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Post by Jeff Reinebold on Dec 20, 2023 16:26:07 GMT -5
They said there'd be surfing. There was no surfing. "Hey, Jeff" they said, "You're always in Hawaii, London, and Hamilton. You're ideally placed to cover the AFC North. How 'bout it? There'll be surfing..."
There's a sucker born every minute... |
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Post by Jeff Reinebold on Dec 20, 2023 16:42:12 GMT -5
Hello, football fans! Jeff Reinebold here, boldly going where no roving reporter has been bold enough to go before. That's right, it's the AFC North!
I'll be hoping to get exclusive access and behind the scenes looks at the toughest* division in football right now and giving the good folks back home some unique insight into how these titans of the gridiron are shaping up for the new season!
Despite still licking their one-and-done wounds from last year, the Steelers know how to the play the game, and they welcomed me into the building for a fireside chat and cup of hot cocoa as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Phenomenal!
So I handed in my surfboard at reception and switched on the tape recorder for a candid chat with the notorious.... ezlee!
--------- Hi ezlee, Jeff Reinebold from Sky Sports Europe here, your new friendly neighborhood beat reporter. Hopefully you'll be willing to answer a few questions which I'll be posting up to keep the league busy with off-season content! I don't think much of the beaches here, but there has been some sweet football played, so let's start there...
In recent years you’re wrestled the division away from Cinci and last year was spectacular. Yet, the team is young and you are positively drowning in free cap. Lots of fans expecting you to go big and dominate for years to come - you aren’t going to disappoint them, are you?
Great to meet you Jeff. I'm looking forward to getting to know you as you cover the North. As for our team? We have youth, talent and cap space. I feel like we're poised to take the next step. Trader Rob is always looking to make that big move and this offseason will be no different. As for dominating? We play in the AFC North which has some damn talented GMs and young QBs to boot. It's going to be tough to win in this division as Zach's team matures and the Ravens young QB takes the next step. Oh, BTW Julio is one of the top GMs in all of FOF so there is that.
2 first rounders too! Is that even fair on the rest of the league?
It's been a few years since we had any picks in the top rounds. Having two is phenomenal and should put us in excellent position to make any moves we want come draft time.
I think it's fair to say POs didn't go as planned, losing to a KC team who only had 9 earned first downs in the entire game! Some analysts pointed to Robbins and commented his lack of experience at the highest level - what have you been doing to address that over the off-season? Do you expect him to just bounce back?
Robbins had one of the most productive seasons in RZB history and it was painful to go one and done after so much success, but that is life as a professional football player in the RZB. I expect BearGrowlz to take the next step. He's a tireless worker and committed to being the best player he can be. He is driven to win a championship and will continue to work to make that happen. We have a lot of talent on this team and plenty of cap to backfill the areas we're weak in.
There's been some talk of conflict in the locker room. Is this something that worries you at all?
Yeah, we do have a couple of guys that may not be back next year due to personality issues, but overall our guys are committed to working towards winning a bowl. It's not like we have George Pickens or Dionte Johnson on this team. No chance you can win with those guys, but I'll take passionate players over passive players anytime.
Predictions? I think many expect the biggest challenge to come from either Cinci or Cleveland but how do you see it? The Ravens have had a few lean years but Eckard showed some signs of being a threat last season...
I predict that the Browns will take the next step and become a major force as soon as this year. The Bengals are the Bengals. They will always be in the mix. The Ravens are the wild card here as Eckard looks to be the real deal. If Big A can put some talent around him, I see no reason why they're not a playoff caliber team. If I had to make a formal prediction for next year's standings I believe it could look something like this:
Steelers - 12-4
Browns - 11-5
Bengals - 10-6
Ravens - 7-9
Thanks ezlee, and hopefully we can have a chat after the draft. Aloha!
So nice to meet you Jeff. I look forward to many more conversations... ---------
* YMMV. Terms & conditions apply. Please see a registered physician if you suffer from a chronic health condition or disagree with the general sentiment... |
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Post by squirrel on Dec 20, 2023 17:03:30 GMT -5
LOL at Jeff Reinebold.
How many of our North American friends on here know who this guy is (I should add I’m a fan of his)
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Post by ManWithNoName on Dec 21, 2023 4:29:20 GMT -5
LOL at Jeff Reinebold. How many of our North American friends on here know who this guy is (I should add I’m a fan of his) Never heard of him before. |
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Post by ezlee2 on Dec 21, 2023 8:45:33 GMT -5
LOL at Jeff Reinebold. How many of our North American friends on here know who this guy is (I should add I’m a fan of his) Never heard of him before. +1 |
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Post by clown on Dec 21, 2023 11:42:24 GMT -5
Seems like a big fan of RZB and the AFC NORTH
He understands and mines information from: what is known as the "RUST BELT" of North America
Anyone can be a RZB Commentator ---Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Donald TRUMP
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Post by Sawblade300 on Dec 21, 2023 12:16:05 GMT -5
Jeff is lucky this isn't the NAFL AFC North. Otherwise these would be totally different interviews.
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Post by Jeff Reinebold on Dec 21, 2023 14:41:43 GMT -5
Surf's UP!
Stoked! Stoked I tell you, football fans. Not just because they actually have beaches down here in Maryland and I might get to Hang Five later, but most of all because I caught BigA for a quick chat between his daily neck massage and the next coaches' meeting. That's right, today we're talking RAVINZZZZ!!
You have plenty of players under contract going into the 2060 season. Do you expect to be busy in free agency this year, or is it mainly about building through the draft?
I am planning on building through the draft, however if I see someone that piques my interest I may go after them in free agency.
It's been a long time since the Ravens invested any first round picks in to the defense. With a full set of picks in this year's draft is there any chance that might change, or will it be mainly about more weapons for Eckard?
No not this year unless I am hoping for a nice weapon for Eckard, but you can never say never.
Speaking of the QB, can this be a breakout season for QB Eckard? He showed some flashes of high level play last year and is maturing nicely.
I am hopeful for a breakout season for him this year and hopefully I can get another playmaker to utilize his potential and get us back into the playoffs.
It's been a few seasons of rebuilding in Baltimore, so what’s realistic expectation for this year? 16-0 till you ain’t?
A winning season, I am looking to at least double my win total from this year however if I can get a couple of more wins then it will be a good year for me.
Finally, any early predictions for the division? If we started today how would you see things playing out?
The Steelers are the team to beat as almost every year. The Bengals will be a close second as they are well managed and will field a strong team to contend. The Browns will stay competitive. Then my Ravens will hopefully be more competitive this year.
Alright, hang in there, BigA. And to all the good folks back home.... ALOHA! |
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Post by Jeff Reinebold on Dec 23, 2023 14:03:47 GMT -5
As the great Mark Twain once wrote, “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it's always 20 years behind the times.”
Well, I sure don't know about 20 years, but it's been almost 10 since those crazy Bengals ("WHO DEY??") had a losing season, and that seemed like a logical place to start my latest AFC North chat, this time with head-honcho Julio! And let me tell you, good people, this one's a Banger!
The Bengals last had a last losing season in '53, but 2 tough losses to end last year and you missed the POs, a surprise to many! Are you feeling good about bouncing back this year?
The offense should be good to very good, but I think we may be looking at a complete retooling of the defense, and I don't think we will be much better on that side of the ball. Gonna be another 8-8, 9-7 type year at best I think. The AFC is way too good to have a defense this bad and expect consistent success.
That's not going to be an easy task with limited free cap space and not much in the way of draft picks - how will roster building be addressed?
Cuts and discounts, hopefully. We will probably be looking to fill a lot of this roster from late round picks and undrafted free agents while we get rid of some overpriced contracts and underperforming veterans.
You've had a lot of turnover on the o-line with several retirements. You recently drafted Sammie Bowser and he looks a great fit for a downhill team, but do you see him as a tackle or a guard?
I see Bowser as a bench warmer, honestly. He can run block some, but he has no strength or endurance and can't pass protect much, so you don't want him to be a guy you rely on for significant contributions to a successful offense. That's why he is in Pittsburgh now, I guess.. hehe. We whiffed on that pick.
Checks notes - eh, yes. That's right! Well, you passed my test to see if you were paying attention! So, uh-hum, about that line...
Yeah, we will probably have to mostly stand pat up front. We did manage to get a passable T last year in the later rounds of the draft, he will likely step in and start while our backup C from last year steps into a starting role as well. If we do spend on a free agent, it might be to give us more in the trenches on offense. I firmly believe in having 6-7 starter quality guys if I can get them, but we are in a tight spot financially and will need to do some maneuvering.
Any early predictions for the N? If we started the season today how do you see things shaking out?
Pittsburgh is in position to dominate until their QB asks for a new contract. Best bet for us right now is to sit back and experiment and build and see what direction we can develop this thing. What we have right now isn't going to cut it. Baltimore has some building to do still, but their QB is about ready to have the strongest stretch of his career and they know how to play D in Baltmore. If the O catches up, they can surprise people. Cleveland is just a step away, but I don't see them overtaking the Steelers yet. I think it would go Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore. Baltimore will be trending up and we will be trending down.
Pittsburgh are the team to beat for the time being here in the North, then. Does having such a high powered offense in the same division affect the way you build the roster at all? With the Browns looking to pass teams to death seems like a strong secondary is a must-have going forwards - fair?
Secondary only goes as far as the pass rush lets it. We have a good secondary to run a bump scheme here, but the guys just can't bump all day long and our pass rush was awful a season ago. It has been awful for two years now, really the weakness of the team. What really matters when defending these high octane offenses is having a defense that can execute at least one or two coverages at a very high level as a unit. There have to be LB who are competent underneath and there has to be a high level of compatibility regarding what those guys can do. I think it really helps to have two coverage "teams" who can swap in and out to both stay fresh and give you a chance to vary your coverages. Without getting to the QB in a timely fashion, however, none of that matters. You can have an all world secondary and give up chunks all day if your pass rush can't get home.
Thanks Julio, and hopefully we can have a chat after the draft - ALOHA!
I'll be looking forward to it, Jeff. |
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Post by Jeff Reinebold on Jan 17, 2024 7:20:43 GMT -5
I sat down with Julio at the Bengals for an espresso macchiato and some football talk as the season begins. Some great insights from a top-GM, here, football fans! ********
Hi Julio!
Thanks for welcoming me back after our pre-draft chat. The season has finally started and we’ll get to that in a moment. Before that, however, I’d like to ask you about pre-season and the exhibition games. How do you feel it went and what do you usually look for there? Is it important to get some wins under your belt or do you focus on something else?
I actually don't do much in preseason, mostly focus on trimming down my roster.. Rarely am I ever trying to decide who will start where after PS2 runs. I generally know what we are going to try to do after that, then I just rex things and let it play out until the season starts. Usually I make a new game plan for week one at some point before the season starts and then tweak that sometime between week 4-6 unless it is just way out of whack. Best time to play me is usually the first 4 weeks when we are still feeling things out with the current roster.
There’s been plenty of individual draft coverage but I wonder how you feel the North as a group did in improving their rosters this year?
Well, Cleveland and I both had very little to work with in the way of draft capital, so it was a push for us both essentially. We managed to score a nice chunk of contributors in the undrafted free agent period, but generally the two of our teams sort of stayed the course from a draft standpoint this season. Baltimore had a couple nice picks, including a 2nd WR in the 2nd round that should be a nice addition, but overall their draft wasn't that great beyond their first two picks. The Steelers got themselves a real weapon of a runner to add to their offensive arsenal and a Guard that can clear running lanes and blank interior pass rushes, so they probably added the most. Them having money right now is bad news for the rest of the league, because it means their ascension is not yet complete. Things will come apart in a few seasons a little bit, but they are hitting a peak right now and have a great chance to take home a ring this season.
Some analysts - not this one I hasten to add! - have been doubting the potential of the Bengals going into the season, but that was an impressive win over the Ravens, and a marker laid down to the rest of the division that you mean business once again! Result aside, what pleased you the most about the game?
Our defense came to play. Last season we were just absolutely awful at preventing points, so to start the year with a solid outing is encouraging. Offensively I thought we were decently efficient considering we are breaking in some new pieces on the line. It helps to have a guy like Cote to anchor things when talent isn't as strong across the board as usual.
If we can keep playing D, this could be a return to competitiveness.. But I don't think we have the talent to hang with the big dogs. It'll be interesting if we can push Pittsburgh at all.
Finally, any reason why you are running with 52 rostered players? Is there literally no one else worth signing out there?
We felt like we had an extra cut in us this year, just getting rid of guys we didn't feel would contribute left us with an extra spot.. Always scouring the wire to try and add someone though, and often you can find a nice piece to add as the season wears on. We'll probably be at 53 eventually, once the right piece drifts into view for us to snatch up.
Thanks for your time, Julio and good luck in the coming weeks! Aloha! |
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Post by Jeff Reinebold on Jan 18, 2024 11:19:31 GMT -5
Every time I arrive in Pittsburgh it always hits me, what a football city this is - everyone from your Uber driver to your restaurant server and hotel reception has one thing they want to talk about, and that's football! And for someone like me that's pretty sweet, as I don't know about much else...
Last year's exit from the playoffs is still a little bit sore around these parts, but the overall feeling is one of hopeful expectation. If there's one thing Pittsburgh fans fear it's 3 playoff wins in 14 years and the dreaded epithet - #OVERRATED! ****
Hi ezlee! Thanks for welcoming me back after our pre-draft chat. The season has finally started and we’ll get to that in a moment. Before that, however, I’d like to ask you about pre-season and the exhibition games. How do you feel it went and what do you usually look for there? Is it important to get some wins under your belt or do you focus on something else?
Hey! What's up Jeff? So good to hear from you again! We do not pay any attention to the preseason at all as I genuinely believe they're meaningless games.
There’s been plenty of individual draft coverage but I wonder how you feel the North as a group did in improving their rosters this year?
I think the North did a nice job as always. I really like what the Browns are building and I'm a little nervous to be honest. I like, but don't love our draft this year. The Ravens seem to find some gems and julio is as good as it gets when identifying the right guys to fit their system. I know this is a generic response, but I think all of the teams in the North improved.
You seemed pretty pumped after the win over the Browns. Now that you've had a chance to go over the tape anything that particularly impressed you, or you need to work on going forwards?
Not really, I'm just happy anytime I get a win against Zach, much like I used to get happy for any win against Nick. The one guy that I know we need to get involved more is RB Conrad Reynolds. He had 100 yards on 16 carries. I'd like to get him to that 20-25 touches per game. I'm also excited to see BearGrowlz continue to develop. He looks the part of a superstar and had one hell of a season last year, but the key will be consistency. That is what separates the good from great players.
Thanks for your time, ezlee, and good luck in the coming weeks!
Thanks Jeff! I look forward to more conversations soon.
Aloha! |
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