag. I'd say tag Higgins this year with the full intent to sign before draft or trade. Then by draft weekend you should know the Trey situation IF they don't already and be prepared to move him if need be.

Sounds like a DC decision could be forth coming. A player said it will "shock" you, but also excited.

Here's the thing with Dehner AND all the other local guys. They are so far up Burrow's ass. They been doing this whole "Burrow's mad" routine the entire season. I've never heard anything from the front office/coaching staff other than hoping Higgins is back. As a matter of fact they sent out a warning shot to all teams last year about signing him to an offer sheet. Using Dehner's numbers from the article. $25-30m annual. That would be a disaster at Higgins stats the past two years and playing 54% of offensive snaps. Would put more pressure on filling all other areas with crazy good draft finds and 3rd tier Free Agent finds. That's the sticking point. Chiefs didn't pay a single WR. Didn't really pay tackles. Probably going to lose some IOL. Every week it seems their defense sets them up for a win and Mahomes or refs put the final touches on the victory. Mahomes is getting knocked down a slightly lower number than Burrow. The offense powerhouse in KC is a memory. I get tired of hearing/reading about Burrow sending a warning shot or whatever. Are any of these guys going to hold Burrow accountable IF the Bengals pay Chase, Higgins and that method of roster building produces great offense but no championships? I seriously doubt it. At the end of the day this has always been a 0 sum game. Pay someone (which they will). The position group that isn't paid will then be looking at the "Rankins" type FAs and young draft picks.