For the Bengals, head coach Zac Taylor is typically the one who deals with the media. This, of course, can be good when looking to gain insight on some of the coaching decisions being made. However, upper management members, such as Director of Player Personnel, Duke Tobin, rarely speak to the media. He does on rare occasions, like at the NFL Combine or sometimes the Senior Bowl. However, his rare media appearances allow Taylor to conveniently deflect certain questions that might be more suited for someone like Tobin. “You’ll have to ask them.” Except, they rarely are in position to be asked.
Well, the Bengals, in the midst of severe fan backlash due to the poor season and perceived malpractice, decided to hold a press conference where Duke Tobin addressed the media. As mentioned, it was a rare occurrence, but the media took advantage, asking some questions that have been on the collective minds of fans for some time now.
Early on, Tobin was asked why he thinks he still deserves to be in the position that he is in. He didn’t really answer in terms of accomplishments that would show the value he brings to the role. Instead, he expressed confidence in himself. He mentioning how he has been in this environment his whole life, and that he is constantly thinking about how the team can be improved.
Tobin made it clear that they believed they had a championship calibre team heading into the season, and went on to say that they still think it can compete. But later he did acknowledge that improvements still have to be made.
In a strange few minutes, he largely seemed to blame the team’s poor record on Joe Burrow’s injury, noting how tough it can be to navigate without your star QB. However, at one point, he went on a tangent where he praised Joe Flacco and how good the offence was under his reign.
So then… maybe the struggles were not just about Burrow’s injury?
Tobin also seemed flabbergasted about how Flacco was able to come in so quickly and have this much success in a “complex” offence.
I’m not sure whether the biggest takeaway from that was his shock at a 40 year old veteran’s ability to come in and run an offence with elite weapons around him, or that he called Taylor’s offence – one that is extremely vanilla – complex.
Finally after a while, Tobin did take some responsibility for the defensive struggles. He noted that they have to get the right guys in the building, and are committed to doing whatever it takes to win a championship. Free agency was mentioned as a big opportunity to do that.
But when asked about the possible expansion of probably the league’s smallest scouting department, that idea was rejected completely. Tobin praised the collaborative nature of things between himself, Mike Brown, the Blackburns, and the scouts, stating that there is usually a consensus decision reached on things, rather than one person who makes a final decision. He also feels that they are able to gather more than enough information on prospects and free agents to make an informed decision.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, I guess.
I’m sure you could sense the sarcasm there.
Continuing on with the defence, he praised certain players for making big leaps during the season. Myles Murphy, DJ Turner, and Jordan Battle were three guys mentioned by name. Murphy and Turner certainly took some big steps. Battle, however, was up and down. Tobin also had some praise for Daxton Hill’s progress, and that the team will look into extensions for him and Turner.
Tobin did express a desire to improve the pass rush. Hopefully, this is something they take seriously through their actions this time, as opposed to just talking about it through the media. Last year, little was done to improve that area. But heading into this offseason, it should be a primary focus in both free agency and the draft.
When asked about Joe Burrow’s input in decision making, Tobin expressed that he enjoys talking to the star QB, praising his intellect. He admitted that Burrow does get to express his opinions and is included in conversations.
Tobin was later asked about a philosophical change in how the Bengals do contracts, specifically in regards to guaranteed money beyond the first year. Tobin kind of dodged the question, saying that they’ll do what they have to to bring in players who they think can make a difference. He said that, while also stating that it largely depends on who is available. Earlier in the presser, when also talking about free agency, he mentioned that just because they want a player doesn’t mean they will get them.
While expressing interest in making moves in free agency, he also said that it is not sustainable to completely build through free agency. He emphasized the importance of hitting on draft picks and having guys contribute right away.
Considering the poor draft classes for the Bengals in recent years, maybe a bigger scouting department would help.
Later on, Tobin expressed frustration over the team’s inability to close out games. Yet, he still expresses confidence in this current regime.
A good question asked was about how the team has been losing money by waiting too long to get extensions done. But Tobin didn’t say too much, saying they’d like to get extensions done when they can. However, when pressed on why some, including Chase and Hendrickson, haven’t gotten done earlier, he basically said that they have their demands and the player has his.
Interestingly enough, Tobin, after being asked, said that different members of the front office handle negotiations based on the player. Of course, as fans, we largely know Katie Blackburn as the one that handles a lot of the negotiations.
Tobin was later asked about any regret he might have for the Bengals losing guys like Jessie Bates or DJ Reader. His answer was along the lines of not liking good players leaving, but that the team isn’t able to keep everyone. He continued that just as a team got these players from them, they got players like Reader and Trey Hendrickson from someone else, and that this is the nature of free agency.
The press conference ended with Tobin stating that this press conference was important for fans, and to show that he can change, as it isn’t something that he has typically done in the past.
Overall, I wouldn’t say there was a lot of substance in what ended up being just over an hour’s worth of time. We did get clarity on the scouting department, but it was not the answer that most would have wanted to hear. In fact, nothing that was said would stand out as some clear change in process. The takeaway here is that the Bengals, for the most part, will be continuing on with the status quo.
Thumbnail Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)