HoosierCat Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Dehner does a good job of diagnosing the underlying problem that led to this season's faceplant. Quote The last thing the Bengals need at this point is complexity. The last few years have been overflowing with it. Last year, it swallowed them whole. In free agency, with Trey Hendrickson, with executing extensions for Chase and Higgins before it impacted the offseason plan, with understanding the vision of new defensive coordinator Al Golden and with the chaotic stadium lease drama. With all of it. Seemingly every year, the Bengals’ offseasons have been full of trade requests, hold-ins, hold-outs, high-profile rehabs and frustrated employees. ... There were lessons learned during the defensive transition debacle of this past year, a disconnect between the staff and personnel department on what Golden needed and the front office’s ability to deliver it. Who holds the blame for those decisions and missed opportunities probably depends on who you talk to in the building. By all accounts, statistics and eye tests, the execution went haywire. The Bengals allowed more points than any season in franchise history and were the worst defense in the history of the NFL by DVOA through 11 weeks. However, his solution is the counsel of despair. Quote Simplicity. This offseason feels pointed and direct, without distraction: Fix the defense. ... Learning from what went wrong this past year, rather than bringing in another set of problems caused by unknowns and change, would keep them from setting back any progress that was made. And he knows it. Quote This is not a normal NFL franchise. Understanding how things operate, how to win around the restraints and the unique pitfalls are all part of success in the world of the Brown family ownership. This isn’t like how the rich, business moguls with multiple franchises operate. And no matter how much you yell for it, the family isn’t selling. In short, Dehner says the organization bit off more than it could chew in 2025 (I agree) and in 2026 it should take a smaller bite (so don't fire anyone). The actual answer, of course, is to build organizational capacity so that the franchise *can* take big bites. Dehner knows this, hence the bit about the Brown family ownership, not a normal franchise, etc. But then he dodges, and the line that gives it away is that this is not just "how the rich, business moguls with multiple franchises operate," but how virtually *every* other NFL franchise operates. It's not about money, it's about will. It's about want-to. And the Family doesn't want to. In fact, the Family doesn't want to so badly it actually raised the possibility of (maybe, eventually) sacrificing one of its (albeit adopted) own. Quote This isn’t about the long term, though. Brown’s statement on Monday was mostly useless corporate-speak. Teams put them out every year and they don’t do much more than placate the fan base. That’s fine. This one did mention Tobin, though, which is significant. The guy viewed as family in the building is now in the headline. Brown needed to throw his support behind him, whereas he’d never had his job status even talked about before. He’s in the same boat with Taylor and will be facing the media on Friday just as Taylor did on Monday. That opens up the possibility they could both be sunk together if 2026 doesn’t go their way. Make no mistake: if they miss the playoffs again next season and they do bounce Duke afterwards, it's just a sacrifice to protect the Family unless they follow it by hiring and empowering a real GM, and building a real FO. Quote
ArmyBengal Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Remember conversation here commenting on the franchise being “ancient” in their ways? Yes, yes and yes. This franchise can’t see the forest for the trees. 1 Quote
Stripes Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 The Ravens just fired John Harbaugh, per Schefter. I'd fire Taylor and hire Harbaugh (or even Stefanski) in a heartbeat. 1 Quote
volcom69 Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 Ravens fire Harbaugh and the Bengals stuck like it’s 2021 again!!!! Quote
COB Posted January 6 Author Report Posted January 6 I have no idea how good Harbaugh is as a head coach. Dude has had serious talent over there. Lamar is a two time mvp. He has also had pretty good assistant coaches. Quote
Saintsfan1 Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 The best thing that could happen to the Bengals and Steelers was that move. Ravens aren't going to be as disciplined now and that's going to open the door for you. It was already an easy schedule playing the two weakest AFC divisions. Quote
COB Posted January 7 Author Report Posted January 7 2 hours ago, Prophecy said: Hire Harbaugh Zac panic stares at his Denny’s menu on our sideline for 4 million a year. Harbaugh won’t cross the street for that. 1 Quote
Prophecy Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 27 minutes ago, COB said: Zac panic stares at his Denny’s menu on our sideline for 4 million a year. Harbaugh won’t cross the street for that. True. The idiot Brown/Blackburn family need to rationalize things. Like, they're paying Evan MacPherson more than Zac Taylor. Who's more critical to success? They can get a top coach for somewhere between BJ Hill and Orlando Brown money. That coach would have more of an impact than either of those 2 players. But, they'll just keep it status quo and count their money. 1 Quote
HoosierCat Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 https://youtu.be/jNuLhEiJ9d4?si=9eyIxmcAnC5ZSxyb Quote
COB Posted January 7 Author Report Posted January 7 I wouldn’t discount the impact of Mike’s age on all these non-decisions. Dude’s 90 years old. The prospect of rigorously researching, interviewing, evaluating, and then hiring (oh my god, a contract to be negotiated) a new coach is not likely very attractive to Mike. The alternative is put out a couple paragraphs, have a heart to heart talk with Zac, and head on home for an early nap. No contest, really. Quote
gregcook69 Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 Harbaugh’s biggest problem this year was the terrible way he handled Derrick Henry! Not sure WHAT the beef was, but SOMETHING was amiss between those 2 and it cost him the playoffs, not to mention his job! He just signed a 3 year extension in March so WHATEVER pissed off management, it was something that happened THIS season! As far as him becoming the Bengals HC, I know this is a place for us couch coaches to give our rants and opinions, but I’m not going to say what the franchise SHOULD do, just play the hand we’re dealt like we have since 1991. Quote
HoosierCat Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 Pitcher to Cleveland? Apparently it could happen. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi/news/bengals-division-rival-eyeing-dan-pitcher-for-head-coaching-vacancy-01kecpbhbn05 Cleveland.com adds: Quote He’s the third known request after Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde. The Browns will also interview two of their own assistants, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees oon Thursday for their vacancy. Quote
ArmyBengal Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 I don’t really care if other teams hires anyone away from us. Who cares? Quote
HoosierCat Posted January 7 Report Posted January 7 44 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said: I don’t really care if other teams hires anyone away from us. Who cares? I mean, I would rather not give the clowns unfettered access to our offensive brain trust, as meager as it may be… Quote
COB Posted January 8 Author Report Posted January 8 Zac is from the Shanahan/Mcvay coaching tree. And let’s face it when he has Burrow our offense is elite, probably top five in the league. And if you look at who did well enough across the league not to get fired, basically it looks like owners and GMs are prioritizing keeping and hiring these dudes. Quote from AI: Head coaches from the tree who have retained their jobs include Matt LaFleur (Packers), Zac Taylor (Bengals), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), Kevin O'Connell (Vikings), and DeMeco Ryans (Texans). 1 Quote
Saintsfan1 Posted January 8 Report Posted January 8 15 hours ago, COB said: Zac is from the Shanahan/Mcvay coaching tree. And let’s face it when he has Burrow our offense is elite, probably top five in the league. And if you look at who did well enough across the league not to get fired, basically it looks like owners and GMs are prioritizing keeping and hiring these dudes. Quote from AI: Head coaches from the tree who have retained their jobs include Matt LaFleur (Packers), Zac Taylor (Bengals), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), Kevin O'Connell (Vikings), and DeMeco Ryans (Texans). Whoops Quote
COB Posted January 9 Author Report Posted January 9 Looks like I jumped the gun there. I had heard McDaniel was staying, but maybe the availability of a new candidate changed the calculus in Miami (vague pun referencing McDaniel’s nerdiness and intelligence). Quote
HoosierCat Posted January 9 Report Posted January 9 Pitcher interviewing in Cleveland today. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-interview-bengals-offensive-coordinator-dan-pitcher-for-head-coach Quote
gregcook69 Posted January 10 Report Posted January 10 On 1/6/2026 at 10:21 AM, HoosierCat said: Make no mistake: if they miss the playoffs again next season and they do bounce Duke afterwards, it's just a sacrifice to protect the Family unless they follow it by hiring and empowering a real GM, and building a real FO. I wouldn’t bet the farm on that HC! Quote
HoosierCat Posted January 12 Report Posted January 12 Headline on espn.com this morning: Does Bengals front office share its players' urgency? Spoiler: no, no they do not. Quote
ArmyBengal Posted January 12 Report Posted January 12 "Pretty flexible organization" ?? Who does Duke think he works for exactly? Everyone: "We need a more robust scouting department" Bengals front office: "No" "We are taking a hard look at everything we do as we approach this offseason with focused determination to build a championship-caliber roster that wins consistently" Canned response. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. Thank God, they got to the Super Bowl 5 years ago or they might have to change that up. Again, you need not look any further than Burrow and Chase. Burrow seems to like Zac as a coach and Chase was totally confused by what Zac had to say after the season. There clearly is a disconnect in that locker room as to the best direction to travel. This team has some really good players and absolutely ZERO identity. I agree with Duke... he's an idiot. 1 Quote
gregcook69 Posted January 12 Report Posted January 12 1 hour ago, ArmyBengal said: "Pretty flexible organization" ?? Who does Duke think he works for exactly? Everyone: "We need a more robust scouting department" Bengals front office: "No" "We are taking a hard look at everything we do as we approach this offseason with focused determination to build a championship-caliber roster that wins consistently" Canned response. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. Thank God, they got to the Super Bowl 5 years ago or they might have to change that up. Again, you need not look any further than Burrow and Chase. Burrow seems to like Zac as a coach and Chase was totally confused by what Zac had to say after the season. There clearly is a disconnect in that locker room as to the best direction to travel. This team has some really good players and absolutely ZERO identity. I agree with Duke... he's an idiot. Not alluding to this post AB because it’s the Brown family and, since 1991 I have minuscule faith in them! Set it aside, and it’s on to Pittsburgh tonight!!!! I am going to ride the horse with that Texans defense until the horse wins it all or is eliminated! People can’t forget the year the Giants backed into the playoffs with a 9-7 record and ended up beating the Patriots in the SB! Any given Sunday, in this case Monday! TEXANS!! WHO RAH! Quote
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