The Cincinnati Bengals pulled a trick out of their hat that nobody saw coming yesterday, when they re-hired former Oakland Raiders Head Coach Hue Jackson to be their newest Assistant Coach. This was just a few days after the Bengals unexpectedly named Mark Carrier as the team's defensive backs coach. Not only do these two coaches bring a level of respect and expertise to the Bengals, but they've also gained valuable connections throughout their year's in the league.
Carrier made his hay with his decade-long career as a player, as well as the leader of the vaunted Ravens secondary and Jets defensive line, while Jackson has made quite a few friends with players from his days at USC and most recently with the Raiders. A lot of silver and black fans aren't pleased at how the Jackson situation has played out, but the truth is that Jackson has a reputation as a "players coach".
Do these two hires help the Bengals' upcoming foray into free agency?
I'd argue, yes. The Raiders are in horrible salary cap shape and will probably be making notable roster cuts, as well as not have the ability to retain some of their own quality free agents. Jackson being the charismatic "players coach" that he is, probably has solid relationships with free agent strong safety, Tyvon Branch, possible cap casualty and free safety, Michael Huff, as well as cornerback, Stanford Routt, who was just visiting CIncinnati.
All three of these players could fit the needs of the Bengals and start right away. Did I mention that part of Jackson's Assistant Coach duties will be to help Carrier oversee the defensive backs? Personally, it seemed like a strange coincidence that the Bengals announced the Jackson hire on the same day that Routt was in town speaking with the club. WIth the Jackson hire, the Bengals' fleecing of the Raiders could continue.
Though Carrier may not be as high of a profile coach as Jackson, he still has a reputation around the league as a solid position coach. The Ravens and Jets don't have too many free agents that could hit the market, though there are players like offensive guard Ben Grubbs and cornerbacks Dominique Foxworth and Lardarius Webb could be available and fill needs for the Bengals.
I'm guessing that Marvin Lewis will be not only be relying on these two new coaches to help their position groups, but also in recruitment and scouting purposes. With the Jackson hire and Marvin Lewis' contract expiring after the 2012 season, there's some rumblings as to what the future will hold in Cincinnati. But, for the time being, Lewis would be wise to lean on these coaches to bring in some quality free agents. I suspect that that was part of the strategy behind these hires.
0 recs | 24 comments
Michael Bush signing too...
tommac65 - February 18, 2012
God I hope not
I really really don’t want Bush. I want an explosive back, not a younger version of Benson with a 3.8 ypc last year.
Mexal - February 18, 2012
Bush is a Beast though
Bush is far from Benson
Bush cant catch,and run over people,the ypc may be similar,but thats all they have in common
keithp - February 18, 2012
correction "can catch"
keithp - February 18, 2012
He can make some catches
but he’s not a receiving threat. He has no explosion and he average more than 3.8 ypc behind a line where McFadden was averaging 5.2 ypc. He’s not a beast, he’s a decent power back that wouldn’t really fit in a west coast scheme, just like Benson didn’t fit. Why go after a guy who’s 27 when we can get an explosive back who’s 22 in the draft?
Mexal - February 18, 2012
didn’t average that is
Mexal - February 18, 2012
and he'll be 28 by the time the season starts
Mexal - February 18, 2012
Would rather build O line first.......
then spend money on a RB. Let’s draft an RB and get the stud G that we need for the left side first. Then draft another for the right or use Andre/Collins (if he re-signs of course).
The Van Buren Boys - February 18, 2012
I agree build o-line draft a running back
But if all they decide to do is bring in Bush for Benson,i still view that as huge upgrade
keithp - February 18, 2012
If you did, you'd' be wrong
He’s more or less the same thing and gives you the same exact skill set. He’s a moderate upgrade given his age and wear and tear but his skill set is almost exactly the same.
Mexal - February 19, 2012
Bush isn't an incredible back...
…but his skill set is definitely not “almost exactly the same” as Benson’s. Benson had like 80 yards receiving this year at 5.5 yards per catch. Bush had 418 yards at 11.3 YPC. That’s an incredible versatility difference.
dqniel - February 19, 2012
Anyone thay can catch
Is better than Benson. He just looks silly when trying to make a catch. It’s like he has flashbacks of the short bus while the balls in the air lol.
Bigcatdaddy - February 19, 2012 via Android app
Hugh Jackson assistant HEAD coach?????
BamaBengal - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Hugh Jackson assistant HEAD coach?????
BamaBengal - February 18, 2012 via mobile
he's not an assistant head coach, just assistant coach
And I don’t think it has one thing to do with another. I think it’s a coincidence though it could prove helpful. We’ll see.
Mexal - February 18, 2012
I'm not sold on HUE
But it cant be a bad thing,if he helps recruit some FA all the better
I like the Carrier signing,and have no real reason other than him as a player
Marvin should go all out for the Super Bowl this year,New contract? GM?
keithp - February 18, 2012
Seems like Marvin has more power
Which is good
Getting Carrier and Hue both seem like things a real NFL Franchise does
Carrier – good coach and rep
Jackson – Players coach, helping a friend get back into coaching, Gotta believe one of the conditions was that Hue knows he is several steps back down on the ladder
TX Bengal - February 18, 2012
I don't think so
I’ve read that Stanford Routt and Hue Jackson have had a few “heated exchanges”, most of which were fueled by Routt, but still not a good sign.
johnson_cody_18 - February 18, 2012
Didn't see this one coming....
But it just keeps getting better. The Mike Brown power grip continues to loosen.
DonMegga - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Interesting
The hiring of Hue was very much a surprise and very interesting. It could simply a layover for Jackson for a year until he can get another opportunity as either a coordinator of head coach. Or could this signal a change in the Bengals organization? Marvin is in his last year of his contract, so could this be a change where Marvin moves into the front office and Hue is his had picked successor?
AWC71 - February 19, 2012
I think it's Ok they got Hue back
But no way as a potential future HC – he could not handle it in Oakland – went way too wiggy
TX Bengal - February 19, 2012
future OC if needed
Bengalsfan024 - February 20, 2012
Zimmer
…All the way as HC. And then slide Hugh in as OC when other teams come after Jay Gruden.
Makebelieve - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Lol!
You know that is funny! Hugh did wig-out alot as HC in Oakland!ha
Makebelieve - February 19, 2012 via mobile
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