(02-26-2024, 04:34 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yes, regardless we need at least 2 new DT's added, 1 a NT and 1 a 3-tech. But I am down with what you say, 2 NT's and 1 pass rusher
would be ideal. I have no faith in Carter after his patheticism last year. I would cut bait with him and keep BJ Hill and Tufele and let Tufele
compete with the new guys we bring in.

Rankins or Leonard Williams would be great in FA since it looks like all the best pass rushing 3-tech's will stay where they are most likely.

In the Draft Stackhouse is another NT type and Leonard Taylor and Ruke Orhorhoro are a couple 3-tech's we should keep our eye on.

(02-26-2024, 03:22 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I am a bit confused, Hudson is certainly not an ERFA like Browning & Adomitis. The tender there is league min. 

But for a RFA, then I think you have it right. 

I guess it depends on how we see the pre-negotiating period going & how much space we have. If we cannot land any real big fish and have ample space, maybe. 

But I think we probably just let him become an UFA and bring him back. Reserves making $2 mil plus are rare for us. Though Carman & Scott & Murphy all will in '24. I'd be shocked if he and Sample are not back at TE. The position is void ATM. 

(02-27-2024, 09:31 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yep, meant RFA.

(02-27-2024, 11:33 AM)kalibengal Wrote: I think Rankins will be a prime target due to age, cap hit and the fact they had interest and tried signing him prior apparently
If we could sign him and draft a BIG DT like Sweat, that would be ideal 

(02-26-2024, 05:54 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: We are largely in agreement. But I believe Stackhouse is staying at GA. 

https://www.si.com/college/georgia/football/nazir-stackhouse-announces-return-to-georgia

I'd take Carter over Tufele. He graded out higher, improved more, and at least had one impactful/game saving play (Minny run stuff). 

For me, I keep Hill and Carter at DT but hope to land a FA to push them both down a rung on the ladder. Or draft a guy who upgrades Carter. 

I bring Reader back and, again, hope to land a FA/pick to upgrade Tupou & hopd the fort while DJ recovers. Though I have no issue bringing Tupou back until then. I am nervous if Tupou has to start 6 games. Bat at backup/#3 NT, he is fine. 

(02-27-2024, 02:52 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Didn't know Stackhouse is staying at Georgia, thanks Ike. True on the Carter stop, gave me some hope, but 5 pressures in all those snaps is
pretty pathetic...

(02-27-2024, 05:06 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: A defensive line having Hill and Carter as your starters with Tufele and Bell as your rotational guys is a disaster waiting to happen.  At minimum the Bengals need to add a NT and DT that can get pressure on the QB and probably a 3rd DT for depth.  

You could draft someone like Newton or Murphy in the 1st or Leonard Taylor later which would be your pass rushing DT.  At NT you could re-sign Reader but may also want to draft depth and someone to take his place like Sweat if he is there in the 2nd.  That would be your 2-3 guys for the interior of the defensive line that need to be added.

(02-29-2024, 03:50 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Onto my 2nd second tier FA position of need, safety.

6.  Safety

A.  Signed

Player, Cap, Dead Cap, FA Yr, PFF L3, 2023 Snaps
1. D. Hill: $3,181,913; $6,894,144; '26/'27, 51.6/58.1/x, 1,091 D + 82 ST.
2. Battle: $1,210,231; $654,555; '27; 82.5/x/x, 525 D + 190 ST
-----------------Starter Line----------
3. Scott: $4,300,000; $2,000,000; '26; 41.6/54.2/47.5, 571 D + 190 ST.
4. Anderson (inj): $1,061,521; $153,042; '26; x/x/x; Zero D + 123 ST.
------------Reserve Line---------

B.  Unsigned

Player, FA Status, PFF L3, 2023 Snaps
------------Reserve Line--------
1. M. Thomas: UFA, x/58.6/52.9, Zero
-----------PS/Future's Line-------

C.  Analysis

Like CB, at one level this seems relatively straighforward. We carry 4. We have 4 signed. One is a rookie who excelled after winning a starting job midseason (Battle). The other an uber-athletic 1st round pick transitioning from corner. Let them develop and any changes can be for depth for the underprrforming Scott or the largely untested, oft injured Anderson.

The questions start with Hill. He seemed to get worse, not better, as the year wore on at FS. The coaches seemed to point a finger at the S play when explaining the poor run D and LB play. And have talked of giving Battle the dot & moving him to FS. Does that mean moving Hill closer to the LOS (where most of his better play happened) or to CB (where he has little boundary exp and would be Hilton's backup?

And if Hill is moved to CB, we assuredly need another S. Scott did not play well and is the highest paid backup on the team. Starting him sends shudders. But cutting him serms reckless given Hill's uncertain play & future and the fact that Anderson has played zero snaps at safety in two years AND is coming off a major injury.

M. Thomas was on the PS last year but was a special teamer when he was last on the roster. As a PS guy, sure. Be cannot be on the 53 playing defensive snaps.

It is a weak S draft class (though thete are some good ones) and a strong/deep FA class.

I think the FO most likely sticks it out with Battle & Hill, but makes the adjustment of Battle at FS & Hill at SS. I think a value vet FA signing is possible and if so, then Hill likely moves to a reserve as a CB/S hybrid/TE stopper and Scott gets cut (but maybe not till Anderson is back). And we maybe play more 3 S looks on 3rd instead of 2 LBs, which would be welcome.

I'd make a run at Winfield if I have $$ left after my targeted DT/OT players are off the board (Reader, L. Williams, Wilkins, Jones, Onwenu, Johnson, Sneed). But outside of DJ & Williams, those guys are longshots. As is Winfield.

If a value FA signing does not happen, I think a pick to replace Scott & save us some cap is likely. But probably Day 3. I think too many other holes for Day 2. Nubin is tempting, though.


What would you think about signining Mike Edwards as a FA he’s local(Winton Woods) and has been solid for both TB and KC

(02-29-2024, 03:50 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: It is a weak S draft class (though thete are some good ones) and a strong/deep FA class.

Quote:The Cincinnati Bengals gambled at the safety position last year. They not only lost, they lost bad. 


Upon losing both Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell a year ago this month, Cincinnati felt ready to replace both by elevating Dax Hill and signing Nick Scott in free agency. They also drafted Jordan Battle to round out a trio with upside. 

A season of allowing explosive plays and missed tackles ensued. Hill struggled to find consistency, Scott was essentially benched for Battle, and the Bengals sound like they're not trying to relive that nightmare again.

This is not to say that neither Hill nor Battle are poor players now, or will be poor this season. They simply cannot enter the 2024 season without establishing a sense of security at the position. That means replacing Scott with a new veteran player. 
Bengals are right to desire a new veteran free agent safety
To best maximize both Hill and Battle in 2024, a more capable veteran to replace Scott to play the traditional free/post safety would go a long way.

Cincinnati.com's Kelsey Conway reports that is what the Bengals are looking for.

"League sources tell The Enquirer the Bengals are checking in and have shown interest in the safety market ahead of free agency. This makes sense given the uncertainty of where Hill fits in Cincinnati’s defense. It seems highly likely the Bengals will address the safety position with a veteran." - Cincinnati.com's Kelsey Conway

This doesn't have to break the bank, especially with free agency dollars expected to be spent on defensive tackle and offensive tackle, but the Bengals need trust at the position after last year's debacle. Communication errors led to too many instances of bad positioning, and the athleticism of both Hill and Scott wasn't enough to compensate for it. 

Scott, unfortunately, has never been a reliable starter at the position. The Bengals believed they could make him one instantly only to be proven vastly wrong. Remedying this by cutting and replacing him would not only better the defense as a whole, it could salvage their decision to spend a first-round pick on Hill.

Related: Bengals need to admit defeat with blatant mistake they made last year

Dax Hill can find his true role with a new safety in the mix
Should the Bengals sign a true safety in free agency, the path for playing Hill close to the line of scrimmage becomes clear. He was the team's best defender against tight ends in 2023 and made several impact plays when aligned in or around the box. He's got tremendous quickness and takes great angles thanks to instincts he developed playing a similar position as a college player at Michigan. He's always been a projection at a free safety in comparison. 

But wait, wouldn't that mean Hill is no longer one of the Bengals' two "true" safeties? Yes, but this isn't so cut-and-dry. Battle would continue to be a half-field safety, befitting for his skillset, and a capable free safety would play alongside him deep in the secondary.

Hill would still see the field, and for most of the game as well.

Against 11 and 12 personnel, the two most common offensive personnel groupings, the Bengals ranked eighth in the league in two separate "Dime" personnel packages, one with three defensive linemen on the field, and the other with four (per Sports Info Solutions).

"Dime" personnel entails six defensive backs on the field, which is typically either four cornerbacks and two safeties, or three of each. Three of each is considered "Big Dime."

The Bengals were already among the league leaders in using "Big Dime" last year, and that includes the final weeks of the season when Scott hardly played. They could play even more of this grouping featuring two safeties deep and Hill acting as the third near the line of scrimmage.

Signing a veteran safety to replace Scott, who should not be on the team this season, would be a clear signal that defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo does not want to watch last season's mistakes repeat themselves. Hill can be utilized properly, and Battle would get plenty of playing time as well. 

(03-01-2024, 04:18 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: According to this the Bengals might be looking to replace Scott with a better veteran.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bengals-are-reportedly-keeping-their-eyes-on-the-veteran-safety-market-in-free-agency/ar-BB1jbkHD

(03-01-2024, 06:03 PM)samhain Wrote: Not a big fish in FA, but I wonder if they could talk Micah Hyde into signing here before he retires.