(04-29-2023, 03:58 AM)Frank Booth Wrote: people were complaining the bengals didnt land an impact starter with the first 2 picks

well Battle can legitimately win the SS gig. Scott is mediocre

(04-29-2023, 12:30 AM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: The value is there, but I don't see the need. They're taking BPA to its extreme.

(04-29-2023, 09:34 AM)PDub80 Wrote: They gave Safety Nick Scott, who is considered a strong player, a 3 year $12M deal. The Bengals didn't sign him to sit. Nick Scott is 27 and knows the league at this point. No way Battle comes into camp and is better by end of summer.

- I could see, however, the Bengals moving Dax Hill to more of a Hilton role with DJ Turner being Chido's replacement.

This has Nick Scott playing more FS and Battle taking the Von Bell role of hybrid/SS.

- But where does this have Tycen Anderson? The Bengals traded up for him in last year's draft.

The Bengals have a lot - TOO MUCH - draft capital wrapped up in the S position: Hill, Anderson, Battle

The Bengals have 2 vet S: Michael Thomas (looked to as strong ST value) & Nick Scott


Safety is not a critical position in the 2ndary. It's the least important. So, this idea that they need to keep loading up is really odd to me unless they are moving Dax Hill to nickel CB. I would prefer that, to be honest. He was a better nickel CB than S in college.

(04-29-2023, 12:46 AM)basballguy Wrote: As an Eli Apple hater, I love any pick that improves the secondary

(04-29-2023, 09:48 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: I’m aligned with your thought process. The Bengals are staying true to their board. Only time will tell if it was the right strategy.

(04-29-2023, 09:50 AM)casear2727 Wrote: The Eli Apple hate sadly reflects a total misunderstanding of the NFL and especially the Bengals.  Outside of super stars, every team values players that far exceed production over cost & expectation.

2021, Apple was paid 1.2M to play CB4.  Due to injury of a projected starter he was forced to play CB2 all the way to the Super Bowl. He was the lowest paid vet playing the 2nd most difficult position in football.

2022, he was paid 3M to play CB2 until CTB could get up to speed.  Due to injury to a starter he was forced to play CB1 for 10 straight wins to the AFC title game.

Apple saved our ass two years in a row giving us the best 2 year run in history and there are many fans who care more about his Twitter than Super Bowl and AFC Title game appearances.

With our salary cap tightening every season, we need as many Eli Apple's as possible in the future.

(04-29-2023, 09:43 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I felt this way a bit at first, but then I realized that Tyson Anderson had next to no playing time last year.  They lost BOTH Bell and Bates.  One injury to Dax Hill or Scott and you are rolling out a very inexperienced Anderson or Uncle Mike Thomas.  They drafted DJ Turner despite having all starting roles already on the roster.  I know Battle is a safety and not a CB, but Lou loves the flexibility of Hill to potentially play slot, which provides quality depth behind Hilton, and you could have Battle and Scott as the safeties.  

Lou also really seems to like 3 safety packages, and this gives him more tools in his toolbox.

I also LOVE that the Bengals prioritize LEADERS and CHARACTER in their players.  With the new IRL money coming in to college, you have some guys coming in out of HS getting six figure checks and guys that have been busting their butts on the team for years getting next to nothing.  I think that could create a lot of animosity in the college game.  Texas A&M sure didn't look like a cohesive team.  My point is that finding two or even three year Captains that are high character and leaders.

Three straight defensive picks makes a LOT of sense given the % of the cap that will likely be going to three offensive players. 

That being said, I do hope for a RB in Round 4 that could contribute right away and, hopefully, make Mixon expendable.  Mixon has been a great player for Cincy but his lack of pass protection skills really is an Achillies heal in this offense.

A TE like Whylie would also be nice.  I could see them packaging their additional 6th rounder to move up in Round 4 to get another impact player.  Having 8 draft picks sounds great, but in reality, the picks on day 3 will have a battle (no pun intended) to make the roster.  

(04-29-2023, 09:51 AM)PDub80 Wrote: Something that i am pleased with is that the Bengals are 100% taking excellent players. I mean, these 3 guys are absolute studs. Special. Turner is speed, Battle is character and smarts, Murphy is athleticism and tenacity.

The 3 picks thus far are high quality. Not bums or reaches for need.

(04-29-2023, 02:48 AM)Eraserhead Wrote: You're 100% wrong. He'll see the field as a rookie box safety in certain situations and in TE coverage at times. If Scott struggles at all, Battle could see even more playing time. Saying you don't see a pathway during his whole rookie contract is just a weird thing to say.

He's my favorite pick so far and I think Murphy and Turner will be fine players. It's been a great draft so far. 

I saw you saying in the draft thread that they messed up trading with KC and letting Pittsburgh get Washington. You were 100% wrong there too. Lou obviously had a defensive guy in mind, which is why he said "see you in a little bit" and "told you so". If they had wanted Washington, they would have stayed put and took him, but with Lou's comments and the trade back, it's obvious they had no interest in taking him. 

(04-29-2023, 03:12 AM)Eraserhead Wrote: We'll revisit this during the season when Battle is seeing the reps as a rookie you emphatically stated he wouldn't see during his whole rookie contract. He'll see those reps even without injury or bad play elsewhere.

(04-29-2023, 03:15 AM)Eraserhead Wrote: It was a great pick. People hating on the pick or saying he won't see the field are ding dongs. 

(04-29-2023, 03:58 AM)Frank Booth Wrote: people were complaining the bengals didnt land an impact starter with the first 2 picks

well Battle can legitimately win the SS gig. Scott is mediocre

(04-29-2023, 08:55 AM)BobJones4980 Wrote: Have seen a couple people say he won't see the field this year so bad pick, maybe I'm crazy but if he looks good in camp I don't think they hesitate to start him over Scott.

A 3 year 12 million dollar contract doesn't scream guaranteed starter to me, it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top in camp.

Also with these longer seasons plus playoff pushes, injuries happen. Depth is a good thing, Quality depth is a great thing.

(04-29-2023, 08:55 AM)BobJones4980 Wrote: Have seen a couple people say he won't see the field this year so bad pick, maybe I'm crazy but if he looks good in camp I don't think they hesitate to start him over Scott.

A 3 year 12 million dollar contract doesn't scream guaranteed starter to me, it'll be interesting to see who comes out on top in camp.

Also with these longer seasons plus playoff pushes, injuries happen. Depth is a good thing, Quality depth is a great thing.

(04-29-2023, 09:56 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Perine’s role in the beginning was more about short yardage and spelling Mixon. It won’t change. They aren’t going into ‘23 with a rookie starting running back. Until they get them in they don’t know their ability to make adjustments and decisions. Mixon’s experience will be important this year but when the contracts of Joe and Tee kick in next year he won’t survive.

(04-29-2023, 10:01 AM)casear2727 Wrote: I can appreciate the new toy excitement but this reflects an absolute disregard to the Bengals and for how Lou manages defensive backs. 12M says Scott is the starter, along with Zac & Lou stating that Scott will start.  Also, Lou has said, and shown, that he does NOT rotate or substitute defensive backs.

It is odd that any of you think Lou would rather trust a 2nd year guy with zero snaps at safety with a new rookie, over a vet that has started and played in a Super Bowl, it makes no sense.

As mentioned before, Dax is a 1st Rd pick with incredible physical traits and he couldn't see the field.  Battle comes in as the least athletic, and by far slowest player in the DB room.  When the HC and DC first words are "special teams" that might be a good indication of the plans for the player.

Without injury it will be very surprising to see Battle have many meaningful snaps on defense this season.

(04-29-2023, 10:06 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Actually, Perine was on the field (and unable to uncover quickly while Chase and Higgins were doubled) in key drives against KC and against the Rams in the Super Bowl because he was very adept at pass protection and Mixon was an absolute liability.  I think he is as good as gone once his legal issue is settled (after Jun 1st because it is more beneficial in terms of cap savings somehow) as I don't really think he will sign for $4 million when his contract was for $12.  And he isn't worth more than that on THIS offense.  

(04-29-2023, 02:58 AM)Synric Wrote: Daxton Hill as a first round pick received less than 100 snaps at safety his rookie year most of his snaps came at corner in one game but the path for his future starting was there. Scott signed for 3 years and Hill is entering the second year of his rookie deal. The only path for Battle's way to the field is through insurance of Scott or Hill not working out or injury any way you slice it if Battle is on the field its through a bad safety decision or an injury.  

Edge and Corner you can see the path to them getting on the field at premium money saving positions... Safety no so much especially after 2 recent investments. I shouldnt be so hard on the pick it is a very late 3rd round pick Special Teams are where they usually end up.

(04-29-2023, 01:09 AM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Sounds like a Tee extension is really happening going off of the way we are playing things so far.

Still want a TE in case Irv Smith Jr gets hurt which seems inevitable though and want a RB real bad like Keaton Mitchell to help 
take away the 2 high looks we get with our WR's.

(04-29-2023, 09:51 AM)PDub80 Wrote: Something that i am pleased with is that the Bengals are 100% taking excellent players. I mean, these 3 guys are absolute studs. Special. Turner is speed, Battle is character and smarts, Murphy is athleticism and tenacity.

The 3 picks thus far are high quality. Not bums or reaches for need.