03-13-2019, 03:12 PM
(03-13-2019, 02:33 PM)NKURyan Wrote: I don't think he's saying people need to be happy with the team, I think he's saying what I'm saying - it's still way too early to start this level of panic. We're less than 2 full days in to free agency... let's give them a week or two. People who are complaining right now - many of who spent the last couple of weeks posting about how they KNOW the Bengals weren't going to do anything at the start of free agency - are just complaining for the sake of complaining, IMO.
I'd also ask this... if the Bengals are as bad as everyone around here seems to think they are, is there really one signing that's going to make any real difference for them? I'm not in favor of them making a move just to make a move, and if the strategy is to pick up a handful of good players (or a ton of average players) over one great player... I think that's the right approach to have.
So to your first part. Yes. I would normally agree that it's only been three days and it's super early to panic. But, with the money given to Hopkins, Uzomah, Hart and Brown the Bengals have essentially handicapped themselves from making any more significant moves. The Bengals aren't the type of team to cut players midway through contracts so by giving those three year deals to Brown/Hart they are essentially saying, "these two are my MLB/OT for the foreseeable future." I think that's a problem. Hart isn't a good OT and Brown is one-dimensional run stuffing LB. As for the Uzomah/Hopkins deals I was more than ok with them. Also, I can't speak for any of the other posters but I never complained about knowing that the bengals wouldn't spend money in free agency.
Secondly, and once again I can only speak for myself, I believe the Bengals are right on the cusp of being either a bad or good team. I've never been a fan of going out and spending loads of money in free agency. It almost never works out. I am a fan, however, of spending money in a smart way. You say their strategy is to sign a handful of average to good players. I can agree with that, but let's be smart with the money. Bobby Hart isn't even an average tackle, in fact he's one of the worst and by signing him to that deal it just about takes OT off the board in round 1 of the draft. Preston Brown is slightly average. Why do you think the Bills let him walk only to draft an athletically gifted LB as his replacement? Because that's where the NFL is headed. The Bengals need athletes at the position.
If you want an idea of a smart move for an OT look at what the Bills signed OT Ty Nsekhe for. 2 years for 14.5 mil. PFF grades him as a way better run/pass blocker than Hart. That is the type of deal I was hoping the Bengals would look for. I'm not arguing for the Bengals to make high profile moves. I want SMART moves. There is a difference.
