How and Why.

[*ochocincos*]

(08-21-2017, 06:20 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: As I seem to remember, with the impending "weak crop" of LT candidates expected in this past draft, not only was the LT class in the NFL free agency season lean on LTs in number, but made their prices rather high.

But yes, I do seem to remember some viable options being available after Whit elected to sign with LA.  Maybe not the caliber of player we're used to at LT, but at least some proven, known commodities, capable of starting.

Best available free agents (current)

Actually, I see a few players that could improve this team.

Ryan Clady
Dwight Freeney
Jared Odrick
Devin Taylor 
Jairus Byrd (with the recent injury to Williams)

I actually did more research into JC Tretter the past day and I really wish the Bengals would have picked him up before the Browns did.

JC Tretter was a very good replacement last year at C when Corey Linsley went down to injury. Tretter ended up ranking as the #9 C on PFF (81.4), and just behind him was Linsley at #10 (80.0). Not only did Tretter prove to be a good C, but he also played well at LT for the Packers in the 2015 playoffs when Bakhtiari got hurt.
Tretter was a 4th rounder in 2013 that played LT at Cornell but projected inside for the NFL. However, what he has shown is he could be a quality player across the line.
Tretter was listed in the top 25 breakout candidates by Football Outsiders on ESPN back in the 2016 offseason.

Tretter would have been quite a nice pickup to (at minimum) back up multiple weak spots on the Bengals OL while likely emerging as a quality starter somewhere if/when one of the OL starters other than Boling struggles this season.