(02-07-2023, 01:25 PM)Gdale_Bengal Wrote: You build the lines more. The defensive line needs to get more pressure on QBs. Offensive line..well you know.

Honestly, only a few players on offense shouldn’t be traded. Chase, Cappa, Karras and Burrow. Literally everyone else can be traded. I love Mixon, I love Tee, but when it comes to staying relevant, you need to make tough decisions, and those are very tough decisions.

I think the defense has a few who needs to stay Too. CTB, Chido, Wilson , Hilton, Hubbard. I love Hendrickson but he had a down year. Everyone else can get turned over. It would be great to keep Pratt and Bell, I’m not sure you can keep both since Wilson is more talented than Pratt.

Gotta get these drafts right and you have to make smart FA moves now. Money will be tight, gotta get extra picks where you can.

IMO, Mixons contract is a liability. His play is not indicative of his money. Trading him and getting younger there makes sense. Fill that room with players who can pass block well and can hit the holes hard. No dancing. Use Chris Pratt Goddammit. He’s a weapon this team needs.

(02-09-2023, 06:24 AM)BengalsBong Wrote: Pass rushers and a decent RT.

(02-09-2023, 10:10 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Correct me if I’m wrong. Isn’t your suggestions quite a bit of overhaul for a team so close? Or do you mean when their contracts are up? The Bengals need to hit on the draft so they can manage their payroll. They need to be very on target and conservative going forward in FA. Based on comments by Chase this week Joe is willing to do a cap friendly deal to keep his guys here. That means Chase #1 and Higgins #2. Doesn’t matter how friendly his contract is that’s not going to be easy. But if he takes less then that’s his edict. So keeping this team championship worthy is going to be finding starters in the draft and developing them.

(02-09-2023, 03:46 PM)Gdale_Bengal Wrote: What I’m saying is, outside of those names, and possibly Hendrickson everyone else can be moved or cut for upgrades. Obviously not every player should be cut or traded, but Cincy shouldn’t be content. If they can move a player to get an upgrade they should. Mixon is not the kind of RB this team needs imo. They need a better pass blocker who can keep them at least on schedule in down and distance. And yes, I think Pratt is the dimension the offense could use.

(02-07-2023, 12:33 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Be smart and follow the blue print of the Chiefs. Realize what position groups are important and which ones/players are luxuries.

The Bengals need to focus on continuing to build their offensive and defensive lines. That (along with QB) is where they should be investing a lot of their equity. That's where championships are won.

Some of the first steps the Bengals can take is getting out from dumb contracts. Mixon, Boyd, and not extending Higgins long term.

Use the money there and invest it into higher impact groups like those mentioned above (OL and DL). If they do that and continue to hit on a few draft picks each year they will be fine.

(02-07-2023, 12:55 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: Build quality depth on the Oline and maintain 75 to 85% of the defense (re-sign Reader, Wilson, Chido, and Hendrickson when they come due, unless they're asking crazy numbers. Let Bates, Apple and Pratt walk

(02-07-2023, 01:10 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Yes Joe will be costly, Mahommes and Allen are costly. Lamar Jackson will be costly.

But none will require half of their salary cap. The cap in 2023 is 224 million. 20% of the cap is 44.8 million. I see Joe closer to 20% than 50% of our cap.

But yes, Joe goes from 10 million cap hit to over 40 million very soon. Tee will go from 4 million cap hit to 20+ million very soon for us or someone else.

(02-07-2023, 01:24 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I only pointed it out as I see some fans say things like pay Joe B. 30% of the cap each year for his next contract. I am a detailed person, some are not. 30% of 224 million is 67.2 million per year. 

I love Joe Burrow, but not for 67.2 million per year in 2023 and an escalator to pay him more each year there after.

(02-09-2023, 09:29 PM)Emeritus Wrote:
I thought that I'd leave this blank and let the fans fill it in.
So all of you die hards like myself. Where do we go from here. I haven't got over it myself and I'm not watching the SB! PERIOD! I want to know from Bengaldom where the hell we go from here to get back to the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN CINCINNATI IN 2024! Time will reveal everything. 

(02-09-2023, 09:37 PM)casear2727 Wrote: Pretty simple, dont lose games we shouldn't.  Steelers and Browns losses were pathetic, Cowboys loss not much better.  Beat all the teams you should beat and the #1 seed is easily obtainable.

(02-09-2023, 09:29 PM)Emeritus Wrote:
I thought that I'd leave this blank and let the fans fill it in.
So all of you die hards like myself. Where do we go from here. I haven't got over it myself and I'm not watching the SB! PERIOD! I want to know from Bengaldom where the hell we go from here to get back to the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN CINCINNATI IN 2024! Time will reveal everything. 

(02-09-2023, 10:18 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: I’m not a subscriber that the DL is an issue. Oh it’d be great to have a Chris Jones or Aaron Donald but Hendrickson was hurt and we are great stopping the run with B J and Reader. You can’t have everything. I think Carter and Ossai continue to improve and Hobby is a hell of a coach. So I wouldn’t use a high draft pick or sign a big free agent and tie up 10 million.

So if it were me I’d sign Hurst to a 3 year deal for 6-7 million less than his worth and sell him on being settled on a SB contender. Personally I think he could be used even more. I’d let Bates, Apple, and Pratt walk. Resign Bell.

In free agency and the 1st pick in the draft I’d go with OL picks. Tackle is a problem. Everybody is agonizing over Mixon he’s signed he needs a line. Everybody raving about the non star KC running backs but they’ve got 4 guys as good or better than Karras. They aren’t worth a crap behind our line. Now our line before the injuries was playing good not great. Second round I’d go receiver just to protect if we lose Tee. I’d resign Samaje provided it’s friendly.

(02-09-2023, 10:18 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: I’m not a subscriber that the DL is an issue. Oh it’d be great to have a Chris Jones or Aaron Donald but Hendrickson was hurt and we are great stopping the run with B J and Reader. You can’t have everything. I think Carter and Ossai continue to improve and Hobby is a hell of a coach. So I wouldn’t use a high draft pick or sign a big free agent and tie up 10 million.

So if it were me I’d sign Hurst to a 3 year deal for 6-7 million less than his worth and sell him on being settled on a SB contender. Personally I think he could be used even more. I’d let Bates, Apple, and Pratt walk. Resign Bell.

In free agency and the 1st pick in the draft I’d go with OL picks. Tackle is a problem. Everybody is agonizing over Mixon he’s signed he needs a line. Everybody raving about the non star KC running backs but they’ve got 4 guys as good or better than Karras. They aren’t worth a crap behind our line. Now our line before the injuries was playing good not great. Second round I’d go receiver just to protect if we lose Tee. I’d resign Samaje provided it’s friendly.

(02-09-2023, 10:56 PM)michaelsean Wrote: I don’t know about letting Apple walk. It depends on how much he wants.

(02-09-2023, 10:56 PM)michaelsean Wrote: I don’t know about letting Apple walk. It depends on how much he wants.

(02-09-2023, 11:05 PM)casear2727 Wrote: I’ll never understand the “let Apple walk” narrative? Especially in the context of saving money.

It makes zero sense. All the let Apple walk people please tell me 2 things:

1. How was Apple not our #1 production to cost player the last 2 years?

2. What CB signed to play CB4 would step up and play CB2 all season with a SB bound team, while making 1.1M?
Then turn around as a projected CB3 but play CB1 for 10 straight wins to the AFC Championship game for 3M?

Being more concerned about Twitter instead of production to cost value makes no sense to me, especially with an injured Chido.