Target Hurst

[MileHighGrowler]

(10-05-2022, 04:47 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: I don;t see that difference you are seeing in Hurst,  also CJ 1/3 of his catches went for 20 yards and he shined when it matter most "playoffs", Hurst was supposed to be better as a WR and to this point not that big of a difference and when you count his below average blocking a wash in my opinion, hopefully we see more yardage production down the field.. as for  CJ  we had to let him go totally no way we can pay any TE much $$ in this system with our WRs... Hurst is a fine one year rental and if he wants to come back fine by not for much more than this year $$.  We should draft a TE 3-4 round for the future. 

It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the year looks and what Hurst is willing to take.  I was very much on the "let's try it for a year and see how it works out" wagon when we signed him, though I was definitely optimistic on how he'd perform.  So far I have no issues with his deal.  And if he's truly feeling like he's found "home" in Cincy, he might be willing to take a team-friendly deal to stick around.  

I haven't missed CJ once this year and honestly don't even give him a thought outside of people posting about his stats here from last season.  I think Hurst is fully capable of making the big plays, it's just not how they've been running the offense.  

CJ was loving being a vocal leader in the locker room and riding the high of the city's energy last year when he was in the middle of an exciting Super Bowl run.  Before last year, I don't remember him being that way, so it felt rather circumstantial, and maybe an angle on trying to secure the payday he wanted.  No problem at all with him going and getting paid, but it's rarely received well when a guy does that and then craps on the former team and city that supported him.  And nothing so far this year has made me wish the Bengals overpaid to keep him instead of bringing in Hurst. 

So sure, look at the draft to continue building young talent (as that should always be the goal, and especially with the payouts this team is going to have in a couple of years), but I don't think it's needed solely on the basis of Hurst underperforming.