01-14-2025, 06:05 PM
(01-14-2025, 05:24 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: It seems like many of us are leaning toward another free agency makeover on defense, which I agree with to a degree. First and foremost, I feel like any good coach or coordinator should customize his scheme to maximize the ability of the players that he has available to him. Now, some facets carry over to all defensive schemes, things like stopping the run and rushing the passer. DL and LB should be the position groups under the most scrutinization with regard to stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Secondly, while some free agency upgrades are in order for the defensive side of the ball, I just don't know that they'll have the money to spend on upgrading potentially 4-6 spots. The Front Office definitely needs to be going into this offseason with a specific plan to get extensions and re-signings done as soon as possible, so that they can see what is left for free agent wheeling and dealing. While the secondary should experience a little self healing, by getting starters lost to injury back, not much money should be earmarked to that position group. Maybe sign Hilton to a 1-2 year deal?
LBs are a little different story. They'll need to take a hard look at Pratt and decide if his poor tackling issues can be remedied and if he's still worth his contract. Having Wilson back will be huge boost to the unit. Most of the reserves are at or near the end of their rookie deals, so they may just use a mid-late round pick or UDFA selections to restock the reserve LB/STs guys.
DL is where most of the focus should be on remedying what's been wrong with the Bengals defense. They need to keep Trey happy, give him a 2 year extension. It's time to make a hard decision on Hubbard and cut him for the cap savings. That money plus a little extra could land a solid veteran while they determine if Murphy is going to sink or swim. I still think that they need to draft another DE, in addition to replacing Hubbard, as I have little faith in any of the other reserves stepping up. DT, they likely need to re-sign BJ Hill for another year or two, cut Rankins and reinvest that money, as well as continue to invest early draft picks to the interior. While Jenkins and Jackson looked like they could turn into starting players, they'll still need quality guys to rotate with.
Yes the DC should be a 4-3 guy as that is our personnel.
Well said, I think bringing back Mike Hilton and BJ Hill is essential as there are no players that will be cheaper that would be an upgrade at
this point in this FA. Now with the wastes in roster spots in Rankins and Stone, those are easy cuts, maybe Cappa as well and that will free
up a lot of dough which we will need anyways for others as well as the Chase and Trey extensions. I know you are not for bringing back Tee,
but I think that it will happen through a Burrow restructure of some sort.
Have to cut Hubbard's contract and if we bring him back cheaper as a backup, so be it. Honestly, this isn't that bad of a roster as long as we
make some nice moves and have a good Draft. Like Rex Ryan said, whoever we bring in should be chomping at the bit. With Burrow, Chase
and Trey we have 3 of the best players in the NFL to build around for another SB run.
