varaven45

I'd like for us to keep him provided we draft and or acquire a true No1 and 2. I really think he brings character to this team and we would miss that intangible. In the end, I hope we retain him.

My thoughts exactly. I really think Father Time has caught up with OzZie. Plus, I am wondering how Ozzie will do in the wake of the Rice carnage. Who is next in line, DeCosta ?

Or get into to some bad KC ribs .

Cleetz, that mindset works well against our secondary. But this is the SD secondary and Chase Daniel is a backup for a reason.

Well. Isn't that special All the more reason we needed to have taken care of business last month w/ SD or last week at Houston.

Which is why drafting a decent QB and eschewing the scrap heap might make sense this year. That way, we get a potential player for the future and maybe keep Joe on his toes.

Merry Christmas to all. Thank you all the dialogue, friendly exchange and even the occasional spirited conversation over the past year. And Go Raven Nation !

Max, Im not saying Joe is done. Nowhere near. But we be GOT to have a backup other than Taylor. So we should draft someone in the mod rounds and have as a backup. And who knows, after a coupe of years, the guy could take over or at least be a legit backup which we currently done have.

Damn, at the rate the Brown's are going, maybe Scott Mitchell is on the speed dial

Id like to see us a draft a qb in the mid rounds - maybe a Brandon Doughty- WKU or Shane Carden - ECU to back up and eventually take over. The Tyrod experiment is over.

Sure. But who do you replace them with ?

I don't know that I agree (though you make some compelling arguments), but if Harbaugh and Flacco have worn out their welcome, who would you replace them with ?

All good points. Earlier this year my Steeler friends were calling for Tomlins head after losses to Tampa , Jets and the Saints.

And that's a real positive and step in the right direction for the OL.

Well...then the Biscuit or FO needs to luck into another Marvin Lewis or this ship will continue sinking .... and fast. Looking back now, our window ended with the SB win 2 years ago. Its way back in the rear view mirror. The FO's philosophy/culture needs to change, especially in the procurement of offensive and defensive playmakers. Our offense currently has 0 playmakers . None. Nobody on our offense puts the fear in any team. We need a young, durable, physical WR, TE and RB - just to approach relevancy in the NFL. Not an easy task but necessary. On D, our front 7 seven is adequate, but we need to blow up the secondary (sans Jimmy Smith and maybe Will Hill). The FO needs to get its collective arse together in 2015 (and 2016) and beg, borrow or steal one of each via FA or the draft. It may take a couple or several years of successful drafting and acquisitions but it needs to happen just to be relevant in today's NFL. Bite the bullet, suck it up a couple years, and return to being relevant. If we don't, we'll be occupying the AFCN cellar soon.

I understood the owner is still lousy. Its amazing you are securing good talent in spite of him.

Not because of the playoff implications but to watch the amazing talent the Bengals have amassed over the past few years. In case anyone is watching, that team with a so called lousy owner is absolutely loaded - everywhere and esp in the secondary and RB position. Meanwhile, we've got pickups from Lord knows where as our starting CBs and 0 depth. For a front office with Ozzie at the helm, we are sure are missing the boat. Either the game has passed him by or he just doesn't have it. Either way, our FO needs to get game....soon....or we better get used to AFCN cellar.

Yep. And the sky's not falling either. It's remarkable we won 9 games this year. Given the Rice débâcle, losses of Smith, Pitta and others, and the absence offensive playmakers, this team has truly overachieved. Had it not been for an easy schedule, this is a 7-9 team. On Black monday, this team and the FO needs to look at itself in the mirror and begin to formulate a plan for becoming a relevant franchise. If they ignore or in denial, this team will continue to flounder and remain 7-9 team for the foreseeable.

Grubber, you are spot on and add to it 0 TEs. And close to 0 RBs with any legs left. Sincerely, One of your fat lazy couch potatoes

Neither do I - something is missing. They either don't have the substance or talent (or both) to win on a consistent level. If they happen to win on Sunday, HUGE IF, it will be by a fluke.

Crav, Its todays NFL

Yep. If Hoyer plays the Brownies win. If ManIel starts, it's another cliffhanger. Afterwards, they will both be watching the playoffs from the couch.

Yep. Big time. A strong leader would have prepared the team and not gotten punched in the mouth, especially knowing the opposition was being led by a weak sister at QB. Leaders find ways to "will" their teams to victory. We don't have them on this team, not right now.

Why don't they Max ? Is it Harbs ? He was giving out game balls to our D aftet squeaking out last weeks win against Jax. He should have been pissed and realize he had seen enough of that crap. Is it lack of leaders, on and off the field ? Is it lack of offensive weapons, playmakers ? What do you think ?

Max, Unfortunately. this team just doesn't have the substance, character, "it" to be a playoff team. The secondary today against a 3rd /4th string QB was atrocious and the offense was lost. Amazingly, we eke out 9, maybe 10 wins, but its not a legit playoff team. Not until we get the secondary fixed and the offense get some consistency. The boys have some work to do - have a good draft, acquire a few FA's, get the damn secondary FIXED !