(11-10-2021, 03:52 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Because he signed for less than $1 million which has to be close to league minimum for a vet with as many years in the league as him.

He was projected to be paid much higher than that and was apparently offered more than that by the chiefs but wanted to test free agency

(11-10-2021, 03:55 PM)fredtoast Wrote: This is true, but you never know until you see the guy play.

If we spent draft picks or free agent money to sign replacements for every player that has an injury we will never be able to fix our roster.

I was shocked that Hopkins was ready for opening day.  He was not injured until January of this year.  But since he was able to return I can see why the team did not want to spend a lot on a replacement center.

I think that is the reason they should have done more to look into a center. The odds were so long that Hopkins was going to be 100% after that late of an injury. 

Could have gotten a vet and PUP'd Hopkins.

(11-10-2021, 04:00 PM)G man Wrote: He was projected to be paid much higher than that and was apparently offered more than that by the chiefs but wanted to test free agency

Who knows?

I just believe that every NFL team is always looking to upgrade their talent.  I am sure they all knew Reiter was setting there on a practice squad and could have been signed at any time.  Therefore it is not a "baffling" that the Bengals did the exact same thing as 31 other NFL teams.

But I said the same thing about us being able to sign Spain so cheaply and he has played very well for us.

I'm not even sure who starts Sunday.
The protection for Joe is important for any playoff run.
It will start and end there and thats a fact.

(11-08-2021, 12:03 PM)Emeritus Wrote:

I was very critical of this offensive line coming into the season.How far can this team get with this offensive line as its constructed? I don't like it! The defensive lines become elite at this stage of the season. Its getting cold now Zac!

I was a bit behind on responses to new threads, and I have not read all the other responses yet, but here goes:

They absolutely can.  This offense was trending to put up close to 30 a game before the Cleveland debacle, and while Ward made a great play, most of the wounds were self-inflicted.

I am very curious about sitting Carman for Adeniji.  Maybe his back is acting up again and he was trying to just fight through it, but for a rookie offensive linemen going against some real talent early on, I saw flashes of real power and think (not surprisingly) is his biggest issue was pass blocking but when the Bengals were more run-heavy, he didn't stand out in a negative way.  In fact, at least one game, he was the highest rated linemen.

I remember hearing that Adeniji was being looked at as Center.  We haven't really seem much of Hill, and maybe Adeniji could be an answer there long-term.  The coaches seem to love the guy.  I think Center is kind of a waste of his talents, and would rather see him get a look at RT.  But then I think of the big wildcard in all of this:  D'Ante Smith.  That guy is built as a tackle.  You simply can't teach his length and agility.  If he can get a shot this year at RT, maybe you groom him to replace Reiff there next year.  Although I would love to see Reiff return one more year. 

Spain has been a steal.  He's tough as nails and is our best option at LG.  

Jonas has stayed healthy and is a solid LT.  

There is not a Pro Bowler on the line as it sits, but as long as there isn't a "turd in the punch bowl", then they should be able to operate at al high level.  RIght now, Hopkins is a big weakness and Carman started to have issues at RG, in pass protection.  Maybe with the bye week and extra rest, both Hopkins and Adeniji step up and the line has a solid effort against the Raiders.  

(11-08-2021, 12:14 PM)kalibengal Wrote: when you compare to the Browns and Balt O lines..its not even close. Whats apparent to me is we are ok @ T but the middle is just average.
I was watching the Colts O Line on Thursday nite DOMINATE that Jets D that we could barely squeek out a 3 yd gain on. Its very obvious the Line is not very good. So much for fixing it in Offseason.
Should be interesting in Raider game on how they deal with Maxx Crosby...
I think the dude had 3 sacks last time we played them

I am not going to base the entire season's performance on the offensive line against the Jets.  They did score 31 on them and were up 11 in the 4th quarter.  Makes me want to vomit.  I digress.

The Bengals are most solid at the tackle positions now, and I think they can exploit the middle of the Raider defense.  They will need to be balanced on run/pass and be sure not to fall behind early.  

(11-08-2021, 12:38 PM)PlayadLc Wrote: Yes.

"Dynamite drop in, Monty!  Those correspondence classes are really paying off!"

(11-08-2021, 03:47 PM)TJ528 Wrote: Hey Damon Arnette was just released by the Las Vegas Raiders. I mean Mike Brown loves redemption cases and he loves former Ohio State football players.  He can't be any worse than Eli Apple.  

I know you can pull out Pac Man on me, but I think he was in a very different place in his life when Zim rescued him.  I don't want any guys of this character on the Bengals.  Hard pass.

https://www.on3.com/news/damon-arnette-report-las-vegas-raiders-cornerback-off-the-field-issues-prior-threatening-video/

(11-08-2021, 01:48 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: Yeah, at this point we need 3 corners.  1 true outside starter and then some guys that can play in the dime packages.  Not having Waynes yesterday was a killer, but he hasn't been around the last 2 years.

We also need a stud interior offensive lineman and possible an interior pass rusher on defense.  We had some production from those guys early in the season, but nothing since.

I am in complete agreement, and I will add outside pass rush, even with Ossai coming back.  You can never have too many pass rushers or too many CBs.

If I had to draw it up (without knowing who is available, etc) I would hope to get a VETERAN FA to play interior offensive line or center.  No more guesses.  They need stability and a force in the middle.  Also a VETERAN CB to replace Waynes.  The Bengals will have a lot of cap money and the should be in a good position to address the biggest weakensses.

They already have a stable of young WRs, QB, and RB signed for the near future.  That is awesome.  Add some veteran presence on the interior of the line, continue to develop the young guys, draft CB(s), LB, and DE and this team should be ready to roll.  I am not giving up on this season, but the lack of production from Hopkins is really concerning.  Ditto the lack of pressure from the front four.

Really hoping to see an energized team that is now hunting again, instead of being the hunted. 

(11-09-2021, 12:29 PM)XenoMorph Wrote: Can we RUN over another team with this OL:?

Two rare exceptions that allow me to answer YES:

When the offense is rolling with Chase, Higgins, and Boyd (and Uzo?) and the opponent drops safeties deep, yes, they have run the ball well there.

The other is the unbalanced line.  It was VERY successful in the few games they used it, and I actually like the idea of having more protection for Burrow and fewer targets in the pattern for Burrow.  It is a run formation, that can force defenses to adjust personnel and with time, Chase and Higgins or Chase and Boyd can uncover for big plays.  I hate the notion of empty so often (it is ok in short yardage and goal to go situations) because the defense knows it HAS to come out early.  Defenses clog passing lanes, linemen get their hands up, and the passing targets can't uncover fast enough.  

Unless they run a bubble screen, I hate empty for those reasons.  That, and it seems to get Joe pummeled. 

(11-19-2021, 10:05 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I know you can pull out Pac Man on me, but I think he was in a very different place in his life when Zim rescued him.  I don't want any guys of this character on the Bengals.  Hard pass.

https://www.on3.com/news/damon-arnette-report-las-vegas-raiders-cornerback-off-the-field-issues-prior-threatening-video/

ha...Trust me I was being sarcastic as I truly believe that's why we didn't win a Super Bowl in 2015 is because of idiots like Pac and Burfect. 

Not sure if the blames on Marvin or Mike but they are the ones with the overall approval.  

I like the roster right now.  There's definitely talent on this team and I think enough talent to get them to the playoffs.

However, is the coaching strong enough to get them to the playoffs is my biggest worry.  

In my lifetime since I've been following the Bengals in 1982, I can honestly say I think they've had maybe 2 good coaches in 40 years.  

That's pretty sad for this franchise. 

(11-19-2021, 10:18 AM)TJ528 Wrote: ha...Trust me I was being sarcastic as I truly believe that's why we didn't win a Super Bowl in 2015 is because of idiots like Pac and Burfect. 

Not sure if the blames on Marvin or Mike but they are the ones with the overall approval.  

I like the roster right now.  There's definitely talent on this team and I think enough talent to get them to the playoffs.

However, is the coaching strong enough to get them to the playoffs is my biggest worry.  

In my lifetime since I've been following the Bengals in 1982, I can honestly say I think they've had maybe 2 good coaches in 40 years.  

That's pretty sad for this franchise. 

I will go to the grave saying those two were a large part of why thy were there in the first place.  That game was lost on Jeremy Hill's fumble, which I would have rather just taken a knee.  

To this day, the biggest flip of emotions I have ever experienced.  STILL makes my stomach turn thinking about it and if I really ever needed to vomit, I would just play it over and over in my head (blessed and cursed with a vivid memory) and I surely would hurl.  

(11-19-2021, 10:23 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I will go to the grave saying those two were a large part of why thy were there in the first place.  That game was lost on Jeremy Hill's fumble, which I would have rather just taken a knee.  

To this day, the biggest flip of emotions I have ever experienced.  STILL makes my stomach turn thinking about it and if I really ever needed to vomit, I would just play it over and over in my head (blessed and cursed with a vivid memory) and I surely would hurl.  

I'll agree that Pac and Burfect were a large part of why we were in the playoffs in the first place.  However, so was Jeremy Hill.  That fumble basically killed his career because I don't remember him doing shit after Cincinnati. If i remember though, Hill never had an issue with fumbling.  So I have no issue with the play calling.  

As far as the flip of emotions, I'll give that game killed me in 2015 and probably cause me to have a more realistic attitude towards this organization.  However, I also watched the 1989 Super Bowl, where Louis Billups dropped a sure fire INT that would've ended the game.  The ball was in his chest. You couldn't have the ball thrown to you any better and put on a platter.  Next play, John Taylor for the TD.  That was truly heart breaking. 

(11-19-2021, 10:29 AM)TJ528 Wrote: I'll agree that Pac and Burfect were a large part of why we were in the playoffs in the first place.  However, so was Jeremy Hill.  That fumble basically killed his career because I don't remember him doing shit after Cincinnati. If i remember though, Hill never had an issue with fumbling.  So I have no issue with the play calling.  

As far as the flip of emotions, I'll give that game killed me in 2015 and probably cause me to have a more realistic attitude towards this organization.  However, I also watched the 1989 Super Bowl, where Louis Billups dropped a sure fire INT that would've ended the game.  The ball was in his chest. You couldn't have the ball thrown to you any better and put on a platter.  Next play, John Taylor for the TD.  That was truly heart breaking. 

Yep, old enough to remember that Super Bowl as well.  Still, this one in 2015 was against the steelers, in the playoffs, with a backup QB.  That could have turned both franchises for years.  

I have to think we will be resigning Spain and Reiff so that we can draft and use Free Agency to address Center and RG without needing to throw rookies out there instantly. But the other big issue is the TEs and backs MUST get their act together in pass protection. IIRC 8 sacks are the result of backs and TEs not picking up free rushers (like blitzers).

Scheme wise we also need to learn how to do screens effectively on a consistent basis. Defenses tee off on us partly because our defense is erratic and partly because we don't have effective countermeasures to aggressive pass rushing.

(11-19-2021, 10:29 AM)TJ528 Wrote: I'll agree that Pac and Burfect were a large part of why we were in the playoffs in the first place.  However, so was Jeremy Hill.  That fumble basically killed his career because I don't remember him doing shit after Cincinnati. If i remember though, Hill never had an issue with fumbling.  So I have no issue with the play calling.  

As far as the flip of emotions, I'll give that game killed me in 2015 and probably cause me to have a more realistic attitude towards this organization.  However, I also watched the 1989 Super Bowl, where Louis Billups dropped a sure fire INT that would've ended the game.  The ball was in his chest. You couldn't have the ball thrown to you any better and put on a platter.  Next play, John Taylor for the TD.  That was truly heart breaking. 

That happened at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Right before a Jerry Rice touchdown. 

(11-19-2021, 05:36 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: That happened at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Right before a Jerry Rice touchdown. 

i could've swore there was an almost INT with very few minutes/seconds left in the game. 

I guess maybe I'm getting old and forgetful.  Good lord. 

(11-08-2021, 01:29 PM)TJ528 Wrote: Is it possible the defensive players started reading their press clippings and thinking they're better than they truly are?  

No, that’s not possible.

(11-10-2021, 04:00 PM)G man Wrote: He was projected to be paid much higher than that and was apparently offered more than that by the chiefs but wanted to test free agency

I don't know why everyone still has a hard-on for Reiter.

He wasn't that great, is hurt and isn't playing that well this year either.

I agree Hopkins has been a massive liability (I've been calling for Hill to get at least a shot for weeks now), but Reiter would've been the smallest of margins better.

(11-19-2021, 10:29 AM)TJ528 Wrote: I'll agree that Pac and Burfect were a large part of why we were in the playoffs in the first place.  However, so was Jeremy Hill.  That fumble basically killed his career because I don't remember him doing shit after Cincinnati. If i remember though, Hill never had an issue with fumbling.  So I have no issue with the play calling.  

As far as the flip of emotions, I'll give that game killed me in 2015 and probably cause me to have a more realistic attitude towards this organization.  However, I also watched the 1989 Super Bowl, where Louis Billups dropped a sure fire INT that would've ended the game.  The ball was in his chest. You couldn't have the ball thrown to you any better and put on a platter.  Next play, John Taylor for the TD.  That was truly heart breaking. 

Nah, he just sucked outside of his rookie year. Even in 2015, when the offense was doing so well, he only had 3.6 YPC. The only thing he was really good at was short yardage and goal line situations.

He kind of did at that point in his career, actually. In his first 2 years, he had 8 fumbles. (That playoff game was the 9th.)