(01-25-2016, 04:32 PM)ochocincos Wrote: "Bob McGinn, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one of the most plugged-in NFL reporters in the country, reported over the weekend that McCarthy is "fed up" with Thompson's conservative approach to free agency.

"According to several sources, McCarthy is fed up with his boss' unwillingness to take a chance and reinforce the roster with veteran players that might be unknown to the Packers but have the talent to contribute," McGinn wrote in a column that lambasted both the GM and coach for a lost season."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000628115/article/mccarthy-fed-up-with-packers-freeagency-approach

The reason I am posting this in the Front Office sub-forum of Jungle Noise is because many fans have had the same complaints with the Bengals FA approach too. While the Bengals have had good consistent success following the same approach as the Packers do, they have still plateaued.

Is the Bengals FO feeling the same heat that the Packers FO is feeling to "win now"? Do they do anything at all to change their approach?

What would the Bengals have/need to do in FA to take that next step? Any players specifically that they should try to sign?

(01-25-2016, 05:59 PM)Crowe Wrote: I don't want the Bengals to break the bank via free agency because we've seen year after year teams do this and it not work, however they do need to approach free agency with mindset to get better, they need a few better players and there are several who would help out, but we know the front office over values aging vets so I expect them to resign old players or bring in someone else's declining players.

(01-25-2016, 06:04 PM)Bengal Dude Wrote: Fans who are fans of FA, like myself, aren't looking for us to go out and spend like the Browns and Bucs. Those teams are always blowing their cap within the first week of free agency. What most of us are looking for, is the Bengals signing ONE player who looks like he can come in and contribute for a while. I mean, half the board nearly went into shock when we were meeting with Nick Fairley.

There's a magical mixing point where you can use free agency and the draft to help improve your team.

(01-25-2016, 06:11 PM)wolfkaosaun Wrote: They SHOULD take that approach and actually go after free agents.

Look at the Broncos. They drafted well AND added great free agent talent.

Talib, Ward, and Ware had great moments in that Championship game. As did Roby, Wolfe, and Miller.

Think yesterday's game further proves you need to take risks on big time free agents sometimes.

(01-25-2016, 06:11 PM)wolfkaosaun Wrote: They SHOULD take that approach and actually go after free agents.

Look at the Broncos. They drafted well AND added great free agent talent.

Talib, Ward, and Ware had great moments in that Championship game. As did Roby, Wolfe, and Miller.

Think yesterday's game further proves you need to take risks on big time free agents sometimes.

(01-25-2016, 06:04 PM)Bengal Dude Wrote: Fans who are fans of FA, like myself, aren't looking for us to go out and spend like the Browns and Bucs. Those teams are always blowing their cap within the first week of free agency. What most of us are looking for, is the Bengals signing ONE player who looks like he can come in and contribute for a while. I mean, half the board nearly went into shock when we were meeting with Nick Fairley.

There's a magical mixing point where you can use free agency and the draft to help improve your team.

(01-25-2016, 07:32 PM)BengalsRocker Wrote: Jesus F'n Christ.

Are we really going to do this carousel of rational to irrational thought again?

That this needs to be explained and debated by numb nuts who think we want Mike Brown to be a overboard spender in FA?

It's the same damn thing every year. 

It can't hurt to add experienced outside talent.  They did it with Nelson/Newman/ etc etc...

Why not add one or two who are still relatively young and near there prime sometime?

Is that really asking too much?

(01-25-2016, 07:08 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Yep. If you look at almost any SB winner, you're going to see a balance of good drafting with some smart FA pickups mixed in.

Last year the Pats had Revis and Browner at CB. Those signings helped push them over the top.

Here we are after a 5th straight one-n-done and there's no sign that the Bengals will ever alter their approach to FA. Last year we had some lip service that amounted to nothing.

(01-25-2016, 10:57 PM)CageTheBengal Wrote: Some fans seems to get so bent out of shape about our FA approach that they end up losing it and bashing the franchise big time over guys like...Nick Fairley like he was gonna make or break our season.

(01-25-2016, 11:23 PM)RagnarLothbrok Wrote: I remember that. What an annoying few weeks. 

I personally like our FA approach. We take care of our own and I think players appreciate the loyalty. I don't need a big name FA every year, I'd much rather build through the draft and sign depth from the FA.

(01-26-2016, 02:45 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Not one person on here is asking for that, and everyone agrees on "building through the draft".

Honestly, there are no teams that try to build through FA. All teams try to build through the draft. The problem is that some teams aren't good at drafting, thus they have plenty of $ to spend in FA. That's what gives FA such a bad rep. Bad teams are the ones who are drafting poorly and spending tons of $ in FA. Then people such as yourself ignore that FA is also utilized by many good teams, just not to the extent of teams like the Redskins and Bucs.

(01-26-2016, 02:57 PM)RoyleRedlegs Wrote: Right. Most of us want a solid FA addition who can be a contributor in more than just being present (AJ Hawk) 

(01-26-2016, 03:04 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Exactly. I don't expect marquee FA signings. Not with this roster. I would like to see a mid-tier signing at a weak spot every now and then.

AJ Hawk was a bottom tier signing. 31 years old and likely washed up. Signed for peanuts.

I don't mind a signing like that as long as it's an afterthought rather than a highlight.