Adam Caplan ‏Verified account @caplannfl 24m24 minutes ago

Former #Eagles DE Connor Barwin is expected to visit the #Bengals on Monday, league source said. It's his first visit since release.


I wouldn't mind seeing a former Bearcat in stripes. Would be good as a pass rusher.

Didyou say "release"?

Sounds like our type of guy.

Didn't he play college ball at UC?

Wonder how big he is. Wasn't he a 3-4 OLB most of the time? I wonder if they're looking at him as an end or as a SLB. Hopefully it's as an end.

He's only 30, so I imagine he's got something left in the tank. Not really their usual scrap heap DOA guy. I'd rather they spend the money on Barwin than Rex if that's the choice, particularly if they're hell bent on getting a back early in the draft.

Release, vet, close to retirement. From UC. All the signs point to being signed here. Must reach all of these for Bengals to sign someone

(03-12-2017, 11:46 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Didyou say "release"?

Sounds like our type of guy.

Didn't he play college ball at UC?

Yep. Eagles cap casualty. They had cheaper, younger guys at the position. He played DE/TE at UC. 

He's listed as 6'4" and 265. Not big by our DE standards, but I always thought he played really well against us.

From what I've read around Eagles forums, he is a great person, leader, and had a good career as an Eagle. Fans are sad to see him go, but knew it was time. I think he would be a great addition to the Bengals on a 1-3 year deal

I like the idea. He was mentioned frequently on the old board when he came out of college. Athletic hometown player that fits the mold 6'4" 265. Had 14.5 sacks in 2014. He can probably help this D.

Replenishing the DE's and getting a rotation going again is a step in the right direction.

Was reading what some Eagles thought, they think he has a lot left in the tank still...

Wouldn't mind him on a 2 year deal, think he could be a great addition and mentor for whoever we draft.

It would be interesting to see how the roster would take shape if he was signed. Logistics make me believe that this is an unlikely signing barring some cuts. For one, it's been said by the team that they'll likely take 2 DEs in the first four rounds. With a Barwin addition, that gives them 6, which ain't happening going into the year (Dunlap, MJ, Barwin, Clarke, and 2 rookies). This could change, of course, and cuts could be made.

I don't see them giving MJ the axe, but it's possible I guess. No way Clarke goes before his rookie deal is done. I'd say no way Dunlap goes, but I also think that this front office is insane and does maddening shit, so you never know. We think of payroll slashing and look at MJ, Jones, and Maualuga. Who the hell know what the FO thinks?

They could put him at SLB as they did with Lawson and Harrison, which I think would be a mistake. They could also just not draft 2 DEs which would be fine, I guess.

Best case scenario, I suppose, would be singing him, opening up round 1 of the draft to a non-DE. They could use the pick on a linebacker, receiver, o-lineman, whatever and still get a decent young end in 2 or 3. You carry Dunlap, MJ, Barwin, Clarke and a rookie into the season and use Clarke as your Gilberry clone who rotates inside on passing downs. That's a pretty good group of DEs if you ask me, particularly if you're getting a guy like Smoot, Harris, Phillips, or Walker in the 3rd where one is likely to fall to.

Would certainly be nice to see him back in town and wearing Orange and Black. Need some good news to come out of FA.

(03-12-2017, 11:46 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Didyou say "release"?

Sounds like our type of guy.

Didn't he play college ball at UC?

Started out as a TE.  Played on the basketball team too.

(03-13-2017, 12:57 AM)samhain Wrote: It would be interesting to see how the roster would take shape if he was signed.  Logistics make me believe that this is an unlikely signing barring some cuts.  For one, it's been said by the team that they'll likely take 2 DEs in the first four rounds.  With a Barwin addition, that gives them 6, which ain't happening going into the year (Dunlap, MJ, Barwin, Clarke, and 2 rookies).  This could change, of course, and cuts could be made.  

I don't see them giving MJ the axe, but it's possible I guess.  No way Clarke goes before his rookie deal is done.  I'd say no way Dunlap goes, but I also think that this front office is insane and does maddening shit, so you never know.  We think of payroll slashing and look at MJ, Jones, and Maualuga.  Who the hell know what the FO thinks?  

They could put him at SLB as they did with Lawson and Harrison, which I think would be a mistake.  They could also just not draft 2 DEs which would be fine, I guess.  

Best case scenario, I suppose, would be singing him, opening up round 1 of the draft to a non-DE.  They could use the pick on a linebacker, receiver, o-lineman, whatever and still get a decent young end in 2 or 3.  You carry Dunlap, MJ, Barwin, Clarke and a rookie into the season and use Clarke as your Gilberry clone who rotates inside on passing downs.  That's a pretty good group of DEs if you ask me, particularly if you're getting a guy like Smoot, Harris, Phillips, or Walker in the 3rd where one is likely to fall to.

It could be just that simple.  No matter how talented a player is, they've been known to draft freakish attribute DE's and ease them in or tinker with hybrid players between positions, as they did with each starter (Dunlap and MJ) respectively.  So Barwin gets DE reps (rather than being tried as a SLB), and a rookie is groomed behind him.  I can bet you that there is a serious war room temptation to take a DE over BPA due to need early , Barwin takes that away.  If they get two stud players that are not DE's falling to them in the first three rounds, you can take them and still end up with a player to groom to fill in for MJ.  Like others have posted, Barwin is a good guy that gives a pass rush threat.  I trust his durability, range and skill set to help rush the passer.  I also trust that Mikey will kick the tires with a low offer, but hopefully the guaranteed money is enough to land him. 

(03-13-2017, 01:13 AM)phil413 Wrote: It could be just that simple.  No matter how talented a player is, they've been known to draft freakish attribute DE's and ease them in or tinker with hybrid players between positions, as they did with each starter (Dunlap and MJ) respectively.  So Barwin gets DE reps (rather than being tried as a SLB), and a rookie is groomed behind him.  I can bet you that there is a serious war room temptation to take a DE over BPA due to need early , Barwin takes that away.  If they get two stud players that are not DE's falling to them in the first three rounds, you can take them and still end up with a player to groom to fill in for MJ.  Like others have posted, Barwin is a good guy that gives a pass rush threat.  I trust his durability, range and skill set to help rush the passer.  I also trust that Mikey will kick the tires with a low offer, but hopefully the guaranteed money is enough to land him. 

I couldn't agree more.  I really like some of the first round guys, but Charlton is the one I like most for us, and I'd hate to spend the 9 on him.  I would on the other hand, love to have Davis, Ross, or Cook added to the offense.  At this point I wouldn't even get upset about Robinson considering the spot and the questions at OT.  The defense held serve late last year when the 2 safeties figured things out in terms of communication.  The offense kind of sucked all year, though and as much as it pains someone like me that's been dying for a pass rusher for the last 3 drafts, I think we need a top 10 weapon on offense to move forward.  

The surplus in DEs this year makes this even more of a feasible scenario.  So many guys could upgrade this team in the first 3 rounds that' it's not necessary to reach in 1 if the guy you really want isn't there.  The addition of Barwin and a rookie would do a lot for my confidence in this d-line.

50 Career sacks, 26 in the past 3 years. So in comparison he has 3 less than Dunlap over the past 3 years and 7 less Career than Dunlap over same span of time. He has been in the league 1 year longer than Dunlap but sat out a year to injury. Other than 2010 he has played every game so he's pretty durable. Michael Johnson has 12 sacks the past 3 years and 39 Career. I think he still has some left in the tank.

I'd take Barwin. I think a true pass rusher ar RDE is needed. Think of what Dunlap and Geno could do if someone crested pressure from the right side?

He's more of a pass rusher than what we have. I'd be fine with him here as a rotational pass rushing specialist.

Yeah, I was asking about this the other day, but didn't get much response. Obviously, I'm still in favor.

Sign him up. Like others have said. It frees us up in round 1 to take , Reddick (my favorite) Foster, Cook , Ross or Fournette.