You rock Doc! I moved away from Cincinnati 10 years ago and have missed TML. So glad to find you on Substack. Looking forward to spending my lunch break with you again.
We've got a great scenario this Thursday. Coming off an "easy", confidence building win. Dolphins had a super emotional, 90 defensive snap in 90 degree heat day. Short week, home game with a lot of hype. Not guaranteeing anything, but I like our odds.
First off I was begging for them to take the ball if they won the toss. Very pleased. But as you know the NFL is all about copying another team and what they do. Seriously how funny would it be if other teams winning the coin toss now switched to taking the ball.
Another copy cat thing I will never understand is the HC play calling. Sure it works for some, Andy Reid Sean McVay being a couple of them. The HC should be the CEO and be thinking ahead not just what is on the play sheet.
That opening drive was the most confident and impressive drive the Men have had all season so far. Choosing to receive spoke volumes, from the confidence Taylor and staff were showing in the offense to start the game off right, to giving the offense the attitude of “alright, Jets, try to stop us.”
It was a much a mental boost as a physical one. And their last possession of the game — ramming Perine down the Jets’ throats — was just as impressive.
Hope the momentum carries over into Thursday night!
A couple of my Twitter comments during the game: “Win the toss. Take the ball. Let Jeaux be Jeaux. If Taylor can’t learn that, then turn over the reins.” And...”The tape won’t show this but how about: Taylor finally decided that starting to play in the second half wasn’t working. He won the toss; he elected to receive; he let Jeaux get involved early; Jeaux got em 2 two TDs in two opening drives, opposed to being behind. NFL Overthink”
Was so delighted to get tipped off in the Enquirer comment section of the resurrection of my all time favorite writer. Welcome back Doc to sharing your gift with your voraciously grateful mobsters!
Sep 26, 2022·edited Sep 26, 2022Liked by Paul Daugherty
Might have to wear sunglasses at home to watch that game. With the Bengals going all white and the Dolphins possibly going all aqua, it will look like Star Wars storm troopers battling a Bob Fosse dance review.
Said the same things numerous times today. This one encapsulated it. Thanks for the validation.
“Maybe Taylor has figured out that he needs Jeaux involved early. Win the toss; TAKE THE BALL; 2 TDs on two possessions. Don’t play defensively, or shall we say scared(?) from the start when you have Jeaux Burreaux and The Weapons. NFL coaches are herd animals with an occasional shepherd. Be the Shepard when the Shepherd is needed.”
I agree heartedly with your article. I have never understood the logic behind deferring. Particularly if you have a good offense. Nice to have you back writing! I’ve followed you over 30 years!
I like taking the ball first but sort of depends on the strength of your opponent. Ultimately, it's not that important. It evens out during the game. Last year there were multiple times where the Bengals scored right before the half and then carried the momentum to the 2nd half by scoring to start that half. Play a balanced game without errors and you'll win either way.
Exactly! Defer when your defense is far superior to your offense. A quick stop by your stellar D gives your anemic O a short field to score.
With some of the best skill players in the game, the B’s should never defer. They should be setting the field on fire from the first snap. No brakes. 1st and ten should be 1st and 70 yd TD pass. 4th and short all day and every day is a given and never to be second guessed or debated.
I think you are discounting the defense. They are playing better than the offense. First game they gave up 13 points in regulation, 20 last week, and 12 yesterday. If the offense had played even decently they'd be 3-0.
I hope Taylor has learned this. You want a faster start? Involve Jeaux from the start. You wanna hope your entire D is as effective as Jeaux? Go ahead and defer. And to be clear..ALWAYS take the ball when have Jeaux and The Weapons.
You rock Doc! I moved away from Cincinnati 10 years ago and have missed TML. So glad to find you on Substack. Looking forward to spending my lunch break with you again.
We've got a great scenario this Thursday. Coming off an "easy", confidence building win. Dolphins had a super emotional, 90 defensive snap in 90 degree heat day. Short week, home game with a lot of hype. Not guaranteeing anything, but I like our odds.
First off I was begging for them to take the ball if they won the toss. Very pleased. But as you know the NFL is all about copying another team and what they do. Seriously how funny would it be if other teams winning the coin toss now switched to taking the ball.
Another copy cat thing I will never understand is the HC play calling. Sure it works for some, Andy Reid Sean McVay being a couple of them. The HC should be the CEO and be thinking ahead not just what is on the play sheet.
Thanks Doc for resurrecting TML.
I love having TML back in my life. Thanks Doc!
That opening drive was the most confident and impressive drive the Men have had all season so far. Choosing to receive spoke volumes, from the confidence Taylor and staff were showing in the offense to start the game off right, to giving the offense the attitude of “alright, Jets, try to stop us.”
It was a much a mental boost as a physical one. And their last possession of the game — ramming Perine down the Jets’ throats — was just as impressive.
Hope the momentum carries over into Thursday night!
Mike Tyson said it best back in the day, and I believe it applies here...
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
The Bengals did that today.
The math says to defer to the second half.
But, then again, the math said to draft Jackson Carman in the 2nd round.
The Bengals appear to be bad at math.
Two wrongs don’t make a right guard.
Take the ball.
I thought the only reason to not receive the opening kickoff was to get a wind advantage in Q4. Even that seems like a weak reason.
A couple of my Twitter comments during the game: “Win the toss. Take the ball. Let Jeaux be Jeaux. If Taylor can’t learn that, then turn over the reins.” And...”The tape won’t show this but how about: Taylor finally decided that starting to play in the second half wasn’t working. He won the toss; he elected to receive; he let Jeaux get involved early; Jeaux got em 2 two TDs in two opening drives, opposed to being behind. NFL Overthink”
Was so delighted to get tipped off in the Enquirer comment section of the resurrection of my all time favorite writer. Welcome back Doc to sharing your gift with your voraciously grateful mobsters!
And no longer behind a (sort of) paywall!!!
I'll defer my opinion on this year's men until after Thursday's prime time game at Pay-Joe stadium.
Might have to wear sunglasses at home to watch that game. With the Bengals going all white and the Dolphins possibly going all aqua, it will look like Star Wars storm troopers battling a Bob Fosse dance review.
Can't wait!!!
Said the same things numerous times today. This one encapsulated it. Thanks for the validation.
“Maybe Taylor has figured out that he needs Jeaux involved early. Win the toss; TAKE THE BALL; 2 TDs on two possessions. Don’t play defensively, or shall we say scared(?) from the start when you have Jeaux Burreaux and The Weapons. NFL coaches are herd animals with an occasional shepherd. Be the Shepard when the Shepherd is needed.”
I agree heartedly with your article. I have never understood the logic behind deferring. Particularly if you have a good offense. Nice to have you back writing! I’ve followed you over 30 years!
I like taking the ball first but sort of depends on the strength of your opponent. Ultimately, it's not that important. It evens out during the game. Last year there were multiple times where the Bengals scored right before the half and then carried the momentum to the 2nd half by scoring to start that half. Play a balanced game without errors and you'll win either way.
If I have Jeaux Burreaux and The Weapons, I ain’t waiting’ on anybody. You wanna defer possession? Pick Chase Young over Burreaux
Exactly! Defer when your defense is far superior to your offense. A quick stop by your stellar D gives your anemic O a short field to score.
With some of the best skill players in the game, the B’s should never defer. They should be setting the field on fire from the first snap. No brakes. 1st and ten should be 1st and 70 yd TD pass. 4th and short all day and every day is a given and never to be second guessed or debated.
I think you are discounting the defense. They are playing better than the offense. First game they gave up 13 points in regulation, 20 last week, and 12 yesterday. If the offense had played even decently they'd be 3-0.
I hope Taylor has learned this. You want a faster start? Involve Jeaux from the start. You wanna hope your entire D is as effective as Jeaux? Go ahead and defer. And to be clear..ALWAYS take the ball when have Jeaux and The Weapons.