|High School Harry| Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/10/3/20896463/the-obscure-issue-hidden-behind-a-potential-bengals-tanking-of-2019 In the NFL, crushing losses bring inevitable questions. With the Cincinnati Bengals getting manhandled on Monday Night Football by their rivals in front of the country, many of those knee-jerk questions are growing louder. Can Andy Dalton be the guy they need in Zac Taylor’s system? Is the new, young coach and his inexperienced staff the right group to get this team to a championship? Should the Bengals look to “earn” a high draft pick in 2020 to start over with a rookie signal-caller? All of these are being discussed when referencing the team. Many who truly want to see a different incarnation of the Bengals are pushing for a “tank” of the season, as is being witnessed in Miami. There are conflicting opinions and inevitable pros and cons with both sides of the argument, but it is something to touch on after an 0-4 start to the Taylor era. After their 27-3 loss to the Stealers, Mike Florio and Peter King of NBC Sports discussed the game and Cincinnati’s future at quarterback. King, ever the Bengals critic, made an interesting observation. In the (deleted) video clip, King made a bit of a reach with a statement about the 2020 rookie quarterbacks. Talking about Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, two guys projected to go at the top of the draft, King said that they “have to be praying they don’t get taken by the Bengals.” Granted, King has a jaded view from his time covering the Bengals as a beat writer in the 1980s, but there is more than what is said on the surface here. Obviously, this is a reference to the current offensive line issues, as well as the historical lack of success and longstanding reputation of being a franchise that cuts corners. With things looking so bleak in Bengaldom right now, it got us at The Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast thinking about scenarios that took us down quite the rabbit hole. While it’s very rare, high-profile players, mostly quarterbacks, have disallowed the NFL Draft to dictate which team they end up playing for in their career. The two most notable signal-callers that demanded trades were John Elway in 1983 and Eli Manning in 2004. Elway was originally drafted by the then-Baltimore Colts, but with the advice of both his agent and his father, Elway threatened to play professional baseball if he was not shipped elsewhere. As we know, he went to the Denver Broncos, leading them to four Super Bowl appearances, with two wins. The then-San Diego Chargers selected the younger Manning brother No. 1 overall just over two decades later and a similar storyline with family interference ensued. The Giants selected Philip Rivers and the two teams swapped quarterbacks with the deal working out for both franchises on differing levels. Cincinnati hasn’t had this exact scenario play out for them, but they’ve had issues with players. While the idea of a high pick eschewing his opportunity to play for the Bengals may be a grasp at straws to many, many instances in the franchise’s history should make fans uncomfortable. Back in 1984, Cincinnati selected University of Arizona linebacker, Ricky Hunley No. 7 overall. The Bengals, proving their financially-frugal stigma, failed to reach a contract agreement with him and Hunley was ultimately sent to the Broncos. Instance No. 2 that could play into a rookie holding the Bengals’ hostage is the whole Carson Palmer divorce. Palmer and Marvin Lewis resurrected Cincinnati from the dismal preceding decade, but a crumbling roster that resulted in a myriad of injuries prompted the former first overall pick to want out of The Queen City. (Side note: those who still hold acrimonious feelings towards Palmer can probably take a little bit of solace in the fact that he played for two other dysfunctional franchises in the Raiders and Cardinals). Additionally, Palmer was far from the only disgruntled Bengals player who wanted out of the franchise because of its operational practices. Carl Pickens, Corey Dillon and Takeo Spikes—three of the team’s best players in a particular generation—all either forced the Brown family’s hand, or bolted the minute they were free agents. They were tired of how the team operates and how it results in continual losing on the field. We also now have seen how this team’s “unique” ways in free agency and failures in the draft have affected their current quarterback in Andy Dalton. Because of abysmal play on the offensive line (and injuries), Dalton has been a shell of himself and has developed bad habits this year. And, finally, we’ve also heard the horror stories from past players, as well as agents. T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s “jock strap story” aside, NFL player agents have made it known that they loathe working with the Bengals’ front office in contract talks. The NFL is small world and these types of stories make the rounds—especially when agents are working with young men in their early 20s. Of course, the Bengals can’t operate out of fear of this slim possibility occurring. However, if something like this were to happen, it would be another major black eye for the franchise. While it’s a remote possibility that a high pick would forgo the opportunity to get paid well and play for the Bengals, it would seem that Cincinnati would be the most likely franchise in which this would occur. The team’s ownership would need to sell the idea to their rookie that they are committed to winning, these deplorable organizational practices are a thing of the past and that they plan on surrounding him with ample talent. And, more importantly, they would need to hold up their end of the bargain. What a novel concept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Numbers| Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 At this point in time, I do not believe the Bengals can tank properly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|westside bengal| Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 They are tanking but believe it's just bad luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spotto Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 If Dre cannot tackle his can we trust him to tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_C_Deadpeople Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 26 minutes ago, westside bengal said: They are tanking but believe it's just bad luck. We tank by trying to win. So if we try and tank we will win a few games and blow up the draft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 I see they're still pushing the story that Carson demanded a trade because of all his integrity. Funny how the only person with inside knowledge willing to talk told everyone it was about his wife over and over until it became a meme, and then we all chose to ignore him. When forced to choose between truth or a more preferable fiction we go with the fairytale every time. Anyway the notion that this team is capable of sucking on purpose gets funnier every time I see it floated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluhartz Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 1 minute ago, T-Dub said: I see they're still pushing the story that Carson demanded a trade because of all his integrity. Funny how the only person with inside knowledge willing to talk told everyone it was about his wife over and over until it became a meme, and then we all chose to ignore him. When forced to choose between truth or a more preferable fiction we go with the fairytale every time. who gives a fuck about the quitter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 37 minutes ago, fluhartz said: who gives a fuck about the quitter? The guy who wrote the article, for one. Lots of people seem to have turned him into a martyr in their minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted October 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 I don't think they are trying to tank. I think they will do the annual Bengalesque thing to do and pull just enough games out of their ass, catch someone sleeping, be the trap in a trap game for some other team, or pull off a win or two late in the season when playoff bound teams are resting starters and keeping them from injury. They will win enough games to bump out of the top 3, draft 5 or even 6 or lower, and miss out on Herbert or Tua (who scares me as a pro) and draft the next whirlpool warrior. Also, IMHO, I have zero against Zac and am still glad he and the staff are here. If Marvin was still here moping around, clapping his hands and collecting a paycheck I dare say it would be worse. If possible. However, one thing SheBengal said that I buy into (paraphrase/interpret) is he has to realize this isn't the Rams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 27 minutes ago, High School Harry said: However, one thing SheBengal said that I buy into (paraphrase/interpret) is he has to realize this isn't the Rams. It's not even the Rams practice squad. Big question is whether they'll let him try to reshape the roster or keep on Redeemin' all the dead weight. Signs point to the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gupps Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 Even if they tanked would anyone be able to tell the difference between that and what has been put on the field recently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatternMaster Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 16 hours ago, High School Harry said: I don't think they are trying to tank. I think they will do the annual Bengalesque thing to do and pull just enough games out of their ass, catch someone sleeping, be the trap in a trap game for some other team, or pull off a win or two late in the season when playoff bound teams are resting starters and keeping them from injury. They will win enough games to bump out of the top 3, draft 5 or even 6 or lower, and miss out on Herbert or Tua (who scares me as a pro) and draft the next whirlpool warrior. Also, IMHO, I have zero against Zac and am still glad he and the staff are here. If Marvin was still here moping around, clapping his hands and collecting a paycheck I dare say it would be worse. If possible. However, one thing SheBengal said that I buy into (paraphrase/interpret) is he has to realize this isn't the Rams. How could it be worse? The Bengals hired an offensive genius that can't score more than 21 points a game. This time last year the Bengals were 4-1 after week 5 and had a winning record by week 10 of the season. Before the injuries set in the Bengals were very competitive and actually winning games with basically the same roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeds Orange Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 13 minutes ago, Bleeds Orange said: Maybe that's why the wife was so upset.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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