Why the Bengals will win in 2017

[*SHRacerX*]

(05-05-2017, 08:27 PM)McC Wrote: They signed a FA who is not on his last legs.  They cut Rey and Peko.  They drafted a wideout under 6'.  They drafted a DE who is 6'3".  They are changing their approach to at least a few relatively major things.  Their first two draft picks are seemingly guys who will play a lot as rookies.  And their third pick should see PT at least as a pass rusher. 

And this all might just be the beginning.  I'm not saying they turned into the Patriots overnight.  But they clearly made changes.

I'm glad I read your response first because you nailed it (not that you needed anyone to answer it for you   

I will add one other item:  They didn't re-sign a slightly above average player for ridiculous money when it seemed everyone and their brother wanted them to.  They also didn't overpay for Whit who, as much as I love him, will be 36 this seaon and you know what they say about Father Time.

Those weren't easy decisions to make, but if the Patriots had done that they would be heralded for sticking to their championship formula and never overpaying the wrong players.  The media dogged them, and so did the fans, but in the end they had a plan should they not be able to retain either one of them and they stuck with it.  

Heck, even when it was obvious to everyone that Maualuga was done, they extended him because he was one of their draft picks.  Not only were some of their former draft picks not resigned, but they released Rey Maualuga when he was still under contract.  That almost never happens, but they made the improvements and went younger and faster.