05-17-2016, 08:35 PM
Shawn Williams signing definitely caught me by surprise, but this was the right move.
Now try to work on extensions for Zeitler, Eifert, Gio, and Dre in that order. Sorry Dre, but go walk. Go get your money elsewhere. Dennard/WJIII are your future replacements.
I expected Nelson to walk after his Pro-Bowl season. From the FO perspective which is more likely to happen:
1) Nelson plays at a Pro-Bowl level in 2016
2) Nelson plays as an above average NFL Safety at age 32
3) Nelson reverts back to what Nelson was in 2014 but now a 32 year old safety and not getting those INTs
I believe #3 is the likely scenario for Nelson in 2016. BTW, I felt that Nelson's INTs were totally inflated due to team defense. Think Michael Johnson getting all of those sacks before he went to Tampa. Nelson's INTs were a symptom of great team defense.
If Williams isn't the guy, then he cost the Bengals $4 million to find out. Not that steep considering Smith and Shaw are still around. But locking key pieces to the defense are worth spending now instead of fighting the open market. Yes, only four starts does give me some pause. But Williams was out on the field for nearly half the snaps and the Bengals must see something special in him. I trust their decision. The FO has been lately pretty good on deciding when to cut bait or invest.
Now try to work on extensions for Zeitler, Eifert, Gio, and Dre in that order. Sorry Dre, but go walk. Go get your money elsewhere. Dennard/WJIII are your future replacements.
I expected Nelson to walk after his Pro-Bowl season. From the FO perspective which is more likely to happen:
1) Nelson plays at a Pro-Bowl level in 2016
2) Nelson plays as an above average NFL Safety at age 32
3) Nelson reverts back to what Nelson was in 2014 but now a 32 year old safety and not getting those INTs
I believe #3 is the likely scenario for Nelson in 2016. BTW, I felt that Nelson's INTs were totally inflated due to team defense. Think Michael Johnson getting all of those sacks before he went to Tampa. Nelson's INTs were a symptom of great team defense.
If Williams isn't the guy, then he cost the Bengals $4 million to find out. Not that steep considering Smith and Shaw are still around. But locking key pieces to the defense are worth spending now instead of fighting the open market. Yes, only four starts does give me some pause. But Williams was out on the field for nearly half the snaps and the Bengals must see something special in him. I trust their decision. The FO has been lately pretty good on deciding when to cut bait or invest.
