Doesn't that headline sound like something Baghdad Hob would serve up?
Recently, James Walker over at ESPN.com posted some comments from last summer that described fan's thoughts on the 2008 season. Mainly, it was Bengals and Browns fans ripping on the Steelers and Ravens, saying that Pittsburgh's schedule was too tough and the the Ravens had an aging defense, no offensive line, and garbage at quarterback.
This got me thinking about how the turnaround success last season for teams like Baltimore, Miami, and Arizona could get the Bengals excited about doing the same thing in 2009. Quite honestly (like 2005), this is not a good thing for the Bengals to witness. They see the successes of these teams and think to themselves "Hey, we are only a player or two away...and without injuries or bad luck this season...we are headed back to the playoffs!"
And while the Bengals are generally credited with a solid draft this offseason and dipping their toes in free agency, the difference is that the Bengals don't have the front office structure or singular vision that teams like Baltimore or Miami possess.
In Baltimore, yes they were in transition with a new head coach, rookie quarterback, and an aging defense...but they still had one of the best GM's in the business in Ozzie Newsome (along with a stellar personnel department).
In Miami, Bill Parcells overhauled the scouting and personnel departments and the team excelled due to being smart, creative, and aggressive on both sides of the ball.
Hell, even in Arizona Bill Bidwill has allowed his son to change the culture by adding scouts and putting more money into the personnel side...and they went all the way to the Super Bowl.
In Cincinnati, after a 4-11-1 season, they made no changes to the coaching staff (unlike every other team in the top 10 of the NFL draft). Bob Bratkowski is still the offensive coordinator. The offensive line was not addressed in free agency, specifically where no effort was made to court a center. The Bengals still are employing the tiresome Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals still have the smallest scouting department (broom closet) in the NFL. The Bengals still have the same braintrust that has earned them the worst record in professional sports since 1991.
These are not ingredients for a turnaround like the Ravens or Dolphins enjoyed last season.
So, while Walker says in his post 'one year can make a big difference', I would argue that only applies to teams that have a solid front office foundation and set the standard to win every single year. Period.
Rumors persist from inside PBS that Katie and Troy Blackburn are taking over more and more from Mike Brown. The best evidence is that Hard Knocks is coming to Georgetown. No way Mike Brown signs off on this show a few years ago...not a chance. However, Mike still has control and final say over personnel. And it will be that way until the end.
No matter how bad it gets around here.
wdr is still employing tiresome ball-baby contributors to write this swill. you muppets have fair and reasonable points, but it gets lost and degraded when you let your personal bias throw a whine and cheese party over chad ochocinco. he's on our team and for this year he's better than any 2 draft picks that we would have stumbled on to last year with our broom closet scouting department.
stick to the basics about not being a patron of mike brown's business until he delivers a quality product, but get over yourself on being "tired" with chad. if you focus on getting a gm, then future problems like your perceived chad situation won't present themselves because they'll have dealt with it long before the grievance manifests itself. it's "tiresome" to see you argue for a gm and then also argue to overhaul the team while mike brown is still in power. for the time being, i'd rather rally against mike brown and enjoy chad's services as an elite wide receiver which you'd be an ignorant stool not to admit that he is.
Posted by: votasi | July 07, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Jason -
I agree with you 100% except for the last bit - I think Mike Brown is behind the Hard Knocks decision, and his reasoning is solely to boost ticket sales. Has anyone else wondered why Carson Palmer started to become incredibly more public and exude leadership qualities (again, to the public, as we don't know what goes on in the locker room) we hadn't seen before precisely when season ticket deposits were due? If things were going smoothly, the season were sold out, and merchandising revenues were stable, I doubt MB would allow it. This is a PR move to encourage fans to dish out $.
I hope WDR urges everyone to watch, but not weaken their resolve to boycott spending.
Posted by: Chaz | July 07, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Votasi must be a liberal. Always telling someone else what to "stick to" or "get over". Chaz must be a conservative. He "urges" others, instead of directing them. See the difference, Votasi?
So far, I've only see you bitch about others' opinions, and then tell them what they ought to do. Maybe you need to get laid........
P.S. On the subject of the topic,I think Jason hit the mark pretty much. I can do without the gold-toothed showboating and a little.....no, a LOT.....more output. Output talks, showboat walks.
Posted by: Eddie | July 08, 2009 at 11:40 AM