I always like to hear as many executives and coaches give their insight. There will always be some fluff, but I like to find details that seem to be consistent from all. I encourage to read it all. I know many think our FO sucks, but listening to. the imtelligent man articulate our draft and eliminate some narratives the FO, staff and coaches do not do their draft analysis homework for me was encouraging. They don't just throw darts at a board and say yeall, grab him,

On Stewart
GH: Talking to the coaches at A&M, it sounds like you've got a guy who can rush inside and out.

TB: He was definitely moved around a lot at Texas A&M. It's truly valuable for us. When you can have a pass rusher that you can really align them anywhere to go attack maybe the weakness of an opposing offensive line. Maybe that's a 4 technique. Maybe that's outside in a wide nine. Maybe in some packages, he's got to kick into a 3. I think Al does a great job in how he's going to utilize these guys. Somebody like Shemar, when we looked at him, he has the skill set to do a lot of things, and he has the experience moving across the defensive line. I think that's a great chess piece to have, and a great tool for Al and his defensive staff to use when we're going to line up on Sundays and try to go out and get after the quarterback.

https://www.bengals.com/news/conversation-trey-brown-2025-nfl-draft-class

GH: You've been looking at a guy like the third-rounder, Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild, for two years. Maybe more.
TB: Absolutely. Some of these guys, three, four years. When you identify a guy, how he's going to fit. The next thing is, well, how do you acquire him?

GH: You watch practice live, right?

TB: Absolutely, it's a big eval for us, especially there at Georgia because it's so highly competitive there from rep to rep. We spend time watching the practice and we get a chance to evaluate the film and when you looked at Dylan, there are a lot of things that we really liked for our offense, for our scheme when you talk about athleticism, strength, lateral quickness, being able to mirror inside against some high-level defensive tackles.

He checked those boxes, and it just wasn't me going in there. Our college director, Mike Potts, goes in there. We also sent a bunch of our offensive staff down to the Georgia pro day to meet with him directly. To spend some time with him as, we would say, quote, unquote, get some hands on the prospect and really feel the pop off the bat. See him in person.

TB: Yeah, we have a conversation about everything. And I think the coaches do a great job articulating the role in which they would fit within this scheme. How would they utilize this guy? Is he going to play inside, is he going to play outside? Is he better on third down? Is he the best on first and second down?

GH: It's like what you said about the second-round pick, South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. Great fit for the division. He strikes me as almost Raven-esque.
TB: He strikes me as a Cincinnati Bengal. He's big, he's fast, he's physical, He's smart. He's a leader.


When you turn on Barrett Carter's tape, of course, he can run and hit, go sideline to sideline. But on third down, when it's time to cover a tight end or back, that is something he did well on tape that we love seeing, that would really translate to the things that we do on defense here.

GH: And he's not small at 230 pounds.

Trey Brown, a personnel director of ours, yeah this was a nice interview. I like what him and especially what Scott Peters said about Fairchild.

Shemar Stewart is going to be a freak for us man. I get more excited for this player ever day. Knight is the type of LB we needed as he takes
great angles in the run game and comes down hill like a heat seeking missile. Barrett Carter should be a great ST's player right out of the bat
and can play in coverage and spy the QB, perfect for going against Lamar specifically.

Tahj Brooks I think could be a very good compliment to Chase Brown as well. We needed a short yardage back and we got two this Offseason
in Samaje and Tahj.

(05-01-2025, 05:31 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Trey Brown, a personnel director of ours, yeah this was a nice interview. I like what him and especially what Scott Peters said about Fairchild.

Shemar Stewart is going to be a freak for us man. I get more excited for this player ever day. Knight is the type of LB we needed as he takes
great angles in the run game and comes down hill like a heat seeking missile. Barrett Carter should be a great ST's player right out of the bat
and can play in coverage and spy the QB, perfect for going against Lamar specifically.

Tahj Brooks I think could be a very good compliment to Chase Brown as well. We needed a short yardage back and we got two this Offseason
in Samaje and Tahj.

Thanks, I was just about to ask "Who is Trey Brown?".

(05-01-2025, 07:58 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Thanks, I was just about to ask "Who is Trey Brown?".

Luvnit must of had one of those "moments" we all have them. Pete Brown, Trey Brown, same thing lol

(05-01-2025, 05:31 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Trey Brown, a personnel director of ours, yeah this was a nice interview. I like what him and especially what Scott Peters said about Fairchild.

Shemar Stewart is going to be a freak for us man. I get more excited for this player ever day. Knight is the type of LB we needed as he takes
great angles in the run game and comes down hill like a heat seeking missile. Barrett Carter should be a great ST's player right out of the bat
and can play in coverage and spy the QB, perfect for going against Lamar specifically.

Tahj Brooks I think could be a very good compliment to Chase Brown as well. We needed a short yardage back and we got two this Offseason
in Samaje and Tahj.

LOVED seeing the comments about our backers and I'm getting more and more excited about them because linebacker seems like a forgotten/disappearing position anymore, but the NFL seems to be returning to more of run-based offensive game plans.

(I started replying to this hours ago but I had to judge an event at the college and I forgot what I was typing lol)

(05-01-2025, 08:35 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Luvnit must of had one of those "moments" we all have them. Pete Brown, Trey Brown, same thing lol

My apologies for the title mishap.

I have been very negative about the draft and the lack of impactful outside FA's.

I give us a lot of Rs. Risks, reaches, redundant, reserve, raw.

However, that does not mean I don't think some of these guys cannot be good players. Stewart & Fairchild have great and very good tools. And Knight will be quality from jump. Carter is a decent get in Rd4. 

But wholistically. Stategically. Positionally. Whatcwe did, taken together, does not make much sense to me. 

More fluff from the within the org doesn't move the needle for me. I've heard enough words over the years. 

I'll believe it when i see it on the field. 

(05-02-2025, 11:34 AM)rfaulk34 Wrote: More fluff from the within the org doesn't move the needle for me. I've heard enough words over the years. 

I'll believe it when i see it on the field. 

So you admit you did not belive it in 2021 and 20222 when we were highly successful. In 2021, we were coming off a 4 win season.

It is good to know you missed by a lot those years.

(05-02-2025, 12:18 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: So you admit you did not belive it in 2021 and 20222 when we were highly successful. In 2021, we were coming off a 4 win season.

It is good to know you missed by a lot those years.

I just can't understand your thinking sometimes. 

I don't like to hear FO personnel going on and on about the draft because they're FO people and they're going to say nothing but good things. Plus, the fact that multiple FO personnel commenting on the draft doesn't actually confirm that it was good, logically speaking. 

So you come out with i didn't believe in '21 and '22 and that it's good to know i "missed by a lot those years", without having the first clue about how i felt at any time while Burrow has been here. 

I would ask, but i don't really want you to try and explain your reasoning. 

(05-01-2025, 10:59 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: LOVED seeing the comments about our backers and I'm getting more and more excited about them because linebacker seems like a forgotten/disappearing position anymore, but the NFL seems to be returning to more of run-based offensive game plans.

(I started replying to this hours ago but I had to judge an event at the college and I forgot what I was typing lol)

Demetrius Knight takes great angles and wraps up, complete opposite of Pratt who took bad angles, didn't wrap up and is way slower than Knight.

Barrett Carter is a good cover Backer who tackles well too, think he will be a fine ST'er this year at the very least. Good players to pair with Logan 
Wilson and Shaka Heyward the other young LB I liked a ton late last season. Hodges our new LB coach has some good ones to work with this year.

(05-01-2025, 11:46 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: My apologies for the title mishap.

No prob bud, thanks for the interview.

(05-02-2025, 12:26 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I have been very negative about the draft and the lack of impactful outside FA's.

I give us a lot of Rs. Risks, reaches, redundant, reserve, raw.

However, that does not mean I don't think some of these guys cannot be good players. Stewart & Fairchild have great and very good tools. And Knight will be quality from jump. Carter is a decent get in Rd4. 

But wholistically. Stategically. Positionally. Whatcwe did, taken together, does not make much sense to me. 

Lucas Patrick, Samaje Perine, Oren Burks and Slaton are all pretty proven as are the guys we brought back in Tee, BJ Hill and company.

Shemar Stewart is a good run stopper already that was the most talented DL on that A&M Defense that Offenses tried to take out of the 
game and he was still extremely disruptive. Knight is a leader, good tackler. Fairchild is just as solid as Ratledge everybody's favorite and 
has longer arms and stays lower etc.

I mean, there are a lot of positives here I think you are overlooking and Golden wanted HIS guys. I am willing to wait and see how this 
turns out before criticizing the strategy here.

(05-02-2025, 11:34 AM)rfaulk34 Wrote: More fluff from the within the org doesn't move the needle for me. I've heard enough words over the years. 

I'll believe it when i see it on the field. 

It is Hobspin, I did like how he tried to say Knight was Ravenesque and Trey Brown said, he is a Cincinnati Bengal Linebacker like it was an 
insult. Screw them Rats.

(05-02-2025, 12:18 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: So you admit you did not belive it in 2021 and 20222 when we were highly successful. In 2021, we were coming off a 4 win season.

It is good to know you missed by a lot those years.

Yeah, we never knew we were going to have a couple seasons like that regardless if we had Burrow or not. We don't know what this 
season will turn out like. All I know is the trenches look tons better on both sides and with the new coaches things could be much better.

(05-02-2025, 01:45 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Demetrius Knight takes great angles and wraps up, complete opposite of Pratt who took bad angles, didn't wrap up and is way slower than Knight.

Barrett Carter is a good cover Backer who tackles well too, think he will be a fine ST'er this year at the very least. Good players to pair with Logan 
Wilson and Shaka Heyward the other young LB I liked a ton late last season. Hodges our new LB coach has some good ones to work with this year.


No prob bud, thanks for the interview.


Lucas Patrick, Samaje Perine, Oren Burks and Slaton are all pretty proven as are the guys we brought back in Tee, BJ Hill and company.

Shemar Stewart is a good run stopper already that was the most talented DL on that A&M Defense that Offenses tried to take out of the 
game and he was still extremely disruptive. Knight is a leader, good tackler. Fairchild is just as solid as Ratledge everybody's favorite and 
has longer arms and stays lower etc.

I mean, there are a lot of positives here I think you are overlooking and Golden wanted HIS guys. I am willing to wait and see how this 
turns out before criticizing the strategy here.


It is Hobspin, I did like how he tried to say Knight was Ravenesque and Trey Brown said, he is a Cincinnati Bengal Linebacker like it was an 
insult. Screw them Rats.


Yeah, we never knew we were going to have a couple seasons like that regardless if we had Burrow or not. We don't know what this 
season will turn out like. All I know is the trenches look tons better on both sides and with the new coaches things could be much better.

The consensus was, Burrow is the type of QB to win championships. It was pretty much expected that at some point, the Bengals would be in the mix for a ring(s). 

I had always wanted Anarumo to shift around his guys more often.
It always felt like they were always in the same spots rushing the exact same way.
Felt very basic and cookie cutter.

I am hoping Golden really does shift guys around such that they are rushing from different spots, doing more stunts, etc.

It is funny to hear the conversation quoted in the OP saying for Carter that "he's not small at 230 lbs."
Go back 10-15 years when they had guys like Maualuga, Burfict, etc.
250+ lbs was more of the norm for LBs.
230 lbs was considered definitely on the small/light side.
Now that's becoming more of the norm.

(05-02-2025, 01:52 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: The consensus was, Burrow is the type of QB to win championships. It was pretty much expected that at some point, the Bengals would be in the mix for a ring(s). 

True, but I thought it would of taken more than one year myself and I bet you did too.

They could surprise you again, all I know is I won't be surprised if this team makes it back to the big dance again next year.

(05-02-2025, 02:13 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I had always wanted Anarumo to shift around his guys more often.
It always felt like they were always in the same spots rushing the exact same way.
Felt very basic and cookie cutter.

I am hoping Golden really does shift guys around such that they are rushing from different spots, doing more stunts, etc.

It is funny to hear the conversation quoted in the OP saying for Carter that "he's not small at 230 lbs."
Go back 10-15 years when they had guys like Maualuga, Burfict, etc.
250+ lbs was more of the norm for LBs.
230 lbs was considered definitely on the small/light side.
Now that's becoming more of the norm.

Agree on all accounts. Would be nice to have a more aggressive Defense that rushes from everywhere. Also, I thought that was 
funny myself. 230 pounds used to be a very undersized Linebacker. Burfict I believe was 255, but maybe his number is why I think
this, but he was around there.

(05-02-2025, 02:40 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: True, but I thought it would of taken more than one year myself and I bet you did too.

They could surprise you again, all I know is I won't be surprised if this team makes it back to the big dance again next year.


Agree on all accounts. Would be nice to have a more aggressive Defense that rushes from everywhere. Also, I thought that was 
funny myself. 230 pounds used to be a very undersized Linebacker. Burfict I believe was 255, but maybe his number is why I think
this, but he was around there.

I wouldn't be surprised either because Burrow, Chase, Tee and a couple others. They should be in the mix just as much as anyone starting out. 

(05-02-2025, 01:40 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: I just can't understand your thinking sometimes. 

I don't like to hear FO personnel going on and on about the draft because they're FO people and they're going to say nothing but good things. Plus, the fact that multiple FO personnel commenting on the draft doesn't actually confirm that it was good, logically speaking. 

So you come out with i didn't believe in '21 and '22 and that it's good to know i "missed by a lot those years", without having the first clue about how i felt at any time while Burrow has been here. 

I would ask, but i don't really want you to try and explain your reasoning. 

The board was in full melt down after Burrow's rookie year. He was injured and many fans said it wasthe future, he will be killed with our OL. MY point is simple, we all have choices, we can choose to have an outlook of being neutral, bad ot good. If you have a positive outlook in 2021 by all means show us from one of your posts.

I will gladly admit I was made a wrong assumption based on your 2024 and 2025 posts.

Fair enough on the bokded, but you could also choose to not read those comments, but you appear to state that are wrong with their comments. Why just stay neutral until you see if they are wrong or you are wrong?

(05-02-2025, 02:44 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: I wouldn't be surprised either because Burrow, Chase, Tee and a couple others. They should be in the mix just as much as anyone starting out. 

Far cry from we are doomed, I stand corrected.

(05-02-2025, 02:40 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: They could surprise you again, all I know is I won't be surprised if this team makes it back to the big dance again next year.

(05-02-2025, 02:44 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: I wouldn't be surprised either because Burrow, Chase, Tee and a couple others. They should be in the mix just as much as anyone starting out. 

I've bet on this team and believed that we could make it to the big dance every year since we've had Chase, but now we have a better defense (hopefully) and (hopefully e better line. If we give Burrow a decent line, he can outscore every team in the NFL, so I don't understand how our front office has let Burrow play behind these bad of lines.

I understand that Burrow wanted Tee, so we had to take care of him, but I just don't see how you couldn't have other people in the organization aggressively searched for offensive linemen.

I'm going to bet on Burrow for MVP again, us to win the ship, and Chase for a few awards.

(05-02-2025, 03:31 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: The board was in full melt down after Burrow's rookie year. He was injured and many fans said it wasthe future, he will be killed with our OL. MY point is simple, we all have choices, we can choose to have an outlook of being neutral, bad ot good. If you have a positive outlook in 2021 by all means show us from one of your posts.

I will gladly admit I was made a wrong assumption based on your 2024 and 2025 posts.

Fair enough on the bokded, but you could also choose to not read those comments, but you appear to state that are wrong with their comments. Why just stay neutral until you see if they are wrong or you are wrong?

Nothing more than utilizing a message board function, to say that i don't see FO personnel of a team, lauding their own team, as proof of anything. 

We've all seen the talk before. Some are able to see that talk and still believe things will be different. Some are able to see that talk and think, i'll believe it when i see it. The latter doesn't mean you are a pessimist. It just means...you'll believe it when you see it.

PS - you ever dealt with a person that was always telling you they were going to change, yet their actions never seemed to match their words. You ever looked at that person and thought, i'll believe it when i see it. Or do you just always believe that when someone says something that it in fact will change? 

(05-02-2025, 03:33 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote:

Far cry from we are doomed, I stand corrected.

Nah. I'm far from a doomer. I'm just a bigger believer in show me, don't tell me. Plus, i'm just not...against...saying something negative about my favorite sports team in the world.