Tee vs a NEW D

[ERIC1]

(01-03-2025, 11:30 AM)jj22 Wrote: But we on the board don't get paid and don't really have the knowledge to say this for certain. Many of the FA's we signed in 2020/2021 wasn't on anyone's radar as top FA's, (hell many said we overpaid for a relatively unknown outside of Houston in Reader).  Hilton wasn't even good enough for Pittsburg to keep. Same with Bell as the Saints were done with him and he was relatively cheap. OBy... Remember him, couldn't stick anwhere and he wasn't a top FA and he was a key piece. They were perfect for what we needed and the FO or new Coaches signed them on the rise (a year earlier than they would have been the top FA's). 

We have to trust the FA which is an issue, but theoretically just because we don't like the "top" FA names available, the Coaches / FO should know more and see some of the potential in players they are more familiar with then we as fans are. 

This whole notion that the free agent class isn't good is lazy "scouting" by board members looking at names they recognize. "Scouting" based on top FA players list on the internet. 

We don't need top FA's. We need to find up and coming talent not yet recognized who we can sign to 2nd contracts and hopefully catch on the rise as we did before.  A couple Drew Dalman and Osa Odighizuwa type signings. Kyzir White type signings. 

There are young up and coming players going into 2nd contracts that can help even if you all may not recognize the names. 

"lazy scouting by Board members"....that's funny...there are 1001 things that go into scouting a player..many of which are never discussed in public...we are passionate football fans..not scouts...and most of the discussions that we would be having would be minimized if the Bengals had more scouts and a real GM..yeah the team has hit good at times ..especially with some higher drafted players..heck we all knew the Burrow chase and Higgins would be very good..but more often than not..this organization has dropped the ball..not only in the draft..but in free agency and letting good players leave for another team........whomever they draft..if they keep Higgins or not..if they get some free agents....until this team improves remarkably in the scouting departments..again..at most we will be close but no cigar.....most of the board members on here are looking @ players to be gotten or kept. not me.........this off-season I am looking for changes administratively /organizationally that will help to ensure the future success of this team...with brown closing in on 90 years of age..the impending lease talks beginning..browns desire to keep the team in Cincinnati and in the hands of his family..and players like Burrow input..maybe we will see some changes..by the way happy new year