(06-12-2025, 05:49 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Here is the thing that people who think this way don't seem to see, for whatever reason. Keep in mind, i'm not being sarcastic, negative or in any way malicious when i point this out. Just giving perspective from the 'other' side. 

When you look at the success they've had and you factor in the injuries, you can certainly say they've been one of the more successful franchises since '21. 

But when you look at that success, you can point to very clear reasons why the success ended when it did and you can assign blame for why those issues were there. 

The offensive line is first and foremost, the reason Burrow sustained a knee injury in '20. The Bengals 'attempted' to fix this in '21, yet in the most crucial time, the line failed to protect him again and a SB was lost. In '22, the same thing happened. They attempted to fix the line, yet when it came down to the end, the line failed to protect him well enough and a SB appearance was lost. 

Despite being the family of one of, if not the, most influential minds in NFL history, the current Bengals front office does not value the Oline--specifically the IOL--like PB did. They've tried to do things their own way by loading up on offensive skill players and they were able to bolster the defense through free agency. When that defense broke down, the shortcomings of the offensive line were magnified, though mitigated to some extent by Burrow and company. 

So, if you want to talk about success, you have to first talk about the abilities of Burrow, followed by Chase, Higgins, Perine, Brown, etc. The front office is near, if not the bottom of the list of reasons why they've been successful because they had to be a bad enough team to draft the #1OA and #5OA players in consecutive drafts and they've failed to provide him a line and replacements for the defenders that left or didn't perform to the level they did in '21 and '22. 

(06-12-2025, 06:15 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I agree. I don't like the clause at all.

(06-12-2025, 06:45 PM)Wyche Wrote: It's a clause so the team has an out if the player is a knucklehead. Apparently other teams use it, it's just the first time the Bengals have used it. 

I don't know what to make of all of this, but leaving camp wasn't a good look for me. I'm not necessarily siding with the FO, but this steaming pile of dog shit is now drawing flies.....and Stewart is getting just as stinky as Son of Paul. If he does wind up signing, he better come out like his hair is on fire when the season starts. I'm quickly souring on him. 

(06-12-2025, 06:43 PM)ERIC1 Wrote: Teams rely on key players..so what..KC without Mahommes is average..New England without Brady pretty bad..its 2025..if you want to dwell in the past..I wish you the best..but isnt it great that unlike many other cities we have an nfl and mlb team...we can yell argue complain analyze..and get our hearts broken...but we are lucky here in cincinnati...personally..i think if burrow stays healthy this is going to be a fun year...

(06-12-2025, 07:44 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote:  ...I'm with you on Stewart though. Its one thing for Trey or other guys to talk to the media. But for a rookie who's only been dealing with the team for a few months to talk to the media like he was doesnt fill me with confidence for the player. Also leaving at this point seems like a bad move although that mightve come from multiple places after his media talk...

(06-12-2025, 04:48 PM)RunKijanaRun Wrote: Yes, and the Bengals are structuring the money differently in addition to the clause. Most players who have this clause in their contract have a lot more money up front so the future guarantees aren’t nearly as much of a concern. Bengals are not structuring it in that fashion.

(06-12-2025, 06:43 PM)ERIC1 Wrote: Teams rely on key players..so what..KC without Mahommes is average..New England without Brady pretty bad..its 2025..if you want to dwell in the past..I wish you the best..but isnt it great that unlike many other cities we have an nfl and mlb team...we can yell argue complain analyze..and get our hearts broken...but we are lucky here in cincinnati...personally..i think if burrow stays healthy this is going to be a fun year...

(06-12-2025, 07:44 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: Other teams have used it. The only reason I don't necessarily like the Bengals using it is i worry if they are trying to limit a players leverage with it. 
I'm with you on Stewart though. Its one thing for Trey or other guys to talk to the media. But for a rookie who's only been dealing with the team for a few months to talk to the media like he was doesnt fill me with confidence for the player. Also leaving at this point seems like a bad move although that mightve come from multiple places after his media talk.

(06-12-2025, 06:49 PM)BobJones4980 Wrote: I was somebody fine with the pick but everyday this thing stretches out the more I start to dislike this guy.

Sure the Bengals are a bum organization BUT not wanting to sign a contract that has a clause that says if you "do something wrong" the contract can be terminated/voided is not uncommon. When I say not uncommon I mean not just the NFL but for people working everyday jobs.

Sign your multi million dollar contract and don't do something stupid and you will be fine.

Still rooting for the guy but this is getting ridiculous.

(06-12-2025, 05:49 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Here is the thing that people who think this way don't seem to see, for whatever reason. Keep in mind, i'm not being sarcastic, negative or in any way malicious when i point this out. Just giving perspective from the 'other' side. 

When you look at the success they've had and you factor in the injuries, you can certainly say they've been one of the more successful franchises since '21. 

But when you look at that success, you can point to very clear reasons why the success ended when it did and you can assign blame for why those issues were there. 

The offensive line is first and foremost, the reason Burrow sustained a knee injury in '20. The Bengals 'attempted' to fix this in '21, yet in the most crucial time, the line failed to protect him again and a SB was lost. In '22, the same thing happened. They attempted to fix the line, yet when it came down to the end, the line failed to protect him well enough and a SB appearance was lost. 

Despite being the family of one of, if not the, most influential minds in NFL history, the current Bengals front office does not value the Oline--specifically the IOL--like PB did. They've tried to do things their own way by loading up on offensive skill players and they were able to bolster the defense through free agency. When that defense broke down, the shortcomings of the offensive line were magnified, though mitigated to some extent by Burrow and company. 

So, if you want to talk about success, you have to first talk about the abilities of Burrow, followed by Chase, Higgins, Perine, Brown, etc. The front office is near, if not the bottom of the list of reasons why they've been successful because they had to be a bad enough team to draft the #1OA and #5OA players in consecutive drafts and they've failed to provide him a line and replacements for the defenders that left or didn't perform to the level they did in '21 and '22. 

(06-12-2025, 09:38 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: I don’t necessarily disagree with any of this. But I’ll add the OL and defense are more related to poor drafting. The defense was helped by FA.

(06-12-2025, 08:43 PM)Wyche Wrote: Yes... totally agree. Ya never know what the Bengals motive is. I'm certainly not rushing to their defense.

Like you, I didn't like his comments (he has no skin in this thing yet), and I don't like him leaving camp if he did. I had no issues with him sitting out physical activity to protect himself before he had a deal, but totally flaking out is another thing altogether. 

(06-12-2025, 04:48 PM)RunKijanaRun Wrote: Yes, and the Bengals are structuring the money differently in addition to the clause. Most players who have this clause in their contract have a lot more money up front so the future guarantees aren’t nearly as much of a concern. Bengals are not structuring it in that fashion.

(06-12-2025, 09:58 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Yep. The FA acquisitions in '20 with Bell and Reader and '21 with Trey, Chido, Hilton, Larry O and Apple helped spur them on to deep playoff runs in '21/'22.

(06-12-2025, 11:35 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Now take a look at that list of names from just 3/4 years ago and tell me how many are still with the team...

(06-13-2025, 12:18 AM)sandwedge Wrote: The minute he made the comment about he was right and the Bengals were wrong, he lost me. Then added, they only care about winning an argument and not winning a game, I wanted him gone. Dumbass hasn't even put on a helmet yet and already shooting of his mouth like he is someone. 

(06-12-2025, 08:33 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: I don't know what the hell you just said, but it had nothing to do with what i said.

I knew that was a mistake. It won't happen again.