T-Dub

Can't imagine they won't wheel Biden back out there even though it's the only way either Trump or DeSantis stand a chance of winning.

Are you saying you won't vote for him? Or who do you think will be nominated instead, DeSantis?

Suspect Higgins plays under a franchise tag & Browning stays the backup for another year at least but I agree FWIW.

Gambling is legal and the NFL promotes bookie websites, debating the corruption seems a bit silly at this point.

That may be realistic but it's crazy to think teams would rather draft a rookie than give up a draft pick. Granted he's 27 and there's also the financial incentive with the structured rookie contract, but he's still a proven commodity vs NCAA magic beans.

He's an ERFA, meaning the Bengals have exclusive rights to him. Need something like 2 accrued seasons (on an active roster) to be a free agent. He would have to be cut or not offered a contract (at league minimum LOL) to enter the market. Think a trade is likely to happen.

While maybe underthrown that backpedaling toss to Higgins on the TD was impressive given the circumstances. Had to be the juice

All those weird coaching decisions, blown calls, boneheaded plays seemed to make a lot more sense when I was reading the point spreads and even more so the O/U for a given game. Pretty easy to blow up everyone's parlay with that meaningless last second FG in a 10 point loss. "Why are they kicking a FG?!!!1" well buddy I don't think you want the answer TBH. So, y'know, I stopped reading them. I just accept the NFL is a half-step above pro wrestling and enjoy it for what it is...

I'd love to know a rough % of run calls that he is choosing to audible out of on his own. Of course strictly running draws & pitches out of a shotgun formation is not going to cut it either but neither will putting him under center if he's just going to check out of the run call every time. Aside from his responsibility though this team has long had a tendency to abandon the run. Said it many times before but they seem to view an incomplete pass as far more acceptable than a run for no gain. It's persisted through a few QB and coaching changes so I can only assume it's coming from ownership.

After losing their QB for the season and switching to a relatively balanced offense, they're actually not that bad.

Unusual to see them drop the banhammer on somebody midseason. Doubt this would've happened if they were 11-3 and leading the division instead of Balmer.

Well, flag or no flag the important thing is Stealers getting the shit knocked out of them.

Probably but you only have to send that message once.

Yeah I feel like this squad aren't the "turn the other cheek" types..

They're going to be in full Code Red mode too & out for blood.

Shhhh we're convincing ourselves Browning is a future SB MVP. Let us have this for now. 🥷

"We need a guy that's bad, but not so bad that we can't spend all off-season talking about how great he actually is.. so not total dogshit but more like he's got some stuck to his shoe. You know, not great at football but a deft hand with the 'ol ketchup bottle. Someone we can keep in the starting line up for years even though he'd get cut from a CFL practice squad. Get on it!"

I don't think they really have anything worth calling a scouting department. It's basically Tobin, the coaches, and the extended Brown/Blackburn family tree last time I looked at their org chart. Just saying there's probably a correlation between having the smallest scouting "department" in the NFL and drafting shitty OL or guys like John Ross.

OK then they should've taken him in the 4th 😆

The problem is in the "when they do block"

Good point but I don't think he was only in on 3rd downs. A side by side comparison of down & distance would be better but even then field position & other factors play a role.

You didn't see Brown averaging 9-10ypc behind the same OL?

The thing is when they do block, he'll get maybe 6-8 yards. To my eyes he used to run with a lot more burst & overall intensity. Doesn't mean he's shit now just that he doesn't look exceptional anymore.

Even beyond that first step it puts some doubt in the mind of the defense. They can't just tee off on your QB, they have to read & react.

I do wonder how much is our OL "improving" vs the defense not knowing it's a pass play 99/100 times. It's a pretty big advantage when pass rushers don't have to defend against the run at all.