Bogus trade rumors

[*SHRacerX*]

(01-16-2020, 01:09 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: If we trade the top pick I will be 100% done with this team. Wouldn't it be so Mike Brown to NOT give up Akili Smith for a slew of picks, but to pass on what looks like an all-time great because he "learned his lesson"? Ugh.

To answer your question, I'd look at signing at least one top lineman. I'd rather it be a younger guy who can stick around for a few years, but I wouldn't hate bringing back Whit for one year.

I'd also look at bringing in a veteran pass catching TE. Eifert is pretty washed, Uzomah is meh and Drew Sample - at best - can't be relied upon in 2019. Lastly, I'd trade Dalton or cut him loose, then sign a veteran like Mike Glennon, Drew Stanton or Blake Bottles.

After signing those 2-3 players in free agency, I'd focus the draft on solidifying the team around Burrow. Look at top LBs, pass rushers and maybe WR's and more o-linemen.

This is just too perfect.  Burrow is full of personality and leadership.  I was the first to stick up for Dalton's play  but those are not his strengths.  He has proven to be clutch as well.  He is from Ohio, and he is the kind of guy that wanted to bring a program (Nebraska) "back to prominence".  How many college kids want that over just being able to start or be surrounded by the best talent. If I could have changed anything about Burrow, it would be his mobility/speed.  I think Lawrence has a bit more speed, but Joe showed me has more than enough mobility and speed.  He reminds me more of Aaron Rogers in his shuffle and spins, but when he takes off he moves pretty well.  I also love the fact that the OSU transfer was able to get the entire organization and team to back him.  That's no small task being from the outside.  

Ok, enough of me slobbering over Burrow.

I wasn't sure how Scheff scored on PFF, but both he and Thuney were ranked very high.  I would love either of them, but prefer Thuney only because it hurts the Pats and he is a local kid.  Add him and a rangy LB like Littleton and you have addressed two huge holes on this roster.  Of course, they should probably still draft an OT and more depth at LB but they wouldn't have to be with their second rounder.  I remember Rich Gannon, who was calling the SD/Bengals game years ago when Whit moved to LG saying "Whit could move to guard and play another 10 years".  He was exaggerating, but still.  I love the idea of him coming back for two more years while Michael Jordan develops. 

Williams- Whit- Hopkins- Thuney- Hart/Draft pick...yes, please.  Although I would love to see one of the top WR candidates there at #33, if all the elite talent is gone at WR, I would hope they could slide back and get a second 2nd rounder.  Maybe a stud safety to bump Shawn Williams out of the lineup?

I could see a veteran TE, but I really like Uzomah.  He seems to be taking advantage of his somewhat limited opportunities.  Eifert, I agree, looked very slow and seems to have lost his greatest asset.  Maybe a later round pick?  The TE doesn't seem to be too big a part of this offense, but I thought they looked very good in two TE sets toward the end of the year, and the running game improved as well.  

The fact that FA is set up before the draft allows them to be aggressive and then be able to target very specific areas and avoid needing a draft pick to start as a rookie (Jordan, Willis, UDFA).  I know everyone is going to say it won't happen, but I really think that getting Burrow and the focus on getting he protection from day 1 will make the Bengals do what they rarely have done in the past relative to FA.