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(03-17-2025, 08:52 AM)TJHoushmandzadeh Wrote: It’s easier to find a bunch of average players to fit around superstars than superstars to add to average players. It gives us a point of difference over every team.
Ideally this would have been done earlier. People talk about the extra $10m a year that might have saved but not getting Tee signed up early also cost us an extra third round spent on Burton to try and replace him and maybe the 4th round spent on Charlie Jones (although that was really trying to replace Boyd).
Not re-signing Bates cost us a first round pick (Dax) and Geno Stone and Nick Scott’s contracts. His contract he signed in Atlanta looks good value now.
There’s always a premium on building through the draft. That’s the main way of acquiring great players as teams rarely let great players go. Its important that the Bengals hit in the draft this year as I don’t anticipate them drafting this high very often. It is much easier to find a difference maker at 17 than at 30 (and equally finding a solid contributor picking in the 40s than early 60s).
There should be good options at 17 (Nolan? Green?). 49 might be more of a trade back scenario to try and get some extra draft capital. Maybe they go G here as they seem to have painted themselves into a bit of a corner there. 3rd round might be a nice spot for a LBer (this is where we drafted both Logan Wilson and Pratt) but safety might be the value play here. Maybe it’s S in 3rd, LB in 4th or the other way around. The extra pick might then be a TE, RB or 2nd G. I’d expect them to double up at Edge or LB as well.
Ideally they go and get Scherff and Risner before the draft to give them a bit more flexibility.
In theory, but man the young guys on the defensive line didn't look any better with Trey on that line.
I do think CHase and Higgins help guys like Gesicki and Brown.
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Well, it seems like this was a power play by burrow and chase. To ensure Joe wants to stay, they are closer to a SB than if they messed this up.
There is a lot of trust in Al Golden to develop the recent high value picks on the defensive side of the ball.
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(03-17-2025, 09:09 AM)TecmoBengals Wrote: Some thoughts, none of which haven't been thought of by someone else:
1) Chase is deserving of his contract as the triple crown winner at WR and clearly was going to get a large contract.
2) Sure, Tee gets hurts and takes games off but I'm good with them paying a player we know is successful. Maybe Tee doesn't miss as many games or take off now that he's secured a contract. Perhaps he's more willing to tough it out or not make a business decision to take off.
3) I'm guessing in a few seasons we'll see other WRs make even more money and we'll think these contracts don't seem too expensive.
4) Duke absolutely must nail the draft and Golden must maximize defensive player success.
Good thoughts
Romo “ so impressed with Zac ...1 of the best in the NFL… they are just fundamentally sound. Taylor the best winning % in the Playoffs of current coaches. Joe Burrow” Zac is the best head coach in the NFL & that gives me a lot of confidence." Taylor led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports, en and appeared in Super Bowl LVI, the first since 1988.
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(03-17-2025, 09:22 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: Well, it seems like this was a power play by burrow and chase.
If the power player was to ensure Tee remained part of the organization then I can live with it. We're privileged to have Burrow and Chase. Let's hope the remainder of FA and the draft, plus the addition of Golden, can return this team to the playoffs.
Oh, and Zac does his part to not start the season 0-Zillion losses.
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See there, all the hand-wringing, whining and criticizing about Chase and Tee's contracts over the last month or so was for nothing. Next up is Trey.
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We can all breath a little easier. I am interested in the cash guarantees for both. This will helo set the cap for each player.
Now on to at least one starting guard to improve the OL and maybe a Edge/DE pass rusher prior to the draft.
Great job FO for getting it done and for ownership for proving the cheap narrative is just BS being spewed based on the old Bengals regimes.
Please use 2025 free agency to fix the trenches, not the draft!!!!!!!!
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I am so glad this is done.
If you see something suspicious, say something suspicious.
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Big weight off the Front Office's shoulders now. Couple of massive contracts done.
... but this does NOT move the needle.
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I don’t think they resign Trey. He’s just too expensive yet attractive to some teams. We will get a nice pick out of it. We will take an edge & DT with the first 2 picks and a CB if we get a good pick for Trey. Free Agency maybe a veteran but so so guard. The new OL coach will be huge. He will be so refreshing. He’s gonna help them all.
Romo “ so impressed with Zac ...1 of the best in the NFL… they are just fundamentally sound. Taylor the best winning % in the Playoffs of current coaches. Joe Burrow” Zac is the best head coach in the NFL & that gives me a lot of confidence." Taylor led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports, en and appeared in Super Bowl LVI, the first since 1988.
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Finally!!! At least now the Bengals have a chance for a Super Bowl for the next 4 seasons. Who knows what that chance will be this season, but at least there is a chance tho.
“Don't give up. Don't ever give up.” - Jimmy V
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(03-17-2025, 09:30 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: I don’t think they resign Trey. He’s just too expensive yet attractive to some teams. We will get a nice pick out of it. We will take an edge & DT with the first 2 picks and a CB if we get a good pick for Trey. Free Agency maybe a veteran but so so guard. The new OL coach will be huge. He will be so refreshing. He’s gonna help them all.
They're not going to trade Trey for less than a 1st, and teams aren't offering that. He'll be here this year one way or another.
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(03-17-2025, 09:25 AM)Sled21 Wrote: See there, all the hand-wringing, whining and criticizing about Chase and Tee's contracts over the last month or so was for nothing. Next up is Trey.
The only “gripe” could be the urgency. If they got this deal done just a week earlier, total money might have only been $65m/year (before Myles Garrett extension). On the flip side, everyone in the know was at the combine last month and it was probably public knowledge that $35 last year was at least 38+ this year with the 9% increase… so not detrimental in all likelihood.
The bigger miss on the timing is that, had this been done last Sunday, maybe FA looks differently and there is another body or two already in the building.
Can still get Teven Jenkins (unlikely), Brandon Scherff, will Hernandez, Jon feliciano, dalton risner….
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(03-17-2025, 09:30 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: I don’t think they resign Trey. He’s just too expensive yet attractive to some teams. We will get a nice pick out of it. We will take an edge & DT with the first 2 picks and a CB if we get a good pick for Trey. Free Agency maybe a veteran but so so guard. The new OL coach will be huge. He will be so refreshing. He’s gonna help them all.
How the Ja'Marr and Tee Higgins contracts are structured will be important. If the Bengals did the WRs like Joe's well they can give Trey a shorter large conract.
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(03-17-2025, 09:34 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: The only “gripe” could be the urgency. If they got this deal done just a week earlier, total money might have only been $65m/year (before Myles Garrett extension). On the flip side, everyone in the know was at the combine last month and it was probably public knowledge that $35 last year was at least 38+ this year with the 9% increase… so not detrimental in all likelihood.
The bigger miss on the timing is that, had this been done last Sunday, maybe FA looks differently and there is another body or two already in the building.
Can still get Teven Jenkins (unlikely), Brandon Scherff, will Hernandez, Jon feliciano, dalton risner….
Multi-player deals, especially with players like Chase and Tee, take time. People have no patience anymore.
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(03-17-2025, 09:28 AM)Synric Wrote: Big weight off the Front Office's shoulders now. Couple of massive contracts done.
... but this does NOT move the needle.
I classify it as protective. It keeps us very competitive for awhile. The WR group we don’t have to worry about for several years. They have to do better in the draft. This draft may be more important for next year. It may be a slight rebuild of defense. Hard to think if we lose Trey that things are a ton better this season. But as others have said I look for better OL coaching and defense coaching.
Romo “ so impressed with Zac ...1 of the best in the NFL… they are just fundamentally sound. Taylor the best winning % in the Playoffs of current coaches. Joe Burrow” Zac is the best head coach in the NFL & that gives me a lot of confidence." Taylor led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports, en and appeared in Super Bowl LVI, the first since 1988.
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(03-17-2025, 08:56 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Ok now sign Hendrickson to a 2-year new deal and get a RG so the Bengals can go into the draft with some flexibility.
Bengals REALLY have to draft and develop now.
No more Jackson Carmans, Billy Prices, John Rosses.
Have to get good, immediate contributors with at least 1st and 2nd round picks over these next few years.
I would say the positive to all this is, typically the 1st and 2nd round draft picks are spent on offense. Whether that be WR, or potentially a QB by the majority of teams.
However, we have our main 3 for the next 4 years as of now, you can draft for the OL, you can draft all defense if you want, hell you can target a RB in the 2nd or 3rd round to really compliment Chase Brown. I also love you have Yoshi who's making a name for himself as a WR3, and Jones at WR4...and if Burton can keep his ass straight him at WR5.
I actually like being able to focus more on defense in the draft. Draft a DT or DE in the 1st and 2nd round of the draft this year....target LB early.
I just really like the signing and keeping your star players.
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(03-17-2025, 08:56 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Ok now sign Hendrickson to a 2-year new deal and get a RG so the Bengals can go into the draft with some flexibility.
Bengals REALLY have to draft and develop now.
No more Jackson Carmans, Billy Prices, John Rosses.
Have to get good, immediate contributors with at least 1st and 2nd round picks over these next few years.
Bingo
Stop drafting high round hopefuls, projects, taking a chance at what they might be guys. Draft as proven players as you can get.
So glad the wait is over with Chase and Higgins! 
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(03-17-2025, 09:28 AM)Synric Wrote: Big weight off the Front Office's shoulders now. Couple of massive contracts done.
... but this does NOT move the needle.
It may not move the needle, but if these deals didn't get done, then there wouldn't be much of a needle to move for next few years (imo).
“Don't give up. Don't ever give up.” - Jimmy V
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This certainly makes things feel a lot better. I wish it had gotten done sooner, but I ain't gonna complain. It's done. Now for the next moves.
"Better send those refunds..."
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(03-17-2025, 08:06 AM)BrownAssClown Wrote: Pick up a little protection for Joe Burrow in FA, load up on defense in the draft and pray.
Do you really need to pray though? This defense minus the LB we lost in FA played some of it's best football in the last 8 games of the season last year.
Lou FINALLY allowed some of the young kids to play. Allowed the Battle to finally play in place of Bell which helped immensely.
I think brining in new leadership will also help the defense.
As long as Hendrickson is brought back, I think the defense is good enough to finish 10-15 ranked in the NFL but fresh additions never hurt and will only help in the long run.
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