(01-21-2023, 03:54 PM)michaelsean Wrote: He’s not going to be here next year. The Bengals are at the point where they have to lose good players. Dax needs to step up.

(01-21-2023, 04:40 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: If Bates is smart, he'd take a 2 or 3 year, home town friendly deal, it's still going to be a significant jump from his rookie deal. He's a 25 year old, 5 year vet. Get a couple of rings, show the NFL you're a team leader and then chase your huge contract as a 27, 28 year old FA. Laugh at the Jets for overpaying CJ Uzomah all you want. We all know that he provides a lot more to a team than just blocks and catches and the Jets season reflects that. If they didn't have the turmoil at QB, that's a playoff team that believes in itself. Bates can truly be that guy in a few years, maybe he feels that he's that guy now, I wouldn't blame him.

However, it would also be smart to sign as large of a FA contract somewhere else with a good chance of getting another one in 4 or 5 years. He's actually in a pretty good situation. Get a raise and continue playing with Burrow, Chase, Higgins . . . or get a huge raise and make serious bank on a team that wants to 'weaken' the Bengals.

(01-21-2023, 04:11 PM)tms Wrote: Meh... the Bengals are at the point where they're playing for a spot in the AFC CG as they chase their first Lombardi. Bates is here right now, a core member of the team, and they need him to (continue to) step up. Dax will hopefully do a decent job on his 10 snaps filling in for Flowers.  

(01-21-2023, 04:15 PM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Honestly, I think we'll miss him if we can't lock him up.

Dax hasn't shown much yet.

Bates is a big part of our defense. Been clutch in big games.

(01-21-2023, 04:15 PM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Honestly, I think we'll miss him if we can't lock him up.

Dax hasn't shown much yet.

Bates is a big part of our defense. Been clutch in big games.

(01-21-2023, 03:37 PM)Science Friction Wrote: We are not even going to Buffalo without Jesse Bates. The Fumble in the Jungle never happens if Bates doesn't make that incredible touchdown-saving tackle on Huntley a few plays before the Hubbard yard dash.  

Rewatch the play where Jesse made the tackle as Huntley was racing towards the goal line. Bates absolutely balled out to get to the Ravens' QB just in the nick of time.  Bates has played really well the second half of the season. Seems to be around the ball and making big plays in the most critical moments of huge games.  

Maybe should be called BGB (Big Game Bates).  


[video=youtube]http://[/video]

(01-21-2023, 06:35 PM)Housh Wrote: Even if that tackle is softer and Huntley is able to muscle for even 1 foot more he likely scores on that sneak

(01-21-2023, 06:06 PM)michaelsean Wrote: I mean step up next year.

(01-21-2023, 06:35 PM)Housh Wrote: Even if that tackle is softer and Huntley is able to muscle for even 1 foot more he likely scores on that sneak

(01-21-2023, 04:40 PM)Forever Spinning Vinyl Wrote: If Bates is smart, he'd take a 2 or 3 year, home town friendly deal, it's still going to be a significant jump from his rookie deal. He's a 25 year old, 5 year vet. Get a couple of rings, show the NFL you're a team leader and then chase your huge contract as a 27, 28 year old FA. Laugh at the Jets for overpaying CJ Uzomah all you want. We all know that he provides a lot more to a team than just blocks and catches and the Jets season reflects that. If they didn't have the turmoil at QB, that's a playoff team that believes in itself. Bates can truly be that guy in a few years, maybe he feels that he's that guy now, I wouldn't blame him.

However, it would also be smart to sign as large of a FA contract somewhere else with a good chance of getting another one in 4 or 5 years. He's actually in a pretty good situation. Get a raise and continue playing with Burrow, Chase, Higgins . . . or get a huge raise and make serious bank on a team that wants to 'weaken' the Bengals.

(01-21-2023, 09:52 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: So take a 2-3 year deal and win a couple Super Bowls?

I think the Bengals are capable of winning a SB, but it's by far not a sure thing. KC and Buffalo on the road are both tough. Those 3 teams will be good every year. Jax is ascending. It's going to be tough to get back.

(01-21-2023, 07:13 PM)tms Wrote: Yeah I get it. But I mean, I'd rather cross that bridge when we get to it. Too much offseason talk imo. We're 3 games away from glory.