05-21-2024, 09:42 AM
(05-20-2024, 03:28 PM)kevin Wrote: Chase Brown
Noah Cain
Elijah Collins
Chris Evans
Zack Moss
Trayveon Williams
I'll add that Bengals do not have a FB listed on team. Some NFL teams still like to have a FB. Elijah Collins last week was listed by Bengals,com as a HB, and this week is only one listed as a RB. Could the 6 foot, 220 pound rookie from Oklahoma State be the guy they might be looking at as a possible blocking back at goal line or 3rd and short.
Mixon is gone and he was a workhorse. None of these names would be Fantasy Football early draft picks, but some have to step up, because the void left by Mixon gone needs filled. It is an opportunity for somebody to be a #1 rusher on an NFL team. Chase Brown showed flashes of promise. Moss can catch. It can't be all Joe Burrow every play, one of these dudes has to tear up NFL defenses a little.
To win in the AFC North, all 4 teams lean heavy on a running game. The frozen North is not fast track West Coast sunshine states. The opportunity is there for one of these players to be a 1,000 yard rusher for Bengals in 2024. A Star Is Born.
GO BENGALS
- I have ZERO issues with the RB room. NONE. In fact, I actually really love what the Bengals did as far as salary allocation with the position. I think there's a ton of talent in that room that just needs put through a rotation to keep it fresh and opponents off balance. I also think they are much better now in pass pro, which - let's be honest - is what the Bengals are looking to do. Pass.
- On X there was a graph going around after the Bengals signed Moss. It showed the salary cap allocation % for the entire RB group of the last 15, or 18, or however many SB winners (it was a long enough list to be compelling). All but maybe 2 exceptions (Saints & Seahawks, IIRC) were under 3% of their salary cap spent for their ENTIRE RB room. Modern NFL games and championships are NOT won with big time RBs. They are won by running schemes and blocking.
Data over the last 20 years proves the above to be true. The Ravens got DESTROYED being a running team... IN THE COLD... AT HOME... when it mattered most... by a team with ZERO big name or emerging stud RBs - with an absolute master at QB. Not at RB.... at QB.
The Bengals season will go exactly how Joe Burrow goes.
^ THIS has been the NFL over the last 25 years. Manning & Brady were Magic & Bird to the league in terms of revolutionizing rules, play styles, etc. The league blew up MASSIVELY bigger than it already had under those Manning/Brady rivalries - the league knows this is the best way. It's all about star QBs now just like the NBA is all about their stars and has been for the last 40+ years.
- Sample is going to be a hybrid H-Back/TE. I have no issues with his position being a versatile blocking TE that can move into different spots on the LOS & behind the QB.
- Fantasy Football? Ummmmm.... huh? The Bengals don't NEED a #1 running back to win REAL football games. They need a RB scheme and blocking for that scheme. If those 2 things are good, any of the guys on your list can pick up the needed yards in any situation, even goal line.
- Only, this idea of AFCN football isn't actually true. Your description of the division is from 2008, 09, 10.
Recent history....
- Bengals back to back won the division throwing all over people.
- The Browns don't want to be a running team as evidenced by the HC (former pass heavy OC), their drafting, signings, & trades for non-RBs. It just looks that way because they've had to run because of their INSANE QB situation. But that's not how they are trying to build their roster. They threw Mayfield out of town not because he couldn't manage games... but because their HC/OC wants to throw the ball a ton and they didn't think he could do it.
- The Steelers had been throwing the ball all over people for YEARS with Ben and loading up non-RB skill spots. They recently just refused to 5th year option their "star #1" RB and will instead platoon that spot and go younger, non-name players moving forward.
- Ravens run the ball from the QB spot - totally NOT what you're describing in terms of needing a #1 RB. They run from the QB position because they HAVE TO due to Jackson A: Being AMAZING at it & B: NOT being able to throw as well as he would need to..... look at the NON-RB weapons the Ravens have signed, traded for, drafted since Lamar has been there.... NOTHING about that says RUN.
^ They signed Henry, sure, but that fell into their lap. I am not saying the Ravens aren't trying to go RB or run the ball heavy. I'm saying they they have to due to their QB, NOT because of their division.
