(01-31-2023, 12:22 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: My main wants:

1. Cut Mixon
Nothing against him, but we just arent a running team. Paying the third most money on the team (12 million) to a guy that barely touches the ball and isn't super effective when he does is asinine. Draft some speed out of the backfield or go pick up a FA for cheap.

2. Find a punter.
Christman was freaking awful on Sunday and field position has been a problem for us all year. I am over it. Either draft one or bring in one in FA. It's a cheap upgrade that can pay huge dividends.

3. Bring these guys back.
Eli Apple, Pratt, Vonn Bell, Perine, Hurst, Flowers. None of these guys will break the bank and have been solid players for us.

4. Upgrade the OL
What happened with injuries in the playoffs was unlucky. The OL was OK this year, but nothing special. Go out and get that elite guy on the OL that we need. Joe goes from a good to best QB on the planet when he has time to throw and is comfortable in the pocket.

5. Find that elite game wrecker on defense
The Chiefs have one in Chris Jones. We need a guy like that on defense. Our defense is solid, but it's missing that one guy that can just wreck a game.

None of these things are huge asks. The Bengals have 44 million in cap space right now - third most in the league. Bates leaving and cutting Mixon would free up another 20 million at least.

(01-31-2023, 02:47 PM)ochocincos Wrote: TJ Watt was drafted 30th overall is easily in the Top 5 pass rushers in the NFL.

It's possible to find a really, really good pass rusher late in the 1st round.

OL they don't need a starter, they need good depth guys, which can be found on Day 2.

(01-31-2023, 12:44 PM)higgy100 Wrote: Yes I do but based on how well they played for a dozen games after the initial start but ,more importantly, where are you finding the $$$ to go get these top guys with everybody else they need to pay? Very funny how fans like to play with monopoly money.

More than just going on a shopping spree, as they absolutely did last year, it's about development. KC has a couple drafted guys in the 2nd/6th round that have turned into all pro OL, phily has a 7th rounder they took a chance on who is a stud.You keep developing guys just as they're doing with Carman and you keep drafting.The RT on Cinci. had a bad game but lots of OL have bad games with Jones over them. He had a tremendous game against Buffalo and nobody wanted him cut after that game.You keep developing developing and developing.

(01-31-2023, 12:22 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: My main wants:

1. Cut Mixon
Nothing against him, but we just arent a running team. Paying the third most money on the team (12 million) to a guy that barely touches the ball and isn't super effective when he does is asinine. Draft some speed out of the backfield or go pick up a FA for cheap.

2. Find a punter.
Christman was freaking awful on Sunday and field position has been a problem for us all year. I am over it. Either draft one or bring in one in FA. It's a cheap upgrade that can pay huge dividends.

3. Bring these guys back.
Eli Apple, Pratt, Vonn Bell, Perine, Hurst, Flowers. None of these guys will break the bank and have been solid players for us.

4. Upgrade the OL
What happened with injuries in the playoffs was unlucky. The OL was OK this year, but nothing special. Go out and get that elite guy on the OL that we need. Joe goes from a good to best QB on the planet when he has time to throw and is comfortable in the pocket.

5. Find that elite game wrecker on defense
The Chiefs have one in Chris Jones. We need a guy like that on defense. Our defense is solid, but it's missing that one guy that can just wreck a game.

None of these things are huge asks. The Bengals have 44 million in cap space right now - third most in the league. Bates leaving and cutting Mixon would free up another 20 million at least.

(01-31-2023, 03:16 PM)BengalsBong Wrote: In the voice of the Skinner guy that won AGT. I ain't real good at math. Most posters do not even take the money aspect into it they just point at shiny new toys and say I want. Just slap their hand like a kid and say no.

(01-31-2023, 12:22 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: My main wants:

1. Cut Mixon
Nothing against him, but we just arent a running team. Paying the third most money on the team (12 million) to a guy that barely touches the ball and isn't super effective when he does is asinine. Draft some speed out of the backfield or go pick up a FA for cheap.

2. Find a punter.
Christman was freaking awful on Sunday and field position has been a problem for us all year. I am over it. Either draft one or bring in one in FA. It's a cheap upgrade that can pay huge dividends.

3. Bring these guys back.
Eli Apple, Pratt, Vonn Bell, Perine, Hurst, Flowers. None of these guys will break the bank and have been solid players for us.

4. Upgrade the OL
What happened with injuries in the playoffs was unlucky. The OL was OK this year, but nothing special. Go out and get that elite guy on the OL that we need. Joe goes from a good to best QB on the planet when he has time to throw and is comfortable in the pocket.

5. Find that elite game wrecker on defense
The Chiefs have one in Chris Jones. We need a guy like that on defense. Our defense is solid, but it's missing that one guy that can just wreck a game.

None of these things are huge asks. The Bengals have 44 million in cap space right now - third most in the league. Bates leaving and cutting Mixon would free up another 20 million at least.

(01-31-2023, 01:22 PM)Synric Wrote: The Bengals can designate Mixon as an after June 1st cut even in March if they do that they will save around 7.25m and have a dead cap hit of 2.75m. Joe Mixon will count 12.7m and 13.1m against the cap in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Big cap numbers for a running back.

(01-31-2023, 02:00 PM)Synric Wrote: I don't think Hurst will get the contract people expect. Tight Ends are the second least valued position group and the FA market isn't bad along with a solid looking draft class.

(01-31-2023, 01:51 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Pratt and Hurst are both likely going to cost more than you think. 

Pratt already sounds like he's gone, he was upset earlier in the year he wasn't playing 3rd down because "too much money left on the table". 
Hurst I wouldn't be surprised if he gets something like a CJ Uzomah deal which the Bengals should not match, the same as they didn't the Uzomah deal. Either draft a TE, or sign the next Uzomah/Hurst that will come here on the cheap because he saw Burrow get 2 other guys who weren't anything special at his position paid.

- - - - -

That cap space is with Bates already gone. He's a FA. Him signing elsewhere doesn't add any extra cap space.

(01-31-2023, 03:42 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: With how much Hurst said he likes it here, i'd be real surprised if he asks for money like that. 

(01-31-2023, 03:59 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: It's probably going to be the last contract of his career. A lot of players say they like it here... they still want paid.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/jessie-bates-on-re-signing-with-bengals-id-love-to-be-here-but-thats-out-of-my-control/ar-AA16V4Lr
(But it doesn't mean he wants less than $18m/yr)

Uzomah said he was going to bathe in Skyline if the Bengals won the SB.
Higgins said he would love to stay around here for more years.

At the end of the day it's a business, though, and players are going to want to (rightfully) get paid. Hurst might be looking at getting the last payday of his life. At his age it might also come down less to money per year and more to guaranteed money.

Does he like Cincinnati enough to turn down $9m more ($3m/yr over 3 yrs, or maybe the Bengals only offer 2 years and another team offers 3) from a different team? Potentially a different team in a state without income tax? Or perhaps say $3m less signing bonus, which is $3m that would go right into his pocket then and there?

(01-31-2023, 04:06 PM)Sled21 Wrote: I've read, I don't remember where, that Mixon said he's willing to renegotiate his contract to stay here. If so, keep him here, if not, cut him.

Bates had a meh year and I don't think anyone is going to pay him the Minka Fitzpatrick contract he thinks he deserves. He said he wants to stay, but can't leave 10 million on the table. I get that, maybe they can meet in the middle somewhere.

It's a must to sign Wilson. If Pratt wants to leave for more money, let him.

I think with some time, we can upgrade Scharpings position. I'd let him walk.

Hayden Hurst has been very open about his mental health issues, and has finally found a home where he feels the team believes in him and he has excelled. I say give him a fair contract and he'll stay and for go moving to another team again where he may not be happy.

We need to re-sign Tyler Boyd, period.

We are stuck with Dru at punter. He might not be a good as we hoped when they gave hm the job, but we can't keep screwing around with McPherson's holder and not expect that to mess with the kicking game.

Bell is a must sign. Him coming here was the start of the defense as we know it today.

Apple is a no brainer- re sign him for insurance and we probably need to draft another corner.

(01-31-2023, 12:40 PM)Cosmokramer Wrote: Nah. I’m out on Apple.  He’s mediocre at best. We have the pieces in place with a season behind us and full offseason to replace him. Plus Awuzie coming back

(01-31-2023, 01:26 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Mixon is not going anywhere. I don’t know but we need to be like KC. They’ve drafted very well.

#Chiefs 2022 draft
1st rd T McDuffie - starter
1st rd G. Karlaftis - starter
2nd rd B Cook - nickel SAF
2nd rd S Moore - 4th/5th WR & PR
4th rd J Williams - starter
7th rd J Watson - starter
7th rd I Pacheco - starter

12 selections currently in ‘23 draft

?

— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) January 31, 2023

You may not be able to keep Hurst and draft a TE in first or second round. Select a tackle first or second round. You need a corner. You may not be able to keep Perine if he wants much. Williams or Evans might have to do.