1st, I hope that these guys play at a high level for another decade, but let's look at it based on some comparables:

Chase - Guys like Ochocinco played at an elite level for 7 years then fell off. AJ Green was elite for 5 years.
Chase is finishing year 4. Let's say he has 3-5 years of elite play. He probably has 3 atleast, assuming no injuries. Maybe he goes Steve Smith mode and plays elite longer. It's hard to say though as he uses his quickness and strength a lot.

Burrow is almost 28. He should be able to play at an elite level until 35+, but he's racking up injuries. I think his contract is the big kicker. It ends after the 2029 season, so we have essentially 5 more years of him.

It appears the 1st 3 years are fully guaranteed. So, IF we aren't winning in 3 years, that could be a window where he demands a trade.

So...what does that mean?

Well, the next 3 years are hugely important and the Bengals need to do everything they can to win. This includes making shrewd decisions on coaches and the roster.

How would you maximize their prime?

(11-18-2024, 04:47 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: 1st, I hope that these guys play at a high level for another decade, but let's look at it based on some comparables:

Chase - Guys like Ochocinco played at an elite level for 7 years then fell off. AJ Green was elite for 5 years.
Chase is finishing year 4. Let's say he has 3-5 years of elite play. He probably has 3 atleast, assuming no injuries. Maybe he goes Steve Smith mode and plays elite longer. It's hard to say though as he uses his quickness and strength a lot.

Burrow is almost 28. He should be able to play at an elite level until 35+, but he's racking up injuries. I think his contract is the big kicker. It ends after the 2029 season, so we have essentially 5 more years of him.

It appears the 1st 3 years are fully guaranteed. So, IF we aren't winning in 3 years, that could be a window where he demands a trade.

So...what does that mean?

Well, the next 3 years are hugely important and the Bengals need to do everything they can to win.  This includes making shrewd decisions on coaches and the roster.

How would you maximize their prime?

Are we getting a new FO that actually understands any of that and will actually do any of those things?

(11-18-2024, 04:59 PM)Mickeypoo Wrote: Are we getting a new FO who will actually do any of those things?

We've had largely the same front office since the 90's.

(11-18-2024, 04:59 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: We've had largely the same front office since the 90's.

I am aware.  I'm sorry, my negativity is at an all time high since I just realized there is no hope with this FO.  All smoke and mirrors.

I've been watching for the last 35 seasons.  I really thought they would change.  I really thought MB was out of the picture.  I really thought Burrow and Chase would get them to operate as a modern NFL org.  I was wrong.  They will never change.

(11-18-2024, 05:02 PM)Mickeypoo Wrote: I am aware.  I'm sorry, my negativity is at an all time high since I just realized there is no hope with this FO.  All smoke and mirrors.

I've been watching for the last 35 seasons.

It's sad. Burrow is playing at an MVP level too.

(11-18-2024, 05:03 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: It's sad. Burrow is playing at an MVP level too.

It's horribly sad watching Burrow, Chase, Higgins be wasted.  This season has honest to God truly broken my spirit.  I had zero excitement for last night.  I figured we would get crushed or find a way to lose a close game.  Both actually happened in a single game.  lol.

(11-18-2024, 05:03 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: It's sad. Burrow is playing at an MVP level too.

An MVP would have made an accurate throw to Chase in the Charger game.  Yeah the numbers look great and all too many times this year Burrow has came up small in really big spots. 

(11-18-2024, 05:05 PM)Mickeypoo Wrote: It's horribly sad watching Burrow, Chase, Higgins be wasted.  This season has honest to God truly broken my spirit.  I had zero excitement for last night.  I figured we would get crushed or find a way to lose a close game.  Both actually happened.  lol.

My worry was that when they paid Burrow and saved to pay Chase that it would put a premium on drafting and they'd have to let good players go.

Those fears are playing out.

(11-18-2024, 05:07 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: My worry was that when they paid Burrow and saved to pay Chase that it would put a premium on drafting and they'd have to let good players go.

Those fears are playing out.

Yup and they even screwed themselves out of millions by not getting the Chase deal done.  He is worth much more after this years performance.

Fire Lou and Hobby, add a good DC and DL coach and be aggressive in FA on Defense and the interior OL would be a good start.

(11-18-2024, 05:08 PM)Mickeypoo Wrote: Yup and they even screwed themselves out of millions by not getting the Chase deal done.  He is worth much more after this years performance.

I think everyone knew that would happen. They didn't want to pay the guaranteed money too soon or something.

The Bengals are rich, but they're not megarich like most franchises. They consider themselves a small market team I think.

(11-18-2024, 05:10 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: I think everyone knew that would happen. They didn't want to pay the guaranteed money too soon or something.

The Bengals are rich, but they're not megarich like most franchises. They consider themselves a small market team I think.

Best case scenario imo is that they sell to someone who is very rich and really wants to win before anything else and wants to keep the team in Cincy.

If that doesn't happen i'm prepared for .500 seasons.  Maybe a touch worse, maybe a touch better.  We had our chance and it's over.  The FO has no clue what they are doing.

(11-18-2024, 05:03 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: It's sad. Burrow is playing at an MVP level too.

Burrow should win the MVP, just based on who he plays for, and the lack of talent he is surrounded with. I mean really, do you think any other QB, could get more out of this offense than Burrow? Burrow is #1 QB in the NFL, with one of the worst lines in football, and no running game.

But MVP’s don’t go to losing teams, it’s a shame. 

(11-18-2024, 05:06 PM)Bengalfan4life27c Wrote: An MVP would have made an accurate throw to Chase in the Charger game.  Yeah the numbers look great and all too many times this year Burrow has came up small in really big spots. 

Eh...he has people in his face all night.

Unless the organization does something drastic, it's over. Burrow will just have to make sound investments. Be a rich and and just have to wonder what would have been.

(11-18-2024, 05:18 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Eh...he has people in his face all night.

Burrow has been hit more than a crash dummy. The guy is on his back, most of the time. I surprised he has the guts to wait to the last second to complete the pass.

(11-18-2024, 05:18 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Eh...he has people in his face all night.

So does every QB in the league he had a clean pocket with Chase having his man beat in a tie game late he missed the throw it's not the first time this season either. Their is blame to go around to everybody but if were judging on MVP standards he has to make that throw.

(11-18-2024, 05:06 PM)Bengalfan4life27c Wrote: An MVP would have made an accurate throw to Chase in the Charger game.  Yeah the numbers look great and all too many times this year Burrow has came up small in really big spots. 

You serious Clark?

(11-18-2024, 05:18 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Eh...he has people in his face all night.

That's what I thought.  Dude got hit like 14 times.  Some pretty brutal.

(11-18-2024, 05:19 PM)Timanky12 Wrote: Burrow has been hit more than a crash dummy. The guy is on his back, most of the time. I surprised he has the guts to wait to the last second to complete the pass.

Bingo!  Burrow is NOT the problem!

How many years has the FO had now to get a solid o-line to protect Burrow?  It's criminal what this FO does.