02-17-2025, 08:13 PM
(02-17-2025, 07:17 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: My opinion 3, I did not have a problem with Bates going for the $$ it was costing us, he actually had regressed his 2 last years with us and Reader had major injuries and really did not do that much for what the Lions paid him.. Also the problem with putting a ton of $$ to keep that offense band together, is we had the band this year and played at a peak level and missed playoffs, so maybe we need to break the band up some and put more $$ in defense
1.) No, Bates did not regress in his last two seasons here. In 2021, he lead the team in solo tackles and was regarded as the best player in the entire playoffs by PFF that season. In 2022, he lead the Bengals in interceptions with 4. He was also a top 20 S amongst PFF and top 10 in run defense as a safety according to PFF.
2a.) The Bengals can afford to pay both Tee and defensive help.
2b.) Who are you paying on defense that would give you similar value to Tee?
