Al Golden Returns

[CrashDavisSports]

Wouldn't be shocked if they negotiated that the rings would be deducted from their salary - players included...

We won't need any rings with this defense.

 

[Cincyfan78]

We won't need any rings with this defense.

I think this defense is going to be better than people think.

I really like Lou, but his defense were turnover prone heavy and, if we are honest, little else.

2022 was his only real good year with the defense, 6th in PPG and 7th in yards. Yes, they made the SB that year, but that was basically Burrow's 1st full year as a pro. Chase was a rookie. Higgins in year 2, I think. Mixon was still OK, but I do think Brown is better at this point. In other words, to reach the SB that year, the defense HAD to be elite. That is no longer the case, though would be a welcome sight with this offense.

Last year the defense was 25th in Yards and 25th in PPG. In 2023 the defense was 21st in PPG and 31st in YPG...and yet, if Burrow is healthy in that year...they likely make the playoffs. However, the focus here is...the defense has been pretty bad more than pretty good, and in most years...ho-hum, which has been enough for Burrow (when healthy).

That's a long, and roundabout, way of saying - this defense doesn't need to be top 10. Burrow isn't a rookie. Nor is Chase, Higgins returns. Brown is a viable RB1. The OL at least "looks" to be a bit better (but could be much better). Gesicki returns, Yoshi in year 3, Burton (maybe) in year 2...the offense is poised to carry a solid load, and showed that last year. The defense just needs to get into the top 20-ish to allow the offense to do what it needs to do. With a change in leadership, I don't think it's out of the question. I do think there is talent there, but II think Lou misused that talent because it was either "his scheme" or bust...and it went bust for 2 straight years. He thought every safety could be bates, and any DT could be Reader...and when those guys didn't pan out, he could not adapt.

I think Golden has the right approach - will it work, we'll find out...but this defense isn't as bad, I don't think, as it has been the past 2 years and last year specifically - if only Lou had made some changes with how he managed the defense. He wouldn't (or couldn't), and I think that is why the defense looked as bad as it has. Players have to make plays - no excuses here - but coaches also need to find ways to put each player in the best spots possible to make plays, and I felt I saw a lot of guys just not in the right scheme/fit/position in a lot of areas.

 

[cincygrad]

We won't need any rings with this defense.

Well, we aren't winning any rings with this lousy attitude. You're supposed to be the board optimist.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Well, we aren't winning any rings with this lousy attitude. You're supposed to be the board optimist.

Since when am I that? hahaha If I am the positive influence, it is no wonder we are all a bunch of grumpy old men.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Another way to look at it - as bad as that defense was last year - they still almost made the playoffs, and would have been a team no one would like to face in a 1 game elimination with Burrow at QB.

Just. Don't. Suck.

 

[cincygrad]

Since when am I that? hahaha If I am the positive influence, it is no wonder we are all a bunch of grumpy old men.

It's sort of a race to the bottom..... When everyone around here is jaded, the guy that is the least jaded has to be the board optimist. LOL.

 

[DanBengalfan]

win the winnable games that happen the first few weeks of the season.

problem solved.

see you in the playoffs.

if they can't do that simple thing, they need to reboot something.

 

[Cincyfan78]

win the winnable games that happen the first few weeks of the season.

problem solved.

see you in the playoffs.

if they can't do that simple thing, they need to reboot something.

Starting off every year, nearly, at 0-2 and 1-3 needs to stop.

I understand it's a long season and you have to measure out how much you want to ramp up early - but 1-11 in the first 2 weeks under Taylor is a massive concern, and frankly gives you less leeway when those late season games don't always go your way.

Also, the Bye Week this year is nearly smack damn-dab in the middle of the schedule. Leading up to it - you have 3 straight home games, and the road game after that is Pitt....so, you barely move, and then you are home again the following week.

In getting a little too down the rabbit hole - that stretch is actually fairly important because those are, as you say, the winnable games. That stretch starts with Home/Pitt, Home New York, Home Chicago, Road Pitt, Home New England. Quite honestly - that should be a 5-0 stretch. It's important because that leads up to the gauntlet of the schedule: @Bmore, @Buf, home Bmore. That stretch very well could decide the AFCN.

Getting off to a fast start could be a big difference because if the Bengals can't go better than 3-3 to start the year (and let's face it, @Denver and @Minn aren't givens) and you have the Lions at home...if you don't get to 2-0 out of the gate against Cleve/Jax...that late season stretch of 5 games must be a 5-0 sweep, and you must win 2 of the 3 against Bmore/Buff/Bmore...before finishing up @Miami and 2 home games Arizona/Cleve.

However, if you can get off to a hot start...and you end up 4-2, or even 5-1...and then you hit that soft spot in the schedule...you win 4 or 5 of those...you are talking about being at, potentially, 10 wins before that 3 game stretch, and final 3 game season ending stretch. You win only 1 of the big 3...that's 10/11 wins, and you win 2 of the final 3...and you still get to as many as 13 wins....starting fast this year may be as critical as it's ever been and that's if only because that 5 game stretch around the Bye isn't a guaranteed 5-0 (but should be a 5-0). Need to build buffer.