{The Ultimate Bengals Offseason Extravaganza Thread}

[Southpaw Frerotte]

(03-11-2025, 02:57 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Talk about a radical response out of nowhere. Julius Pepper eh? lol

When people talk like this it is better just not to respond.

But I am a sucker I guess. We have new coaches on the the Defense and on the OL. Us bringing back Ossai doesn't hurt anything, if we 
didn't bring in anyone, that would be bad. Do you disagree?


Spot on Ike.

So you're in the boat the defensive issues last year were 100% coaching?  We've seen what Ossai can and cannot do.  From my standpoint, it doesn't move the needle on improving our pass rush from last year.  Come to think of it, there's been no roster improvements to our pass rush thus far.  

[THE PISTONS]

(03-11-2025, 03:04 PM)Southpaw Frerotte Wrote: So you're in the boat the defensive issues last year were 100% coaching?  We've seen what Ossai can and cannot do.  From my standpoint, it doesn't move the needle on improving our pass rush from last year.  Come to think of it, there's been no roster improvements to our pass rush thus far.  

I do think that for whatever Lou played guys that didn't produce. When Hubbard and some other guys went out of the lineup, sometimes replaced by low draft picks...the defense played somewhat better.

Of course, by that point we were out of it.

[coachmcneil71]

(03-11-2025, 02:51 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Yep. Ossai is a guy with 9.5 sacks in 4 years.

I will say that he did come on last year when given playing time.

He's actually ascending! That's why him and his agent DM only signed for 1 year 7 mill. They think he's going to break the bank next season, and there's a good chance that he will. PT is not going to be an issue for him. He's going to play a ton of snaps.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-11-2025, 03:00 PM)Tomcat Wrote: Niners just released Leonard Floyd and he's had 8+ sacks for 5 straight year. This would be a solid insurance policy for the DL!

Would really like Floyd in stripes.

(03-11-2025, 03:04 PM)Southpaw Frerotte Wrote: So you're in the boat the defensive issues last year were 100% coaching?  We've seen what Ossai can and cannot do.  From my standpoint, it doesn't move the needle on improving our pass rush from last year.  Come to think of it, there's been no roster improvements to our pass rush thus far.  

All I said was Ossai is more proven than a rookie. Not too hard to understand. Agree, we need to make some moves to improve our pass rush
but Ossai sure doesn't hurt like you are insinuating and a new DL coach and new scheme with the new coaches could certainly help our pass rush.

[Lucius Cincinnatus]

(03-11-2025, 01:56 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: He is proven. He has shown he can rush the passer in the NFL. Are you disagreeing with this?

A rookie is not proven. If we didn't bring back Ossai we would HAVE to Draft an End early or we would be incredibly thin even with Trey back.

Lol so clearly we have a different bar for what a proven pass rusher looks like. A rookie is clearly not proven. However, in the post that original caught my eye, you didn't mention a rookie. 

Here are players with a similar sack total to Ossai. Tell me if you'd consider them "proven pass rushers"

- Jonah Ellis
- Dondrea Tillman
- Keion White
- K'Lavon Chaisson
- Logan Hall

If we signed one of those players and you tried to say "we brought in a proven pass rusher", you couldn't be taken seriously

[higgy100]

(03-11-2025, 03:11 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Would really like Floyd in stripes.


All I said was Ossai is more proven than a rookie. Not too hard to understand. Agree, we need to make some moves to improve our pass rush
but Ossai sure doesn't hurt like you are insinuating and a new DL coach and new scheme with the new coaches could certainly help our pass rush.

100% agree. He was just in a bad bad place in his head a couple years ago. Trey worked with him all last preseason and taught him how to be a pro. He had a good last half of the year and I think he's ready to take a leap.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-11-2025, 03:13 PM)Lucius Cincinnatus Wrote: Lol so clearly we have a different bar for what a proven pass rusher looks like. A rookie is clearly not proven. However, in the post that original caught my eye, you didn't mention a rookie. 

Here are players with a similar sack total to Ossai. Tell me if you'd consider them "proven pass rushers"

- Jonah Ellis
- Dondrea Tillman
- Keion White
- K'Lavon Chaisson
- Logan Hall

If we signed one of those players and you tried to say "we brought in a proven pass rusher", you couldn't be taken seriously

I like the upside of White, Chaisson and especially Logan Hall but that is what you are getting really.

It is okay if you didn't want Ossai back. But he was our best pass rusher last year besides Trey which isn't saying much.

You like to argue over the little things without even trying to understand what someone means. That is you, not me.

Ossai is more proven than a rookie and that is what I was implying, but you don't understand implications.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-11-2025, 03:17 PM)higgy100 Wrote: 100% agree. He was just in a bad bad place in his head a couple years ago. Trey worked with him all last preseason and taught him how to be a pro. He had a good last half of the year and I think he's ready to take a leap.

Yeah, Ossai has disappointed me overall over his career, but if he has finally made the leap he could be really good.

I liked him since him being a Longhorn.

[THE PISTONS]

(03-11-2025, 03:06 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: He's actually ascending! That's why him and his agent DM only signed for 1 year 7 mill. They think he's going to break the bank next season, and there's a good chance that he will. PT is not going to be an issue for him. He's going to play a ton of snaps.

That's kind of what it boils down to. We need unproven guys like Ossai, Murphy, Jenkins, and some others to make a leap. I'm not a fan of that approach, but it's where we are.

[THE PISTONS]

(03-11-2025, 02:07 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: It is a terrible idea but so too is trying to hold your team ransom on contract negotiations when they need money to sign other guys.  Chase should be paid very well for what he brings to the table but if he gets too demanding the Bengals have options moving forward.  Be fair, dont be greedy or you risk forcing that type of situation.

These guys all want to be the top paid player at their position. Chase won't take less so that the team can sign more guys. These guys don't care.

Most of the teams in the league would likely make him the top paid WR. AND they'd guarantee a lot of the money too.

[Lucius Cincinnatus]

(03-11-2025, 03:18 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I like the upside of White, Chaisson and especially Logan Hall but that is what you are getting really.

It is okay if you didn't want Ossai back. But he was our best pass rusher last year besides Trey which isn't saying much.

You like to argue over the little things without even trying to understand what someone means. That is you, not me.

Ossai is more proven than a rookie and that is what I was implying, but you don't understand implications.

Lol. So you like their upside, but somehow Ossai is proven. Got it. 

As I literally just said, I think Ossai back on that contract is good. Two things can be true:

1) Ossai is not a "proven pass rusher as you said"

"Nate (formerly eliminate08)


Love it. Ossai being back really helps as we have a proven pass rusher when he is healthy, better than anyone else we got so far.


2) He is back on a good contract


I don't like to argue about little things. You say something that isn't either isn't accurate or not what you mean, then you get your feelings hurt that I either correct them, or blatantly disagree with an off-base take (i.e, Ossai is a proven rusher")


If you meant more proven than a pass rusher, you should have said it in THIS post

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-11-2025, 03:29 PM)Lucius Cincinnatus Wrote: Lol. So you like their upside, but somehow Ossai is proven. Got it. 

As I literally just said, I think Ossai back on that contract is good. Two things can be true:

1) Ossai is not a "proven pass rusher as you said"

"Nate (formerly eliminate08)


Love it. Ossai being back really helps as we have a proven pass rusher when he is healthy, better than anyone else we got so far.


2) He is back on a good contract


I don't like to argue about little things. You say something that isn't either isn't accurate or not what you mean, then you get your feelings hurt that I either correct them, or blatantly disagree with an off-base take (i.e, Ossai is a proven rusher")


If you meant more proven than a pass rusher, you should have said it in THIS post

Haven't watched those players in the NFL, I have watched Ossai, you just brought up stats which never tells the whole story.

Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't have said. Like I said before, get over yourself.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

I will say, that whilest I am not in panic mode yet, I am growing increasingly pessimistic that we do anything significant in terms of an outside FA, a big 3 deal, or a Burrow restructure.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-11-2025, 04:08 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I will say, that whilest I am not in panic mode yet, I am growing increasingly pessimistic that we do anything significant in terms of an outside FA, a big 3 deal, or a Burrow restructure.

I think they end up getting a Guard and getting Ja'Marr's deal done. 

But that is definitely not all they could of done so I understand the pessimistic thoughts.

Trey and Tee will be back I just hope they are happy about it.

[Lucius Cincinnatus]

(03-11-2025, 03:33 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Haven't watched those players in the NFL, I have watched Ossai, you just brought up stats which never tells the whole story.

Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't have said. Like I said before, get over yourself.

I don't have to tell you what you said...I showed you lol

[WeezyBengal]

Still need to get the big 3 done, a guard (or two), and a legitamate interior or edge pass rusher.

[Luvnit2]

(03-11-2025, 03:04 PM)Southpaw Frerotte Wrote: So you're in the boat the defensive issues last year were 100% coaching?  We've seen what Ossai can and cannot do.  From my standpoint, it doesn't move the needle on improving our pass rush from last year.  Come to think of it, there's been no roster improvements to our pass rush thus far.  

I won't speak for Nate, but I believe FA has not startd officially yet and we have a lot of cap room. I don't think the FO cut vets like Cappa and Rankins for no reason. I think the Bengals will upgrade the guard situation and either bring in a DE/Edge, CB or safety.

Many like you act as though we are done, we are not in my humble opinion. Wave 1 is known for a bunch of teams overpaying. Wave 2 will happen in about a week as the market settles down and the big spenders have exhausted their cap so less competition to land a good player at a reasonable offer. These tier 2 players will improve our roster.

As for Ossai and I will add Murphy, they showed great improvement the last half of 2024. Jenkins and McKinnley (especially McKinnley) showed great improvement the past part of 2024.

A team has to develop their roster. The coaches were fired because they did not develop players. Bengals FO recognized it and brought in new coaches. It will never be 1 player in FA or the draft that makes us suddenly be a Super Bowl threat, it will be mutiple reasons including better coaching and 2nd and 3rd year players stepping up and being better. Murphy is in year 3, let's see if he can step up. If not Murphy, maybe it is Ossai, if not Ossai maybe it is Johnson, or maybe  draft pick.

[Southpaw Frerotte]

(03-11-2025, 02:51 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Have you ever heard the expression, "When you are in a hole, stop digging?" 

I think priority #1 was not to lose any of our main/best guys. 

Though it is not the way we wanted, nor the way to maximize cap space, Chase/Trey/Tee are under team control. They cannot leave atm. 

BJ Hill, Gesicki, and Ossai all contributed last year. Hill & Gesticki at good levels. 

The only real contributors we lost are Hilton and ADG. Burks is a cheaper/better ADG replacement. And though Mike is an elite run defending corner, THE elite run defending corner, the coverage is starting to slip. He is still unsigned, BTW. 

Slaton is an upgrade to Jenkins/Jackson as a run stopper. A starter forca good run D in GB for 2 years. 

We cut some dead weight in Rankins, Cappa, Hubbard. 

Upgrading G, nailing the draft, and getting the Tee/Chase/Trey deals right, and a Burrow restructure will allow some more moves, if we want. But I think getting younger/cheaper/more athletic is the way for a lot of D improvements. 

There is still time to get this right.

Upgrading Guard?  That's been a reoccurring need for how many years now?
Nailing the draft?  Shouldn't this be the case for every year?  
Tee/Chase/Trey deals?  Those could have been addressed well before now
Burrow restructure?  That could have been addressed well before now

I also missed your note about upgrading the pass rush.  From my stand point, most of these could have already been addressed and yet here we stand, in basically the same spot as last year.  

[Luvnit2]

(03-11-2025, 04:25 PM)Southpaw Frerotte Wrote: Upgrading Guard?  That's been a reoccurring need for how many years now?
Nailing the draft?  Shouldn't this be the case for every year?  
Tee/Chase/Trey deals?  Those could have been addressed well before now
Burrow restructure?  That could have been addressed well before now

I also missed your note about upgrading the pass rush.  From my stand point, most of these could have already been addressed and yet here we stand, in basically the same spot as last year.  

Do you realize every player getting extremely player friendly deals get them becaus their existing team did not have the foresight to sign them at a less expensive rate prior to the year they hit FA?

Do you realize the teams like the Pats who had ver 120 miilion in cap space did not spend money wisely or they would not be drafting in the 4th position after a poor record in 2023 also. 

Why does any team over pay in FA? Simple, they did not draft well and or did not develop their players. 

The Bengals are just like the other teams, they make mistakes assembling a roster. In essence, only the Super Bowl winner had a great off season the year they win it all. The rest are losers in the end.

What is your hurry to spend money or restructure 4 guys under contract in FA? The team is focusing on developing an entire roster, one on 2025 that aready includes CHASE, HIGGINS, HENDREICKSON AND BURROW.

[samhain]

It seems that the powers that be believe two things:

1. Last season's shortcomings fall largely on the shoulders of Lou Anarumo.

2. Al Golden's ability to coach up young players is enough to make the defense, idk, okay-ish enough to win with an elite offense.

Maybe they are correct, but to me this seems unlikely. While his seeming inability to develop young players hurt the team, there's a lot you have to overlook to think that alone caused the drop-off. Lou flat-out had better players in 21 and 22. He lost some guys that were among the best at their positions.

The 21 and 22 squads had good to very good players at every level of the defense.

It's tough to escape the most basic concept here: Better players get better results. It's not a tough mental curb to climb. They got worse because the players weren't as good. Lou owns some of that because he failed to develop replacements despite high draft picks. Does he own all of it? Does a guy that built his reputation on confounding the league's most feared quarterback repeatedly all of a sudden become garbage? Eh, I have my doubts. Not letting him off the hook, just questioning the method of repair here.

This defense looks to have personnel that will be very middle of the road. Doesn't matter who runs it if you have unathletic guys like Stone playing tons of snaps.