How does such a good football coach make such a mess? Urban Meyer could not have screwed things up any worse in Jacksonville, after reigning so supreme as a title-builder in the quasi-am game. His swift exit from the Jags isn’t so much a football story as a commentary on his own personality. And of course, a cautionary tale for any college coach who dreams of coaching in the NFL. He’d already lost more games in Jax than he lost in seven years in Columbus.
The list of Meyer’s (alleged) foul-ups is too long to recount here. The latest is a fomer Jags kicker, Josh Lambo, telling the Tampa Bay Times that Meyer “kicked’’ him in practice, while Lambo was stretching.
What?
“I’m in a lunge position," Lambo told the Times. "Left leg forward, right leg back. ... Urban Meyer, while I’m in that stretch position, comes up to me and says, ‘Hey dips***, make your f***ing kicks.’ And kicks me in the leg.’’
More:Paul Daugherty: Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals will be better because of current struggles
Meyer denied kicking his kicker.
He also said he did not get into a heated argument with receiver Marvin Jones. Jones might have changed since his days as a Bengal. When he was here, Jones was among the nicest, most mild-mannered players on the team. Not a guy who had to be convinced to return to the team after walking out in anger over his head coach.
Meyer also denied calling his assistants “losers.’’
He didn’t deny hanging out in a Columbus bar after his team lost to the Bengals.
And so on.
He’s a smart, calculating man who has coached mostly brilliantly for more than three decades. He had to know he couldn’t coach men the same way he coached kids. Especially not as a rookie in the league. It’s the players’ show, this isn’t College GameDay.
Nevertheless, Meyer displayed a pattern of willful negligence that suggested the rules, written and unwritten, weren’t for him. And he was always handy with a denial or an excuse. Amazing how highly talented people allow their egos to sabotage their careers.
Now, then . . .
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RECRUITING INTERESTS ME NOT AT ALL. . . The folks who get all wrapped up in the Stars Game and Who Signed Whom – who actually pay for info like that – are a little, uh, different. Hopefully, your well-being doesn’t depend on how many five-stars Ohio State signed.
But I’m here to serve, so here’s what Yahoo’s expert recruiting guy said about UC’s haul of 18-year-olds:
Capitalizing on this year's playoff berth and several years of national contention under coach Luke Fickell, the Bearcats brought in the top class in the Group of Five by a wide margin. Ranked No. 33 in the country, Cincinnati's defense-centered group includes a pair of four-star prospects among 20 signees and is eight spots ahead of the second-place class in the Group of Five, signed by Central Florida and coach Gus Malzahn.
Party on, Garth.
At a presser yesterday, Fickell made the point that retaining current players has become more important than signing new ones. In the Portal Age, that’s true. Plus, you the fan have the added benefit of actually recognizing some of their names.
HOF MANAGER EARL WEAVER once said of a player, “I gave him more chances than I gave my first wife.’’ That’s a fair description of the ’21 Bengals, who up to now have paid no penalty for losing two in a row at home. . . and very likely won’t again this weekend in Denver, either.
The Ravens have half their team on IR, the other half anxiously eye-balling COVID test results. Their season rides on Lamar Jackson’s right ankle which at the moment is kinda pulpy. They host Green Bay, arguably the best team in pay-for-play football.
More:Paul Daugherty: Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals will be better because of current struggles
What kind of shape are the Browns in?
“Thank God we have Case Keenum,” special teams coach Mike Priefer said this week. That kind of shape.
Baker Mayfield tested positive Wednesday. The Browns have 18 players in the protocol. They host the Raid-uhs Saturday night.
And, you know, the Steelers stink.
Yet another chance for The Men to take advantage. Judging which Men might show up on any given Sunday is a task best left for seers, soothsayers, Tarot card readers and Jimmy The Greek, who is dead. Maybe this is the week the Bengals favor us with a full team of guys who have “energy’’ and are “prepared.’’ Maybe the play-calling features the best player.
The Bengals won’t have to deal with weird Rockies weather. Sunday in Denver is supposed to be high-50s, partly cloudy. They won’t exactly be facing Aaron Rodgers. Teddy Bridgewater is a low risk-reward caretaker QB. Denver’s D ranks 2nd in the league in points allowed, though, and 10th against both run and pass. They’ll play things close to the vest and wait for you to make mistakes.
More:Paul Daugherty: The Bengals have been given every chance, have yet to follow through
Along with the Bengals and 12 – count ‘em! – other teams with either 6 or 7 wins, the Broncos are thoroughly average. The Broncos have not put back-to-back wins together since the start of November. They’re good at beating bad teams – Giants, Jags, Jets, Lions. Sound familiar?
Denver needs the W as much as Cincinnati does, but inspires no more confidence. A tie would be the perfect outcome.
Call me naively optimistic, but I think the Bengals have better, healthier players than Denver does. Even without Reiff, Wilson and a fair number of Questionables. If they feel like playing with energy, if they agree that preparation is important, they’ll win.
If they don’t, well, they could still win the division at 9-8.
Men 18, Mountain Men 17.
AND NOW. . . Dr. Z makes your weekend merry and bright.
In the mood for more holiday cheer to forget those two Bengals running plays in OT last Sunday? Well, who isn’t? If you’re looking to go traditional, Dr. Z suggests a couple of holiday classics. The Cincinnati Ballet’s Nutcracker is always a beautiful event. And please pardon Dr. Z for stealing a tune suggestion from Doc (yikes, a lot of doctors around TML these says) Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite is an absolute Christmas Day go to. https://cballet.org/ Or, take your favorite Scrooge to the Playhouse in the Park to see “A Christmas Carol.” https://www.cincyplay.com/
The Winter Market at Washington Park is on this weekend for last-minute cool local gifts. Dr Z also needs em’ so see you there. https://cincinnatiusa.com/events/winter-market-1
Hungry? Thirsty? Grab some food and local treats at Findlay Market, and check out the former-Shillito’s Elves on Elder Music Pop Up and Cocktail Lounge Friday the 17th and 18th from 5-9 PM. Findlay will also feature Music at the Market with Mitch Klein on the 18th from 12-2 PM, and Pups and Pints on the 18th from 3-7PM. https://www.findlaymarket.org/events
TUNE O’ THE DAY . . . Live albums are (pick one)
(A) Filled with self indulgent drum and guitar solos and thus boring.
(B) The true test of a band’s greatness, without the aid of studio magic, and thus interesting.
(C) The best way to appreciate your favorite group.
Generally, I go with (A) but there are exceptions. I like J. Geils live records. I’m good with Allmans Fillmore East, The Last Waltz and Live Rust. And Waiting for Columbus, from which today’s tune originates.
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