Quote of the day - Coach Bob Bratkowski

In an article published today by Geoff Hobson's hero, Mark Curnutte, I found a particular quote to be rather peculiar.  Coach Bratkowski said the following regarding his role in an offense that hasn't scored a touchdown in 11 quarters:

"As a coach you just play it out and what happens at the end of the year happens. There's nothing I can do about it. We're working 80-hour weeks. You don't have time to sit around and contemplate a lot of things. And there are other issues going on in my life and my family's lives that are much are more important than sitting around worrying about that sort of thing."

I just have a couple issues with this comment. First of all Bob, you don't just play it out.  You plan for success.  You find weak spots in the opposing defense and you exploit them. And you have several backup plans for when the opposing defense figures out what you are doing.  You make adjustments on the fly. These are all things that you don't do, but that are in the job description for an offensive coordinator. 

Second of all, there IS something you can do about it.  You are solely responsible for the offensive game plan of the Cincinnati Bengals.  Therefore, you have quite a bit of power, and tons of responsibility for the product on the field.  And the product right now is about as quality as a Ford Pinto.  And guess what...  The sell-out streak was predicated on two things, winning football games, and an electrifying offense.  Both of those things are absent this year, which means sell-outs are bound to cease at some point next year. In a rational world you would be out of a job after this year... But no one ever said Mike was a rational dictator.

Thirdly, we all know when someone claims how many hours they worked that week, you can usually deduct 10-20 hours... In Bob's case, I would be willing to bet that he only works about 40-50 hours a week.  That is a wild guess, but assuming he really does work 70-80 hours a week, I would still consider this to be a huge problem.  I've got a buddy who coaches offensive line for a tiny college in Florida, and he puts in AT LEAST that amount of time, sometimes up to 100 hours a week.  Now this slackassing should not come as a shock to you, since Mike Brown's staff has never been filled with the most competent individuals, instead with the individuals most likely to further Mike Brown's cause.

Lastly, we all know that there are more important things in life than football. This doesn't change the fact that you are getting paid millions of dollars of the fans money in order to score touchdowns. Zero touchdowns in 11 quarters is absolute failure, and you should not be compensated for the service you are providing to the Bengals anymore. You cannot use family as an excuse, because every family has issues, and everyone has problems outside of work.  What would you say if Rick Wagoner, CEO of GM, came out and said,"Sorry bro, my daughter had strept throat last year. I didn't have the time to help out with new product design, alternative energy cars, or union contracts.  I dont have time to sit around and worry about that stuff."

As WDR has mentioned before, there are rumors swirling that Coach Bratkowski could be next in line to take over as head coach.  If this stands true, hell will be raised in Bengaldom. And not to mention the importance of WDR will be cemented for at least another couple decades, unless our team gets shipped off to Anchorage, Los Angeles, or Birmingham. 

Comments

[Dave]

"there are other issues going on in my life and my family's lives that are much more important than sitting around worrying about that sort of thing"

Wow. I suddenly have respect for Andy Reid. In the 2007 season he had to deal with both of his sons being sent to jail for charges relating to heroin and the Eagles still managed to finish the season 8-8.

Unless Brats wife is selling herself for crack, he needs to suck it up and accept responsibility.

[Leeroy Jenkins]

If the issues in Brat's family are so serious that he can't do his job, he should step down. There are only 32 offensive coordinator jobs in the NFL, and at least 10-20 qualified candidates for each job who are willing to spend 100+ hours a week. This is where Mike Browns personal attachment to his staff hurts the team.

[WC]

I was thinking along the lines of a Yugo!

[WC]

So is there a rumor that the team might be moving??? If so, can I say something??? We might have another chance so if any stupid mothafucka steps up to some dias somewhere and screams out through 'puppy-dog tears': '...but we're gunna lose our team....' I want to use the quote of one Sheriif Buford T. Justice: "Soon as I get home, first thing I'm gonna do is punch yo mamma in da mouth!"

[jaso]

This is new to you? Bratkowski has always sucked. And yeah you're looking at your new Head Coach. Mike always pulls some Cincinnati Bengals shenanigan shit from within HIS mis-organization.

I'd like to take note with Leroy Jenkins comments. There may be 32 assistants out there but see if those 32 want to come to the Bengals or will be inquired about by the Bengals. I thought so. A new manifesto is required and I put it up under "Mike Brown should sell the team or hire a competent General Manager".

Don't let the Bengals leave. Mike Brown threatened us with it when he wanted his new stadium. The truest fucking revenge would be to FORCE HIM OUT. Let them go be the Birmingham Inbreds or the Oklahoma Wheat Fields or San Antonio Gutter Swipes.

Oh yeah, and thanks to all the citizens of Cincinnati who caved because we'd be out so much money, jobs, national exposure, etc. if we didn't give Mike our corporate welfare stadium deal.

Happy?

You helped build a State Of The Art, Collossal monument to utter fucking failure.

[Tremain Crack]

Bob ShatCowskis Gameplan:

1st and 10: Throw a Wide reciver Screen that gets tipped by an end and falls incomplete.

2nd and 10: Run off tackle for a 4 yard loss when RB trips over Stacy Andrews who was on his back after an End windmil. Just after having narrowly avoided a backward falling Gaycheck who simply fell over his own feet looking for his blocking assignment.

3rd and 14: False Start

3rd and 19 (after burning a time out): Draw play to RB, who runs for 7 yards after QB just gets it handed to him before Gaychecks assignment almost takes the hand-off himself.

Punt

REPEAT

Tell me comrades, Shat can't handle this and his home life?

[Flash]

Let's see...third-and-23. What do I want to do here? Hhhmm...so much to choose from. Yes!! That's it.

Shovel pass.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

To be fair - and I hate doing this more than anyone cause I thought Brat sucked even in 2005 - he meant something different when talking about family issues. He said he has more important things to worry about like family instead of worrying about whether or not he'll lose his job. He did not say worrying about his family was more important than doing his job. Just that he cannot worry about losing his job.

Of course, he doesn't do his job well so he should be worried about losing job. Sadly, he'll keep it or get promoted.

[fan for sale, 30 years experience]

Jaso, do you even watch the Bengals games. If you did you would know that Bobby Boy hands the ball off every single first down play.

[Matt]

The shovel and the screen pass are two plays that define the stubborn do the same shit even though it never works attitude of the Bengals coaching and management.

[wiseking]

In fairness to Brat, the OL has been dreadful all season and where is Paul Alexander, the assistant head coach, taking the heat? I think Brat was making a plea as they're overworked and need help. Brat to WDR, I say!

[retro jordan 1]

Towering genius disdains a beaten path. He seeks regions hitherto unexplored.