The NFLPA player survey last season gave the Bengals poor locker room scores. Looks like they are fixing that

An overdue improvement for the Bengals: A brand new locker room, per the team https://t.co/lSCdo3oegh

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) February 23, 2024

Quote:When the Bengals play their 25th season in Paycor Stadium this year, they'll be running onto a new field from a locker room that has been substantially upgraded.

The massive locker room renovation is designed to leave a space that won't be recognizable to the team that packed up after beating the Browns last month in the final game of the season. The project has already begun and involves overhauling ceilings, flooring, restrooms, and showers, as well as installing state-of-the-art lockers.

The target completion date is Week 1 and until then players are using two adjoining locker rooms about 50 yards from the main one.

Bengals Director of Operations Jeff Brickner and equipment manager Adam Knollman, along with representatives of ownership, researched the latest locker-room models in both the college and NFL.

"We view it as the players' office, where they go to work every day, and we believe this meets their every need now and, in the future," Brickner says. "Until then, no one is going to miss a beat. Locker rooms B and C allow us to operate like we have. You only have one chance to make a first impression and we're going to make sure it's completed before we make that first impression."

The locker room renovation and field installation are just two of several offseason projects underway in the building, according to stadium managing director Steve Johnson.

New club seats, updated concessions equipment and an upgraded stadium TV system are among the major gameday enhancements, as well as the plaza expansion outside of Gate D by Elm Street, which aims to open up the stadium to fans more easily and drive more connectivity with The Banks.

"Because of the changes in the dynamic of the city with the entertainment district down the road, we're basically tripling the size of the entrance," Johnson says. "It allows fans much easier passage in and out of the stadium."

The continued investment into Paycor Stadium with these projects, along with the enhancements into the stadium last year, aim to keep the building a best-in-class stadium for fans and players alike. All projects are set to be completed by the start of the 2024 season.

Is the same amount as the a 2024 Franchise Tag for WR. Still under market value, but I’m glad that the 5th year option is calculated based on production.

5. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals — $21.816 million (Multiple Pro Bowls)

The franchise tag tenders are: receiver ($21.816 million)

The NFL has announced that the 2024 salary cap is set to be a record $255.4 million—an unprecedented $30 million increase for each franchise. pic.twitter.com/R1KpuNLiT0

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 23, 2024

Media reports say the Bengals are expected to place the franchise tag on Higgins to keep him with the team in 2024. But I’ve been told the team wants him longer than just next season.Sources close to the Bengals tell me the team is trying to negotiate a contract extension with Higgins to lock him up for the next several years. If the team cannot agree to terms with the wideout by March 5, they’ll tag him but continue to negotiate with the hopes of signing him long term before the start of the season.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-insider-notes-davante-adams-tee-higgins-futures-jets-may-find-conversation-difficult-bengals-lay-gameplan#google_vignette

Hamilton County Commission today approved new field turf for Paycor prior to the start of the season.

#Bengals won’t be the lone NFL team left still using slit-film turf next season.

They are moving to FieldTurf CORE, surface used in Atlanta, Carolina, Detroit, New England, New York and Seattle, according to a club release. pic.twitter.com/DaicRF5YM4

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) February 22, 2024

Isn’t he eligible for an extension. I think this is one that will get done.

Highest paid Kicker or not even close?

https://www.footballdb.com/stats/penalties.html

76 total penalties for second least in the NFL and just 1 more than the Raiders who had the least.  That's an improvement over 2022 when they had the 4th least penalties (81).  They also were second in 2021 (72), 9th in 2020 (83) and 5th in 2019 (93).   The link above has all years going back to 2006 for those interested in more data.

Seems one issue for the 2023 season was delay of game at 10 penalties putting them at a tie with Green Bay for second most.  

Anyway, I thought people might be interested in seeing the team had another good year as far as total penalties.  While that seems to represent a more disciplined team I do wonder if that also means they playing less aggressive at times.  

Feb 20th to Mar 5th : Franchise Tag Period

Feb 27 to Mar 4th : NFL Draft Scouting Combine

Mar 13th : Free Agency Signing Begins

Apr 25 to Apr 27 : NFL Draft

As soon as Draft over, Undrafted Free Agents called by teams to fill out rosters.

So with 2 top WR's ready to leave Bengals, will they Franchise Tag one of them, or tag some other position, or not use the tag at all.

WR is going to be key to watch on who Bengals let go, and who Bengals might replace them with in free agency or the draft. Plus Bengals need to sign Chase long term in his last year of his contract. Providing Joe Burrow with Pass Targets is Key to any Play-Off and Super Bowl dreams. We will watch and see how it all plays out.

One observation going forward is Coach Taylor Playbook seems many plays need WR's that can Block. Last few years all Bengals WR's could flat out block. I don't think it's enough that new WR's coming in can catch, they also have to be good blockers to run the Coach Taylor Playbook. Bengals run so many plays where the WR has to make a block for another WR or a RB. Up to now, Bengals have been loaded with good blocking WR's on those screens and slants and run plays. If Bengals can not reload with good pass blocking WR's, could the Bengals go to more TE's like some teams. We will see.

GO BENGALS

Curious, i recall seeing where the bengals, like most teams, run a nickel base most often. Knowing the division we play in, does this make sense? I like Logan Wilson and I think Pratt is an ok 2 down player. But neither are that second level enforcer. Knowing the impact Roquan Smith had on the Ravens, do the bengals need to look at a free agent sideline to sideline MLB? Would this help our run defense? I’m not throwing shade at Wilson or Pratt, but would we better served bringing in someone that is an enforcer? We really don’t have that guy beyond the DL (Hendrickson).

Lovonta David (34) and Wagner (33) are both older vets, but maybe they would want to join a team. I personally believe the impact a player like that could bring would be well worth the investment. Obviously there are younger options in Free Agency, but I’m not sold that committing long years and dollars into the Lb position is the best play for this team, this year.

Will it make a difference in 2024/2025?

Our division is tough, we have to fix going 1-5 in the AFCN regardless, but we lose three 2023 first place AFC teams and gain three 2023 last place teams.

Could schedule and a healthy Burrow possibly propel us to #1 seed in AFC?

Can we go from last to 1st in AFCN again?