(03-20-2022, 01:03 PM)Science Friction Wrote: I think the Collins dude ends up a Bengal.   He was here the better part of two days. Clearly, they were close and both sides like a lot of what they heard. Others aren't exactly beating down La'el's door to get to him.   My best guess is that he will be in black and orange.

(03-20-2022, 01:23 PM)jj22 Wrote: Rather people are ready to realize it or not, we've lost more than we've gained. We've downgraded from CJ if only the locker room presence (and it's a tough sell to say we've upgraded), lost Spain, lost larry O, lost Reiff, haven't upgraded one of the worst pass defenses, in a conference that has upgraded it's pass catchers and qb's.... We've strengthened Center and RG and people will hang their hats on that to claim we haven't fallen behind, but other spots have taken hits.

(03-20-2022, 01:42 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: A  player getting outplayed by 2 all pro talents means he’s worse than a mediocre CJ Uzomah?

Please.

(03-20-2022, 01:44 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: tough sell tough sell tough sell

like a broken record

(03-20-2022, 01:45 PM)jj22 Wrote: I never said he was worse... Don't put words in my mouth just to get yourself worked up. That's lame.

The question was is he an upgrade. 

(03-20-2022, 01:44 PM)Sled21 Wrote: No shit, but if guarantees are the sticking point and the Bengals won't budge (which evidently they won't) then there is no reason not to put some pressure to sign back on the player. 

(03-20-2022, 01:46 PM)fredtoast Wrote: You crack me up Frank.

You honestly think that NFL teams hand out contracts just based on looking at stat sheets?

There is a good reason that in a free market competition between teams with professional scouts Uzo got paid a lot more than Hurst.

(03-20-2022, 01:50 PM)jj22 Wrote: Then it's a wash... that isn't worse....

(03-20-2022, 01:49 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: Hurst signing with cincy was an actual case of the so called “Burrow effect”

(03-20-2022, 01:45 PM)jj22 Wrote: The question was is he an upgrade. 

(03-20-2022, 01:50 PM)jj22 Wrote: Then it's a wash... that isn't worse.... It also doesn't make us better.

(03-20-2022, 01:55 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Yes it does make us better because we have an extra $4 million to upgrade th team in other ways.

(03-20-2022, 01:55 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Yes it does make us better because we have an extra $4 million to upgrade th team in other ways.

(03-20-2022, 01:56 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: Idk tough sell tough sell tough sell

(03-20-2022, 01:46 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: The only concern I have is RT and depth at DT.  If it doesn’t work out with Collins then they will have to figure out another way to solidify the RT spot. I think they will get some guys to help with the CB and WR areas where it gets thin after the starters.

Interior O line was the weakest group on the team last year and they have made big upgrades there so I don’t think they are worse off at this point.  TE is still similar to what they had with CJ but not a major concern for a position where that guy is going to be the 4th or 5th option on almost every play.

I am concerned at how many good players have come to the AFC but by week 1 the Bengals will be just as talented as every other top team.  The top 5 or so teams in the AFC will all have SB caliber rosters.  Injuries and luck will play a big part in how teams finish next year.

The Bengals are fortunate in that they didn’t need to make any big splash FA signings/trades at the skill positions like the Browns, Raiders and Broncos did because they already have studs at those positions.

(03-20-2022, 02:23 PM)Joelist Wrote: Let's get the current OL lineup straight first:

LT: Jonah
LG: Carman (and likely Spain)
C: Karras
RG: Cappa
RT: (Open)

I am unhappy they failed to land Collins. But even RIGHT NOW the OL is hugely upgraded. Remember that the vast majority of the line issues last season came from the right side. And I have to think they are not going to ride with Isaiah Prince next season - we missed on Collins but they will get an improvement (maybe Daryl Williams?). And as to LG they are almost certainly going to resign Spain who contrary to some opinions played well for us at LG - the issue in the last two playoff games was more about him having to play injured because as it turned out Carman was also nursing an injury.

I still think they need to rethink parts of their Free Agency approach in particular concerning ESTABLISHED tier 1 players - that is where this kind of result seems to bite the most.


Finally, yes asking for fully guaranteed contracts hits small market teams hard and there needs to be some kind of alternative developed. Maybe a financial product the team can but where it pays the contract then the team pays a fee plus the payment to the company writing the product? Just thinking out loud there.

(03-20-2022, 02:16 PM)JWW1971 Wrote: Can anyone tell me if Collins is still around, being over here in Scotland I'm only getting the news from boards like this, twitter and FB and I read that it was reported a hour ago on CBT he's still in Cincinnati.
Can anyone confirm this?