'Common Sense' Coach Essential to NFL Teams

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.
What's really going on in New England?

With salary caps, franchise tags and compensation draft picks, the NFL has made itself the most competitive league on Earth, and is designed to prevent dynasties from taking place. Yet there are the Pats, poised to win their fourth Super Bowl in seven years. They laugh at the idea of league parity and scoff at those pathetic underdogs America embraces.

Along their sidelines paces a hooded, morose-looking man staring silently at the ground and scheming of world domination. He is Bill Belicheck, and he apparently knows more than anyone else in the football world.

There has to be more to their dominance than what we see on film and paper. They have a secret ingredient, an invisible hand making it all possible. Conspiracy!

Slow down. Let's look closer.

Bill is the son of Steve Belicheck, who wrote a book in the '60s called Football Scouting Methods. Knowing that helps explain why Bill can see talent in players like he's detecting it through a CAT scan. He is genetically predisposed to find and mold great football players.

His closet working companion is a mysterious man named, Ernie Adams. They met in college in 1970 and have been a symbiotic brain-trust ever since. Adams is in the booth during games observing and instructing into Belicheck's headset. Most people, even most players, have no knowledge of this man or a clear idea of his role and impact to the team. Adams official title is Director of Football Research, but it helps to think of him as the common sense coach.

Why don’t more teams have a common sense coach? I’ve always thought that Marvin Lewis, of all people, could use another brain during games. A brain that has no coaching, or play calling responsibilities. Marv needs a person who watches the game objectively and is removed from the passion and egos of the sideline. A cool-headed voice of reason.

The Patriots have stayed one step ahead of the league because they continue to change their model of success. Instead of remaining satisfied with the blueprint that has won them multiple championships, New England tears down the walls of conventional thinking and pushes the boundaries of how football should be played. Old-timers look at one another astonished that they just watched a linebacker catch his 10th career touchdown. They gape at the television stunned that a fifth-string receiver preserved perfection with a blocked punt.

The Patriots game preparation borders on telepathic ability. Their in-game adjustments seem like their reading from a recipe book. The rest of the NFL scurries behind New England, imitating their every move like an older brother they idolize.
While Belicheck is heralded as the miracle worker behind the blitzkrieg, it’s his other mental half, Ernie Adams, who balances the weight of the tandem’s genius. Now that the world knows of Belicheck’s secret weapon, look for the rest of the league to hire their own common sense coach.


Mojokong - I have one. His name is Ming Krosky. He's nothin' special but he comes cheap.

Tough Coaches Mean Business

Jan. 22, 2008

The paradigm is beginning to shift at Paul Brown Stadium. The harsh frozen wasteland of last season has started to thaw while hope and encouragement drip slowly into the minds of Bengals’ fans.

All the parts are still the same, but Mike Zimmer , the new ringleader, brings a sense of seriousness and professionalism to our sideshow circus of a defense. Zimmer is a hard-nosed disciplinarian with a stern gaze that frightens women and children. He’s the opposite of the teddy bear, ‘players coach’ that Chuck Bresnahan was labeled. Hiring Zimmer is an indicator that the honeymoon is over in Cincinnati and that serious business in now in order.

Zimmer’s track record is impressive, having coached defenses in Dallas for 13 seasons and under the godfather of coaches, Bill Parcells, for three. He interviewed for head coaching positions with the Chargers last year and at the University of Nebraska the year before. He has led his defenses to seven top-10 rankings and was first in 2003. He’s drafted and developed players into pro-bowlers. He knows what it takes to be successful in the NFL and has no problem removing players who don’t buy into his system. In a word, he’s a hard-ass.

As Zimmer waves over the clown car and watches his new defense spill out one by one, his eagle eye will be fixed on what talent to keep. There are few, if any, pieces worth salvaging. This unit seems as if were removed from a civil war battle-field, with some players old and banged-up, others too young for war but forced into action anyway and some living with addiction and other difficult character flaws. The players who seem able-bodied enough, simply lack talent or the adequate mean-streak or both. The Bengals have lost their teeth and have been attacking with only their gums. Zimmer cracks the whip and the clowns scurry around the circus.

Zimmer has a new assistant in linebackers’ coach and human fireball, Jeff FitzGerald. He too eats nails and spits venom. He too has transformed college prospects into all-pro veterans. He has been leading the fierce linebacking corps in Baltimore for the last four seasons. They say he runs around a lot in practice and screams at everyone in sight. FitzGerald has a big jaw line and a menacing stare that seems to invite confrontation and difficult conditions. With Zimmer carrying the whip and FitzGerald yelling into the bullhorn, the next version of the Bengals defense will not be soft.

Logistically, the biggest question remains of what scheme will Zimmer and “Fitzy” run. We currently have a hodgepodge of defenders who at least line up in a 4-3 set every down. Yet, both new coaches ran successful 3-4 defenses at their previous jobs. If the Bengals think-tank wants to make the switch to a 3-4, we should see a reflection of that in how they draft college players and pursue free-agents. Some current Bengals like Robert Geathers, Frostee Rucker, Ahmad Brooks and Rashad Jeanty are the kind of prototypes often considered optimal fits for a 3-4 defense. But players like Justin Smith and Landon Johnson don’t fit into that mold and would be better off playing somewhere else.

Changes will be made to the facade of the defense this off-season, there’s no doubt of that. New attractions will be advertised as the first step to an improved product and the fans will respond with optimism. This happens every off-season, yet the outcome for the past five seasons has translated into the yearly disappointment we feel in our guts when we’re eliminated from the playoffs. “It isn’t fair,” we tell ourselves. “Why can’t they get it right?” we ask.

I say we let Zimmer and FitzGerald lock themselves in a room with the defense and see which players make it out alive. Allow the new tyrants to morph these cupcake softies into hardcore tackling machines via tough love and brute force. Make the switch to the 3-4 defense. Why not? The old blueprint wasn’t working and the new guys know what it takes to run the 3-4 effectively. Let's allow last season to remain buried in the glaciers of frustration and watch the new coaches turn our hometown circus into a military troop.

Zimmer, crack your whip.


Mojokong - Does not condone animal abuse at the circus or anywhere else.

Chad: A Dangerous Talent

Jan. 15, 2008

Chad Johnson is like nuclear power. He’s both spectacular and volatile.

What originally was seen as a long-term answer to the Bengals’ future now has become a threat to consume everything around him. The fragile star seems always on the brink of supernova here in Cincinnati. There is no gray area to his personality. He’s an extreme guy with extreme demands and expectations.

The fans and media treat him differently according to the outcome of the game that week.When the Bengals win, we remember Chad has five straight seasons with 1400 yards or more, that he’s a perennial Pro-Bowler and that he doesn’t get arrested. We remember when he slept at Paul Brown Stadium, and all of his touchdown hoopla. He’s such a clown, what’s not to like?

But when they lose, we realize he drops too many passes, that he’s soft and that he cramps too much. We blame it on him drinking Coke with no ice, or that he’s selfish or depressed. We recall his whining for the ball and his alleged fight with a coach at halftime in the ‘05 Playoffs. He’s a clown. Why not trade somebody like that?

Chad comes with some emotional baggage, but he get’s a raw deal from this city. The guy certainly works hard at what he does. He does keep his nose clean and he’s involved with plenty of charitable causes throughout town. He’s not a bad guy and he just wants to win. As a player he’s irreplaceable and every corner in the league would list him as one of the toughest guys to cover. Chad will play many more years at a very high level. He’s worth a boatload to this, and any other organization in the NFL.

Yet his value is the very reason why the Bengals would entertain offers from potential buyers. Smoke signals out of Philadelphia have expressed interest in our emotional superstar. If Chad thinks the Cincy crowd can be tough on him, he should be aware that Philly fans are famous for booing Santa Clause. Donovan McNabb, on his way being chased out of town, should be able to fill him in on how that city responds to a superstar after a losing season. The Eagles have some quality defensive pieces the Bengals’ would surely look at if they were dangled as trade-bait. Former UC Bearcat and double-digit sack-artist Trent Cole seems like a natural fit. He’s a speed-rushing defensive end who could fit in as an outside linebacker should the Bengals change to a 3-4 defense. A move like that could free up both Chad’s and Justin Smith’s contract, leaving the Bengals with $ 10 million or more in additional cap-space to entertain free-agents with.

It always comes back to the business side of things. With Houshmandzedah and Henry both lining up for huge paydays soon, it seems inconceivable all three receivers can sign long-term contracts. If Chad brought decent trade-value to the table, the Bengals’ could work further to repair the defense with quality personnel and balance the talent on this team.

Chad knows it’s about the business too. After signing with agent Drew Rosenhaus, the world knew it would be a matter of time before the publicity stunts began. Rosenhaus, the agent of motor-mouth Terrell Owens, has real talent in getting himself and his clients on TV. Chad’s recent grumblings sounded more like the man behind the curtain speaking than Chad himself. He is still in the premiere years of his career and every team in the NFL could use a Chad Johnson somewhere in their offense. The Bengals either commit to Chad all the way and acquiesce to his mood swings and tantrums or let him off of his chain and watch him run to a bigger market. I think the team should allow Chad to take the exit ramp on this one. He may reach event horizon in Philly and laugh last in the Super Bowl, but I’d rather that than to see him meltdown here.






Mojokong - Chernobyl, Ohio.

Week 16/17 recap

Bengals 38, Dolphins 25
Bengals 19, Brownies 14


The Bengals won two consecutive games for the first time all year and kept Cleveland out of the playoffs. Cleveland is the team whose mascots are either a magical gnome or an orange spot. They’re the same Cleveland Orange Spots who kept the Bengals out of the playoffs in ‘03. The Magical Gnomes still had a decent year kick-started by our defensive ineptitude in Week 2. It doesn’t matter Cleveland you’re still the funny guy. We’re just the sad guy, you’re the funny guy.

I enjoyed these last two games because my three least-likeable players were out; Both safeties and Rudi J. The two youngsters at safety, White and Ndukwe, showed immediate dividends collecting turnovers and really hitting people. Kenny Watson continued to get yards on a fairly consistent basis but also showed us that he’s a fumbler. I don’t feel he’s reliable to carry the load because of it.
Ndukwe has two touchdowns in my book after that spectacular return he had against Cleveland which was marked out at the four-yard-line. He has good size, he hits people and seems to have a decent field presence. Marvin White is progressing but doesn’t look as comfortable. I expect coaches to focus on both safeties in training camp next year. They should be playing at a higher level next year and from what we’ve seen so far, that sounds promising.

On to the firings. Bresnahan met the chopping block as did linebackers coach Ricky Hunley. While it certainly can’t hurt to fire any of these guys, I don’t see it making much difference overall. We knew Chuck was close. He hasn’t had anythinAg even dressed like a decent defense. Bengal fans everywhere have groaned his name all too often in the past three years. He had a tough job and couldn’t hack it.

Hunley had a scrap heap unit to work with and couldn’t overcome national scrutiny. The fact every announcer this season pointed out how banged up the linebackers were didn’t help his cause.

So now do the Bengals have a chance to instill a winning defensive philosophy? With a focus on personnel change and the right hire, we may see a defense that can rank in the lower-twenties someday.

Tim Lewis looks good on paper. A former Steelers guy, knows the 3-4, played defensive back, is a younger black coach (younger black coaches are hot in the NFL right now. I think the idea is that they relate better to their players). A 3-4 defense could be worth looking into if we add some key pieces to make it work.

Rex Ryan isn’t bad. Ravens defenses are always nasty. He knows the division well. Could also handle a 3-4 change. Could lure Terrell Suggs here.

I don’t think anybody is gonna build a winning defense overnight in Cincinnati. It takes draft picks and player development coupled with scheme patterns and adjustments. The defensive coordinator job will be a crucial hire for the future of this team.

It’s Marvin’s last hurrah. If we don’t see improvement in the next two years he will be out of excuses. His stubborn nature will have done him in. But, if he gets it right and the machine starts working again, he’ll once more be crowned as Prince Marv.

Much more off-season stuff to come.

Mojokong - Can’t stop the spinning.

Week 14/15 recap

49ers 20, Bengals 13
Bengals 19, Rams 10.


The Bengals are a monkey who can’t pull an apple through the opening of a jar, so the monkey walks around with the jar around its arm because it wont let go of the apple.

During the off-season, players who don’t make a difference will be resigned (J. Smith, Madieu). Free agents will use us as bait and get better offers from teams they’d rather play for. Rudi and Dex Jackson will be back while DeDe will be lured back to Indianapolis. Our first round pick will pull something minor in training camp and miss the first six games. The league will finally admit they just don’t like Odell and suspend him for a third straight season. Marvin Lewis will move forward.

This square-peg-in-round-hole offense we’ve seen all year will continue to sputter as receivers run the same routes and as Rudi gets 14 carries for 28 yards. The defense will base their scheme on hope and good luck again next year. King Marv will never concede to adjustments.

This season was typified by the revolting loss at San Francisco Saturday. Frank Gore looked like an ore-hauler pushing whatever pile we stacked in front of him. The Niners knew every play we called and our best player of late, DeDe Dorsey, touched the ball twice. We’re now 1-3 against the NFC West and the win against the Rams is a forgettable one. The common sense advisor failed again on the challenge call late in the game, sacrificing a valuable timeout in the process.

The Bengals cannot handle pressure. In their only road win of the season, they choked seven times and had to kick field goals. The schedule is pockmarked with failed moments in crucial situations. Marvin has his team overanalyzing everything and it causes everyone to press more. When a team begins to press they collapse under pressure. They implode. We’re too big for our britches. We talk a lot about having so much talent but then look like a fancy car with no gas on game day. There’s not enough grit on this team. We need some silent workers who bust their asses when it counts and laughs about it when the jobs done. We should go back to the original uniforms of the seventies with the helmets that have BENGALS printed on the sides. Back to the basics.

Mojokong - Letting go of the apple

Week 13 recap

Steelers 24, Bengals 10

The year of the Bummer culminated Sunday night with another winnable game slipping down the drain pipe. Four turnovers, an average Willie Parker performance, and 30 plus pass attempts from Rothless are the ingredients one could hope for to escape Pittsburgh with a win. But, like we’ve seen throughout this season, when one piece starts to work another piece quickly breaks down. This time it came from Ol’ Faithful himself, marking the second time in three weeks where Palmer has struggled mightily.

We can cut him some slack Sunday night. Playing the first-ranked defense in the rain on a crappy field sounds like a battle scene from Lord of the Rings. ESPN commentator and super fan, Ron Jaworski, would bore you to death with his analysis of Carson’s throwing mechanics showing you film after film of exactly why he threw too high all night. He’d repeat words like ‘release point’ to you a thousand times and once ignored long enough, he would ramble off to his little room where he would continue his obsession of watching game footage. But the offense looked fine on their opening drive and the difference stems from play-calling more than Carson and a wet ball.

The Bengals started off with short routes and quick hitters. We used DeDe and Kenny Watson on screens and pitches. The line made holes for Rudi. We got in the end zone. It was working.

Then we got cute. All of a sudden we went back to the medium throws to the sidelines, the Rudi-for-Twodie and the long crossing routes. Bratkowski abandoned the short game with an insistence to run his style of offense instead of what the situation dictated. I realize that big-brained Dick Lebeau is gonna make the right adjustments in his coverage scheme, but why not come back to what worked? I liked that the Bengals went deep a couple of times to keep em’ honest. I didn’t mind some Rudi runs up the gut. I did mind that he had 14 carries and the other two running backs got a combined six. Rudi’s longest run was for a less-than-explosive four yards. On the year he averages less than three yards per carry. Every Bengal fan can see the play-calling revert back to the predictable set of 12 or so plays Brat is seemingly in love with. Defenses can see it too, and then stopping the Bengals becomes easy for them.. DeDe’s only carry was good for 15 yards. He averages six per carry. You can’t use Dorsey 20 times a game, but you can use him more than once.

The once laughable circus that was once the Bengal defense has moved along leaving a serviceable unit in it’s place. They’re causing turnovers again and aren’t being ax-murdered against the run anymore. They still need lots of attention in the off-season but at least fans and coaches have seen something they can work with. If the last four games have anything to keep an eye on it’s the butterfly version of this defense. If the caterpillar doesn’t surface again this year, it would serve as nice dose of optimism heading into free-agency.

Another thing I’d like to see happen the remainder of the way is to play some bench-warmers a bit more. Let’s see what the kids can do. We’ve got two rookie safeties that should be in the defense’s plans next year. We’ve got three huge Samoans still growing along the defensive line. Let’s not forget the ethereal Frostee Rucker who may or may not even exist. Playing these guys more also gives the vets a chance to get healthier and rest up some for next year. I don’t think that’s giving up, but it’s being realistic.

Mojokong - I guess I'll root for Jacksonville in these playoffs.

Bonus Blog - Justin Smith

Justin Smith.

I have mixed emotions about this guy. I stand by my “worst franchise player ever” label of him, but he isn’t totally useless.
We all know he’s athletically, pretty solid. When he hits people, he usually brings them down. He runs down some fast guys on his trademark clean-up tackles. But he has no real impact to the games he plays in. We can pay a lot of guys less than $6 million to make plays eight yards down the field.
He hasn’t recorded double-digit sacks in a season and has two this year. He racks up a lot of tackles, but they’re always coming to the aid of a struggling defensive back clinging onto the ball-carrier for dear life. He’s constantly seen dropping back into coverage but hasn’t had a pick since he recorded two his rookie season, six years ago. He has an Anheuser Busch tattoo on his arm and looks like Larry the Cable Guy. He might drive a Jon Deer to the game and keep a stuffed ten-point buck head above his locker, I dunno.
I do know we pay him among the highest paid defensive ends, as the franchise tag dictates. I also know he isn’t playing anywhere near the level of Jared Allen, Osi Umenyora or even Xenia native and UC grad, Trent Cole - check that guy out sometime. Justin Smith was chosen fourth overall in the 2001 draft.
Smith does bring words like high-motor and effort-guy to the conversation. He has the kind of hustle Bob Knight strangles his players to get (Just kiddin’ Bob, ya know I love ya). He would run into brick walls if he had to. In fact, that’s all he does anyway. When does Justin Smith do a swim move or a spin to get to the quarterback? He sees red when the ball is snapped and bull rushes right at the opposing lineman every single time. As mentioned, he’s being dropped back into coverage a lot more lately. The thinking is that maybe Smith can don the Harry Potter invisibility cape and trick the QB into throwing it right to him. After all, a guy 280 lbs. dressed in bright orange, can be tough to locate.
I think Smith’s replacement can be a good start to retooling this defense. Who we settle on will tell us a lot about the future plans for this defense. Chances are, we wont convert a college defensive tackle into an end in hopes to transform the unit into a 3-4 defense. I would like to see Frostee Rucker do what most third-round picks do and that’s compete for a starting job at some point in their careers, but don’t hold your breath on that one. Instead I’d like a speed end with a variety of moves that can get to the quarterback. Like the Colts’ Robert Mathis. We have one of those guys already with Robert Geathers, the 117th pick in the 2004 draft. I’m not saying these guys grow on trees, but the tweeners who are too small to play end but can rack up sack numbers when they play, are available in every draft.

MK - Taxidermy is murder!