05-01-2022, 04:13 PM
I will start off by saying that I LOVED this entire draft. Literally all of it. It MAKESE SENSE given how the draft fell and it shows a definite direction the coaches are taking the roster. This draft was about 3 things to me:
1 - Completely changing the game on defense. I think the Bengals coaches are on to something philosophically unique with how they want to pin down and stop the elite QBs/offenses in the NFL. If you look at how they stopped the Chiefs 2x, their approach is reminiscent in the sense of how Golden State changed the NBA by completely changing the way basketball is played. Inside out is now outside in.
2 - Recognizing that they have tough contract choices imminent with the 2ndary players that are currently there and making those decisions EARLY. For nearly 2 decades we saw a lot of players hold the team hostage and be given larger contracts they maybe shouldn't have received because the Bengals were scared of moving on or held an affinity for them. Players had leverage at spots where maybe they shouldn't and that's now changed.
^ The Bengals have tried for 2 years to get an extension with Bates. He doesn't want it or grossly overvalues himself to the point that if they did pay him it would hamper other, more important positions. Not a problem now. They just worked towards solving that with an outstanding first round pick.
Von Bell will be 28 at the end of this season and between he, Bates, & Apple, Bell is the one I would resign... but not at an unreasonable, long term cost. The 2nd safety ensures that gun won't be put to the Bengals head.
3 - The key pieces on offense WILL be kept together when it's time to pay them due to this draft. At least, that's what the Bengals look to be setting themselves up to be able to do. I am 100% on board with that. Higgins & Chase + these 3 Rookies >>>>> Bates, Bell, & Apple. Not even a close call there. The Bengals are just flipping the deals around. Cheap rookie WRs become expensive veterans and expensive veteran DBs become cheap rookies. Simple enough.
To answer OP's question....
Favorite: GUNTER just due to this funny Jomboy video. I love that this guy roughed up D-Bag-Zach Wilson, showed good angles and pursuit of the QB, caused a fumble to win the game, and was obviously super intense because he wanted to win. The penalty on him at 2:15 is WEAK and wouldn't be called in the NFL. He actually showed restraint/awareness and let up at the last second.
I think that, for a 7th rounder, it was great that the Bengals coaches found someone like this to come in and compete for a rotational spot. GREAT!
Least Favorite: The 2nd rounder (at first). I was bummed Jurgens didn't slide down to them (pun!) and thought there were some good CBs for the 3rd round. NOTHING against the player they selected. In fact, after researching CTB and watching his interviews, I'm really excited to see this kid rotate in and around the vet DBs that are there starting and seeing if he can eventually overtake Apple on the outside.
Most Nervous For: Bates' attitude after this draft and how it may affect his play and the locker room. He has come across as clownish with some of his tweets (Last years price ain't this year's price" - or whatever it was) and how unprofessional he handled things through most of last year. He seems to think the Bengals owe him more than what his contracts have been and, personally, I side with the Bengals thus far.
1 - Completely changing the game on defense. I think the Bengals coaches are on to something philosophically unique with how they want to pin down and stop the elite QBs/offenses in the NFL. If you look at how they stopped the Chiefs 2x, their approach is reminiscent in the sense of how Golden State changed the NBA by completely changing the way basketball is played. Inside out is now outside in.
2 - Recognizing that they have tough contract choices imminent with the 2ndary players that are currently there and making those decisions EARLY. For nearly 2 decades we saw a lot of players hold the team hostage and be given larger contracts they maybe shouldn't have received because the Bengals were scared of moving on or held an affinity for them. Players had leverage at spots where maybe they shouldn't and that's now changed.
^ The Bengals have tried for 2 years to get an extension with Bates. He doesn't want it or grossly overvalues himself to the point that if they did pay him it would hamper other, more important positions. Not a problem now. They just worked towards solving that with an outstanding first round pick.
Von Bell will be 28 at the end of this season and between he, Bates, & Apple, Bell is the one I would resign... but not at an unreasonable, long term cost. The 2nd safety ensures that gun won't be put to the Bengals head.
3 - The key pieces on offense WILL be kept together when it's time to pay them due to this draft. At least, that's what the Bengals look to be setting themselves up to be able to do. I am 100% on board with that. Higgins & Chase + these 3 Rookies >>>>> Bates, Bell, & Apple. Not even a close call there. The Bengals are just flipping the deals around. Cheap rookie WRs become expensive veterans and expensive veteran DBs become cheap rookies. Simple enough.
To answer OP's question....
Favorite: GUNTER just due to this funny Jomboy video. I love that this guy roughed up D-Bag-Zach Wilson, showed good angles and pursuit of the QB, caused a fumble to win the game, and was obviously super intense because he wanted to win. The penalty on him at 2:15 is WEAK and wouldn't be called in the NFL. He actually showed restraint/awareness and let up at the last second.
I think that, for a 7th rounder, it was great that the Bengals coaches found someone like this to come in and compete for a rotational spot. GREAT!
Least Favorite: The 2nd rounder (at first). I was bummed Jurgens didn't slide down to them (pun!) and thought there were some good CBs for the 3rd round. NOTHING against the player they selected. In fact, after researching CTB and watching his interviews, I'm really excited to see this kid rotate in and around the vet DBs that are there starting and seeing if he can eventually overtake Apple on the outside.
Most Nervous For: Bates' attitude after this draft and how it may affect his play and the locker room. He has come across as clownish with some of his tweets (Last years price ain't this year's price" - or whatever it was) and how unprofessional he handled things through most of last year. He seems to think the Bengals owe him more than what his contracts have been and, personally, I side with the Bengals thus far.
