(12-01-2016, 07:22 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: A lot of people are talking like this is "the end of an era". While I do think there is a lot of fat to trim from this roster (and coaching staff), we have key pieces in the right places for a quick rebound.

Dalton, Green, Hill, Gio, Eifert, Boling, Atkins, Dunlap, and Burfict are all good players. Iloka and Williams have their moments.

Now here's what I think would get this team to bounce back quickly...

1. A complete rebuild of the line. The Bodine experiment is over. We need to hedge the bet on Ogbuehi by signing a solid veteran tackle who can actually play all snaps if necessary, because it probably will be. As unpopular as it may be, I'd look for Whit's replacement with that top 10 pick. It seems hard to find a 10 year tackle late in the first, so this is a prime opportunity. Keep Zeitler, as I think he'll be affordable after this season.

My line in 2016 would look like this:

top tackle prospect - Boling - FA/draft pick - Zeitler - FA

2. Draft for speed at LB and WR. We are sorely lacking LBs who go sideline to sideline. AJ Green goes down and we have no one that scares anyone deep. Terrelle Pryor could be a semi-affordable option. If not, draft someone.

3. Better depth on the line and another pass rusher. If possible, I'd cut MJ and look for an upgrade that can actually get to the passer. We're paying MJ too much for what we're seeing this year. Time to replace Peko as well. Let a 2nd or 3rd rounder fight it out with Billings.

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Player-wise, I don't think we're far off. As far as coaching goes, I think PA and Marv take the most blame for this season, and both need replaced in order to right this ship and advance further than round 1 of the playoffs. That said, if we somehow bring in a new HC, I would want him to be able to hand pick his staff.

So where do you stand? Do you think this team can rebound quickly with a few good moves, a solid draft and some new coaches? Or do you think we're in for a lengthy rebuilding process?

(12-01-2016, 07:46 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: @Thundercloud: Thanks. I'm torn on Whit. He hasn't fallen off yet, but he's 35. Better to let go too soon than too late. Plus great tackle prospects usually get plucked early. I look at Dallas and I want that.

That said, signing Whit would allow us to draft a different need and push back tackle another year...but we may not have a top pick to look for a top tackle prospect then. There's definitely multiple ways to approach the coming draft.

All of this is moot if Whit hangs it up though. We'd definitely need a tackle at that point.

(12-01-2016, 09:49 PM)J24 Wrote: Honestly we need to do both but that's the reality of the NFL. Good teams never rebuild because there always building every season.

(12-01-2016, 10:05 PM)Sled21 Wrote: There's no reason to "Blow it up". This team only has 3 wins, but every loss was by a few points. It's not like they are constantly getting blown out....couple of more pieces and a new coach and we are right back in contention.

(12-01-2016, 10:06 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Meh, kind of tough to go with that logic.  It's not like they were blowing everyone out, last year.

(12-01-2016, 10:16 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: Actually last year was an amazing year to be a Bengals fan until Dalton got hurt. By far the best Bengals team I've witnessed. It's not like you need to blow everybody out to be a good team.

(12-01-2016, 10:05 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: This team has been on the cusp of "great" for several years.  What do you see as the one common factor that held them back from greatness?