Lou Anarumo, Pollack, Hobby, Bettcher, Duffner, Cioffi Fired; Peters (OL), McCarthy (asst OL), Al Golden (DC), Montgomery (DL) hired

[HoosierCat]

8 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Don’t know about anyone else, but I’m good.

It’s…fine. I just wish the search had gone a little further afield than “walking distance from Taylor’s front door.” 
 

Bottom line, either these moves get them back to the postseason, or the Bengals are looking for a lot more than a coordinator and a few assistants this time next year.

[AMPHAR]

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.

[ArmyBengal]

I agree with all of that and wish they would have done the same regarding the search.
I did see something interesting however.

Would the fans feel better about the hire if Al wasn't still Zac's neighbor and he was just an outside guy?

I think that's a yes.  If you remove the familiarity, fans would be ecstatic about Golden coming in.
Since that's the case however, you get a loud resounding "MEH".

I also don't think it matters who was hired in regards to the outcomes for the 2025 season.
Regardless of who the DC or any other coach is, no one may survive another season like 2024.
Zac probably figures he would rather go down the crapper with someone he trusts.

The hiring of coaches is only as good as the outcome of the season.
Meaning if Bill Belichick came here and failed, he would suck while simultaneously still being awesome.

[HoosierCat]

1 hour ago, ArmyBengal said:

Would the fans feel better about the hire if Al wasn't still Zac's neighbor and he was just an outside guy?

Can’t speak for all fans, but I would feel better if the hire was the result of a competitive job search, that’s all.

Is Golden qualified for the job? Absolutely. Is he the best person for the job? That I can’t say, because they didn’t even try to address that question.

I just hope it works out. Burrow ain’t getting any younger.

[TJJackson]

so next, our former linebackers coach needs to hire......a linebackers coach

I havent heard if he's accepted the two defensive back coaches who the Bengals didnt fire, but he does deserve to have the coaches he wants on his defensive coaching staff

Ill be interested to see if he wants to push Hubbard out the door or encourage him to stay as a vet backup

He needs to pull in one (err, at least one) stud pass rusher between now and next september

[COB]

5 hours ago, TJJackson said:

 

He needs to pull in one (err, at least one) stud pass rusher between now and next september

Good news: I just saw him down at the Stud Pass Rusher store.  He was pushing a shopping cart around.  
 

Bad news: Mike was with him, I heard him say we don’t need anything here, we have Myles Murphy at home. 

[HoosierCat]

Yeah, sounds about right. Other teams get McDonalds, we get the green pepper welfare burger.

[TJJackson]

I had to google green pepper welfare burger

These days, green pepper is sufficiently costly to not be considered a "welfare" ingredient, tho

[TJJackson]

We are set at cornerbacks coach

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/sources-cincinnati-bengals-cornerbacks-coach-charles-burks-to-return-in-2025-01jjcszhw61s

just need the lb and s coaches

[TJJackson]

This team could indeed be a LOT better if Myles Murphy was even half as good as advertised

I pray he finds a way to make that leap before September

[ArmyBengal]

32 minutes ago, TJJackson said:

I had to google green pepper welfare burger.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that a part of Eddie Murphy's stand up bit? 

[TJJackson]

yeah....but I hadnt seen that bit, ergo Mr Google had to bail my sorry ass out

[ArmyBengal]

31 minutes ago, TJJackson said:

This team could indeed be a LOT better if Myles Murphy was even half as good as advertised

I pray he finds a way to make that leap before September

To the first sentence...
Truer words have never been spoken.  Dude has been a bust to this point.
Not sure if that is the reluctance of Lou not wanting to play younger guys (or so they say).
Maybe he gets a fresh start and motivation with the new DC.

Call it a golden opportunity...

 

Eh? Eh? see what I did there....

[ArmyBengal]

3 minutes ago, TJJackson said:

yeah....but I hadnt seen that bit, ergo Mr Google had to bail my sorry ass out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAx553k7W5s

 

[COB]

The Niners hired Robert Saleh as their new DC.   Sad for them that they had to hire a guy who didn’t even rate an interview with us.  

[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)

[TJJackson]

Im sensing just a wee bit of bitter sarcasm

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah new DC should have guys like Dax, Murphy and Battle a little antsy. Step up or get gone. I’m good with that. 

They should all be feeling that tension though. CTB, Turner, Stone, Newton, all of them. I hope Golden comes in with a harder than woodpecker lips type of mentality.

Get this defense to middle of the pack and this team is damn near dominating.

[ArmyBengal]

On a side note, Joe Brady the OC for the Bills, decided to stay in that position instead of considering head coaching gigs.  If you recall, he was at LSU when Burrow and Chase were there.

If Zac comes up short again in 2025, Brady would be on my wish list.