It's sad when signing a few free agents gets us this excited, but, given that we do appear determined to try and improve the roster, do you think free agents will be excited to come here for once?  

We have Burrow and Mixon as the faces of our franchise and free agents/draft picks/potential trade candidates could look at it and see that we're a team that's trending up and is committed to winning.  

I realize that we still have a lot of flaws in our organization (i.e. no practice bubble, training facility, etc), and I also realize that money rules everything, but do you think our team could start being a desirable destination?

I also realize that Cincinnati isn't the most desirable city, but is that something that can also be ignored to want to play here?

I believe Hilton, Awuzie, Reiff and maybe even Ogunjobi pointed directly at Burrow when asked why they chose Cincinnati. So it's already happening.

(03-20-2021, 08:52 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I also realize that Cincinnati isn't the most desirable city, but is that something that can also be ignored to want to play here?

I really don't think the city itself has much to do with it.

Of course, some players might like big cities like NY, LA and Chi, but they're also met with higher taxes and higher costs of living.  It's a trade-off.

Is Cincinnti any less desirable than say a Kansas City, or a Pittsbugh, or a Green Bay, or a Cleveland, or a Minneaoplis?  (I personally don't think so.)

Are guys lining up to play in places like Detroit, DC and Baltimore for their respective cities, or will they be moving out in to the burbs?

The real problems that hurt this team are completely self inflicted:  Money (guarantees), winning (lack of), and lack of facilities and ammentities.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but the practice facility thing is such an embarrassment.  I don't think people can fully appreciate just how much of a bush league move it is to have professional athletes practicing in the cold and the rain and the snow.  I guarantee you the players hate it and think it's a total joke.

If we start winning some games, if we're willing to compete on guaranteed dollars, and if we finally build an indoor facility, we can attract people just as easily as the KC's of the world.  There's nothing wrong with this town.

Nothing is stopping the Bengals from being as attractive as any other midwest market other than themselves.

(03-20-2021, 09:13 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: I believe Hilton, Awuzie, Reiff and maybe even Ogunjobi pointed directly at Burrow when asked why they chose Cincinnati. So it's already happening.

Love it........  let's hope that other free agents start seeing players heading here and decide they want to come here too!

(03-20-2021, 09:38 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I really don't think the city itself has much to do with it.

Of course, some players might like big cities like NY, LA and Chi, but they're also met with higher taxes and higher costs of living.  It's a trade-off.

Is Cincinnti any less desirable than say a Kansas City, or a Pittsbugh, or a Green Bay, or a Cleveland, or a Minneaoplis?  (I personally don't think so.)

Are guys lining up to play in places like Detroit, DC and Baltimore for their respective cities, or will they be moving out in to the burbs?

The real problems that hurt this team are completely self inflicted:  Money (guarantees), winning (lack of), and lack of facilities and ammentities.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but the practice facility thing is such an embarrassment.  I don't think people can fully appreciate just how much of a bush league move it is to have professional athletes practicing in the cold and the rain and the snow.  I guarantee you the players hate it and think it's a total joke.

If we start winning some games, if we're willing to compete on guaranteed dollars, and if we finally build an indoor facility, we can attract people just as easily as the KC's of the world.  There's nothing wrong with this town.

Nothing is stopping the Bengals from being as attractive as any other midwest market other than themselves.

Yeah, I almost went into the practice facility more but then realized that I'd just be beating a dead horse and it would make me mad.  

We're being active in free agency so it looks like Katie and Troy are actually taking winning seriously, so I'm hoping that Mike Brown is so out of it by next offseason that he can't say no when they finally say that we're building a practice bubble.  

Hell, do like the Steelers did and just join together with UC and build a bubble to share.

(03-20-2021, 09:38 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: Is Cincinnti any less desirable than say a Kansas City, or a Pittsbugh, or a Green Bay, or a Cleveland, or a Minneaoplis?  (I personally don't think so.)

As far as that part goes, I think it has to be less desirable than those places.

I've never been to any of those, but I have been to a few bigger cities and they just blow Cincinnati away.

For one, it's so small.  So many Reds players and Bengals players choose to live in Northern Kentucky rather than Cincinnati because there's just not a lot going on over there (although I think the income tax here is higher but the property tax is lower, making "working" in Cincinnati and living in Northern Kentucky more desirable).

Not too much nightlife.

There's also just not that much in terms of entertainment or attractions in Cincinnati (we do have a nice zoo), but I think the riverfront on the Kentucky side is building up.

If we can put together a winning season next year, and possibly playoff berth, you’ll see if. Burrow is a huge factor but only 6 wins in two years is a HUGE barrier.

I’m trying to figure out how the top tackle on the market got a huuuge contract that is by far the most money handed out this free agency and the second best tackle came here and didn’t break the bank. He chose to accept a below market contract to play here. Of course he has made the big bucks before in his career. But still

#1: Guaranteed Money
#2: Winning
#3: Player Amenities/Facilities/Perks

In that order is all you need to make a player excited to come here. I think it has very little to do with the city itself.

Didn't the Bengals get more land next to the stadium to build a practice facility?

I really thought I read that an indoor facility was supposed to be built.

I dont mind starting with baby steps again, give me a winning season first pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.

(03-20-2021, 11:01 PM)Murdock2420 Wrote: I really thought I read that an indoor facility was supposed to be built.

I'm pretty sure NFL teams are supposed to build indoor facilities, yes. 

(03-20-2021, 11:09 PM)Bengalitis Wrote: I dont mind starting with baby steps again, give me a winning season first pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.

Yeah, this is encouraging stuff but it's got to lead to wins (which it should) first.  Right now we are a team on a 5 year losing streak being very active in free agency and we used to do a lot of scoffing at the teams that did that sort of thing.

(03-20-2021, 10:00 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: As far as that part goes, I think it has to be less desirable than those places.

I've never been to any of those, but I have been to a few bigger cities and they just blow Cincinnati away.

For one, it's so small.  So many Reds players and Bengals players choose to live in Northern Kentucky rather than Cincinnati because there's just not a lot going on over there (although I think the income tax here is higher but the property tax is lower, making "working" in Cincinnati and living in Northern Kentucky more desirable).

Not too much nightlife.

There's also just not that much in terms of entertainment or attractions in Cincinnati (we do have a nice zoo), but I think the riverfront on the Kentucky side is building up.

I don't live in Cincinnati, but I think you're kinda selling it short. I spent a good portion of my late 20s just meandering around the country, and I'd say that it's on par with any city that not one of the major commercial hubs or whatever you wanna call them. It's easy to amuse me though... I have a great time every time I go to Louisville. I like Columbus better, but I'd say Cincinnati and Pittsburgh (football team aside) are 2 of the more entertaining places in this part of the country.

Players' reluctance to come here has more to do with the organization's reputation more than anything.

(03-20-2021, 10:00 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: As far as that part goes, I think it has to be less desirable than those places.

I've never been to any of those, but I have been to a few bigger cities and they just blow Cincinnati away.

For one, it's so small.  So many Reds players and Bengals players choose to live in Northern Kentucky rather than Cincinnati because there's just not a lot going on over there (although I think the income tax here is higher but the property tax is lower, making "working" in Cincinnati and living in Northern Kentucky more desirable).

Not too much nightlife.

There's also just not that much in terms of entertainment or attractions in Cincinnati (we do have a nice zoo), but I think the riverfront on the Kentucky side is building up.

When is the last time you were in Cincinnati? The OTR area is awesome with all kinds of restaurants, bars, breweries, etc. Downtown area has some awesome restaurants as well, and The Banks area between the two stadiums is a good time. My brother used to live in the apartments at The Banks and several Reds and Bengals players lived there. The casino is downtown also. There is plenty to do in the city, and it has been ranked a top travel destination in the US by many different publications, plus it's extremely affordable. 

It should happen until Burrow's rookie contract ends. It will become more difficult after that.

Nothing says excitement like getting paid too much money to play a kids game.. They either want the money or they don't..bottom line.. 

(03-20-2021, 11:11 PM)Nately120 Wrote: I'm pretty sure NFL teams are supposed to build indoor facilities, yes. 



Yeah, this is encouraging stuff but it's got to lead to wins (which it should) first.  Right now we are a team on a 5 year losing streak being very active in free agency and we used to do a lot of scoffing at the teams that did that sort of thing.

The lack of an indoor facility gets way more play on message boards than it does from professional athletes.

I think they already are, judging from Reader's comments last year and the guys we got this year as well. We are not used to this because we dont typically even try to get guys like Reader, Waynes and Hendrickson who are good players in their prime. Also Shaq Barrett was going to be pumped to be here, but we screwed it up. He was ready to be a Bengal though. It's never been a Bengal thing to sign guys in their prime, but it seems to be now. I think a lot of players wouldnt mind putting on those badass striped helmets.

(03-21-2021, 11:16 AM)Sled21 Wrote: The lack of an indoor facility gets way more play on message boards than it does from professional athletes.

I agree with this. With today's practice policies, you're only outside about 6 hrs a week during the months of November and December. 
As to the OP, players will play wherever they get paid and the Bengals do a good job of paying players that's good for both side.

Idk but your mom is excited to come to my house