Thoughts from Lap on LB, O-line, free agency

[wildcatnku24]

(12-31-2019, 06:44 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: We only need 1 linebacker.  We only use 2 most of the time.

We did only use 2, but I'd guess that's because we don't have a third worth anything.

I may be one of the few, but I really liked Vigil's play once Brown was released.  And of course, towards the end of the season, Pratt started looking like what I watched of his college tape.

In my very uneducated opinion, we get a linebacker with our 2nd pick (Kenneth Murray) and watch our for this LB crew.  

[*psychdoctor*]

(12-31-2019, 05:50 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I agree with Lap that Johnson could be our RT next year. He has shown a lot of promise and seems to have a real upside.

If that's the case, then it's Jonah and Johnson at the tackles, with Hopkins locked in at C. So what direction do we go at guard?

Do we roll with Jordan and Miller again next year? Try moving Hart to G? Sign or draft someone else to come in and start?

I think the Bengals should consider 2 IOL in the draft (one of them able to play Center in case injury to Hopkins), and OT in the top 4 rounds.  If the Bengals trade Dalton for maybe a 2nd & 5th, then they could maybe get Kindley or Biadasz or Adams/Jackson (OT) in round 2.   

There are not many top tier backers this year but there are several that would meet the needs for this team in: Dye, Brooks, Simmons, Baun, Phillips, and Surratt. I think Landman will be a sleeper and after looking at Surratt, I think he will be very good.  Surratt, Landman, and Woodward can be available in rounds 5-6.  

[wildcatnku24]

(12-31-2019, 05:18 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: The fans opinion shouldn't really be a factor if they believe they are doing what is best for the team.. right? 

I don't like the idea that the only reason they are going to go harder in FA is because fan attendance was at an all time low. They try to win us back by 'throwing us a bone' and then go back to their old ways.

The way I see it, Lapham is a fan just like us.  He listens to us, and is likely our voice into the organization.  I was pleased with his remarks, as that likely means he's vocalizing that same thing with the brass, which is that we're tired of the seemingly non-commital attitude towards bolstering our remedial roster.  

I think this new staff is not like the old, in that it's going to likely pay attention to things outside the building and try to incorporate winning ways here.  I don't see ZT as a guy that'll put up with failing.  I just don't.

[XenoMorph]

(12-31-2019, 05:50 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I agree with Lap that Johnson could be our RT next year. He has shown a lot of promise and seems to have a real upside.

If that's the case, then it's Jonah and Johnson at the tackles, with Hopkins locked in at C. So what direction do we go at guard?

Do we roll with Jordan and Miller again next year? Try moving Hart to G? Sign or draft someone else to come in and start?

well even if we have our Starting OGs already i think they will look to sure up depth with some draft picks at the very least.

[*bengalfan74*]

(12-31-2019, 05:23 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: Yeah, I agree with that. They should be doing everything they can, every single year, to get better. All we have to do is look at this past offseason - one of the laziest I've ever seen - to know that they're not always trying their hardest.

I would love to know who was calling the shots last offseason ? 

And whoever/whatever it was, change the method and shot caller this season. 

[XenoMorph]

(12-31-2019, 05:30 PM)uticabengalfan Wrote: Was let go today by the bears. Previously the o line coach at Notre Dame with several very good lineman in the nfl. Be nice to see us kick the tires on him. Him, callahan, there has to be better options than Turner

now for as many moving and partialy retired pieces we had playing out there this year....   I have a hard time knowing if its turners fault at all or if turner was the only thing that kept our QBs alive

[XenoMorph]

(12-31-2019, 06:04 PM)Nately120 Wrote: Turner is the Brutus Beefcake to ZT's Hulk Hogan, so good luck replacing him.

you saying we gotta wait for ZT to join the NWO? (turn heel?)

[THE PISTONS]

(12-31-2019, 05:30 PM)uticabengalfan Wrote: Was let go today by the bears. Previously the o line coach at Notre Dame with several very good lineman in the nfl. Be nice to see us kick the tires on him. Him, callahan, there has to be better options than Turner

Is he best friends with Zac?

[grampahol]

(12-31-2019, 05:23 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: Yeah, I agree with that. They should be doing everything they can, every single year, to get better. All we have to do is look at this past offseason - one of the laziest I've ever seen - to know that they're not always trying their hardest.

They tried real hard to go skiing in the Alps when Andy got benched.. That doesn't count? 

[t3r3e3]

(12-31-2019, 06:44 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: We only need 1 linebacker. We only use 2 most of the time.

Since most of the current LB’ers on the roster are garbage, I’d argue 3-4 upgrades throughout the rotation are warranted. The LB corps has been a weak link for years. It’s time to fix it. Trotting out scrubs like Vigil, Evans, etc. is embarrassing.

[THE PISTONS]

(12-31-2019, 06:52 PM)wildcatnku24 Wrote: Jordan at LG and Price at RG.   Start Price at RG in training camp, let him process this offseason not being Center (which he was better at G at tOSU anyways) and I think it'll be just fine.  This year we simply kept losing people and putting people everywhere.  

I believe I've also read that Price wasn't healthy this year, so that may be why they just sat him.  

We cant go into next year with Price pencilled in as a starter anywhere. Hes terrible.

Make him a backup and see if he develops in practice.

[THE PISTONS]

(12-31-2019, 05:15 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: He said the fans are hungry and the Bengals need to prove they're serious about fixing the roster.

An organization should look to improve every year...not just as a pr move.

[grampahol]

Oh c'mon.. Ya'll got it all wrong! There's an unemployed piano player out there somewhere.. 

[GreenCornBengal]

(12-31-2019, 05:50 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I agree with Lap that Johnson could be our RT next year. He has shown a lot of promise and seems to have a real upside.

If that's the case, then it's Jonah and Johnson at the tackles, with Hopkins locked in at C. So what direction do we go at guard?

Do we roll with Jordan and Miller again next year? Try moving Hart to G? Sign or draft someone else to come in and start?

I think you have to plug Hart in at Guard if he can play that position, especially considering his contract value.

For all the hate on Hart (and rightfully so due to his poor play), I will say he is a high character guy. Every big play, I see Hart there celebrating much like Joe Mixon does after any big play from his team. Watch some highlights, he is always pumped and congratulating his teammates. He also has his guys back, if there is a scrum, you know Bobby Hart will be there defending his guys. For what little it's worth, I like his energy and character.. .he just needs to get better at his actual job lol.

[t3r3e3]

(12-31-2019, 07:22 PM)grampahol Wrote: Oh c'mon.. Ya'll got it all wrong! There's an unemployed piano player out there somewhere.. 

Why evaluate lineman on play, measurables, demeanor, etc. when you can use a ketchup bottle...

[grampahol]

(12-31-2019, 07:37 PM)t3r3e3 Wrote: Why evaluate lineman on play, measurables, demeanor, etc. when you can use a ketchup bottle...

Someday in the future pundits will be talking about reading the ketchup bottles instead of tea leaves.. Piano players everywhere rejoice.. 

[HarleyDog]

(12-31-2019, 07:37 PM)t3r3e3 Wrote: Why evaluate lineman on play, measurables, demeanor, etc. when you can use a ketchup bottle...

Why does that read like a porn script?

[*pally*]

(12-31-2019, 07:00 PM)XenoMorph Wrote: well even if we have our Starting OGs already i think they will look to sure up depth with some draft picks at the very least.

Detroit's Graham Glasgow, older brother of Ryan Glasgow,  is a FA this year.  He was their starting center in 2019 but in 2017-2018 he started at LG,  He would be more expensive than a draftee but might want a chance to play on the same team as his brother

[Fan_in_Kettering]

(12-31-2019, 05:02 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: LB is our weakest area I think you have to draft a lb in first 3 rounds for sure.

Yes, and it might help to put more than two of them on the field at the same time.

[*Synric*]

(12-31-2019, 05:13 PM)Au165 Wrote: LB is a weak position this year in Free Agency unfortunately as of now, however maybe a surprise cut or two comes up. A guy like Joe Schobert or Corey Littleton may be the best available options.

Jamie Collins is an option as a OLB. He fits their usual FA Linebackers too.