Hard Knocks AFCN

[T-Dub]

Much could be said but the difference in preparation between the Bengals & Stealers was pretty dramatic.  Maybe it was the editing, IDK.  Tomlin was focused and intense.  By comparison Taylor sounded like he was reading your table the day's lunch specials.  Blame their respective records but on game day Pittsburgh were energized but loose while the Bengals players were tense & worried.  At least, that was my impression.

 

One other thing - Joe & Ja'Marr seem to kind of be in their own bubble.  Like it was them & then everyone else in the building. The vibe reminded me of a couple of work buds just punching the clock and looking forward to going home. 

 

For all the talk before the game about getting on track & stacking wins for the postseason I never got the feeling anyone truly believed it.  It was just a bunch of noise.

[LostInDaJungle]

It was also pretty stark moving from other teams meeting rooms with giant high def TV's to the Bengals in a far more modest classroom with a projector screen pulled down. Like the Stealers were in a 5 star hotel, and the Bengals were in a Holiday Inn.

I'll sum up the vibe like this.

Tomlin: You need to be ready to rip out a mfers throat. You ain't gonna let him beat you. We aren't here to play - we're here to dominate!

Taylor: We have a really good opportunity to start strong and win this game. It's going to be tough and physical, but I think we can weather that storm and squeak out a win.

To be fair, Pittsburgh had just as many guys looking disassociated in meetings. Jamarr Chase always looks like someone just farted next to him.

Really, nothing behind the scenes on the Bengals D. 

[T-Dub]

33 minutes ago, LostInDaJungle said:

Really, nothing behind the scenes on the Bengals D. 

 

Hardly a peep.  You'd think they inflate those guys on game day with a bicycle pump.

 

Interesting to hear how Tomlin talks about Burrow, Ja'Marr, Chase Brown & OBJr.  Genuine respect there.  Of course, exhorting his team to "kill!" Zeus was telling in a different way.

[Mikeslumina]

Zach is a Cliché like politician. We can do it guys. 
Stealers you can tell believe in chemistry and their team seems really close. Hayward is an all pro they build around it. You can tell there is account ability.  
bengals are like the to days talking about a stupid bat mobile. I want Joe to throw something at someone. bengals got rid of their leaders that were good. Reader bates we’re good players and leaders. Same with mixon a leader. They do not build team they are just numbers on page. Players feel that. 
 

I also noticed the book is out of Orlando. Tomlin said that’s why kc moved on from him. And told a player to target him. He challenged him. Say what you want it happened strip sack fumble. I hate Stealers but bengals will never change neither will Stealers. .
 

[UncleEarl]

The Stealers have always had that identity.  They live it.  It's a big part of their success.

 

The Bengals identity is as losers.  They will find a way to F it up. 

 

The identity has to change.  It will take a strong personality like a Forrest Gregg or Sam Wyche.  Since Wyche the Bengals have avoided coaches like that.  I wonder why....  🥷

 

Look what Dan Campbell has done in Detroit. 

[-GoBengals-]

2 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

The Stealers have always had that identity.  They live it.  It's a big part of their success.

 

The Bengals identity is as losers.  They will find a way to F it up. 

 

The identity has to change.  It will take a strong personality like a Forrest Gregg or Sam Wyche.  Since Wyche the Bengals have avoided coaches like that.  I wonder why....  🥷

 

Look what Dan Campbell has done in Detroit. 

 

that must be why the steelers have had so much deep playoff success in the last 4 years and the bengals have not.

 

right?

[-GoBengals-]

its fun how no one thought, that perhaps, Tomlin is putting on a show for the cameras he knows are there, cause you know, antonio brown posted the video of a post game speech of tomlins where he is just a monotone and drab, using cuss words of course, but he is hardly a hype man...

 

additionally there are types of coaches, Taylor is an offensive focused X and Os coach who calls plays and is part of how the team operates, Tomlin is not that, he is what he is, a hype man? whatever you wanna call him, but his team has been pathetic in the postseason while he watched Taylor and the bengals in the superbowl and AFCC. 

 

 

[I_C_Deadpeople]

37 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

 

that must be why the Stealers have had so much deep playoff success in the last 4 years and the bengals have not.

 

right?

If the Stealers every had a QB close to Burrow they would be a scary team for a decade. Tomlin got them winning seasons with crap QB's, I will give him and the org credit for that. 

 

What would our record be if we had Pickens mittens at QB for the last few years instead of Joe?

[T-Dub]

3 hours ago, GoBengals said:

its fun how no one thought, that perhaps, Tomlin is putting on a show for the cameras he knows are there, cause you know, antonio brown posted the video of a post game speech of tomlins where he is just a monotone and drab, using cuss words of course, but he is hardly a hype man...

 

additionally there are types of coaches, Taylor is an offensive focused X and Os coach who calls plays and is part of how the team operates, Tomlin is not that, he is what he is, a hype man? whatever you wanna call him, but his team has been pathetic in the postseason while he watched Taylor and the bengals in the superbowl and AFCC. 

 

 

 

I hate them as much as anyone but I'm sorry dude - that is some orange-colored glasses BS.  They haven't had a losing season since 2003.  They expect to win.  It's fucked up that they're willing to break some knees to do it & that's why I could never be a Stealers fan.  Maybe Tomlin was mugging for the cameras but his players sure act like they believe in him.  Can you say the same about Taylor?

 

That aside, claiming we have the better organization because we went to the Super Bowl 3 years ago while sitting at 4-8 is the most Bengals shit ever.  We'd all be over the moon if we had even half the success & overall consistency they seem to take for granted.

 

All I'm saying is that I wish our guys had some of that attitude. They haven't quite beat it out of Joe yet but the rest of the team..  IDK, I'm not seeing it.

[LostInDaJungle]

19 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

I hate them as much as anyone but I'm sorry dude - that is some orange-colored glasses BS.  They haven't had a losing season since 2003.  They expect to win.  It's fucked up that they're willing to break some knees to do it & that's why I could never be a Stealers fan.  Maybe Tomlin was mugging for the cameras but his players sure act like they believe in him.  Can you say the same about Taylor?

 

That aside, claiming we have the better organization because we went to the Super Bowl 3 years ago while sitting at 4-8 is the most Bengals shit ever.  We'd all be over the moon if we had even half the success & overall consistency they seem to take for granted.

 

All I'm saying is that I wish our guys had some of that attitude. They haven't quite beat it out of Joe yet but the rest of the team..  IDK, I'm not seeing it.

Tomlin has won a Super Bowl. I mean... 

And Zac Taylor wasn't also putting on a show for the cameras? C'mon man.

There's only so many bad opinions I can read from a guy before I stop even caring what his opinions are.

Succinctly: If Mike Tomlin and Zac Taylor both got fired tomorrow, who do you think is getting the phone call first from interested teams? If you think the answer is Zac Taylor, put down the crack pipe and get help. Drugs are bad... MMkay?

[UncleEarl]

4 hours ago, GoBengals said:

 

that must be why the Stealers have had so much deep playoff success in the last 4 years and the bengals have not.

 

right?

 

The last four years?  The Stealers identity isn't just about the last four years, it's been the same for decades. 

 

The Bengals have had two good playoff runs since the 80s. 

 

The Bengals are occasionally good, the Stealers are occasionally not good. 

[LostInDaJungle]

9 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

 

The last four years?  The Stealers identity isn't just about the last four years, it's been the same for decades. 

 

The Bengals have had two good playoff runs since the 80s. 

 

The Bengals are occasionally good, the Stealers are occasionally not good. 

Tomlin was a few notches past any other coach in the division. If anyone remembers James Harrison's stint on Hard Knocks with the Bengals... You both appreciate the intensity and feel like maybe the dude should switch to decaf. Get therapy or something.

"When that tornado from the west crushes buildings, I'm impressed." ~TMBG

Harbaugh was less intense than even Zac... I'm not saying that Zac needs to be LIKE Mike Tomlin... Mike Tomlin is a jagass. If I knew Mike Tomlin, I wouldn't like him. PLENTY of great coaches are not out there with their nuts in a vise.

But Zac sounded like warmed over Tony Robinson quotes. He was a "hang in there" motivational poster. Harbaugh seemed to have way more connection with his players. They talked about a plan, not a goal. And his rhetoric was FAR more determined. You could call that a byproduct of winning, but Stefanski wasn't showing the same. Zac looks like he's not cool enough to actually talk to Joe and Jamarr. He acts like someone's little brother who doesn't want to upset the older guys by talking too much.

It's all subtle... "We're going to" vs. "We think we can". But I just finished watching the 2013 edition, and the contrast even to Marvin, from an attitude position, is striking. Lou and Zim might as well be from different planets. Lou looked like a whipped dog... But maybe that's him as usual. Lou has never been "high energy".

 

Zac and Lou had the energy of coaches who were losing. I didn't see the same from the Browns. I didn't get that same sense of focus. The Browns were talking about what they were going to do to win the game, Zac was "If we play hard, maybe we can get lucky".

If you believe that anyone that matters thinks Taylor is a better coach than Tomlin... You're either high, or you think Paycor was built by Aliens.

[BronxBengal]

5 hours ago, LostInDaJungle said:

Tomlin was a few notches past any other coach in the division. If anyone remembers James Harrison's stint on Hard Knocks with the Bengals... You both appreciate the intensity and feel like maybe the dude should switch to decaf. Get therapy or something.

"When that tornado from the west crushes buildings, I'm impressed." ~TMBG

Harbaugh was less intense than even Zac... I'm not saying that Zac needs to be LIKE Mike Tomlin... Mike Tomlin is a jagass. If I knew Mike Tomlin, I wouldn't like him. PLENTY of great coaches are not out there with their nuts in a vise.

But Zac sounded like warmed over Tony Robinson quotes. He was a "hang in there" motivational poster. Harbaugh seemed to have way more connection with his players. They talked about a plan, not a goal. And his rhetoric was FAR more determined. You could call that a byproduct of winning, but Stefanski wasn't showing the same. Zac looks like he's not cool enough to actually talk to Joe and Jamarr. He acts like someone's little brother who doesn't want to upset the older guys by talking too much.

It's all subtle... "We're going to" vs. "We think we can". But I just finished watching the 2013 edition, and the contrast even to Marvin, from an attitude position, is striking. Lou and Zim might as well be from different planets. Lou looked like a whipped dog... But maybe that's him as usual. Lou has never been "high energy".

 

Zac and Lou had the energy of coaches who were losing. I didn't see the same from the Browns. I didn't get that same sense of focus. The Browns were talking about what they were going to do to win the game, Zac was "If we play hard, maybe we can get lucky".

If you believe that anyone that matters thinks Taylor is a better coach than Tomlin... You're either high, or you think Paycor was built by Aliens.

This BS spewed by Taylor when he was hired about creating a winning culture is pure fiction.  Winning cultures don’t accept mediocrity.  Lou’s ass would be out looking for a job.  It does illustrate who actually is pulling the strings and making decisions in this organization and it isn’t Taylor.  Now I was thinking Mikey was getting too senile to make any decisions and Pumpkin and her husband were.  The pattern of performance shows Mikey is still in charged or Pumpkin was an astute in learner from her old man on how not to build a winning organization and shoot for mediocrity.  As tax payers there should be questions on why taxpayers are subsidizing an organization that is not committed to building a positive image for the community.  Winning isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when Bengal football is brought up people from other cities.  The brown family needs to be held accountable to the citizens of Hamilton county for their piss poor performance building a winning organization.  All we hear is crickets.

[|High School Harry|]

Ya' know... I don't have the heart to watch this thing.  At least yet.

[Randle P McMurphy]

19 hours ago, GoBengals said:

 

that must be why the Stealers have had so much deep playoff success in the last 4 years and the bengals have not.

 

right?

 

The last 4 years!?  What "deep playoff success," did the Bengals have last year?  lol  The Bengals had a 2 year run (and STILL didn't win a SB!) in the last

33 years and the Stealers haven't had a losing record in what?  21 years?  17 of those with Tomlin?  They don't have a generational QB fall into their laps

at #1 overall!  And if they did, you think they'd be wasting his prime years with a garbage OL, no run game and an entire defense of shit!?  If Tomlin and the Stealers had Burrow, people would probably be talking about them going for a 3-peat and not the Chiefs!  They sure as hell wouldn't be sitting at 4-8!!  If the Bengals had Russell Wilson with Zac as HC they'd be 0-12 right now, nowhere near 9-3!  

 

19 hours ago, GoBengals said:

additionally there are types of coaches, Taylor is an offensive focused X and Os coach who calls plays and is part of how the team operates, Tomlin is not that, he is what he is, a hype man? whatever you wanna call him, but his team has been pathetic in the postseason while he watched Taylor and the bengals in the superbowl and AFCC.

 

The above statement is exactly the kind of statement that a "fan," of the worst "fanbase" in all of sports would make!  "Taylor is an offensive focused

X's and O's coach who calls (shitty!) plays and is part of how the team operates, (Like garbage and with no accountability!) while Tomlin, who has never had

a losing season and has a SB win is just a "hype man," who watched the Bengals LOSE in the SB and AFCCG!  L O L ! 

[UncleEarl]

7 hours ago, LostInDaJungle said:

Tomlin was a few notches past any other coach in the division. If anyone remembers James Harrison's stint on Hard Knocks with the Bengals... You both appreciate the intensity and feel like maybe the dude should switch to decaf. Get therapy or something.

"When that tornado from the west crushes buildings, I'm impressed." ~TMBG

Harbaugh was less intense than even Zac... I'm not saying that Zac needs to be LIKE Mike Tomlin... Mike Tomlin is a jagass. If I knew Mike Tomlin, I wouldn't like him. PLENTY of great coaches are not out there with their nuts in a vise.

But Zac sounded like warmed over Tony Robinson quotes. He was a "hang in there" motivational poster. Harbaugh seemed to have way more connection with his players. They talked about a plan, not a goal. And his rhetoric was FAR more determined. You could call that a byproduct of winning, but Stefanski wasn't showing the same. Zac looks like he's not cool enough to actually talk to Joe and Jamarr. He acts like someone's little brother who doesn't want to upset the older guys by talking too much.

It's all subtle... "We're going to" vs. "We think we can". But I just finished watching the 2013 edition, and the contrast even to Marvin, from an attitude position, is striking. Lou and Zim might as well be from different planets. Lou looked like a whipped dog... But maybe that's him as usual. Lou has never been "high energy".

 

Zac and Lou had the energy of coaches who were losing. I didn't see the same from the Browns. I didn't get that same sense of focus. The Browns were talking about what they were going to do to win the game, Zac was "If we play hard, maybe we can get lucky".

If you believe that anyone that matters thinks Taylor is a better coach than Tomlin... You're either high, or you think Paycor was built by Aliens.

 

Ummm, in no way am I suggesting Taylor is a better coach than Tomlin.  I am saying that winning attitude has been with the Stealers for a long time, all the way back to the 70s.  They just don't want to win, they want to hurt you and send you crying to your mommy.  I'm not for the dirty shit the Stealers have done for decades, but that attitude and culture is a big part of their success.

[LostInDaJungle]

19 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

 

Ummm, in no way am I suggesting Taylor is a better coach than Tomlin.  I am saying that winning attitude has been with the Stealers for a long time, all the way back to the 70s.  They just don't want to win, they want to hurt you and send you crying to your mommy.  I'm not for the dirty shit the Stealers have done for decades, but that attitude and culture is a big part of their success.

My bad. I started replying to you and ended up addressing the whole thread. Apologies.

[T-Dub]

Never quite understood what great football aptitude Katie was supposed to embody. She's a contract lawyer that knows how to count every bean. The closest she's been to any sort of winning team culture were stories her Grandpa might have told her about that time when..

 

This expectation of big changes under her are pure wishful thinking. She's trying to keep the family in champagne & caviar. A little better at media. Otherwise from what I've seen? Same as it ever was...

[Jamie_B]

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Ya' know... I don't have the heart to watch this thing.  At least yet.

 

Yeah I haven't been able to watch either, not sure I will.

[T-Dub]

Taylor still seems out of his depth (yeh I know, worst fans ever) but at least he got on the refs about the egregious facemask on Burrow.  "None of us saw it" Really? Nobody? Then why the fuck are you NFL officials other than the ability to lie convincingly?

 

Porter Jr actually seems like he might be a decent person.  That couch scene with Dad recounting his version of an on-field fight against the Browns was telling.  Could see Junior struggling with the "Yeah he was kind of a piece of shit as a player but he's my Dad" thing.  It was fun hearing Senior refer to it as being "jumped".  Too bad it's an NFL production so they wouldn't immediately cut to the casino footage of him & his boys mugging Levi Jones.  Chickenshit, but oh well.

 

Winston also seems like a decent dude but uh..  let's just say, he's in his own Jameis world. Football-wise apparently the guy just can't read the field worth a damn. 

 

Lastly, no news here but Joe & Ja'Marr are the franchise & the cameras know it.  It really sucks that we're depending on people who have been complete ass at evaluating defensive talent to rebuild the defense.  If they somehow manage to accomplish that without the offense taking a corresponding big step backwards, sky's the limit.  Not going to be easy with a hole at LG, an LT that can't stay on the field, and a C & RG that are aging out.

[Jamie_B]

3 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

Taylor still seems out of his depth (yeh I know, worst fans ever) but at least he got on the refs about the egregious facemask on Burrow.  "None of us saw it" Really? Nobody? Then why the fuck are you NFL officials other than the ability to lie convincingly?

 

Porter Jr actually seems like he might be a decent person.  That couch scene with Dad recounting his version of an on-field fight against the Browns was telling.  Could see Junior struggling with the "Yeah he was kind of a piece of shit as a player but he's my Dad" thing.  It was fun hearing Senior refer to it as being "jumped".  Too bad it's an NFL production so they wouldn't immediately cut to the casino footage of him & his boys mugging Levi Jones.  Chickenshit, but oh well.

 

Winston also seems like a decent dude but uh..  let's just say, he's in his own Jameis world. Football-wise apparently the guy just can't read the field worth a damn. 

 

Lastly, no news here but Joe & Ja'Marr are the franchise & the cameras know it.  It really sucks that we're depending on people who have been complete ass at evaluating defensive talent to rebuild the defense.  If they somehow manage to accomplish that without the offense taking a corresponding big step backwards, sky's the limit.  Not going to be easy with a hole at LG, an LT that can't stay on the field, and a C & RG that are aging out.

 

That part. They got to fix that THIS offseason. Otherwise Joe will never sniff another SB.

[T-Dub]

16 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

That part. They got to fix that THIS offseason. Otherwise Joe will never sniff another SB.

 

 

I guess I don't need to point out they've also been complete ass at evaluating OL talent, other than Mims who was kind of slotted to them without much deliberation required.

 

 

But other than being names-out-of-a-hat bad  at drafting the team's two biggest needs, I'm sure they're well respected around the league.

 

[Jamie_B]

1 minute ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

I guess I don't need to point out they've also been complete ass at evaluating OL talent, other than Mims who was kind of slotted to them without much deliberation required.

 

 

 

 

Yeah that part. At least interior Olinemen are easier to find? (Assuming you used higher than a 4th round pick on one?

[T-Dub]

5 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

Yeah that part. At least interior Olinemen are easier to find? (Assuming you used higher than a 4th round pick on one?

 

 

Billy Price?

 

[Jamie_B]

1 minute ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

Billy Price?

 

 

 

Oof