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The Good: Mean Joe Ready to Keep Teammates on Point
According to Cincinnati Enquirer staffer Kelsey Conway, Joe Burrow has been different this offseason.
Burrow said that this is the most talented roster he's been on in the NFL and that the Bengals have "everything we need" to contend for a Super Bowl. So, he's been more vocal and demanding while making a concerted effort outside of work to spend more time with his teammates.
Before mandatory minicamps wrapped last month, Burrow discussed the decision to change his leadership style.
"If something isn't up to a standard, then calling it out right then and there," Burrow said. "Maybe a little louder than I have in the past."
Burrow discussed a sense of urgency after all the moves the Bengals made this offseason, going as far as to say that his new vocal leadership style could be a bit mean.
"This offseason I really focused on trying to bring urgency to the room and try to just get everybody to understand the level of urgency that we have this year," Burrow said. "The level of play that's going to be required from every individual who steps on that field. I've tried to communicate that.
"I've tried to be a little more vocal in a mean way."
As Yahoo's Dale Altman suggested, "If it takes 'Mean' Joe Burrow to help get back (to the Super Bowl), so be it."
If Burrow's offseason emphasis on accountability translates into fewer stalled drives or red-zone mistakes, the Bengals' already talented skill-position players -- and fantasy investors -- will all benefit.