(03-20-2025, 11:05 AM)rfaulk34 Wrote: "the same non-playoff team". I get it. 

No two seasons are the same. The Bengals started off 0-5 in 1 score games last year. Win just 1 and they're in. I doubt they start 0-5 in 1 score games again, because it's just not the norm. 

Quicker starts. Finishing games. That's all subjective to preparation and effort. They could just as easily start the season 6-0 with the squad they have. That's not unreasonable to say. 

They have players coming back from injury and they have the draft. 
They have the weapons core for at least 4 more years and the elite QB. If they end up with a shitty Oline...well, welcome to Bengals fandom for the last 5 years. 

I wouldn't say SB bound but i also wouldn't say lost season, even as we sit here now. 

The team is pretty much the same, but it's really not because teams have different seasons every year with the same players. 

(03-20-2025, 02:05 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Would be more likely to agree with you if it weren't also a non-playoff team in 2023 too, with the same slow start, the same shitty OL, players incoming from the draft, players coming back from injury, the same philosophic hatred of running the ball. 

You saying starting 6-0 this year is "just as easy" and not unreasonable ignores the fact that they are 1-11 in the first two weeks over the 6 years of the Taylor era. I'll believe that Zac has changed those stripes when I see it. 6 years is a long time to say you'll suddenly change to what you've always been, but I would sure love it if he did. I just think banking on everyone changing and suddenly becoming better is just not a real plan.

(03-20-2025, 02:19 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: I'm a big believer in the law of large numbers. Things always balance out. 

(03-20-2025, 02:42 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Then if we want to guarantee a playoff run in 2025, we should fire Zac Taylor and hire back Marvin Lewis. That 0-7 is going to balance out big time.   

(03-20-2025, 10:30 AM)Wyche Wrote: ....and if they get Trey extended, that's a pretty good FA in my book. You signed a triple crown winner, the best 1a/2 WR in the league, and Trey would obviously be the NFL sack king. That's a really good off-season without considering the external FAs they signed, Gisecki, and any future signings. I was getting really itchy about the delay in getting Tee and Chase done....so my initial F grade is already up in the high C, low B range. 

(03-20-2025, 02:53 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I found this to be spot on for our needs the rest of FA and also the draft.

They say we may need to go all defense in teh 2025 draft and maybe great advice. Thoughts?

https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-order-for-round-1-top-five-needs-for-all-32-teams-following-free-agency-frenzy

Pick
17
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
9-8 · .478
Biggest needs: Edge, S, LB, OL, CB

We might be looking at an all-defense draft by the Bengals, who made big investments to keep their star wide receivers in place. Even if the team is able to work things out with Trey Hendrickson, finding him a pass-rushing complement has to be a top priority. That said, the second and third levels of the defense should not be ignored, either.

(03-20-2025, 11:17 AM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: This wouldn't bother me at all. Safety is arguably the weakest and scariest (in a bad way) position group on the team. Hence, why I've mentioned we could see Dax back there again. Not saying that's a good thing but it may be necessary.

Turner, Ivey, CTB, and Newton alone already give the CB position an edge over the paper thin Safety position. Battle and Stone are talented but neither really pop off the screen when watching a game. AG may be able to help Battle, Stone said he wants to play better. Let's hope so! 

(03-20-2025, 01:49 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: As we closer to the draft it is apparent to me defense in the draft has to be the priority. Sunset called it a while ago, Bengals need two draft Nick Emmanwori. I do always worry about the workout warriors, but not all are a bad choice. He definitely could enhance or defense. I think Stone's days are numbered, I think we draft him and cut Geno. I am not impressed with Battle either, I know some are but he seems to be an average safety and that is his ceiling.

I like our CB room even without Hilton who I would not be surprised returns because he can't get the big money deal he is seeking on likely his last contract. If we do draft a safety ad don't do anything to address the DL (Edge/LDE), then there will be some guys available in round 2. The problem is was may need to address OG in round 2 depending on how team approaches the guard position.

I think we have 2 major needs on defense safety an LDE. The third would be LB and there should be some good ones available in round 3 or 4 of the draft. I think Pratt is fixable teamed with a healthy Wilson who I think is under rated.

(03-20-2025, 01:42 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Not really getting any better, but spending much more money to do it, is a net loss of an offseason.

(03-20-2025, 03:03 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Feel the same Wyche. Well said, I know bringing in your own FA's isn't the sexy thing to do but as far as players our guys were some of the 
best out there if they were allowed to test FA. Keeping your own is a big deal and these guys are as good as it gets and Burrow ends being 
correct with HIS guys being back.

(03-20-2025, 03:47 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Dax will be the Slot Corner with Hilton gone. No way he goes back to Safety after the way he played as FS. 

He played better at SS, but that is Battle's spot IMO.

Emmanwori has the speed and range to play FS and he has the smarts and instincts to boot no matter how big he is.


Agree on Stone's days being numbered and if we get Emmanwori the writing is on the wall that Stone will be cut.

Disagree on Battle, he impresses me every time he plays pretty much. He knows how to be in the right spot and he is a decent tackler and 
has good instincts, it was stupid of Lou to bench him in the first place. If we don't go with Emmanwori or he gets picked ahead of us in the 
first, I bet we go LB like Jalon Walker or Jihad Campbell for the Viper position or an EDGE like Shemar Stewart. 

I would like Nolen or Grant too, but maybe the coaches think we are okay at DT if Kris Jenkins and McKinnley can grow into themselves 
behind BJ Hill and now Slaton.

(03-20-2025, 04:15 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I agree that Dax was playing inside much better before his misfortune. Safety certainly seems like it needs to be addressed somehow.

To the naked eye Battle seemed to play better in his rookie year. I didn't look at any numbers and last years defensive schemes were atrocious, so that probably didn't help him much. I mean, if Stone shows his Ravens form and Battle has grown then life is good and we're just shooting the shit, worried about nothing. Lol.. Fingers crossed.

I still like Sunsets idea though. Too thin in there not to go get another.

(03-20-2025, 04:59 PM)TJHoushmandzadeh Wrote: I think OT in R2 is a very real possibility. They could have them play at G and then replace Orlando Brown further down the line.

(03-20-2025, 05:14 PM)Sled21 Wrote: I don't really follow much leading up to the draft, but if Jim Miller and Pat Kirwin called it right, they said expect the 1st round to be mostly pass rushers, and OG's and DB's going late 2nd to 3rd round. They added a lot of the OT's this year will be projected as guards instead of tackles. Bottom line, 1st round is defensive line.

(03-20-2025, 04:59 PM)TJHoushmandzadeh Wrote: 3T is a massive need.

There’s no inside pass rush at all.

At least Edge (and I’m not against edge at 17) has Hendrickson, Ossai and a recent first round pick in Murphy.

LB and S is based on the expectation that Stone and Pratt will be cut. But that’s more a want than a need. You don’t have to force a pick at either.

TE is a possible need given All being out and a late round RB would make sense.

I think OT in R2 is a very real possibility. They could have them play at G and then replace Orlando Brown further down the line.


Does anyone have a list of who they’ve met with so far?