Who holds decision-making power in the Cincinnati Bengals' front office?
That has been one of pro football's biggest mysteries since owner Mike Brown acknowledged that "" to a committee of power brokers comprised of several members of the Brown family, Marvin Lewis' coaching staff and director of player personnel Duke Tobin.
A family-run operation from the outset, the Bengals are the only 撸先生AV organization to eschew the practice of hiring a general manager throughout their nearly half-century of existence.
"I don't know if anyone really knows (the organizational structure) -- I really don't," one AFC general manager told 撸先生AV Media's Albert Breer in 2014. "Because that family ."
Tobin will replace Lewis as the face of the franchise when the Bengals at the 撸先生AV on Thursday, fielding questions alongside 45 other head coaches and general managers.
It was in Indianapolis three years ago that Lewis first disclosed that Tobin was running the Bengals' draft war room. Brown acknowledged as much this week.
"I have some role. So do our coaches," Brown explained, via Geoff Hobson of the team's official website. " for everyone. He keeps it on track. I would say today the responsibility is largely his. He puts it all together."
Tobin understands the Bengals' front office will always be a collaborative effort under the Brown family, with the coaching staff assuming a greater share of the evaluation responsibilities in Cincinnati than in other cities. Still, he has no interest in expanding his power and prestige by defecting to another franchise.
"I'm a loyal guy. Loyalty matters. Ownership here is loyal to its employees and employees ought to mimic that loyalty," Tobin said, per Hobson. "(Ownership's) lives are football. ... They don't have outside business interests. This is what their lives are all about and they're excellent at it. That's what makes it a unique, special place. It's all about football. From the lowest guy all the way up to the owner. It's all about football."
Even if Tobin is never recognized with the general manager title, he has at least started to gain respect around the league.
Under the guiding arms of Tobin and Lewis on the football side of the operation, the Bengals have shed the and emerged as a beacon of stability.
Tobin is content to deflect whatever newfound credit comes his way and spread the praise for Cincinnati's AFC North success.
"It's not an individual game at any level," Tobin offered. "It's not an individual game in personnel; it's not an individual game on the field. When you start reaching out for individual glory, it breaks down."
