Around the AFC North (2/19): Hue Jackson to Cincinnati

by Chris Pokorny on Feb 19, 2012 10:05 PM EST in Around the AFC North

In today's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at the Bengals adding another former head coach to their staff, how much money Joe Flacco's agent wants for his client, and who will return kicks for the Steelers next season.

Cincinnati Bengals: Hue Jackson Presents an Opportunity for Next Season

On Friday, the Bengals announced the hiring of former Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson. The position he was hired for seems a little unusual given his recent history, though.

If you were surprised that the Cincinnati Bengals hired Hue Jackson on Friday to become an assistant coach with the defensive backs and special teams, you're hardly alone. Jackson has limited (if any) experience as a defensive coach, much less as a defensive backs coach. The last time he was an assistant with special teams was 1991 with the defunct London Monarchs in the World League of American Football, which would eventually become NFL Europe (which is also now gone).

Cincy Jungle thinks that this could set up a scenario in which offensive coordinator Jay Gruden gets hired somewhere as a head coach next year, allowing Jackson to smoothly transition into that position in 2013.

Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco Needs Top Five Money

While you always want an agent to get you the best deal possible, I think it's pretty hilarious that Joe Flacco's agent is pushing for top five money.

The agent for Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco is saying that the four-year veteran deserves a new contract paying him what is considered top five money. Based on his playoff appearances and the fact that Flacco has won more games in his first four seasons (including playoffs) than any other QB in NFL history, he might have a compelling argument.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Sanders to Return Kicks This Season

We're not even close to next season starting, but the Steelers' Emmanuel Sanders said on the radio recently that he will replace fellow receiver Antonio Brown on kickoff and punt returns next season.

Sanders will replace AFC Pro Bowl WR/KR Antonio Brown, the only player in NFL history with 1,000 return and receiving yards in the same season. It's likely due to the larger role Brown will play in the team's offense, but at the same time, Sanders performed well on returns his rookie season, picking up 628 yards on 25 returns.

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I have no problem with the ravens over paying for flacco.

by Ryno III on Feb 19, 2012 11:17 PM EST reply actions

Quite to the contrary of having a problem with it. I think it’s hilarious, but I would still encourage them to do it.

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 19, 2012 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

Based on his playoff appearances and the fact that Flacco has won more games in his first four seasons (including playoffs) than any other QB in NFL history, he might have a compelling argument.

So his agent is saying that the team deserves top five money.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 20, 2012 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Flacco won more games in his first four seasons than any other QB in history because of the talent around him. Baltimore hasn’t had a “top five” quarterback in a long time, yet they win despite having an average quarterback. Until McCoy’s concussion, compare their stats side by side. Pretty similar. But they have (arguably) the best defense in the league, not to mention Ray Rice, a good o-line, and some weapons. Watch Flacco play, and then look me in the eyes and tell me that you seriously tell me that he deserves top 5 money.

by AnthonyK on Feb 20, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

You just said the same thing as Simms only in more words.

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 20, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

You know, AnthonyK, If you take Jon’s comment and embelish it by adding all of the details he insinuated, you are basically echoing his sentiments, using more verbage.

What does that MEAN - TO PLAY US OUT?!!?!?

by DaveDawg09 on Feb 20, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

I think this thread has an echo effect.

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 20, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

I personally am of the belief that, out of all of the threads currently posted on Dawgs By Nature (an unofficial Cleveland Browns (a team in the National Football League) blog), the thread entitled “Around the AFC North (2/19): Hue Jackson to Cincinnati” (herein referred to as “this thread”) contains within in its myriad postings a phenomenon wherein one’s posting is later reverberated by another, except in a manner far more protracted and grandiose.

"We just lost to the Steelers 20 hours ago and that still hurts. I need to get home and eat a burrito." -Phil Dawson

by Adrock2099 on Feb 20, 2012 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

At this point the two sides of the argument/discussion don’t matter. This needs more recs.

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.

by JustBob on Feb 22, 2012 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

The Bengals hired Hue Jackson?! What? Did he get arrested for something?

"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I have the best wife - ever.

by JustBob on Feb 20, 2012 5:25 PM EST reply actions