Q: "How do you top last season?"
A: "Just being more clutch."
Q: "Did you say, work on being more clutch?"

A minute with #Bengals kicker Evan McPherson as he starts his second season in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/NuhNeq7Kr7

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 31, 2022

What's Hayden Hurst's takeaway after a month on the practice field with the #Bengals offense?

"(Nods head towards Joe Burrow's locker) He's the real deal."

A minute with the new #Bengals tight end. pic.twitter.com/aVcgOTcAm5

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 31, 2022

Burrow --> Chase. Happy Tuesday. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/GATaNVE8zo

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 31, 2022

(06-01-2022, 08:35 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Thanks, Pally....I agree completely about Shelvin. He needs to take a huge step in conditioning and preparation.

I know it isn't the sexiest thing to imagine when thinking about this offense, but I can't help but think of the possibilities in terms of a rushing attack. A high % check-down attack using Boyd and Hurst (and Mixon) when Higgins and Chase are clearing things out. Sure, I love a deep ball to Chase as much as anyone, but having a consistent, grinding offense where Burrow is patient and just takes what a defense gives them will be REALLY frustrating for the opponent.

I can see a lot of teams being like: "You aren't beating us over the top!" and have two safeties really deep, and then guys like Boyd, Hurst, and Mixon/Evans just eat them alive underneath as well as just a more successful rushing attack.

All that being said, I am still holding out hopes that William Fuller IV is signed as WR4. That dude on the field WITH Chase and Higgins would be a blast, and I think he could play fewer snaps, have some big plays, and up his value for next season. I know the Bengals really liked him coming out of the draft, and due to his inability to stay healthy, I think he could be signed for a fairly cheap amount.

3. Ted Karras appears to be laser focused at all times. When Frank Pollack speaks he pays rapt attention and he does every drill with proper technique.
As Bill Belichick once said, “Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday — whatever it is we’re doing, you’re going to get Ted’s best.” pic.twitter.com/Jdtjp2pqKD

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) June 1, 2022

(06-01-2022, 08:35 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Thanks, Pally....I agree completely about Shelvin.  He needs to take a huge step in conditioning and preparation.  

I know it isn't the sexiest thing to imagine when thinking about this offense, but I can't help but think of the possibilities in terms of a rushing attack.  A high % check-down attack using Boyd and Hurst (and Mixon) when Higgins and Chase are clearing things out.  Sure, I love a deep ball to Chase as much as anyone, but having a consistent, grinding offense where Burrow is patient and just takes what a defense gives them will be REALLY frustrating for the opponent.

I can see a lot of teams being like:  "You aren't beating us over the top!" and have two safeties really deep, and then guys like Boyd, Hurst, and Mixon/Evans just eat them alive underneath as well as just a more successful rushing attack.

All that being said, I am still holding out hopes that William Fuller IV is signed as WR4.   That dude on the field WITH Chase and Higgins would be a blast, and I think he could play fewer snaps, have some big plays, and up his value for next season.  I know the Bengals really liked him coming out of the draft, and due to his inability to stay healthy, I think he could be signed for a fairly cheap amount.

(06-01-2022, 08:55 AM)jason Wrote: I'd like Fuller too. Just don't think we provide him with the situation that he needs. He could go to Green Bay, Tennessee, or hook back up with Watson in Cleveland and be much more involved.

(06-01-2022, 12:19 PM)pally Wrote:

3. Ted Karras appears to be laser focused at all times. When Frank Pollack speaks he pays rapt attention and he does every drill with proper technique.
As Bill Belichick once said, “Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday — whatever it is we’re doing, you’re going to get Ted’s best.” pic.twitter.com/Jdtjp2pqKD

— Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) June 1, 2022

(06-01-2022, 02:02 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Nice perfect addition for the OL is Ted.

(05-31-2022, 05:33 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Nice Pally. I like that Hurst interview. I think he is going to have a big year if he can stay healthy.

As he said, he should get lots of mismatches with LB's trying to cover him with our top 3 WR's getting so much attention.

My prediction is Hurst gets at least 7 TD's this season and a lot of catches, around 80 or so catches.

His talent could really show here. He wasn't a first round pick for no reason. He runs crisp routes and in my opinion is a
much more natural pass catcher than Uzo. We will see how Hurst being a #1 TE benefits in him having his best season.

Being behind top TE's like Andrews and Pitts has slowed down his production big time IMO.

(06-01-2022, 02:02 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Nice, perfect addition for the OL is Ted.

(06-01-2022, 08:35 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Thanks, Pally....I agree completely about Shelvin.  He needs to take a huge step in conditioning and preparation.  

I know it isn't the sexiest thing to imagine when thinking about this offense, but I can't help but think of the possibilities in terms of a rushing attack.  A high % check-down attack using Boyd and Hurst (and Mixon) when Higgins and Chase are clearing things out.  Sure, I love a deep ball to Chase as much as anyone, but having a consistent, grinding offense where Burrow is patient and just takes what a defense gives them will be REALLY frustrating for the opponent.

I can see a lot of teams being like:  "You aren't beating us over the top!" and have two safeties really deep, and then guys like Boyd, Hurst, and Mixon/Evans just eat them alive underneath as well as just a more successful rushing attack.

All that being said, I am still holding out hopes that William Fuller IV is signed as WR4.   That dude on the field WITH Chase and Higgins would be a blast, and I think he could play fewer snaps, have some big plays, and up his value for next season.  I know the Bengals really liked him coming out of the draft, and due to his inability to stay healthy, I think he could be signed for a fairly cheap amount.

(06-01-2022, 08:55 AM)jason Wrote: I'd like Fuller too. Just don't think we provide him with the situation that he needs. He could go to Green Bay, Tennessee, or hook back up with Watson in Cleveland and be much more involved.

(06-01-2022, 02:10 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I usually don't know much about O-linemen outside of the All-Pro level. 

And since I was not even researching the free agents I knew nothing about Karras, but you can't ask for higher praise from a better source. 

This really got me psyched.

(06-01-2022, 02:17 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: The signing of Hurst made the loss of CJ easier to handle. I think Hurst will be just as solid as Uzi. 

(06-01-2022, 02:19 PM)Dr.Z Wrote: I really liked the value there with him too.  Could be a good veteran presence for the youth on the line, and hopefully helps synch up the collective unit.  

(06-01-2022, 02:57 PM)Stewy Wrote: For friggin farts sakes - No FULLER.  OMG do you guys not know a thing about him?  He drops the ball.  He's made of glass.  He's missed half of his career with injury.  And he's just damned cursed, because it seems his injuries and dropsies are all at the worst times.  "Wide open bomb for TD" - drop.  Having a great first games of the year.....oops hamstring and done or turf toe or hangnail.

No Will Fuller FFS.

(06-01-2022, 08:35 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Thanks, Pally....I agree completely about Shelvin.  He needs to take a huge step in conditioning and preparation.  

I know it isn't the sexiest thing to imagine when thinking about this offense, but I can't help but think of the possibilities in terms of a rushing attack.  A high % check-down attack using Boyd and Hurst (and Mixon) when Higgins and Chase are clearing things out.  Sure, I love a deep ball to Chase as much as anyone, but having a consistent, grinding offense where Burrow is patient and just takes what a defense gives them will be REALLY frustrating for the opponent.

I can see a lot of teams being like:  "You aren't beating us over the top!" and have two safeties really deep, and then guys like Boyd, Hurst, and Mixon/Evans just eat them alive underneath as well as just a more successful rushing attack.

All that being said, I am still holding out hopes that William Fuller IV is signed as WR4.   That dude on the field WITH Chase and Higgins would be a blast, and I think he could play fewer snaps, have some big plays, and up his value for next season.  I know the Bengals really liked him coming out of the draft, and due to his inability to stay healthy, I think he could be signed for a fairly cheap amount.

(06-01-2022, 02:57 PM)Stewy Wrote: For friggin farts sakes - No FULLER.  OMG do you guys not know a thing about him?  He drops the ball.  He's made of glass.  He's missed half of his career with injury.  And he's just damned cursed, because it seems his injuries and dropsies are all at the worst times.  "Wide open bomb for TD" - drop.  Having a great first games of the year.....oops hamstring and done or turf toe or hangnail.

No Will Fuller FFS.

(06-03-2022, 08:51 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Let's take these in order, shall we?  

Drops:  He has had 18 drops in 330 targets across six seasons.  That's .05%  Not Larry Fitzgerald, but still not a bad %.  I have no way to quantify when these drops occurred, but I know when he played with a good QB (Watson), the Texans were a perennial playoff team.  Without him and Watson, they are dreadful.

Injuries:  Last year, he played only two games.  That is bad, but also what will make him affordable.  His previous seasons, he played (in order from most recent to when he started in the league was 11, 11, 7, 10, and 14.  So, if you take out the season last year, that's an average of 10.6 games per season, or you can say prior to last year, he started 66.3% of his games.  

Now, for what he can actually contribute:  Despite only playing in 11 games just two seasons ago, he had 53 receptions for 879 yards and 8 TDs.

Maybe he could stay healthier playing fewer snaps?  He could have a huge season statistically and up his value for a new contract next year.  The Burrow effect of players wanting to come here would only grow.

It is as simple as this:  I think no matter how fortunate the Bengals are with health, they can ALWAYS use more weapons.  Fuller is a weapon, and could possibly be signed to a very reasonable one-year deal.  He could make the team better.  There is no way in hell some UDFA is going to have the impact of a Will Fuller.  And they can afford him.  Personally, I think they are waiting to see what happens with Bates signing the tag and possibly bringing back Larry O if he is healthy.  But I would LOVE to have Fuller as WR4.

(06-03-2022, 08:56 AM)XenoMorph Wrote: Hes not worth it for a 4th WR.... 

(06-03-2022, 08:51 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Let's take these in order, shall we?  

Drops:  He has had 18 drops in 330 targets across six seasons.  That's .05%  Not Larry Fitzgerald, but still not a bad %.  I have no way to quantify when these drops occurred, but I know when he played with a good QB (Watson), the Texans were a perennial playoff team.  Without him and Watson, they are dreadful.

Injuries:  Last year, he played only two games.  That is bad, but also what will make him affordable.  His previous seasons, he played (in order from most recent to when he started in the league was 11, 11, 7, 10, and 14.  So, if you take out the season last year, that's an average of 10.6 games per season, or you can say prior to last year, he started 66.3% of his games.  

Now, for what he can actually contribute:  Despite only playing in 11 games just two seasons ago, he had 53 receptions for 879 yards and 8 TDs.

Maybe he could stay healthier playing fewer snaps?  He could have a huge season statistically and up his value for a new contract next year.  The Burrow effect of players wanting to come here would only grow.

It is as simple as this:  I think no matter how fortunate the Bengals are with health, they can ALWAYS use more weapons.  Fuller is a weapon, and could possibly be signed to a very reasonable one-year deal.  He could make the team better.  There is no way in hell some UDFA is going to have the impact of a Will Fuller.  And they can afford him.  Personally, I think they are waiting to see what happens with Bates signing the tag and possibly bringing back Larry O if he is healthy.  But I would LOVE to have Fuller as WR4.

(06-03-2022, 08:51 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Let's take these in order, shall we?  

Drops:  He has had 18 drops in 330 targets across six seasons.  That's .05%  Not Larry Fitzgerald, but still not a bad %.  I have no way to quantify when these drops occurred, but I know when he played with a good QB (Watson), the Texans were a perennial playoff team.  Without him and Watson, they are dreadful.

Injuries:  Last year, he played only two games.  That is bad, but also what will make him affordable.  His previous seasons, he played (in order from most recent to when he started in the league was 11, 11, 7, 10, and 14.  So, if you take out the season last year, that's an average of 10.6 games per season, or you can say prior to last year, he started 66.3% of his games.  

Now, for what he can actually contribute:  Despite only playing in 11 games just two seasons ago, he had 53 receptions for 879 yards and 8 TDs.

Maybe he could stay healthier playing fewer snaps?  He could have a huge season statistically and up his value for a new contract next year.  The Burrow effect of players wanting to come here would only grow.

It is as simple as this:  I think no matter how fortunate the Bengals are with health, they can ALWAYS use more weapons.  Fuller is a weapon, and could possibly be signed to a very reasonable one-year deal.  He could make the team better.  There is no way in hell some UDFA is going to have the impact of a Will Fuller.  And they can afford him.  Personally, I think they are waiting to see what happens with Bates signing the tag and possibly bringing back Larry O if he is healthy.  But I would LOVE to have Fuller as WR4.