Ranking Bratkowski

[cincyhokie]

Bratkowski can be creative and build an effective offensive gameplan, he's shown that in the past.

But what does it say about the offense when it goes from one of the highest scoring red zone offenses to one of the worst? Also, the Bengals went from the Bears game on Oct 25th to the Chiefs game on Dec 27th without scoring a second half TD.

Once Bratkowski gets figured out mid-game or mid-season his plans seem to be much less effective.

[bwillycuse]

Bratkowski can be creative and build an effective offensive gameplan, he's shown that in the past.

But what does it say about the offense when it goes from one of the highest scoring red zone offenses to one of the worst? Also, the Bengals went from the Bears game on Oct 25th to the Chiefs game on Dec 27th without scoring a second half TD.

Once Bratkowski gets figured out mid-game or mid-season his plans seem to be much less effective.

Heck, we went for the best red zone team in the first 5 or so games this year to the worst in the last 11 or so. Red zone offense fell off a cliff. I should do a graph to show that cliff.

[Orange and black fanatic]

The thing is Brat is not just a "play caller." He is the Offensive Coordinator, the person in charge of every aspect of the offense; the penalties, the delays of game, the fact that Carson and his WRs were not on the same page very often, the red zone troubles, the 3 and outs when the defense could use a rest or the game could be put away, the offense disappearing for long stretches of games, and most importantly the offensive players' execution are all on him. Where is the accountability? The times that offense moved the ball effectively, i.e. when they were desperate to score with little time(except the Bears game), Carson was running the no-huddle hurry-up offense and Brat was largely out of the loop. It seems like the bengals should leave him out of the loop more often, or preferably, permanently.

[bwillycuse]

The thing is Brat is not just a "play caller." He is the Offensive Coordinator, the person in charge of every aspect of the offense; the penalties, the delays of game, the fact that Carson and his WRs were not on the same page very often, the red zone troubles, the 3 and outs when the defense could use a rest or the game could be put away, the offense disappearing for long stretches of games, and most importantly the offensive players' execution are all on him. Where is the accountability? The times that offense moved the ball effectively, i.e. when they were desperate to score with little time(except the Bears game), Carson was running the no-huddle hurry-up offense and Brat was largely out of the loop. It seems like the bengals should leave him out of the loop more often, or preferably, permanently.

Yeah Tick, The fact that Brat isnt going anywhere and that there hasnt really even been any talk (that we know about) within the Bengals that there even is a problem...Is the only thing I fear about this team heading into next year. I just hope this 10 year Bengals offensive coordinator can learn a few things and evolve. Otherwise I fear more of the same with Brat. (And that more of the same has been a steady slip down the offensive ranks)

[Kazkal]

The thing is Brat is not just a "play caller." He is the Offensive Coordinator, the person in charge of every aspect of the offense; the penalties, the delays of game, the fact that Carson and his WRs were not on the same page very often, the red zone troubles, the 3 and outs when the defense could use a rest or the game could be put away, the offense disappearing for long stretches of games, and most importantly the offensive players' execution are all on him. Where is the accountability? The times that offense moved the ball effectively, i.e. when they were desperate to score with little time(except the Bears game), Carson was running the no-huddle hurry-up offense and Brat was largely out of the loop. It seems like the bengals should leave him out of the loop more often, or preferably, permanently.p

True that man Our Defensive Coordinator have been held accountable,Brat and some of the Position couches should be too..

[Ickey44]

The thing is Brat is not just a "play caller." He is the Offensive Coordinator, the person in charge of every aspect of the offense; the penalties, the delays of game, the fact that Carson and his WRs were not on the same page very often, the red zone troubles, the 3 and outs when the defense could use a rest or the game could be put away, the offense disappearing for long stretches of games, and most importantly the offensive players' execution are all on him. Where is the accountability? The times that offense moved the ball effectively, i.e. when they were desperate to score with little time(except the Bears game), Carson was running the no-huddle hurry-up offense and Brat was largely out of the loop. It seems like the bengals should leave him out of the loop more often, or preferably, permanently.

This. This. This. This is why I want him gone. It's not just play calling it's the whole thing that Brat sucks at.

[HairOnFire]

The thing is Brat is not just a "play caller."

Agreed, buy prior to THIS season I'd guess most of the complaints directed towards Brat concerned his failings as a play caller. Also common were broadsides directed at Brat's habit of abandoning the running game too soon, sometimes even when it was working.

For the record, I've never agreed with most of those types of complaints being made about Brat and instead found myself criticizing the very offense Brat was building, mockingly calling the results too complicated, too focused on perfect timing, too interesting in fooling an opponent before the snap of the ball rather than physically whipping him afterwards. All of its added up to a needlessly complex mess I mockingly dubbed A Clockwork Orange.

Now fast forward to the season just ended.

I loved Smashball. Or rather, I loved winning. And I can't fully embrace those feelings without acknowledging the primary reason for the success. That being, the way this team acknowledged who it was and then adjusted on DAY ONE for the overall lack of talent found on the O-line by focusing on the one thing they could do reasonably well. Run the ball. And that brings you quickly to the further decision to build around a player the Bengals had practically picked up from the curb the year before rather than the more high profile duo of a 100 million dollar QB and his clown show wearing sidekick.

Those are decisions I've screamed for, right? Things I've wanted for years and NEVER thought I'd get. And far more important, those were decisions that resulted in a playoff berth for a team that was very likely to feature a fairly inept passing game no matter what choices it made.

So there's the rub.

Because I give Brat credit for making those changes....even if they were changes he made reluctantly OR were forced upon him by factors he had no control over.

[Jet23]

All things considered, I think Brat did a pretty good job this year. I know I, along with a few other Members, have salivated over the prospect of Carson Palmer with a good running game. The fact is, Brat made the Bengals a good running team. Carson is the one that failed to capitalize on Brat's success.

I think firing Brat would be a mistake. This is the first year in a totally different system. The recipe worked the first 1/2 of the season. Then, Carson stopped making throws, plain and simple.

[Sea Ray]

Agreed, buy prior to THIS season I'd guess most of the complaints directed towards Brat concerned his failings as a play caller. Also common were broadsides directed at Brat's habit of abandoning the running game too soon, sometimes even when it was working.

For the record, I've never agreed with most of those types of complaints being made about Brat and instead found myself criticizing the very offense Brat was building, mockingly calling the results too complicated, too focused on perfect timing, too interesting in fooling an opponent before the snap of the ball rather than physically whipping him afterwards. All of its added up to a needlessly complex mess I mockingly dubbed A Clockwork Orange.

Now fast forward to the season just ended.

I loved Smashball. Or rather, I loved winning. And I can't fully embrace those feelings without acknowledging the primary reason for the success. That being, the way this team acknowledged who it was and then adjusted on DAY ONE for the overall lack of talent found on the O-line by focusing on the one thing they could do reasonably well. Run the ball. And that brings you quickly to the further decision to build around a player the Bengals had practically picked up from the curb the year before rather than the more high profile duo of a 100 million dollar QB and his clown show wearing sidekick.

Those are decisions I've screamed for, right? Things I've wanted for years and NEVER thought I'd get. And far more important, those were decisions that resulted in a playoff berth for a team that was very likely to feature a fairly inept passing game no matter what choices it made.

So there's the rub.

Because I give Brat credit for making those changes....even if they were changes he made reluctantly OR were forced upon him by factors he had no control over.

I have no problem with the change in philosophy for the realities you mentioned. And I'm thrilled with the AFC North crown but we can't expect such a success story again unless this offense improves. I don't think Brat is the guy to do it.

For the record I think it was Marvin calling for a pound the ball attack but I agree Brat should be given some credit as well.

The bottomline is this: I don't think Brat got good production out of the pieces he had to work with. I think this should have been at least an avg offense in 2009 and this wasn't the first year I thought he underachieved in that area.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Well, this doesn't help your offense AT ALL (from Lance's blog): (2 players remain from all those drafted in the last 6 years and one of those two has barely seen the field and was a day one pick). The Bengals' and their fans can continue to call for Brat's head, but when you have the smallest scouting department that doesn't draft well time and time again, you don't get results, or come up short constantly in certain areas. Marvin seems to have a knack for defensive talent, but Alexander is a horrible developer and judge of talent, and Brat's staff isn't doing much better.

Bengals WR draft picks

Since 2003

Kelly Washington, 3rd rd, 2003

Maurcie Mann, 5th rd, 2005

Chris Henry, 3rd rd, 2005

Tab Perry, 6th rd, 2005

Reggie McNeal, 6th rd, 2006

Benny Brazell, 7th rd, 2006

Jerome Simpson, 2nd rd, 2008

Andre Caldwell, 3rd rd, 2008

Mario Urrutia, 7th rd, 2008

Freddie Brown, 7th rd, 2009

[Kazkal]

The bottomline is this: I don't think Brat got good production out of the pieces he had to work with. I think this should have been at least an avg offense in 2009 and this wasn't the first year I thought he underachieved in that are

Just out of Draft position I'd say it's pretty even for what each side of the ball consists of I simply think our Defense gets better couched and knows how to use its players properly vs the Offense...Hence why Zimmer is a Superb Couch...

Offense

QB:1st rounder

RB:1st rounder (Cast off who turned out to be teams MVP)

FB:4th Rounder

TE:Undrafted

WR:2nd Rounder & 3rd rounder (

LT:2nd Rounder

LG:3rd rounder (FA Cast off signing)

C:Undrafted

RG:2nd rounder

RT:Undrafted though 1st rounder waiting on the bench,But hey Roland was having a probowl season... o wait :|

Defense

DE:Two Fourth Rounders with a 7th playing Majority of season for one of them

DT:4th ROunder,2nd ROunder (being the cast off)

WLB:1st

MLB6th Rounder

SLB:2nd Rounder

CB:1st & 1st

FS:3rd rounder cast off

SS:7th Rounder