The Now Moment

Jeff Fisher was a long time NFL coach just like Marvin Lewis. Fisher had multiple seasons with the Rams. Just because he wasn't with them the entire time doesn't mean he didn't carry his reputation with him. As head coaching hires go, they are quite similar. Young, limited experience and haven't been a HC before at any level. Teams are looking for their long-term HC option, why not dip into the younger pool of coaches instead of the retread guys who have failed in the past. Why not try something new? If it doesn't work out, it's not like Cincy is expected to make the playoffs and be a contender.

Simmons has one of those videos of him striking a woman multiple times. Not something that screams "Process." Obviously he's grown since this situation but it's certainly a stain on his reputation.

I know his history and it's mostly made up of assistant positions. He had three years as an OC and Taylor has had a year and change at OC. Very similar resumes. Why couldn't a guy who has directly worked with QBs in a QB driven league be successful? We will wait and see but I'd rather see what he can do before blasting it. Sean McVay is too young to be a good coach...oh wait.

He has called plays before though. This is a joke right? Sean McVay, Jeff Fisher...fans seem too quick to hate when it comes to coaches they have never heard of.

How so? Head coaches don’t usually call plays so there’s no need for major experience there. If he can command a room, be a leader and motivate his players along with working well with the QB...I don’t understand how that would be a “crazy” signing.

He had 35 combined tackles, more than Michael Bennett, Everson Griffen and Brandon Williams to name a few. He didn't make a ton of big splash plays but as a 3rd round pick that shouldn't be expected. He produced well for being in a heavy rotation.

Whatever excuse you want to throw out there, the man has been bad for two years. Yes he did drop a lot of passes the year before too. He’s no longer a reliable option, time to move on.

Except in the past two years his hands have been horrible. A good number 1 tight end in today’s NFL has much better hands. We aren’t taking about 1 big drop here. Numerous. How many would-be touchdowns has he had bounce off of his hands? Far to many to be a number 1 tight end. Good tight ends are are game changers in today’s game and he is nowhere near that.

Gurley sets the tone and they use play action off of that. Gurley isn’t running well...

Except $10 million is no long number 1 wr pay. It’s more of a solid number 2. You will be surprised by the rise in contracts. Average players will get huge contracts. Football has underpaid its players compared to other sports for a while, now they will be paid. I’d much rather draft one but I’d also rather go into the draft not having to force the issue. I’m on the fence with the guy but I’m just making a point to say contracts are rising. Teams have more cap space but players will be paid more so do they really have more cap space? Quincy Enunwa recently signed a 4 year $36 million dollar deal. The contracts will only go up from there.

Sure they do but it’s completely unnecessary. It’s not like there’s a number 1 receiver in FA this year. No need to force the issue and give up and absurd amount of assets to bring one in when it’s just not necessary.

Except no team needs a number 1 WR to go to the super bowl. You need plenty of options though. Reliable receivers and pass catchers at the RB and TE positions. Julio, Beckham, Green...were any of those offenses even top ten this season? It's just unnecessary and riskier because all your eggs are in one basket and if the guy gets hurt, you're screwed. Tyrell looks like a solid receiver and would pair nicely with a 2nd-4th round rookie receiver. That seems to be where the value of the position is in the draft.

I don't think you understand how big contracts will jump with the new cap for each team. THere's a lot more money and players are asking for more. The great players will all be looking for 20 plus million and up. Mid level players are needed as well as a few great players.

Don’t know why my comment is getting trashed, just speaking the truth. I like some older music too but it’s just not good for business. Have to attempt to draw in other viewers. Saw Lady Gaga live in standing section only 3 people back. She is one of the most talented artists around.

He just needs to be healthy. The guy was on pace for 6 sacks with a fairly heavy rotation at the position. The talent is there for what he is making. $7 million a year isn't going to buy you a double digit sack year in and year out guy in today's NFL. Should never have been the expectation. Can he stay on the field, that's the real drawback with him.

Agreed but there are plenty that don’t use autotune and some that use it to touch up the rough edges, doesn’t mean they don’t have talent. Lady Gaga is just one of the best talents in the industry right now in terms of what she can do. Has sung multiple genres, plays multiple instruments, toured with Tony Bennett, dances while she sings, acts...the list goes on. And her choreography team was very good. It was a true show. True creativity. We need more performances like that to inspire the youth. If they want to keep the next generations as interested in the sport, they have to continue to target their interests from several different angles and that includes the super bowl halftime show. Just for the kids out there, let them see someone in their prime with true talent and a good message.

I was speaking more about the business side of football. The super bowl halftime show as of now is still a major platform for artists and shouldn’t be wasted on an individual or group that isn’t in their primes and aren’t in inspiration to young people. If football is going to continue, you must draw youth to the game. Just another marketing technique to do so.

Everyone wants their era of music but they should always pick amongst the most popular artists. Singers who can play other instruments and dance all in the same show. Inspire young kids who are watching. Show what humans can accomplish with quality choreography, singing/lyrics and other artistic twists. The most uninspiring thing to watch is some old band on stage barely able to sing or move just stomping their feet, shaking their heads back and forth, clapping their hands over their heads and pointing at the audience. Show the youth what creativity looks like. The super bowl is too big of a platform to not appeal to the youth. Lady Gagas halftime show is a great example. She descended into the stadium sang while dancing, played multiple instruments and had creative choreography. Inspire the youth, always. For the betterment of mankind.

There's a difference between a great back and an elite back when the offensive line is in place. It very rarely all comes together though.

I'm sure we are scouting every punter at the senior bowl. A great punter could be a huge impact to next season's success. There's probably gonna be a lot of close games and our field position has to be better this year. We can't rely on our defense being the only unit to provide our offense with good field position via a turnover.

In a DT heavy class, Atlanta would need to love the guy to move up. There are so many options at that position in this draft. I do think we could find a team to trade with us however. Adding more picks early should be Brandon Beane's goal. The trade down is a great option and we happen to be in a spot that could be easily tradable.

The offseason is just as important as the games but scouting doesn't start in the 'offseason.' I'm wired to always be getting better. That means constantly looking at new prospects, who's on the market, waiver pickups, undrafted FA, anybody. Beane appears to be the same way. Your problem is with listening to the media and analysts. Watch your own highlights/game film. Don't fall into the media trap, that's how you overlook a player of Josh Allen's make up and just look at stat lines.

Scouts don't get to see all of the players during the year. When the senior bowl and combine arrive, scouts get to see the players up close in person. They get to interview guys and see if they have a brain and are the right fit for the team. It's a very competitive stage and small school guys who are overlooked all year long get to prove their talent. Many small school 3 star prospects come in and punch big school guys in the mouth and they go shooting up the boards to even the playing field. If they like his potential and how he is wired, I could see him being taken in the 1st. Every player that gets drafted needs to get better. Are their flaws correctable and can they fit into what the team is trying to do. Maybe the best thing for Ford is to drop stance and become a guard. We will be exposed more to him as the weeks pass.

You'd miss out on a lot of great players then. Scouts just haven't gotten to see everybody so anyone that's with a top school like Alabama will be viewed first. It's just when scouts get to really see and talk with these guys that you see them rise and fall.

I’d rather just trade down in the first round. Obviously need a partner but we may be in the perfect spot to do so. Don’t waste the cap space while we are trying to make the playoffs next season. If we were 0-16, sure.