06-07-2017, 11:09 AM
(06-07-2017, 10:55 AM)ochocincos Wrote: And yes, when the Bengals have a top player like Whitworth, Zeitler, or even Nelson leave in FA and don't have someone in that the fans believe is at or near the same level of player, fans are skeptical. The fans don't want to see a decline at a position, especially if it means a regression in terms of W-L record.
But that's my point. Replacing established experienced players is difficult. Like I said, the NFL is littered with high priced FA signings who did not perform as expected for their new teams...and were expensive. The Bengals are smart not to get into salary cap purgatory with high priced FAs. When Whit worth left, what FA left tackle would you have wanted the Bengals to sign to replace him? And you also gotta believe that the coaches know a player better. The Bengals offer to Whitworth was good....but it was for one year. The rams offered comparable money for 2 years. I gotta think the coaches know why they didn't want to offer him a second year. Maybe they are seeing a decline in play that we are yet to notice as fans.
In any case, when you have a good roster, you are going to lose good players to FA and turnover. Having as many draft picks stocked up as possible helps to remedy some of that. And as far as regression of W-L record....the Bengals regressed with those good players still here. You have bad years. The trick is to minimize the down years which the Bengals have been very good at doing recently.
