Checking In on Some Former Bengals

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(04-26-2021, 01:54 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I thought I'd check in on some Bengals players who have departed the team since Zac Taylor's reign started.  Many of these guys were often discussed on here (should we keep them, are they overpaid, etc.) and I think taking a look at where they are now is interesting.

Bobby Hart
Bobby Hart, more than any other player, was debated and critqued on this site.  There was a number of conversations about whether or not he was bad, just exactly how bad was he, how he improved, ect.  One poster in particular would often point out that he was a decent starting OT.  "Bobby Hart is actually the 43rd best OT in the NFL" (paraphrased).  We also had numerous conversations about his pay.  Was he overpaid at 7 mil per?  A lot didn't think so.

Now --- Bobby Hart just signed a 1 year deal for the league minimum, 900k with the Bills.

Dre Kirkpatrick
Another guy that got talked about a ton.  Was he overpaid?  Fwiw, the same poster who liked to say that Bobby Hart was actually a decent starter made the claim that Kirkpatrick wasn't overpaid and that he would see a similar amount on the open market to the 10 mil he was making here.  Others did as well.

Now --- Dre Kirkpatrick is currently unsigned.  He signed a 1 year 1.05 mil dollar deal after being cut in 2020.

Gio Bernard
Another guy who was discussed a ton.  He was much more of a fan friendly player, and the bulk of us (myself included) loved him.  The debate surrounding him centered mainly on whether or not he was worth the near 5 mil per his previous 2 year extension was for.

Now ---Gio Bernard signed a 1 year 1.21 mil dollar deal with the Bucs.

Geno Atkins
The highest paid of all of these guys, and a guy who had a fantastic career here.  No one would disagree with his previous production, but the conversation revolved around the fact that his last extension was for 16.3 mil per year.  His play had fallen off and he was due a ton of money.  Some wanted to move on completely, some wanted to rework his deal down to a lower amount.

Now --- Geno Atkins is currently unsigned and has remained on the market for over a month.

Carlos Dunlap
This is a player many wanted to move on from during the disaster that was the 2019 season.  Even more wanted to move on from after.  He was a guy that was due a TON of money over the last 3 years of his deal ('19-'21 @ over 12 mil per)

Now --- Carlos Dunalp signed a 2 year deal for 16.9 mil (8.45 mil per) with Seahawks.

Darqueze Dennard
A former first round pick that many wanted retain prior to the signings of Trae Waynes, and Mackenzie Alexander.  A lot of people thought that keeping both him and the previously mentioned Dre Kirkpatrick was the way to go for 2020.

Now --- Darqueze Dennard signed a 1 year 1.01 mil dollar deal with the Falcons.  He previously signed a similar deal (1 year 1.19 mil deal) with them in 2020.

Shawn Williams
A player that really started to disappoint after his new contract, 4 years 20 million (5 mil per).

Now --- Signed a 1 year 1.21 mill dollar contract with the Cardinals

B.W. Webb
Geoff Hobson described this player as "maybe the best slot corner in the league" after he was added in free agency in 2019 for 3 years, 10.5 mil.

Now --- B.W. Webb is currently unsigned.  He was cut after only one season here, and was released from the Cardinals in training camp in 2020.  He's been out of the league ever since.

Josh Bynes
Here's a guy that we just brought in last year.  Many thought he was great addition and proven veteran, others though he was a career backup.

Now --- Josh Bynes is currently unsigned, and has sat on the open market for 2 months.

Alex Erikson
Here's a guy we were paying over 2 mil a year to return punts and do it not that well.  He was a fan favorite earlier in his career primarily because he was undrafted and he was white, which translates into "I love his effort".

Now --- Signed a 1 year contract 1.2 mil dollar deal with the Texans.

I think it's pretty interesting to see how these guys values have been set by the open market vs. how they were valued here by some on JN.  I think it's safe to say that all were either overpaid or they weren't very good, and that moving on from each and every one of them was a good move.

Anybody want to fire up that Bobby Hart wasn't overpaid debate again?  Gio, Kirkpatrick, Geno, Carlos, etc????

Fair points, all, and an excellent representation of something this organization had tended to avoid:  cutting their losses.  There are some holes you could poke in this...like Gio had to step up and be a starting RB last year.  Geno was paid based on what he had produced, which was near the top of the league for some time, but production diminished quickly.  

I, for one, am glad the Bengals didn't go part way this year.  They aren't bringing Green (another vastly overpaid) back on a lesser contract, nor Geno.  This is about "the new guard'.  The last of the old guard has been swept away.  

I look at this year as the real test of the coaching staff.  Burrow will be ready week 1 and we all saw what he can do in limited time last year.  Improvements on the line and a key weapon to help give ZT what he needs to succeed will show us if he (ZT) is the right man for the job.  

Anarumo hasn't show any flashes of dominance except for one really odd evening in pittsburg.  Hopefully, with the added FA and a pass rusher (likely 3rd or 4th rounder) he will show his defense can rise to the occasion.  They don't need to be amazing, but they can't suck ass like the last two years.  

I'm really glad they go rid of the cancerous Turner.  Never liked him as a hire, and I am thrilled that Pollack is back.  I am not saying that one guy and a few pieces make the line HOF-worthy, but I just didn't see Turner getting much out of anyone.  

Good stuff, Wes