05-23-2022, 09:59 AM
(05-22-2022, 07:27 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: And let him potentially half-ass the regular season again with a lot on the line?
A rookie safety would probably be more valuable in the regular season than Bates half-assing it, especially with a stacked d-line rotation like we should have.
Wishful thinking but it makes a lot of sense and you know Taylor and our front office would at least consider it. I know they don't base their moves on the media's opinions but they have to at least see some of these and it has to get them thinking.
- I'm not convinced his regular season effort is anywhere close to as bad as you're stating. He was a top 5 safety in the playoffs when it mattered most.
- I'd love it if Hill played as well as Bates his rookie year, but it's not realistic to count on that. Not following the connection you're trying to make about defensive line play making Hill a better regular season safety than Bates.
- Sorry, I should have typed 'wishful thinking by the author of the article', didn't mean for it to come across as a negative toward you. IMO, unless Bates decides to go nuclear on his relationship with the Bengals and since the cap situation is good this off-season it makes for a pretty simple question if the goal is to field a Super Bowl team. Is the team better off having Bates in 2022 & a 2023 pick or is it better off not having Bates in 2022 & having a 2023 pick.
