06-18-2021, 02:54 PM
(06-14-2021, 11:59 AM)Synric Wrote: This week will be the last of the OTA's with Mandatory Mini Camp and marks 2 Months until the first pre-season game. So I thought we could look back at the Offseason moves as a whole.
The Bengals moved on from some big names this offseason including two all time Bengals greats AJ Green and Geno Atkins, but that wasnt all they also lost two starting corners William Jackson III and Mackensie Alexander plus their best Edge Rusher Carl Lawson. WJ3 and Lawson received big contracts that they may or may not have deserved after varying up and down careers in Cincinnati.
Even though Offensive Line was the biggest need in most fans minds the Bengals for the second straight year added experience in Free Agency to the Defense. Trey Hendrickson broke out for the Saints in 2020 after not getting alot of snaps in his first 3 years. He is a smart pass rusher with excellent hands but still needs reps as a run defender so we could see some growing pains in 2021. I really like the Contract the Bengals signed Hendrickson to he gets paid but it doesnt handicap the Bengals if he doesn't work out. The Bengals added corners Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton, Eli Apple all of them are still young and growing as players but experienced. Duke and Lou have built a young experienced Secondary. They also brought in Defensive Tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Ogunjobi was disruptive but inconsistent early in his career in Cleveland and was forced to play out of position in 2020 due to injuries.
Earlier in the Offseason the Bengals made two moves adding Frank Pollack and Marion Hobby to coach their two most problematic areas Offensive and Defensive Line. Duke and Taylor after adding experience to their defense set their sights on replacing Bobby Hart at Right Tackle with the Veteran Riley Reiff. This is one of my favorite moves of the off-season because Reiff is a veteran Offensive Tackle still playing at a high level despite being 32 and comes from the exact system the Bengals have wanted to run since Taylor landed in Cincy. He adds experience and leadership to a young directionless Offensive Line room and will be a huge resource for Frank Pollack along with a solid Starting Tackle. They also resigned Quinton Spain who they added mid season last year. Spain had an up and down year but its not surprising considering he bounced from LG to RG several times even mid game and also had a start at RT.
Free Agency didn't go the way most fans wanted because everyone had their hearts set on specific players but the Bengals did add some key pieces at positions of need.
Pre Draft the Bengals fan community was in sort of a civil war over the 5th pick of the draft but in reality any of the 3 targets would have been solid additions to the roster. The team went with the explosive playmaker Ja'Marr Chase. Chase adds the speed to the Bengals Wide receiver core the Bengals have been missing since Marvin Jones left in free agency in 2016. After the receiver they added heavily to the depth of both Lines which has been an issue for several years. Jackson Carman has as high of a ceiling of any offensive linemen in the draft class and a move inside could likely highlight his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. Joseph Ossai, Cameron Sample, and Tyler Shelvin add to the much needed pass rush and depth of the defensive line. D'Ante Smith is an intriguing raw prospect with all the qualities you want in an Offensive Tackle but needs at least a year. Trey Hill could be one of the biggest draft steals after an injury riddled inconsistent 2020 covid season.
I know alot of people are still upset the Bengals didnt spend through the roof on the Offensive Line but they did attack the trenches on both sides of the ball while adding experience to key positions. I really like the direction they are moving roster wise and the smart additions to the coaching staff. Im looking forward to the 2021/2022 season after a full offseason.
Who Dey.
Great post and thread Synric. I think you pretty much nailed the Offseason rebuild where it was all about the trenches, getting
Pollack and Hobby was the start of building the foundation along with the smart vet in Riley Reiff at RT and Trey Hendrickson
and Ogunjobi on the DL. We will see how the injured FA's of last year come along in Reader and Waynes as I think this could
be huge for the entire team along with coaching which is still my biggest concern with the team.
Love the roster and maybe just building up the trenches was what was needed as having a team with terrible players in the
trenches could even hinder Billy B. We will see, make or break year for Zac Taylor, lets hope the light turns on and we aren't
decimated by injuries. I also am looking forward to this season big time cause there are no excuses, last year was weird man.
Hard to judge a lot of what went on. Love the additions of Chase, Carman, Ossai, Cam Sample, D'Ante Smith, Trey Hill, Chris
Evans, Wyatt Hubert and maybe the most elusive weapon in Evan McPherson. This guy could be a great kicker for us.
Also loved how they attacked the Secondary, if there is one thing that Lou is good with it is the Secondary.
