Yesterday, 03:31 PM
(Yesterday, 03:25 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I don't think it's any big secret that our 2024 defense cost us games this past season. Moreover, our lack of pass rush in many games (besides Hendrickson) was just pathetic.
As with so many position groups there's a lot to think about/fix here, IMHO. Here they are:
Trey Hendrickson - 31 years old next season averaging 14 sacks per season over last 5 years. With back to back 17.5 sack seasons I don't think it's much of a stretch to think he's going to demand a new contract, again. Can/will the Bengals be able to keep him?
Sam Hubbard - 31 years old next season averaging about 4.5 sacks a season over last 5 years. This subject touches a nerve around here, but here is my take. They need to either cut Sam or restructure his contract and put him as a rotational backup. His career has been in decline last couple seasons and we have to get better production from our DE's not named Trey.
Myles Murphy - 24 years old next season and a 1st round draft pick in 2023. Has 3 sacks to his credit all in 2023. Hasn't moved the needle much in his young career but I doubt he's a cut candidate yet. Will he find his stride next season? I have my doubts.
Joseph Ossai - 25 next season with 9.5 career sacks. He had 5 sacks this year with all of them coming in back half of season. I believe at best he's aa rotational type backup.
And the rest: Cam Sample, Cedric Johnson, and Isaiah Thomas Sample has flashed a bit here and there and if he can come back from injury he's worth a look. Not real sure about the rest?
In summary IMHO we have to bring Trey back and we need to either go get a good free agent DE and they're expensive or pray we get a great DC that can develop this bunch we have. We have to get some pressure on opposing QB's besides Trey.
Nice thread buddy. Give Trey the extension he wants, bring back Ossai as a backup pass rusher in our rotation shouldn't be too expensive
with only 5 sacks this last year. We will see if Sam is done or not, if he can get healthy he is a hard worker and can be a good backup and
help setting the edge against the run. A new DL coach and a Free Agent End could really help out this area of the team.
As you say, we need another starter at End opposite of Trey. I would go get a FA and draft another End in the mid rounds for the new DL
coach to work with. Haven't really delved into the FA Ends yet or the Draft as far as this position yet as it is really early still.
