Lou Anarumo, Pollack, Hobby, Bettcher Fired

[ArmyBengal]

Al Golden coming back to this defense wouldn't bother me at all. 
He already has rapport with the team and has done well as the DC at Notre Dame since, building a top 10 defense in the nation. (#8 to be precise)
Their rushing defense (not that it's an issue) is the only part not a top 10 unit.  #2 Scoring Defense and #5 Red Zone and Third Down Defense.
#18 in sacks, #5 in interceptions, and the 3rd best turnover margin in the nation as well.  Of course they are playing in the CFP semi finals Thursday night.
Now I have another reason to watch things a little closer against a really solid Penn State team.

I wouldn't mind Saleh either.  Like not at all, but like Hoosier said, not sure Zac brings in his eventual replacement if things go bad in 2025.
He would actually be my #1, with Golden as my #2.

There are some on that list I don't want at all.
Eberflus
Zimmer
Allen
Leonhard

[HoosierCat]

Trey Brown popping up again in GM talk.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/1/6/24337506/trey-brown-new-york-jets-interview-gm-search-cincinnati-bengals

I’d guess it’s just a Rooney Rule interview request. As there’s no reason anyone in the Bengals’ personnel department should still have a job, I’d be happy to see the Jets hire him. Bengals would get two third round comps if they do.

[ArmyBengal]

2 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

Trey Brown popping up again in GM talk.

I’d be happy to see the Jets hire him. Bengals would get two third round comps if they do.

That's right, two 3rd round picks.

BUH BYE TREY !!!

[AMPHAR]

Raiders D-Coord Patrick Graham getting interviewed.      His bio is impressive, IMO.   Started with Patriots, he and Lou may have crossed paths with the Giants.     Basically Yale grad and player working his way up and there's a whole bunch of high defensive rankings he's been apart of. 

 

Quote

Last season, Graham oversaw a defensive unit that ranked 9th overall in points allowed per game (19.5), a 17-place improvement from 2022. Similarly, Graham's total defense in 2023 finished 15th in the league after previously holding the 28th spot in 2022. Over the second half of the season, the Raiders defense was one of the best units in the NFL. From Week 9-18, the defense led the NFL in points allowed (16.0), ranked tied for 10th in the NFL in takeaways (14) and ranked tied for third in sacks (30). Under Graham's guidance, DE Maxx Crosby finished the season ranked tied for first in the NFL in tackles for loss (23), sixth in sacks (14.5) and third among NFL defensive lineman in tackles (90), en route to his third-straight Pro Bowl, second-career AP Second Team All-Pro selection and third-consecutive PFWA All-AFC selection. Graham also saw free agent acquisition LB Robert Spillane have a career year with 82 tackles (66), 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, four passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

 

[HoosierCat]

Now Paycor fired? Stadium could have a new name after Paycor is acquired by Paychex for $4.1 billion:

https://www.wlwt.com/article/paychex-paycor-acquisition-agreement-bengals-stadium-name/63360446

"Paychex Stadium" might be the most ironic name possible for a Bengals stadium...

[HoosierCat]

5 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Raiders D-Coord Patrick Graham getting interviewed. 

Don't hate it. He had some success there. Also reported to be up for the Jags' HC job, but again could just be a Rooney Rule interview, who knows.

[AMPHAR]

Graham is also in the running for Jags Head Coach.   Hard to tell what's what at this stage with Rooney rule.   Would also have to guess he's got a Marvin Lewis recommendation coming from the Raiders so I'm sure Tobin has touched base.

 

EdIt: Jinx no take backs Hoosier.

 

Never heard of the guy but read his bio.  There's a lot to like.  I do like the fact he was brought up via Patriots in the BB era.   Get some that creative scouting going, ya know?

 

[HoosierCat]

Not a Bengals change, but the Titans fired their GM today. Callahan is staying but you have to think his position is shaky with a new GM on the way. His seat could heat up real fast next season.

https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/sports-illustrated/arena-nfl/si-cincinnati-bengals-nfl/7ddc7345/titans-fire-general-manager-ran-carthon-retaining-brian-callahan/

[AMPHAR]

2 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

Not a Bengals change, but the Titans fired their GM today. Callahan is staying but you have to think his position is shaky with a new GM on the way. His seat could heat up real fast next season.

https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/sports-illustrated/arena-nfl/si-cincinnati-bengals-nfl/7ddc7345/titans-fire-general-manager-ran-carthon-retaining-brian-callahan/

Would gobble up his Dad in a second for line coach and put him on staff as consultant ASAP.

[AMPHAR]

Demarcus Covington Patriots D-Coord also getting a Paychex Lunch and Interview for D-Coord.

I know Burrow played bad in the openers but their defense was impressive.  Didn't finish the season ranked favorably but were top 10 the year before.    Pats had a horrible offense and rookie QB so not sure if that could have bled over into the defensive numbers.  

 

[HoosierCat]

22 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Demarcus Covington Patriots D-Coord also getting a Paychex Lunch and Interview for D-Coord.

I know Burrow played bad in the openers but their defense was impressive.  Didn't finish the season ranked favorably but were top 10 the year before.    Pats had a horrible offense and rookie QB so not sure if that could have bled over into the defensive numbers.  

 

I believe this was Covington’s first year as DC in NE. He has a rep as an up-and-comer but I dunno. Not really feeling it here.

[ArmyBengal]

1 hour ago, AMPHAR said:

Would gobble up his Dad in a second for line coach and put him on staff as consultant ASAP.

I always try to keep with that and couldn't agree more.
Nothing personal but I was hoping the Titans would can Callahan, just to free up his Dad.
He would quickly move to my #1.

[AMPHAR]

In the Case of Graham and Covington these could be come for the D-Coordinator job stay for the D-line job.   They have multiple spots open.

[COB]

Supposedly Zac offered the DC job to Dennis Allen way back when, was turned down, and then hired Lou.  Allen has a track record as a successful DC.  Other than that, I don’t know anything about him other than he’s on Army’s “Do Not Want” list.  

[AMPHAR]

I don't remember all the names.   I know Zac had big problems hiring a DC in 2019.   I believe Del Rio was on the list at one point.  If I remember correctly, a lot of people were thinking Bengals would implode without Marvin.  Zac's relative inexperience scared off proven NFL coaches from assistant positions because they weren't sure it would work out.

The thinking on one ESPN show from Rex Ryan basically stated any D-Coordinator would want to apply because of Burrow/Offense.

Zac was also a late hire due to him coaching in the Superbowl.

 

 

[HoosierCat]

Pierce one and done in Vegas.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43324313/source-raiders-fire-antonio-pierce-finishing-4-13

[COB]

Raiders are going to ask Tom Brady who they should hire.  It is unbelievable to me the way both Fox football and Mark Davis have genuflected to this dude.  He was a good quarterback, that’s it.  He’s a mediocre announcer, Fox paid him $375 million before he even called one game.  Mark Davis is supposedly going to put great weight on Brady’s recommendation.  
 

What does Brady know about all these coaching candidates?  Probably not much.

[HoosierCat]

10 minutes ago, COB said:

Raiders are going to ask Tom Brady who they should hire.  

Clearly his answer will be Tedy Bruschi, American of the Century.

[AMPHAR]

Tom Brady is an owner of the Raiders, I believe.   Or maybe set to become a minority owner.   Also I think Aikman, Olsen, and Brady are very good on the broadcast.   Romo is horrible.   Collinsworth is meh.