(03-06-2024, 07:19 PM)Nepa Wrote: Bills released a lot of players today:  cornerback Tre-Davious White, Poyer, starting center Mitch Morse, kick returner Deonte Harty, and DB Siran Neal. My concern with Poyer is just his age: 32. He was at one time an all-pro, however. 

(03-07-2024, 03:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: Poyer apparently did not have a good year last year, after stellar seasons previously. At 32, he is probably on the downside as a safety. For the previous two years (2021 and 2022 seasons) he was at the top in terms of coverage, leading all players in passer rating in terms of being the nearest defender in coverage. But last year he had a big fall off from those numbers, going from allowing opponents to complete 49% of their passes to 73% of their passes and his passer rating ballooning to 105.1.

On the other hand, Simmons (30 years old) had a good year, making second-team all pro for the 4th year in his career.

I would be excited by a Simmons' signing, if the price is right, particularly given he seems to be a high-character individual that would be another good leader in the clubhouse and on the field. I wouldn't have the same excitement if the Bengals signed Poyer. Perhaps their PFF ratings tell another story.

(03-07-2024, 07:16 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Only as I stated if circumstances change meaning cleared and playing 1st game

(03-07-2024, 07:30 PM)J24 Wrote: He doesn't need to start week 1 especially if he is playing for a contender. If he is healthy by Halloween some team will sign him to big money.

(03-07-2024, 03:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: Poyer apparently did not have a good year last year, after stellar seasons previously. At 32, he is probably on the downside as a safety. For the previous two years (2021 and 2022 seasons) he was at the top in terms of coverage, leading all players in passer rating in terms of being the nearest defender in coverage. But last year he had a big fall off from those numbers, going from allowing opponents to complete 49% of their passes to 73% of their passes and his passer rating ballooning to 105.1.

On the other hand, Simmons (30 years old) had a good year, making second-team all pro for the 4th year in his career.

I would be excited by a Simmons' signing, if the price is right, particularly given he seems to be a high-character individual that would be another good leader in the clubhouse and on the field. I wouldn't have the same excitement if the Bengals signed Poyer. Perhaps their PFF ratings tell another story.

(03-07-2024, 08:38 PM)Nepa Wrote: I found out that the Bengals could actually sign Justin Simmons now, and not wait until Monday. Here is the reference I found from CBS Sports:

"Players released from existing contracts are another story. Lots of teams release players before free agency as a way of clearing salary-cap space. One notable example this offseason is Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons. If Simmons had been a pending free agent, he would've needed to wait until March 11 to speak with other teams, and March 13 to finalize a deal. Because Denver terminated his contract, which ran through 2024, he is now already free to sign with another team."

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-free-agency-explainer-when-does-signing-period-start-why-can-some-players-change-teams-now/

(03-07-2024, 09:10 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: If the Bengals are serious about a veteran Safety, Justin Simmons would definitely be one to lock up for a 3 year deal.  The amount of money that he would require might require the team to rethink their plans on how to best use Dax Hill going forward, but with Battle and Simmons in the middle, the defense would likely look like 2021-22 again.

The only prohibitive factors that I can think of are if they don't deal Tee Higgins to another team, his franchise tag cost might inhibit the team from being able to secure all 3 of FS, NT and RT before heading into the draft.

(03-06-2024, 06:29 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: #1 is a big red flag, from what i read, the expectation is he is not going to be ready for the season, no team is going to be signing him for 10 million without clearing to play... the bengals would be wasting $$ to sign him to 10 million and miss games right off the bat.  Now if circumstances change maybe, they have to draft a DT with Reader issue and Hill being a FA in 2025.

(03-07-2024, 11:24 AM)ochocincos Wrote: I really don't see them making a big splash in FA on someone outside who costs $20+ mill at this point.
I think Onwenu might be about the most expensive outside FA the team would look to add.
I do think we'll look at 3-4 FAs including internal guys like Reader and then supplement the remaining spots in the draft.

My dream "realistic" FA at this point is probably Onwenu+Noah Fant both on 3-year deals and solidify those two spots for a good chunk of time.
Re-sign Reader on a 1-year or 2-year deal to bridge the gap for a draft pick at NT to be groomed.
Add a cheap veteran safety like Amos to help mentor and cover for Dax Hill if he does struggle some still this season.
If both of those first FAs can't be acquired due to cost, I'd like to prioritize Onwenu and then get someone like Hurst or re-sign Hudson for TE.
For a DT to go along with BJ Hill, I really think that will come in the draft.
Add a punter, another RB, maybe another CB in the draft.
If there's room, draft a WR too if there's not confidence Higgins signs a long-term deal.

(03-07-2024, 03:18 PM)Synric Wrote: We forget Dax Hill looked like one of the best players on the defense for the first 6 or 7 games. He did have a bad game against Houston week 8ish, but Hill looked like a dynamic playmaker getting his hands on balls and collecting negative plays/qb hits early. When they benched Nick Scott it forced Hill back to the post which is alot larger area or responsibility and it's not something he is experienced at even in college. (If I remember he had like 150 post snaps in 2 seasons at Michigan.)


Edit: The NFL as a whole ran alot more 12 personnel formations because the defenses are going heavy cover 2. In 2024 I expect some teams like the Bengals to rely more on 3 safety looks to combat this.

(03-07-2024, 08:38 PM)Nepa Wrote: I found out that the Bengals could actually sign Justin Simmons now, and not wait until Monday. Here is the reference I found from CBS Sports:

"Players released from existing contracts are another story. Lots of teams release players before free agency as a way of clearing salary-cap space. One notable example this offseason is Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons. If Simmons had been a pending free agent, he would've needed to wait until March 11 to speak with other teams, and March 13 to finalize a deal. Because Denver terminated his contract, which ran through 2024, he is now already free to sign with another team."

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-free-agency-explainer-when-does-signing-period-start-why-can-some-players-change-teams-now/

(03-07-2024, 09:10 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: If the Bengals are serious about a veteran Safety, Justin Simmons would definitely be one to lock up for a 3 year deal.  The amount of money that he would require might require the team to rethink their plans on how to best use Dax Hill going forward, but with Battle and Simmons in the middle, the defense would likely look like 2021-22 again.

The only prohibitive factors that I can think of are if they don't deal Tee Higgins to another team, his franchise tag cost might inhibit the team from being able to secure all 3 of FS, NT and RT before heading into the draft.

(03-03-2024, 05:22 AM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Why not work out a trade with Denver for Justin Simmons? he's in a contract year and they need cap relief (assuming they cut Wilson). We could handle his 1 year and maybe even get him a new multi year contract that way we'd have that spot locked for a few years? 

(03-07-2024, 08:38 PM)Nepa Wrote: I found out that the Bengals could actually sign Justin Simmons now, and not wait until Monday. Here is the reference I found from CBS Sports:

"Players released from existing contracts are another story. Lots of teams release players before free agency as a way of clearing salary-cap space. One notable example this offseason is Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons. If Simmons had been a pending free agent, he would've needed to wait until March 11 to speak with other teams, and March 13 to finalize a deal. Because Denver terminated his contract, which ran through 2024, he is now already free to sign with another team."

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-free-agency-explainer-when-does-signing-period-start-why-can-some-players-change-teams-now/

(03-08-2024, 10:56 AM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Well, I would have been happy trying to trade for him, but him being cut is even better.


Yea was pretty sure anyone that's cut can be signed immediately.
It's only guys that will be FA's once the New Year begins that we sign til it opens. I think though you can talk to them and work out something 24 hours prior to the opening of the FA period now. They call it legal tampering lol.

(03-08-2024, 11:41 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: Of the top 30 highest graded PFF safeties in 2023, 12 are free agents.  It’s a saturated market, so I won’t be surprised to see the bengals bring one in this year.