Williams: Joe Burrow can't do it all. Bengals season is lost. Here's who to blame

[Arkansas Bengal]

Jason Williams

Cincinnati Enquirer

 

Joe Burrow was wrong.

 

The Bengals quarterback said he had to “play damn near perfect” for Cincinnati to beat Baltimore on Sunday.

 

Turns out, Burrow needed to be perfect. He needs to be perfect every game – and that’s impossible. Even in a game where Burrow threw a career-high five touchdowns, completed 77% of his passes and threw for nearly 400 yards, the Bengals lost 41-38 in overtime to the Ravens at Paycor Stadium.

 

Bengals front office to blame for lost season in Cincinnati

 

That’s how god-awful the Bengals’ defense is. It's mostly why Cincinnati has lost four of its first five games.

 

This season is lost.

 

And you can blame it squarely on the front office.

 

“We’re not a championship-level team right,” said Burrow, who to be clear wasn’t blaming anyone in particular.

Preach it, Joe. So can the super fans and everyone in and around Paycor Stadium stop with how wonderful the Bengals are?

 

Bengals have failed at building NFL championship team

 

Fact is, the organization has done almost nothing to improve the defense since the Bengals lost the AFC Championship game in Kansas City in January 2023. Heck, the front office hasn’t done much of anything to improve since then other than pay Burrow a $275 million contract.

 

The Bengals, never on the cutting edge of change, are set in their ways with their philosophy: Joe, buddy, it’s on you and only you.

 

We’re seeing the fallout of an organization that has put all the weight of a franchise on its quarterback. This may come as a surprise to folks in Cincinnati: It takes more than a quarterback to win in the NFL. Even as good and special as Burrow is.

 

Trying to outscore teams every week isn’t a sustainable plan. And yet the Bengals have let star safety Jesse Bates walk away. They’ve let run-stuffing defensive tackle DJ Reader leave town. They’ve not drafted or signed anyone good enough to replace them.

 

Bengals defense is embarrassing

 

You must have at least a serviceable defensive line, one that can rush the quarterback and stop the run. The Bengals often leave you wondering if they even have a defensive line.

 

Case in point: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s six-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter. Jackson fumbled the shotgun snap. He still had plenty of time to pick up the ball, scramble to his right, knock down Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard with a stiff arm and throw the pass across his body as he was falling out of bounds. It was a huge momentum boost for the Ravens, who cut the deficit to 38-35.

 

That play should’ve been an embarrassment for anyone in the Bengals organization who has any responsibility for the defensive line.

 

 

 

Defensive line might be the position area where Cincinnati’s woefully understaffed player personnel and scouting department has consistently missed the most. The list of busts or underwhelming performers since the 2019 draft is as long as the beer line at a sold-out game: Renell Wren, Khalid Kareem, Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, Tyler Shelvin, Wyatt Hubert and Zach Carter. Five of them are no longer on any NFL roster.

 

It’s not fair to judge 2024 second-rounder Kris Jenkins or third-rounder McKinnley Jackson just yet, both defensive tackles picked to help bolster the run defense.

 

Defensive end Myles Murphy, Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2023, made his season debut Sunday. He’s not been impressive so far in his short career, but still needs time to develop.

 

All this points to the Bengals getting comfortable after that two-year run to the Super Bowl and back to the AFC Championship game. As long as Burrow’s upright, the front office calculated, the Bengals have a shot. Burrow is pretty damn special, but he’s powerless to stop the run, rush the other team’s quarterback and tackle.

 

Two seasons in a row now the Bengals have stunk at stopping the run. It allows the opponent to control the clock and keep Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase off the field.

 

Want to know why the Kansas City Chiefs and Ravens keep winning? Because they address their problem areas by consistently drafting well and filling in the gaps with capable free-agent signings.

 

The Chiefs and Ravens don’t go cheap. They have robust player personnel staffs. For example, I counted 24 names on the Ravens’ player personnel department list. The Bengals have a half-dozen people working in their player personnel department.

 

Of course, this shouldn’t shock anyone. Those of us who view things objectively know the Chiefs and Ravens are committed to excellence. Those franchises have Lombardi trophies in their headquarters and know what it takes to win it all.

 

The Bengals, meanwhile, haven’t really changed for decades. They were so bad for so long that they got the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft. Everyone would’ve taken Burrow with that pick. He led the Bengals to their glory days.

 

It’s obvious those days are over now.

 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/jason-williams/2024/10/06/bengals-ravens-afc-playoff-picture-schedule-standings/75518089007/

[UncleEarl]

Sigh...pretty spot on.  I hope he isn't right about the glory days for Joe Burrow being over.  I hope the shitshow this season is becoming is some kind of wake up call for management.  The younger Browns seem to be interested in change, but Mikey Boy still makes the big calls.  Unless something crazy happens this season is toast.  Time to prepare for next season by playing guys who are part of the future.  Do we really need to see the slow old men at safety every down?  Either coach up the young guys or get rid of them.  Taylor has been given the keys to a Ferrari and runs it like an old Dodge when times are tough.  No excuse for this team not making the playoffs this season.  A change is in order, but will the Brown family hire a coach with experience, or find some really young guy no one else would consider and pay him peanuts?  Take a page from the Reds book, break from tradition, and hire someone who knows what he is doing.

[Jamie_B]

The part that is spot on for me is we haven't drafted or brought in guys to replace the guys that left, that are playing at the same or even close to the same level as the guys we lost.

 

I think we draft well on O

 

I think we are horrible at drafting D

[T-Dub]

18 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

The part that is spot on for me is we haven't drafted or brought in guys to replace the guys that left, that are playing at the same or even close to the same level as the guys we lost.

 

I think we draft well on O

 

I think we are horrible at drafting D

 

The offense is scoring 30+ a game, it's not all on Joe. I do think Brown should've had a few more carries today (not at the edge of FG range in OT) but this season overall is poor roster building on defense. 

[New Jersey Bengal]

This is a little harsh teams lose defensive players every year and move forward but we gave not drafted well that's for sure on defense

[HavePityPlease]

A lot of what was said here I agree with. 

 

I don't agree with the chicken little "the glory days are over" talk, that's just a typical emotional reaction to what is becoming a lost season for a fan base that has witnessed far too many.

 

It's for that reason we can all recognize the same patterns we've seen in the past.  As soon as they pay the QB, everything else starts to degrade.  They market the shit out of the QB and seem to expect everyone to stay happy with that.  They let some people who deserve a raise walk who they believe are "replaceable"... then they rely on the draft or over-the-hill FA's to fill that gap.  Needless to say that's not how winning franchises go about it unless absolutely forced to.  Do note: the Bengals are NOT forced to, and NEVER have been, quite the contrary - their concern seems to be to preempt that ever happening.   Just think of Bates as a very simple example.  Does any fan honestly think the Bengals couldn't AFFORD to give him a 4 year deal worth $16M a year in 2022?  Hell, it likely was cheaper than that at that time, he didn't get that until after his franchise tag season.  That is a horrible way to run a winning team.

 

Let's also recognize that there *is* a coaching gap here, as evidenced by the Chiefs, 49ers, etc competing every single season, even when they lose half their defense to the cap.  That's not just from good drafting, that's also finding the right fits and actually teaching them - and KEEPING the KEY players on both sides of the ball.  I've said it many times, Lou knows how to scheme, he knows how to deploy tactics at halftime.  However, his defense is highly specialized and he needs really specific fits in a few spots to make it work.  This showed itself as a possibility in his first couple of seasons here, seemed likely when the FA influx before the SB run bore those immediate results, and is, IMO, being absolutely proven now.  It's impossible for us to say whether Lou isn't getting heard on personnel matters anymore, but I bet he's at least second tier in this area (my evidence being his 'aw shucks' reaction to losing key players over the past two off-seasons).

 

I think back to when they asked Burrow about their "championship window" and he replied "my whole career is our window"... Mikey probably creamed his pants when he heard that one, it's been the Bengals' MO for his entire time as owner - the QB is everything, nothing else matters, everyone else is replaceable, there is no price that is worth as much.  That's simply not true.  It's required to win, but you can't just leave everything else to chance/hope.  Other teams recognize that "windows" really do exist, and spend accordingly.

[New Jersey Bengal]

2 minutes ago, HavePityPlease said:

A lot of what was said here I agree with. 

 

I don't agree with the chicken little "the glory days are over" talk, that's just a typical emotional reaction to what is becoming a lost season for a fan base that has witnessed far too many.

 

It's for that reason we can all recognize the same patterns we've seen in the past.  As soon as they pay the QB, everything else starts to degrade.  They market the shit out of the QB and seem to expect everyone to stay happy with that.  They let some people who deserve a raise walk who they believe are "replaceable"... then they rely on the draft or over-the-hill FA's to fill that gap.  Needless to say that's not how winning franchises go about it unless absolutely forced to.  Do note: the Bengals are NOT forced to, and NEVER have been, quite the contrary - their concern seems to be to preempt that ever happening.   Just think of Bates as a very simple example.  Does any fan honestly think the Bengals couldn't AFFORD to give him a 4 year deal worth $16M a year in 2022?  Hell, it likely was cheaper than that at that time, he didn't get that until after his franchise tag season.  That is a horrible way to run a winning team.

 

Let's also recognize that there *is* a coaching gap here, as evidenced by the Chiefs, 49ers, etc competing every single season, even when they lose half their defense to the cap.  That's not just from good drafting, that's also finding the right fits and actually teaching them - and KEEPING the KEY players on both sides of the ball.  I've said it many times, Lou knows how to scheme, he knows how to deploy tactics at halftime.  However, his defense is highly specialized and he needs really specific fits in a few spots to make it work.  This showed itself as a possibility in his first couple of seasons here, seemed likely when the FA influx before the SB run bore those immediate results, and is, IMO, being absolutely proven now.  It's impossible for us to say whether Lou isn't getting heard on personnel matters anymore, but I bet he's at least second tier in this area (my evidence being his 'aw shucks' reaction to losing key players over the past two off-seasons).

 

I think back to when they asked Burrow about their "championship window" and he replied "my whole career is our window"... Mikey probably creamed his pants when he heard that one, it's been the Bengals' MO for his entire time as owner - the QB is everything, nothing else matters, everyone else is replaceable, there is no price that is worth as much.  That's simply not true.  It's required to win, but you can't just leave everything else to chance/hope.  Other teams recognize that "windows" really do exist, and spend accordingly.

Well said

[MichaelWeston]

This article is nonsense. I have never even heard of Jason Williams. 

 

The issue wasn't the defensive line at all. 

 

On the TD to Likely 3 Dbs were near him but lost him.....the line caused the issue for Jackson

Burrow had to be perfect??MFer threw an interception.....are people forgetting this? I love Burrow but he wasn't perfect. 

Its all on Joe Burrow....literally completely revamped the OL, TE and RB rooms sine 2023.....Dafuq?

The Ravens literally lost like 10 free agents and signed Henry....this article is complete nonsense. 

 

[HavePityPlease]

18 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said:

 

Quote

The issue wasn't the defensive line at all. 

 

I think that most people would disagree with "at all" for today's game, but the writer of this article appears to be using the entire season as a metric by which to measure the defensive line, and he's clearly not wrong there. 

 

Quote

On the TD to Likely 3 Dbs were near him but lost him.....the line caused the issue for Jackson

 

You are of course correct that the DBs failed to stay with the play.  However, the writer's point was that he fumbled the snap and nobody was near him until after he already slipped, recovered, picked it up, and looked down field.  The DL did not cause any of that, he fumbled it himself and nobody was anywhere near him to make it matter.  Yes, give Hubbard credit for containing him and chasing him down, but it's perfectly valid to point out that Hubbard didn't make the play - he got stiffed.

 

Quote

Burrow had to be perfect??MFer threw an interception.....are people forgetting this? I love Burrow but he wasn't perfect. 

 

Mmm sounds like you misinterpreted this, it sounds to me you're in total agreement.  He's saying Burrow WAS NOT perfect, but HAD TO BE if they were going to win this game.  That's a fair belief to have, even if it feels like he's being overly lenient on Joe. 

 

Quote

Its all on Joe Burrow....literally completely revamped the OL, TE and RB rooms sine 2023.....Dafuq?

 

I think that fits his argument, he's saying they've put all their focus on supporting Joe as the saviour of the team, and neglected the defense.

 

To quote the article:

 

"As long as Burrow’s upright, the front office calculated, the Bengals have a shot. Burrow is pretty damn special, but he’s powerless to stop the run, rush the other team’s quarterback and tackle."

[T-Dub]

Definitely not seeing any sense of urgency or hunger there. Just who is getting an extension and what uni combo are they wearing. Coaches acting like going 1-3 to start every season is some kind of strategy.

 

Broken record time: All this team has done is lose a Super Bowl a couple of years ago. Further, all this franchise has done is lose a few Super Bowls. That's the legacy. Drop the hype until they actually accomplish something.

[Whodeyman]

8 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

Sigh...pretty spot on.  I hope he isn't right about the glory days for Joe Burrow being over.  I hope the shitshow this season is becoming is some kind of wake up call for management.  The younger Browns seem to be interested in change, but Mikey Boy still makes the big calls.  Unless something crazy happens this season is toast.  Time to prepare for next season by playing guys who are part of the future.  Do we really need to see the slow old men at safety every down?  Either coach up the young guys or get rid of them.  Taylor has been given the keys to a Ferrari and runs it like an old Dodge when times are tough.  No excuse for this team not making the playoffs this season.  A change is in order, but will the Brown family hire a coach with experience, or find some really young guy no one else would consider and pay him peanuts?  Take a page from the Reds book, break from tradition, and hire someone who knows what he is doing.

If season is over they should be looking to trade tee Higgins and hendrickson for draft picks.  Start to play Burton more and start throwing more to Eric all.  

[Whodeyman]

7 hours ago, MichaelWeston said:

This article is nonsense. I have never even heard of Jason Williams. 

 

The issue wasn't the defensive line at all. 

 

On the TD to Likely 3 Dbs were near him but lost him.....the line caused the issue for Jackson

Burrow had to be perfect??MFer threw an interception.....are people forgetting this? I love Burrow but he wasn't perfect. 

Its all on Joe Burrow....literally completely revamped the OL, TE and RB rooms sine 2023.....Dafuq?

The Ravens literally lost like 10 free agents and signed Henry....this article is complete nonsense. 

 

Threw interception at one of most critical parts in game.  Burrow had a nice day up until interception 

[gupps]

 

[Griever]

 

[Griever]

 

[Griever]

I'm expecting a lot of this sort of commentary on social networks unfortunately, may try and stay away more than I'm accustomed to

[Griever]

 

[UncleEarl]

1 hour ago, Griever said:

 

 

No doubt Dunlap and Atkins had issues with Taylor/Anarumo.  Would be interesting to hear his take, though I'm not sure it would justify his behavior his last season in Cincinnati.

[|High School Harry|]

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/10/6/24263796/zac-taylor-conservative-play-calling-bengals-vs-ravens

 

"He (Zac Taylor) also went on to say his first-down play call was actually a pass, and quarterback Joe Burrow checked to the run play."

 

"if the play call was for a pass, I’d love to see it drawn up on the whiteboard. The formation that came to the line of scrimmage had no receivers out wide, and the offense was facing a loaded box. If the Bengals planned on passing with only one of their top-tier targets on the field, the fans would surely like to know why."

 

[Jamie_B]

10 hours ago, HavePityPlease said:

A lot of what was said here I agree with. 

 

I don't agree with the chicken little "the glory days are over" talk, that's just a typical emotional reaction to what is becoming a lost season for a fan base that has witnessed far too many.

 

It's for that reason we can all recognize the same patterns we've seen in the past.  As soon as they pay the QB, everything else starts to degrade.  They market the shit out of the QB and seem to expect everyone to stay happy with that.  They let some people who deserve a raise walk who they believe are "replaceable"... then they rely on the draft or over-the-hill FA's to fill that gap.  Needless to say that's not how winning franchises go about it unless absolutely forced to.  Do note: the Bengals are NOT forced to, and NEVER have been, quite the contrary - their concern seems to be to preempt that ever happening.   Just think of Bates as a very simple example.  Does any fan honestly think the Bengals couldn't AFFORD to give him a 4 year deal worth $16M a year in 2022?  Hell, it likely was cheaper than that at that time, he didn't get that until after his franchise tag season.  That is a horrible way to run a winning team.

 

Let's also recognize that there *is* a coaching gap here, as evidenced by the Chiefs, 49ers, etc competing every single season, even when they lose half their defense to the cap.  That's not just from good drafting, that's also finding the right fits and actually teaching them - and KEEPING the KEY players on both sides of the ball.  I've said it many times, Lou knows how to scheme, he knows how to deploy tactics at halftime.  However, his defense is highly specialized and he needs really specific fits in a few spots to make it work.  This showed itself as a possibility in his first couple of seasons here, seemed likely when the FA influx before the SB run bore those immediate results, and is, IMO, being absolutely proven now.  It's impossible for us to say whether Lou isn't getting heard on personnel matters anymore, but I bet he's at least second tier in this area (my evidence being his 'aw shucks' reaction to losing key players over the past two off-seasons).

 

I think back to when they asked Burrow about their "championship window" and he replied "my whole career is our window"... Mikey probably creamed his pants when he heard that one, it's been the Bengals' MO for his entire time as owner - the QB is everything, nothing else matters, everyone else is replaceable, there is no price that is worth as much.  That's simply not true.  It's required to win, but you can't just leave everything else to chance/hope.  Other teams recognize that "windows" really do exist, and spend accordingly.

 

 

So let's talk about the idea that Lous scheme is too complex for young guys. 

 

I would suggest in order for us to determine that to be true we need to ask what young guy have we drafted that has come on and shown up and shown out after being in the scheme for a few years?

 

I would argue we just don't have the talent.

 

Cam is a CB2. Our LBs are good when they aren't being forced to do too much because the other guys around them are failing. But who else on D have we drafted that isn't just a jag?

[claptonrocks]

3 hours ago, gupps said:

 

Awesome..

He nailed the emotions thru the game ..

[UncleEarl]

37 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

So let's talk about the idea that Lous scheme is too complex for young guys. 

 

I would suggest in order for us to determine that to be true we need to ask what young guy have we drafted that has come on and shown up and shown out after being in the scheme for a few years?

 

I would argue we just don't have the talent.

 

Cam is a CB2. Our LBs are good when they aren't being forced to do too much because the other guys around them are failing. But who else on D have we drafted that isn't just a jag?

 

The defense is failing in many ways, but it starts with the line.  When there is little to no pressure it exposes any weaknesses in coverage, of which the Bengals have plenty.  The injuries/talent drain on the DL is a problem.  No replacement for Reader.  Injury related or not, the dropoff in play from Hubbard is large.  New guys not stepping up.  Drafting on both OL and DL is an issue they need to address.  It's bad, and I don't think you can blow it off on luck.

 

CTB is frustrating, but he's a talent.  I think the outside CBs are suffering because even when they are supposed to have safety support those guys are too slow to get there. 

 

This team needs safeties.  Last year it was inexperience and mistakes.  This year it's old guys who struggle physically to keep up.  If the Bengals are going to lose, better to lose with physically talented guys trying to learn.

 

Finally, is Anarumo's defense too hard to learn, or is it a teaching and/or patience problem from the coaching staff?

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

So let's talk about the idea that Lous scheme is too complex for young guys. 

 

I would suggest in order for us to determine that to be true we need to ask what young guy have we drafted that has come on and shown up and shown out after being in the scheme for a few years?

 

I would argue we just don't have the talent.

 

Cam is a CB2. Our LBs are good when they aren't being forced to do too much because the other guys around them are failing. But who else on D have we drafted that isn't just a jag?

I'm gonna beat in this dead horse again

 

Jordan Battle had a 82.5 rating his rook season despite playing with Nick Scott who hadn't a clue what he was doing out there.

He made All -Rookie team for his showing.

 

They return Vonn Bell to QB the  backfield

So battle sits and sits while the aging Bell looks slow out there.

 

Now that they're almost out of playoff picture will they insert Battle on now

 

How about taking Geno Stones out for a speedster in Tyceen Anderson?

 

I'm not sure if that will stop the flow of points given up but

at least play the younger guys to see their true worth if nothing else for the draft next year

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jamie_B]

10 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

 

The defense is failing in many ways, but it starts with the line.  When there is little to no pressure it exposes any weaknesses in coverage, of which the Bengals have plenty.  The injuries/talent drain on the DL is a problem.  No replacement for Reader.  Injury related or not, the dropoff in play from Hubbard is large.  New guys not stepping up.  Drafting on both OL and DL is an issue they need to address.  It's bad, and I don't think you can blow it off on luck.

 

CTB is frustrating, but he's a talent.  I think the outside CBs are suffering because even when they are supposed to have safety support those guys are too slow to get there. 

 

This team needs safeties.  Last year it was inexperience and mistakes.  This year it's old guys who struggle physically to keep up.  If the Bengals are going to lose, better to lose with physically talented guys trying to learn.

 

Finally, is Anarumo's defense too hard to learn, or is it a teaching and/or patience problem from the coaching staff?

 

Sadly I think the team needs alot, at least on the defensive side of the ball.

 

I completely agree that the Dline is a problem. We can't collapse the pocket at all. Maybe if Rankins comes back and can start contributing that might change, but he's not a long term answer to this as we only signed him for two years. But I would also suggest we need another DE for the long term. Hubbard and Hendrickson arent getting younger, and Ossai hasnt shown up to be anything other than a JAG, (after what I thought was a promising start his first year playing). Maybe Jenkins and Jackson can be DTs of the future, but I'm not super convinced either guy will give us anything more than what BJ Hill does. Hope I'm wrong on that. I'd also arguing that having a true #1 CB can also be a huge help in giving the Dline more time to get to the QB. To me DE and CB for this team should be the top goals in the offseason. As that is a tit-for-tat situation that adding a premier talent at either position would go far in helping the other position group too. As for Saftey, Jordan Battle has the talent imho, he was playing well last year. It sounds like he may not have it completely upstairs. Is that on Lou or him? Don't know. I do know that while Bell has lost a step, when Battle was on the field in his place we couldnt stop anyone either. If I could take Bell's head and put in Battle's body I think we would be ok at that Saftey position. As far as Stone, he's been over advertised, and seems to have benifited playing next to Kyle Hamilton. So yes I agree we need at least one S. 

 

As to is Lou's scheme too difficult or is the coaching failing the young guys? I'm just not sure we have the data on that to know really. I would be more convinced it was coaching and not a lack of talent if we had someone we drafted balling out in Lou's system, and I just dont see that.

Now if we want to blame the lack of talent on the front office and the defensive coaching staff who because of the way the Bengals use coaching to help draft, I am 100% on board with that. 

[Jamie_B]

13 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

I'm gonna beat in this dead horse again

 

Jordan Battle had a 82.5 rating his took season despite playing with Nick Scott who hadn't a clue what he was doing out there.

He made All -Rookie team for his showing.

 

They return Vonn Bell to QB the  backfield

So battle sits and sits while the aging Bell looks slow out there.

 

Now that they're almost out of playoff picture will they insert Battle on now

 

How about taking Geno Stones out for a speedster in Tyceen Anderson?

 

I'm not sure if that will stop the flow of points given up but

at least play the younger guys to see their true worth if nothing else for the draft next year

 

 

 

 

Battle didn't exactly look good out there yesterday either. I'm curious what the issue Lou was talking about him having during the early part of the season was?