Cincy Jungle

Oregonbengalsfan - January 4, 2012 reply

Haven't seen anything recently regarding Zimmer

I haven't heard anyone but media analysts talking about how he SHOULD be considered

The only place I could see him going would be possibly St. Louis, but I’m thinking they will want to look for an offensive kind of guy.

Really? I just saw something today from the Crypt Keeper

that there has been a lot of talk from around the league about Zim getting looks.

cowboys want zimmer

OBlock85 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

Jerry Boy has already said Rex Ryan's job is safe.

Rob Ryan's job*

See what all of this Jets jibber jabber is doing to me?? They’re in the media every 5 seconds.

Jinx

emeybee - January 4, 2012 reply

Rex Ryan is in New York

Rob Ryan is in Dallas but he is only Defensive Coordinator and I’d imagine they’d want Zim as HC

emeybee - January 4, 2012 reply

Jerry has already said both of their jobs were safe.

cowboys want zimmer

OBlock85 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

To replace Garret?

I thought they already said Garret was staying. And Zimmer’s under contract next year I think so he couldn’t take a DC job there.

I've got to be honest...

I’m not as enamored with Jay Gruden as a lot of people. You can credit him for not putting too much on Dalton’s plate too soon, but ultimately his game plans have been very vanilla – again, in part to protect Dalton, but it is what it is. And just like Dalton, his offense would have had almost no success if it wasn’t for the All Universe performance of AJ. And even with that, it still ended up being an offense ranked 20th in the league and just abysmal in the red zone.

I don’t entirely blame Gruden for this. I think a lot of it is Marvin dictating scheme (“You are going to run on first down. Every. Single. Time.”) and the whole rookie thing and the lockout thing and yadda yadda yadda. But I dont’ think Gruden came in here and performed any miracles. AJ was the one doing that. We were all SO sick fo Bratkowski and Carson and Chad that when we got rid of all three of them at once and started seeing some wins go up on the board, we started nominating them all for sainthood right away. Dalton has been “successful” because he’s REALLY smart. Nothing about Gruden’s offense has been that complicated. I would imagine if we had to replace him next year, we would find an OC who runs a similar system and part of the job description would be “Your’e not dismantling the playbook that we’ve already installed. That’s your foundation.”

But i agree, the idea of anyone hiring Gruden as a HC after one mildly successful season as a coordinator is silly.

Also agree

Plus Gruden would be naive to think he could have anywhere near the same success in Jacksonville. Gabbert is atrocious, and it would take him less than a week to see for himself.

steve henderson - January 4, 2012 reply

He saw that when they worked him out.

I don’t think Gruden even had him in his top 3 or 4 QB’s.

Good is Good

This guy is a freaking great coach
I wouldnt be surprised to see him have the same success as his brother

Remember a year ago...

we all figured that the second big brother returned to the coaching game that Jay would follow him? Wouldn’t be surprised if they are interviewing for the same jobs now.

I think his brother is content on Monday night football

I thought i heard that Gruden and Cowher took there names out mix,for this season at least

Gruden signed an extension

but never ruled it out. Always give cliche “I’m happy now, we’ll see about the future”. His name is still linked to coaching vacancies (most notably, STL). Jon is much more likely to return. Cowher seems contented as a tv guy now.

Oregonbengalsfan - January 4, 2012 reply

Read an article is SI

Where Cowher says he’s not going anywhere.

+1

His biggest asset was the fact he wasnt Bratkowski. I don’t see anything special about his playcalling. It boils down to the guys on the field making his plays look good.
I actually wouldn’t mind seeing him as our HC and Marvin Lewis take over as DC. I am so sick of having a DC for a HC.
I want teams mad at us for running up scores on them. I am so sick of get a lead and sit on it till they come back and beat us football.

Yarin - January 4, 2012 reply

WOW

This year was vanilla due to the limit off-season and rookie QB/WR

So (if he stays) I’m going to wait until next year to reserve judgement on his creativity.

emeybee - January 4, 2012 reply

That's basically what I'm saying

I’m not knocking Gruden. He could end up being the next Sean Peyton. I just don’t think he’s irreplaceable at this very moment. I would much prefer he DIDN’T leave, just to give Dalton and AJ a little continuity.

Any Idea's?

Where Marvin’s going to come up,with another unheard of talet to be OC

I’m sure it will be more than obvious to all the doubter’s how good Gruden is
When he is gone

Thats how love works

There's probably dozens

of names out there for Marvin. NO ONE saw Gruden as a potential hire for the Bengals.

Yes,his brother's connection to UD

The Bengals could have had his brother a few years back
Mike’s reputation stalled that speculation before it even had a chance to evolve into a story

thats what I think

he already stated he could draw up 50 plays a night for him but he is going to take is slow…at the same time…its the playoffs…we need to go ALL OUT….period

ticalcaldwell - January 4, 2012 reply

nod

about the only concrete fact we learned concerning gruden in 2011, he’s not bratt. which is enough to keep cincy fans semi happy with gruden for a few years, even if he’s terrible at his job. given the time limits of the preseason, a fleet of rookies, and installing a new offense this season. gruden did on hellva a job.

Gruden did a very good job

But I’m not sure I saw anything that tells me he did a uniquely amazing job. Given the limitations, I think any OC with half a brain would have come in with the same mentality of limiting the playbook and working within a system that closely resembles the system his rookie QB ran in college. So from day 1 his job was “Do as little as possible and get your rookies to play well.” Then the debate becomes about how much influence the OC has on actually getting the rookies to play well. No one is giving Zampese any love at all for Dalton’s success. Ditto with Urban for AJ and Hawk.

I admire what Gruden did this year, but when you look at the numbers what he did wasn’t really THAT impressive. He took a rookie-led offense that should have probably finished in the upper 20’s and bumped it up to 20th in the league. It was never going to be the WORST offense in the league – not with Whitworth and Smith and Williams and Benson and Gresham. So he made a potentially really bad offense a little bit below average. I’m sure that wasn’t an EASY thing to do, but let’s not act like the guy came in here turned water into wine.

If Jacksonville wants to sign him, and the more I think about it the more it might not be the CRAZIEST idea I’ve ever heard, then we’ll be able to find someone to run a similar system. The playbook’s already there. It’s lying on tables and desks and in file cabinets all over PBS. It’s not like Gruden has been making brilliantly timed, masterfully schemed play calls on game day week in and week out. Hire a WCO guy, hand him the playbook we already have, and say “Work off of this, expand from this, and spend the next 6 months watching every single snap Dalton has taken to make sure you know every last thing about him.” And even then Marvin will still tell the new guy we’re running behind RG on first and 10 every snap anyway…

eric nyc - January 5, 2012 reply

exhibit a

the st louis rams.

with sam bradford and steven jackson and all the weapons they have at wr and te. on paper the rams have a better offense than the bengals out of the gate in 2011. who’s responsible for the mess in st louis the players or Josh McDaniels?

saying the bengals had all the pieces to be top 20s offense doesn’t mean they were going to be that. gruden does get credit from me for at least getting that on the field.

and the rush job TD vs cleveland!

I said he did a good job

Just not a SPECTACULAR, irreplaceable job. Again, if we didn’t have AJ then this offense very well could have been something like 30th in the league. How many games did he win for us with one or two ridiculous catches that maybe 2 other guys on the planet could have made?

eric nyc - January 5, 2012 reply

i'm really hoping that aj "jumpball"

is dalton being a rookie and not gruden. we went to that way too much this year.

agreed

I think the offense operated a little better before it became apparent that AJ Green had kangaroo legs. Not blaming AJ, but that Dalton seems to go dargon and throw it up and deep for AJ, sometimes, instead of utilizing others that seem open.
I think Simpson and Caldwell midseason fuggles contributed to that mindset.

Really Great write-up Eric.

I like Gruden, and wish his brother would come be the next HC, bu if we lose him, so be it! Can you imagine the talent that would be licking their chops to be our next OC???

I'm sorry,dont agree

Its going to be some unheard of project

No one ever stands in line for a job here,and a 9-7 season isnt enough to change that just yet

according to a bloomberg article from last month

42.5 of the eligible workforce in the usa is looking for work (amazing what happens you massage the numbers and unemployee goes to 9 percent).

while we might not get the sexy candidates wanting to work for mike brown, there are enough coaches in football looking for jobs or advancement into the nfl, it won’t be that hard to find someone to fill gruden’s shoes.

I agree

Who wouldnt jump at the opportunity
Doesnt mean just because they need or take the job,
That they are Jay Gruden!

I guess i shouldnt panic,IMO the bengals were overachiever’s this season

And the overachieving continues in Texas this weekend

From what I've seen

His play calling is not exactly the greatest. Obviously I do not know what restrictions Marvin or the shortened season put on him, but it seems to me that he will not achieve the same level of success up in J-ville. Hopefully he stays another year though, if it aint broke, why fix it?

Btw, been reading this blog for a while and I absolutely love it!! Decided to finally make an account. WHO DEY!!

welcome to the jungle

keithster - January 4, 2012 reply

Thank you

From what I’ve noticed this blog is filled with friendly people. Much better than the always angry Raider fans i saw on the SABP blog after I went there to see what they thought about the Carson trade…

SHUT UP WE HATE YOU GO AWAY NOW!

;)

Luke - January 4, 2012 reply

Haha

I guess I can deal with one person being rude ;)

AZBengal18 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

There are two groups of people I really hate....................

People who hate and are intolerant of others just because they root for another team.

And Raider fans.

JUNGLEJOHN - January 5, 2012 reply

Haha

At first, i thought you were getting mad at me. Then I read the bottom, and I agree completely. Dumb Raider fans…

AZBengal18 - January 5, 2012 reply

Awesome

Welcome aboard!

Jason Garrison - January 4, 2012 reply

yes, welcome aboard brother

welcome

you will get hooked on this site…its like crack for a bengals fan..our team has so much more parity now due to the image entirely changing….I love talking about this team now….

ticalcaldwell - January 4, 2012 reply

Totally agree

Before I used to get so much crap for wearing my Ocho jersey around…now, I people give me props for wearing my Green jersey everywhere. Even had some people call me a bandwagon fan today. The Bengals are good enough for me to “bandwagon” for them haha

I wait to be called a bandwagon

and then strike down vengence upon thee, and they will know, I am the lord

ticalcaldwell - January 4, 2012 reply

haha

Not gonna lie, it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. The way he said it, it made it seem like the Bengals don’t have fans, especially outside of Ohio. Teams don’t have to have a rich history to have fans. Tbh, its too easy to be a Steelers, Patriots, Saints, or Packers fan.

I have family in Tucson

Huge Bengals fans

>bengals don't have fans out of ohio

hi

I disagree....

I am in Western Mass and have been a Bengals fan since ’79!

Have you lived in Mass. all these years?

Or was their some other kind of tie to CINCY?

Born in Portugal, spent 8 years there

and moved to Western Mass afterwards. Been here for 37 years now….no ties to Cincy, although have a few friends from Ohio (but they are Cleveland fans since they are from Amherst, Ohio). Pretty much saw the Bengals play once on TV, and that was it. Hooked ever since to the team. Actually, it was a game between the Bengals vs. Browns, Jack Thompson was the QB for the game. Isaac Curtis had a great game, but Brian Sipe managed to get the W…

that's an oldie

The Throwin’ Samoan

Our ties to Samoan

players go way back…. ;)

That's what I was saying.

I’m from Michigan.

I'm in SOCAL but from Cincy..

Law1951 - January 5, 2012 reply

Welcome... Come on in!

The water is just fine… And we got some really intelligent members too!

Welcome

His play calling has been OK, but I agree it’s been a little limited. My favorite play call this year was actually one that did not work. It was our first game against Baltimore when we tried to run a surprise option with Andy Dalton and Andrew Hawkins, the timing and execution was bad and it didn’t work but if you watch the replay the play was wide open if it would have been executed right. Since then, it seems he’s been even more consertative with his calls

biggie22 - January 4, 2012 reply

I think even Gruden was caught up in Tebow Time at that point....

AZBengal18 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

I can agree with that..

Heck in midseason, there were trick plays like in one game he had Dalton run a QB Option left with Scott!!! It backfired into a fumble which we did recover but for negative yards. Then there was the half back pass he tried against the Steelers – dumb in that situation and it failed.

I applaud the creativity though, anything to cych the D off guard. Hopefully we see some of that this weekend. But this time, it works...

AZBengal18 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

GOD, I hope not!!!

Just solid Offensive play.. Mix it up a bit and throw on first down, or run it himself!! That will keep the LB’s off balance and we can throw the imntermediate routes, then pop the big one when the Corners and Safeties start cheating in.

Sorry Biggie...

Didn’t read your take before responding to the Tenow comment..

Thats OK

Great minds think alike LOL

biggie22 - January 4, 2012 reply

Welcome to the Jungle

does it get worse here every day?

FrankWyt - January 5, 2012 reply

It does when you live like an animal

And you're in the jungle where we play

spif - January 5, 2012 reply

lol…both of you…

FrankWyt - January 5, 2012 reply

you did serve em a softball

occams_tiger_teeth - January 5, 2012 reply

It was right over the plate

And halfway between my shoulders and my kn-kn-kn-kn-kn-knees…knees…

spif - January 5, 2012 reply

lol at your malor quote

that was good times

Helmsy - January 5, 2012 reply

what can I say..I’ve seen that guys strange obsession for a long time. I’ve seen him look down his nose on pretty much everyone (BB members, BTSC members, CJ members) Then to see his insane obsession finally come up to the surface to the point where everyone can see it…I had to quote it…

As smart as he thinks he is, he actually said that most elite QB’s don’t “blossom” till their 8th year…..
Add that to the fact that every argument he has is based on some stats that sound like the announcer in the movie “Little Big League”…. ( In case you’re unfamiliar..they are to the tune of "he’s completed the most passes to tight ends that were born in the south, but relocated to the west coast before they were 12, then went on to achieve 3.6 GPA’s in high school. So..he’s obviously awesome…)

FrankWyt - January 5, 2012 reply

It did from 1991 thru about 2003

Me to!!!

I have been reading this blog for a long time also and finally decided to make one

Robert DeLeon - January 5, 2012 via Android app reply

welcome aboard

joeb69 - January 5, 2012 reply

And me!

Since this is turning in to new member introduction time, I’m also a long-time reader/first-time poster. I’ve been a Bengals fan since ’80, but have lived out of town since ’90. Saw a lot of games at Riverfront back in the day.

Gruden seems like a reach for a HC job at this point, but it’s hard to say without knowing who else is in the running. Seems like some in the media are playing up Gruden’s Florida ties more than anything else.

Offensive Brute - January 5, 2012 reply

welcome you as well

and Robert DeLeon

Welcome!

Welcome!

who dey

and welcome

Are Bengals allowed to block Coordinator interviews?

Maybe this is common knowledge, but are teams allowed to block interviews of their coordinators? Seems a little unfair to the Bengals to only get one year out of a hire. I’d think the owners would want to protect their interests. Isn’t that what contracts are all about for both sides?

kmo - January 4, 2012 reply

Only if it's for the same job. You can't block an OC from interviewing for an HC position.

Any compensation?

Would the Bengals get anything in return?

Besides being bent over

for tampering, yes

hiring him away in the off season while using the nfl established hiring policies, no.

Maybe a draft pick?

IF Gruden is under contract, can the Bengals trade Grudens rights for a draft pick?

Chili Dog - January 5, 2012 reply

they CAN

but, who would wanna work for you if they couldn’t leave for a promotion, and how hard would it be to keep your coordinators when their contracts ran out, btw, they almost always do for lateral positions

he is under contract

so i do agree with you about the bengals being able to block gruden from accepting another job. its rare a team will block assistants from interviewing though, since no organization wants to be known for doing that.

occasionally there has been a case of tampering filed with the league office when one team decides to use the media to woo a coach indirectly and during the football season. pats vs jets happened a couple of times at the league office. 49ers went after another team for it back in the 90s as well. mike being mike, hard to say what happens once the off season starts. could i see mike taking this to the league office with a tampering charge and demanding a draft pick from jax if gruden leaves? perhaps. mike just needs to provide a source from all of these reports being linked to any jag employee during this season.

I dunno about that. If so, he'd have the condition that he gets a new QB.

Gabbert has 0 pocket presence, and his arm and accuracy are good, but not great.

The pocket presence kills him. He’s like the exact opposite of Dalton.

so, like Palmer ;)

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7420011/john-clayton-regular-season-grades-afc-teams

From John Clayton, Bengals get best grade in AFC.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Grade: F
A new owner. A new coach. A damaged new quarterback. The biggest disservice former coach Jack Del Rio and the organization did was releasing starting quarterback David Garrard and starting Blaine Gabbert when he wasn’t ready. Putting in requests to interview five offensive coordinators indicates that the team’s rebuilding effort is focused on salvaging Gabbert.

Could be that their interest in Gruden is linked to the fact that he heavily scouted Gabbert before the draft.

Which young OC believed in Gabbert, and which one believes they can fix him?

If that’s the case, I think Gruden is out. Not a great situation. It’s a promotion, but c’mon. It’s a trainwreck down there.

Agreed.

Trainwreck is saying it lightly.

redrifle14 - January 4, 2012 reply

i actually find all this interest in gruden as a backhanded insult to dalton

its like saying dalton is crap and look what gruden has done with dalton. how often do you hear about the panthers offensive coordinator being talked about for a head coaching job? well, its because he didn’t do anything, cam newton is just that good. dalton on the other hand..

which why the national media tends bore me and annoy me in the same breath.

I think Cam's OC is being mentioned also

Damned if you do,Damned if you dont!

good

then i can stop considering it an insult to dalton anytime i hear gruden’s name mentioned as a head coach candidate

I thought Ron Chudzinski

was the guy they REALLY want to be their HC, not Gruden…

The ONLY way this happens, is if Jax let Gruden draft another QB in the 1st rd.

Cause who the fuck would want to have Gabbert run your offense? The guy sucks. Rex Grossman would be a step up.

redrifle14 - January 4, 2012 reply

language dude...

it’s a family site!!!

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/qb

Agreed!

Watch your damn mouth, redrifle14!!

spif - January 4, 2012 reply

Every QB in the NFL ranked out better than Gabbert this year. Worst out there.

If you can't beat out

Hanie and Painter…you should probably start looking for other work.

But his hair is so good!

He HAS to be able to play quarterback he’s like the second “Sunshine” from Remeber the Titans… “I just can’t make that pitch, coach..”

Luke - January 4, 2012 reply

I'm pretty amazed that the Jaguars are looking for a coach to fix Gabbert, as compared to a QB to replace him.

There was one nationally televised game where his average yards per pass was below 1 in the middle of the third quarter. And he’d thrown like 18 passes. Sometimes he just throws the ball to spots. No receiver anywhere near the spot. Happens at least 3 or 4 times a game. Not a throw away and not a miscommunication, he just had no idea where the receiver was going to be, should be, or currently was at.

Thank God

Dalton fell to us…I would hate to have Gabbert as my QB. Still surprised Garrard got cut, even more surprised another team didn’t pick him up. If I remember correctly, he was rather good at one point, leading the Jags to the playoffs twice if I’m not mistaken…

AZBengal18 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

If Dalton had gone before Bengals could get him...

Bengals likely draft Mallet (Mikey’s Choice). Yikes. Garrad was a numbers game. He was an overpaid QB and they never intended to have him groom Gabbert.

Also...

Garrard ended up getting back surgery during the season. If not for that, Oakland never makes the Palmer trade. We own Jacksonville so much.

Ah the back surgery is what did it.

Because I’ve always kinda liked Garrard and before I knew what Dalton had to offer, I wanted the Bengals to pick him up. I’m glad they didn’t because Dalton is an absolute pro. Also it led us to some extra draft picks :)

AZBengal18 - January 4, 2012 via mobile reply

all I can say about Gabbert..is “whoa there mother f er” (if not familiar, youtube it.)

Seriously, rookie or not, the guy sucks and has no future. This was obvious to me before the draft….

FrankWyt - January 4, 2012 reply

One good year at Mizzou and

all the sudden he is a top QB prospect…just did not buy it..

its hard to be a rookie in the nfl

during their second season, most nfl qbs tend to double their completion rates/tds and cut their ints in half. the ones that can’t do that, tend to be busts.

Josh Freeman?

Look at his HC

I’d reserve judgement on Josh,at least until he has a HC
Raheem Morris was like Josh Mcdaniel’s

However...

Raheem Morris was his coach at Kansas State, so he knew what he was getting with Josh Freeman. However, your point is a valid one… :)

depends on your criteria

if you want to proclaim freeman the exception to the rule, keep this in mind:

freeman as a rookie tossed 10 tds, in his second season, he tossed 25 tds. his completion percentage has increased every year of his career. 54%, 61%, 63%.

Remember...

Patriots lost Romeo and Weis in the same off-season and they’ve managed to keep a great run going (although their defense has completely nose-dived). I believe Marvin knows how to replace people if he needs to. Marvin is still VERY respected in the coaching world. He’d get some great talents to come work for him. Hell, Hue Jackson could be the OC if Oakland has another let-down season next year.

it’s because they are faces. Belichick is the real reason

FrankWyt - January 4, 2012 reply

pats also have a hellva scouting dept

I"d rather keep ZIMMER

Romeo has something about him,player’s love him
And i like his style of football,run,run,run,Defense run,run,run

He plays 3-4 though,he seems to be getting overlooked for HC jobs this season
May not be strict enough to be HC,i think he’s a great in waiting

yes

Crennel is an interesting character. Players love him. Media loves him. But he gets blasted and labelled as dumb.

I think the only dumb thing he does is not share the blame, but I guess that’s supposed to be part of being leaderly.

I told you so!!!!!

I just thought it would be Tampa!

This really sux,if he goes we are in big sheet again!

Marvin picked Zimmer and Gruden. As KSE said, probably not the worst thing in the world.

Coordinators come and go. Need to get someone that can utilized Gresham and Green properly, and get WR to play off of Green.

In fact...

just hire whoever Dalton’s QB Coach/OC at TCU was.

Maybe Linehan in Detroit? Go after his WR coach?

Obviously Linehan won’t want to leave the OC position in Detroit for the OC position in Cincy, but I imagine the WR coach there (or the QB coach) has a good idea how to build an offense around a stud WR after watching Linehan let everything run off of Johnson this year.

Actually...

Marvin’s first call could be Brad Childress. Remember that week we all thought Childress was going to be the new OC because they dined together?

http://www.indeonline.com/newsnow/x1569735511/Childress-may-be-in-line-for-Browns-coordinator-spot

True true, but the situation may have changed since that was before the draft.

Hopefully Marvin would go for a guy that can work w/ what we’ve got. Maybe Childress is that guy. I’m not sure, since he was never a play caller when he was the OC.

Plus he may already be gone to Cleveland by the time Marvin needs to mae that decision.

NO.

STOP.

DON’T REMIND ME OF THAT HORRIBLE HORRIBLE IDEA MARVIN HAD.

long time vikes fan

did not care for childress in minny. apparently i wasn’t alone either, childress couldn’t get a job in the nfl after that (even bratt found nfl work after being let go).

childress is currently head coach of eastern illnois.

Was still being paid bye the Viking's

I wouldnt be in to much of a hurry either

Dont like the idea

Even though i didnt like the Idea of drafting AJ 1st round,and was as wrong as Colin Cowherd on a daily basis

Anything to do with WR,and Detroit will always make me skeptical

heh

was as wrong as Colin Cowherd on a daily basis

poetry

although

I don’t listen to him much since he rags on the Reds without cause, but he seemed to have found some love for the Bengals. At least that’s the impression I get from occasional comments found from him here and on Fark.

Yes

Back at the draft,his big thing was,Andy Dalton has red hair, therefore he couldnt ever possibly
be a successful QB in the NFL.

Cowherd

was praising Dalton the last two years, well before Dalton was more well known. One thing Cowherd got right was Dalton.

KSE - January 5, 2012 reply

Did not praise him before the draft

And for that matter bashed him,not sure there’s a Colin Cowherd archive

There has never been a successful “REDHEAD” over,and over
Called it a reach,at the time
Like he always does,changes positions as he see’s fit

There is.

He said a year ago, before the draft “Dalton, the kid from TCU is undersized but he will be a steal in this draft”. I remember the show about the red-headed ness. It was largely tongue in cheek.

He said Dalton would be a reach for Bengals because well, everyone thought the Bengals was a lost cause. Compared him to Brees. He’s also spent the entire season saying Dalton is every bit as great as Newton and briefly stumped for Dalton to be ROTY until Cam broke away. Hate on Cowherd for the stuff with the Reds and Votto, not Dalton. Aside from Cowherd and Dilfer, I don’t think anyone else at the WWL thought anything of Dalton.

KSE - January 5, 2012 reply

Tongue and Cheek

That went on for over a week,wasnt like it was a 5 min spot on one show or something

I dont hate the guy

I listen to his show daily,i’m just not following the herd

He also has a personal vendetta against Norv Turner,and thinks Sanchez is Montana

Not that Norv has done anything to prove him wrong
Or Sanchez hasnt done anything to prove him right.

Should see how much he has jumped back n forth on ELI

Colin just says stuff to spark,interest, controversy,speculation,and debate
His show isnt as much about fact,or his actual beliefs

IMO

This is a huge deal,a common sense approach is all thats needed sometimes
His Brother turned Gannon into a MVP,no one wanted to listen when i said he will be gone

This guy will be coaching in a Super Bowl within the next 5 years
This year preferably

perhaps

perhaps not. hard for me to feel one way or another after only one season. i haven’t seen enough to have a real opinion on his abilities. a shortlist of things i learned about gruden in 2011 would read like:

He’s not Bratt.

Able to work effectively in high pressure situations. (installing new offense and working with rookies in limited preseason)

Appears to design offense that protects rookies and fosters a developmental situation.

Mike Brown

Now’s the time
Marvin to GM
Gruden to HC,dont let him get away

I've had this vision lately...

Katie hoisting that trophy in Indianapolis as Mike stands in the Owners Box with his hands in his pockets and the next day Marvin announces his retirement as HC and the co-promotions of Zimmer as HC and Marvin as President of Football Operations/General Manager.

occams_tiger_teeth - January 5, 2012 reply

+1000

Methinks

90% of the reason his name is being mentioned as a head coaching candidate is because his last name is “Gruden”.

He’s done well with what he’s had to work with and with limited time, but in all reality has he done anything that makes him a better head coaching candidate than so many others?

(Btw I wouldn’t mind seeing Zimmer and Gruden stay, Marvin get promoted to GM, and Jeff Fischer hired as HC!)

spif - January 4, 2012 reply

He's hardly the only buzzy name out there getting a look

after just a single season. Chudzinski is another popular name and he’s in his first year and did wonders with Cam. Gruden name helps but it’s not the whole picture.

Maybe

But ya gotta ask yourself, if his name was “Bob Smith” do you think he’d still get the attention he’s getting?

spif - January 4, 2012 reply

Yes

If he was black and named “BOB SMITH”

I think thats so degrading,why would anyone take a token interveiw,just to satisfy that rule

Thats some fantasy football stuff there

Has nothing to do with his brother,or he would have been on the radar long ago

Names get thrown around every year,i hope its just some BS,for our Bengals sake

would agree its a silly move to tag a 1 yr nfl assistant coach as your head coach

then again look at some of the other moves (in the draft) the jags have made. hard to say that the jags aren’t capable of taking the gamble on gruden this quickly in his career.

Just got finished watching Inside the NFL

and Michael Lombardi said he thinks Manziki (I don’t feel like looking up how to spell it), which is Carolina’s OC is the front runner for the Jacksonville job. A lot of different opinions.

whodeycommish14 - January 5, 2012 via mobile reply

That is what I had heard too...

Ron Chudzinski was who Jax wanted…his success with Cam, Colt, Derek Anderson that one season…plus, he has way more experience than Gruden…but who knows.. :)

I hope the Jags go that route!

Me too...

I want to see what Gruden can do with a full offseason and a chance to work with the team…

If Jax gets Gruden, should we go after Chudzinski?

DTFCPDX - January 5, 2012 reply

Chud isn't likely to make a lateral move.

Some OC/DC will but that’s typically when there is overturn or a system change that doesn’t suit them.

KSE - January 5, 2012 reply

I want him to stay.

Not because I think he’s the greatest coordinator out there or I think he’ll light the world on fire next year with our offense. I want consistency with our young players. Nothing can screw a young player up more than changing coordinators year after year after year. Wanna know why the Browns are trash? Lack of commitment to one coaching staff, constantly changing things because they’re not getting success right away. While there’s no guarantee that the same effects would happen here, I don’t want to risk things getting worse because our young OC got hired away in the offseason. Gruden picked Dalton. He saw something in Dalton he didn’t see in every other QB in the draft, and as a result, that offense he’s been making has been specifically built around Dalton, trying to play to his strengths.

We should do everything in our power to make sure Gruden stays. Don’t block him, obviously, being a dick is counterproductive. But we should still do something.

don't say that Doc

that’s the sole reason we kept Brat for soooo long, didn’t wanna screw up Palmer

joeb69 - January 5, 2012 reply

Nah, I'd blame Mikey Boy for that long before I'd blame Palmer for keeping him.

If things to come to pass and it looks like Gruden’s not working out, I expect Marvin to have enough control now to part ways with him. This isn’t the same regime anymore, this past year has been so furiously pointing to it that I don’t really need to do that anymore.

occams_tiger_teeth - January 5, 2012 reply

But Brat was here before Palmer

DTFCPDX - January 5, 2012 reply

yes he was

but we kept him so palmer wouldn’t have to learn a new offense

joeb69 - January 6, 2012 reply

Exactly, look at Alex Smith on the 49ers, he had so many different OC's for a few years, finally has some consistency and is now doing well.

DTFCPDX - January 5, 2012 reply

I would like Jay Gruden as Bengals HC over Marvin Lewis

Why? Because I think with Marvin we’ve seen his upside, and it ain’t that great. In fact I think there’s no way Marvin Lewis is ever going to coach anyone to a Super Bowl victory. He’s not a great single game preparation guy, in fact he’s been the opposite of that, teams consistently underwhelming in many big games.

Gruden might turn out to be not so great, but he had some credentials in the UFL at least as a head coach. Sometimes good coaches are good anywhere: Jim Harbaugh has been good at three stops I think so far. Paul Brown: good everywhere he went.

As an OC I am not in love with Gruden, he seems about as predictable and boring as Bratkowski. But then that might be Marvin Lewis’ influence, I have no way of knowing.

bucs like zim nfl networks been talking bout it

looks like bucs are interested in zimmer…seen it on nfl network…im more worried bout zim leaving than gruden…but if both go that will be tuff…there spaganola and del rio and morris out ther for defense…and todd haley and mike martz

I said a while back right when Del Rio was fired that he'd be a great fit if we lost Zimmer.

I’d go so far as to say he would almost definitely be our new DC. Strong ties with marvin, runs a very similar defensive system. Has had great success as a DC. The only thing that worries me about him is that his players didn’t seem to love playing for him all that much, and that seems to be one of Zim’s best attributes. But it’s not like he does it by trying to be their best friend like Rex Ryan. I think these guys like playing for a fiery coach.

eric nyc - January 5, 2012 reply

if we lose zimmer in the offseason

i’ll be back on the same window ledge that i stood on for about 4 weeks after losing jojo this past off season. zimmer is pretty much the only coach or front office employee i feel the bengals can’t afford to lose at this point.

Fiery with balls

Agree Rex’s biggest downfall isnt his mouth,as much as his discipline

Fire without being a pushover at the same time

for offense

Also one thing about all this

I have seen a lot of tweets going by stating such and such coach is interviewing with such and such team, but there has been no mention of Zimmer or Gruden actually interviewing or agreeing to interview anywhere, that I have seen.

Bengals season isnt over yet!

If these jobs are still open a few weeks from now i’d get worried

once the playoffs are over these teams can contact bengals or coaches to interview..not sure if browns gotta give promission or how it works id say so though..

I saw mention of the Broncos giving permission to another team

but maybe they weren’t interviewing a coach, maybe it was a more administrative position.

albert breer is pretty stand up guy...usually good info and storys..and nfl network and espn are ones talking bout zim could have a shout with bucs or jags

So this is why so many coaches get canned

Because they were never head coaches in the first place! If I have to hear this so-called rumor again, I’m gonna scream.

-The guy is a slightly above-average playcaller, not a great playcaller
-The guy has one year experience as an NFL coach, not staff member
-I’ve seen many games and moments where he wasn’t doing a very good job, probably because he’s still figuring out the job and his players

It is INSANE that Gruden is even in the conversation for a HC gig. Zimmer too for that matter. He hasn’t found a way to keep that defense together down the stretch in a season where it mattered (09, 11) and when they needed to come out swinging (2010), they came out in vanilla packages and got ZERO pressure on opposing QBs until they played the Steelers on Monday night and were already 2-5. Another just barely above-average playcaller, except Zimmer has likely proven by now that he isn’t HC material.

Whoever plucks these guys from Cincinnati will be sorry, a la Josh McDaniels in Denver and Dick Lebeau in Cincinnati.

Braintrust - January 5, 2012 reply

Your outside perspective and obvious lack of football knowledge

There are some guys that are a reach as you suggest are coordinators are

Bill Billicek wasnt that good in Cleveland

Who’s to say Josh Mcdaniel’s doesnt get a few more years experience and age,and become a great HC
The Dick Lebeau thing,Akili Smith enough said,and the ol’dog new trick thing seemed to be there with LABLOW

I really hope you dont believe what your typing,and in some way think you can stir up negative opinion,for us to keep them both.

If your a Bengals fan i’m not sure what you have been watching

.

What did he say that deserved that grammar-phobic tirade?

Folks in Denver were unhappy with Josh McDaniels, and he was “the hot guy” at the time, which is a contributor to why he was picked. He didn’t show anything terribly innovative. I’m not sure what your point was with LeBeau… When you say “enough said”, the point should be obvious.

Zimmer has done a good job building a defense, for sure, but he hasn’t been perfect. It has been clear that the defense struggled late in games in the last few games. Braintrust’s argument may not be agreeable to you. It may be wrong, but it certainly isn’t based on nothing.

the lebeau thing

is more a damnation of mike brown than dick lebeau. lebeau goes from being a successful defensive cord for paul brown to the steelers (where he continues to be successful). then comes back to help mike brown out from 1997-2002 and has nothing but nightmare issues in cincy. leaves, goes back to pittsburgh and continues to be successful.

so for 25 of approx 30 seasons as a defensive cord the guy is a success, the only time he’s not, 5 years under mike brown. says more about mike than lebeau.

x

I agree. I think LeBeau was fine here. But I couldn’t tell what keithp was saying based upon that sentence. When he said Akili, I figured he meant that Akili was the struggle (or, as I think you posit, represented the ineptitude that encumbered and encompassed this organization)… but then he added the LABLOW and “ol’dog new trick” bit. If he thinks LeBeau is unable to adjust to modern football, that would be quite wrong. If he means unable to learn the new trick of being HC, that’s an arguable position. Kinda would help to make a point and make it clearly.

That sentence

Was obvious Akili wasnt NFL caliber QB,its very hard to succeed without at least a mediocre QB

I Add LABLOW more as a shot at the Steeler’s that Lebeau himself,
The ol’dog new tricks thing,Was more Lebeau is content with what he is doing
And really at his age isnt going to pursue a HC job

New trick being HC,nothing about adjusting to today’s football

cool

thanks for the breakout

Struggled late in games!

Thats the other team’s goal is to where out your defense late in games!

I’d say any defense would struggle,being put on the field after Benson fumbles in our own territory
What’s clear is this teams success is based on the defense

I agree that the primary reason for the success is the defense

but that’s not to put them above reproach and certainly no justification for shredding Braintrust for criticism.

The Benson fumbles were in one game. That doesn’t explain why they struggle in other games.

I think the eight man rotation has been perfectly executed. That is why the Bengals, early, were staying fresh longer in the game. Dunlap injury certainly hurt that, but there were still the others. Other offenses started running more sugar or no-huddle to make it more difficult to get the rotation working.

Not only Benson fumbles

Your right,when the Bengals get a lead they want to lean on the running game,that just hasnt worked

I seem to remember the same thing about the sugar or no-huddle

the running game struggle has kept this team from succeeding

probably more than any other aspect on the team. Inability to convert for 1 yard at such a poor rate is ridiculous. If nothing else, that has cost the team probably two games. (I have no statistics or citations, but just ’wag’ging it) It means you are punting the ball back late in the game instead of forcing the opponent to burn another time out and keeping their defense on the field as we eat the clock.
It means not sustaining drives to hope for a win and having to punt or kick a long field goal (or not kick, as in Denver).
It means not being able to get that effing short yardage touchdown on 7 consecutive plays. (I forget which game that was)

I know Benson is a contributing factor in that, but I think the blocking schemes are predictable and breakable OR there is someone giving a visual cue to the defense that “this is a run” or “this is a run and it’s coming through me” without meaning to.