(05-30-2020, 02:31 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: "You have to take it," Su'a-Filo said when asked about the starting job on the Bengals Booth Podcast. "Everything's earned that way and I know that it's not going to be easy ever coming in to a new place with a new system with other players to complete. That's what I'm planning to do and I'm very, very excited."

"I've done a lot of reps and taken a lot of work on the right side, especially in practice and some preseason [games]," Su'a-Filo said. "Getting comfortable there in a game is something that is going to have to be by experience, but I definitely feel good there and getting in a right-handed stance and doing things on the right side — it's not foreign to me."

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/xavier-sua-filo-bengals

(05-31-2020, 05:22 PM)jj22 Wrote: Hopefully they decide on the line early this year. I think playing musical chairs up to week 1 hurt everyone's development last year.

(05-31-2020, 07:04 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree, but you also have to remember they had some unexpected developments occur, that put them in scramble mode.  Clint Boling's sudden retirement, the Jonah Williams injury are the biggest highlights of the list.  Billy Price not emerging into the star that many of us thought he would be has to also be right up there.

So it seems like XSF is going to be the leading competitor for the RG spot, and he's excited and welcoming the chance to win a starting role.  Personally, I'm glad that he's on the team.  I feel like he has the talent as well as the competitive drive to make a difference.  Obviously, I'm also stoked about Jonah Williams, from all accounts that I've read, enjoying a successful recovery from shoulder surgery.  Part of what I'm about to say might seem like blind homerism, and that doesn't bother me though.  I truly feel like Mike Jordan is going to springboard off of the late season success that he enjoyed last year, and really take a huge step forward as a dependable LG in the NFL.  If Hopkins can simply maintain the level of play that he established last season, I feel that with improved Guard play around him, he will at least appear to be even better than he looked last season.  In my immediate mind, the only position that isn't already "solidified", at least on paper, is the RT spot.  The heat will really be on Bobby Hart to get it done, as I feel like Fred Johnson and the rookie, Adeniji will be hot on his trail for those reps.

(06-02-2020, 01:37 AM)Bengal Dude Wrote: Honestly, the XSF signing feels like the Webb signing from last season. An underwhelming player brought in with the expectation to start. He struggled in the beginning of his career with Houston. What seems to be forgotten in the team's hype of XSF is that he signed with the Titans in 2018 and was released at final cuts. He only started in Dallas due to injuries and didn't show munch until last year.

(05-31-2020, 07:04 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree, but you also have to remember they had some unexpected developments occur, that put them in scramble mode.  Clint Boling's sudden retirement, the Jonah Williams injury are the biggest highlights of the list.  Billy Price not emerging into the star that many of us thought he would be has to also be right up there.

So it seems like XSF is going to be the leading competitor for the RG spot, and he's excited and welcoming the chance to win a starting role.  Personally, I'm glad that he's on the team.  I feel like he has the talent as well as the competitive drive to make a difference.  Obviously, I'm also stoked about Jonah Williams, from all accounts that I've read, enjoying a successful recovery from shoulder surgery.  Part of what I'm about to say might seem like blind homerism, and that doesn't bother me though.  I truly feel like Mike Jordan is going to springboard off of the late season success that he enjoyed last year, and really take a huge step forward as a dependable LG in the NFL.  If Hopkins can simply maintain the level of play that he established last season, I feel that with improved Guard play around him, he will at least appear to be even better than he looked last season.  In my immediate mind, the only position that isn't already "solidified", at least on paper, is the RT spot.  The heat will really be on Bobby Hart to get it done, as I feel like Fred Johnson and the rookie, Adeniji will be hot on his trail for those reps.

(06-02-2020, 01:42 AM)Joelist Wrote: Not really. Webb never really showed anything. XSF not only broke into the lineup last year but he was actually good - their run offense was rather better when he was in there.

(06-02-2020, 08:18 AM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: I disagree. 
Webb was a late body signing by.the staff who had coached him before more or less just being ok with him having been in Lous system in the past. 

XSF is not a body signing. He is here to compete.

Typically OL improve til about year 7, then they are at their peak in years 8-12 before they start to decline.

Webb was 29 when we signed him. Db's that haven't shown anything up to that age usually aren't going to. 

Dbs peak in their 3rd year, after that, they usually show a slow but steady decline. Ofc as always their is exceptions like Woodson, Peterson and Daryl Green, but this is the general rule.

Anyways, I can't really name a DB that has been in the league for 5+ years that suddenly became a starter for a few years like I can guys on the OL. 

Ps speaking of OL, wasn't our LS Clark Harris named to his first Pro-Bowl at the age of 30-31? 

(06-02-2020, 03:06 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Agreed, Webb was a depth signing, XSF is competing for a starting spot and has very high upside.



Agree as well. Nice post Mike. I see no similarity whatsoever between the Webb and the XSF signing.

(05-31-2020, 10:18 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: What is so awesome about this is the competition.

Every starter better watch his ass.

(06-02-2020, 08:12 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If people remember, Webb was signed as insurance for Dennard, as Dennard was still a FA at that point.
So, technically, Webb was originally signed to be the starting slot CB.

(06-03-2020, 02:01 AM)PAjwPhilly Wrote: Redmond will be back day 1. Price will be healthy and facing bust status.... I don't know much about XSF other than Cowboys back-up to starter, not a big FA splash. Adeniji was a OT in college but suspected to be a NFL OG.... People think Fred beats Hart, but I am not a Hart hater. He was and still is so young getting NFL reps...


I think our OL might not eliminate us before the season starts. But I think any OL issues will be magnified in a rookie QB, even if you worship at the Burrow shrine.

(06-03-2020, 06:59 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: So we just gave Dennard a 1 year deal last year? I don't remember?

(06-03-2020, 06:59 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Yes, that's what they did.

(06-03-2020, 07:02 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Thanks, speaking of the Slot I hope we have an unwritten agreement that we will give Mackenzie Alexander an extension 
next year. Think this guy could be an upgrade over Dennard as our Slot corner and Viking fans were furious losing him.

(06-03-2020, 07:19 PM)Joelist Wrote: Alexander is about the same as Dennard vs the pass but hugely superior versus the run and tackles well. All part of the theme in our defensive offseason pickups. 

(06-02-2020, 03:06 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Agreed, Webb was a depth signing, XSF is competing for a starting spot and has very high upside.



Agree as well. Nice post Mike. I see no similarity whatsoever between the Webb and the XSF signing.

(06-04-2020, 01:10 AM)Bengal Dude Wrote: XSF is 29 years old. Not exactly an age where a player has high upside.