I feel big changes on the way.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-22-2018, 07:52 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I think this offseason will be like 2011 when we rebuilt our defense through free agency, except this year it will be the offense.

Now I will admit that we only signed one free agent that was more than a bargain basement project (Nate Clements 2yr $10.5 million), but that is still one more than usual.  Then we signed two free agent LBs who were *gasp* less than 30 years old (27 yr old Manny Lawson 1 yr $3 million, 28 yr old Thomas Howard 2 yr $6.5 million).  And even though we failed to sign Donte Whitner the fact that we made an offer that he almost accepted before taking 3 yr $12 million from the Fort Niners proves that we were TRYING.

That was also tyhe same offseason that we replaced our Offensive Coordinator Bob "Blue Eyes" Bratkowski with Jay Gruden.

Some people around here act like the Bengals never make these kind of moves, but this was just 8 years ago.  And our offense last year was the worst it has been since 2008 when Palmer was out with injury.

I agree that the Bengals don't operate like this very often, but it has been a long time since we had an offense as bad as last year.  So I think they will loosen the purse strings in free agency this year.

Clements, Howard, and Lawson weren't close to Pro Bowl level while in Cincinnati but they were all solid role players. I liked Howard the most.

For offense, I can maybe see Cincinnati doing something similar this year for Center if they don't bring back Bodine, there might be some "solid"-level players available at OG if they aren't confident in Westerman and Redmond, and maybe WR if they cut LaFell, but I don't see any "solid"-level players at other positions. OT class is pretty bad after Nate Solder, but I could still see the Bengals getting someone in FA just to compete.

There are a few solid-not-elite LBs that should hit FA that I think the Bengals could/should also consider.

EDIT - For those wanting the Bengals to bring in Pro Bowl level talent from outside FA, it's just not going to happen. The best we can hope for is solid starter or role player.