Pratt requests trade

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

He thinks he's a 3 down LB when he isn't.

But still decent value as a 2 down guy. I wouldn't jettison just because he asks. Trey asked out last year.

But if Walker falls in our lap, or someone gives us a 3rd, then I'd do it.

[coachmcneil71]

(02-13-2025, 01:29 AM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote:

That is not a foundational piece. His one good season coming in a contract year kind of speaks for itself.

Numbers didn't int Carr to seal the deal in the Raiders playoff game. Numbers didn't strip TK to help beat the Chiefs either. Numbers are great for some things, but they don't measure all things. And, he was a foundational piece for the team that made it to the Bowl. Team Captain! No arrests! 

I don't give two shits or a F if he leaves, but I'll give credit where it is due, unlike others. 

[*michaelsean*]

(02-13-2025, 02:32 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: Numbers didn't int Carr to seal the deal in the Raiders playoff game. Numbers didn't strip TK to help beat the Chiefs either. Numbers are great for some things, but they don't measure all things. And, he was a foundational piece for the team that made it to the Bowl. Team Captain! No arrests! 

I don't give two shits or a F if he leaves, but I'll give credit where it is due, unlike others. 

I’ll remember that play a long time, but it was fourth down so incompletion just as effective, and even if the receiver caught it, he was moving away from the end zone with someone right on him. But the interception is certainly more satisfying.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-13-2025, 02:32 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: Numbers didn't int Carr to seal the deal in the Raiders playoff game. Numbers didn't strip TK to help beat the Chiefs either. Numbers are great for some things, but they don't measure all things. And, he was a foundational piece for the team that made it to the Bowl. Team Captain! No arrests! 

I don't give two shits or a F if he leaves, but I'll give credit where it is due, unlike others. 

I will give Playoff P credit for the Super Bowl year of course. But that has been a few years and been a few years of mediocrity at best and
bad tackling trying to live off the Kelce punch out which has hurt the rest of the Defense. We can do much better moving forward at LB.

[*Synric*]

Speaking of tackling this is interesting quote from nfl.com and next gen stats.

Quote:Rank 16
Cincinnati Bengals
GRADE: 79.0 (C+)
Only seven teams surrendered more points per game in 2024 than the Cincinnati Bengals, but tackling wasn't the primary source of their troubles. The Bengals ranked sixth in tackle efficiency (88.3%) and didn't have a single defender dip below an 80% tackle rate (minimum of five opportunities). Leading the way was Logan Wilson, who posted the sixth-highest tackle efficiency rate in the NFL among inside linebackers (92.9%). However, while Cincinnati defenders didn't miss often, the consequences were significant when they did -- the Bengals allowed 6.3 yards per missed tackle, the third-most in the NFL.

https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-all-32-teams-by-tackling-metrics-chiefs-dominate-broncos-crack-top-three-lions-pace-nfc?campaign=Twitter_atn

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-13-2025, 03:28 PM)Synric Wrote: Speaking of tackling this is interesting quote from nfl.com and next gen stats.


https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-all-32-teams-by-tackling-metrics-chiefs-dominate-broncos-crack-top-three-lions-pace-nfc?campaign=Twitter_atn

Yeah, bad timing on those missed tackles. Seemed like it was like that all year. You need to make those tackles to stop a big play from happening.

Surprised Logan was as good as he was tackling last season, he really disappointed me but he might of been playing with injury a bit for some sort
of an excuse. Pratt was healthy for most of the year if I am not mistaken. Hilton was a very good tackler for us late in the year from what I saw while 
Stone was still missing tackles left and right even if he got better in coverage.

[Au165]

(02-13-2025, 03:28 PM)Synric Wrote: Speaking of tackling this is interesting quote from nfl.com and next gen stats.


https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-all-32-teams-by-tackling-metrics-chiefs-dominate-broncos-crack-top-three-lions-pace-nfc?campaign=Twitter_atn

Especially in the run game, they did not play team defense well. There was little emphasis on funneling guys into help and so when guys did miss they were gone. 

[coachmcneil71]

(02-13-2025, 03:04 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I will give Playoff P credit for the Super Bowl year of course. But that has been a few years and been a few years of mediocrity at best and
bad tackling trying to live off the Kelce punch out which has hurt the rest of the Defense. We can do much better moving forward at LB.

I absolutely agree! He's always been a liability in coverage even with the playoff int. I wasn't real fond of the way he was dog cussing a young Ossai in the tunnel after the last AFC chip game either. 

As you mentioned, I'm just giving him his deserved props for the two AFC Chips and SB run. He was definitely contributing during that time. 
Being in the top ten in tackling means two things; he's around the ball, a lot, and that teams defense probably sucks. Both of which were true in this case.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-13-2025, 03:04 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Playoff P

Important to note he was a 2-down LB then. Then he got paid, was moved to being a 3-down LB, and hasn't seen the playoffs since.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-13-2025, 04:09 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I absolutely agree! He's always been a liability in coverage even with the playoff int. I wasn't real fond of the way he was dog cussing a young Ossai in the tunnel after the last AFC chip game either. 

As you mentioned, I'm just giving him his deserved props for the two AFC Chips and SB run. He was definitely contributing during that time. 
Being in the top ten in tackling means two things; he's around the ball, a lot, and that teams defense probably sucks. Both of which were true in this case.

For sure have to give him props for those 2 years. He was a good player for us and integral in helping us make a run at a Super Bowl 
and another AFC Championship. Short lived league though in terms of having to move on once a player can no longer help to the degree
we need.

(02-13-2025, 05:10 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Important to note he was a 2-down LB then. Then he got paid, was moved to being a 3-down LB, and hasn't seen the playoffs since.

Yes sir. That is what he should still of been honestly, we overpaid and moved him to a spot that is clearly too much for him.

The mistake is more on the FO and coaches, but it is on him as well not improving into the 3 down LB he was paid like.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-13-2025, 06:58 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yes sir. That is what he should still of been honestly, we overpaid and moved him to a spot that is clearly too much for him.

The mistake is more on the FO and coaches, but it is on him as well not improving into the 3 down LB he was paid like.

He wouldn't have re-signed if he was kept as/paid as a 2-down LB. He was very public to the media that he wanted to play 3rd downs and he wanted the money that came along with it.

I agree that it was a failing to cave to his demands because he wasn't capable of it, but also how many Bengals fans would have been up in arms if they let him walk after 2022 and let him walk to somewhere that would be willing to commit to him playing more downs?

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-13-2025, 07:02 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: He wouldn't have re-signed if he was kept as/paid as a 2-down LB. He was very public to the media that he wanted to play 3rd downs and he wanted the money that came along with it.

I agree that it was a failing to cave to his demands because he wasn't capable of it, but also how many Bengals fans would have been up in arms if they let him walk after 2022 and let him walk to somewhere that would be willing to commit to him playing more downs?

Great points as usual. Looking back we probably should of signed another LB that could play 3 downs, but hey hindsight is 20/20 and most of
us were willing to give him a chance as a 3 down LB. He was a favorite around here until he just wanted to punch the ball out instead of tackle.

Lots of Bengals fans would of been up in arms if we had let him walk. Maybe me included. But I think we all would of seen the same thing some
where else, that he is not a 3 down LB.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

(02-13-2025, 01:50 AM)jj22 Wrote: We’ve all watched him win big games for us. No need for some chart when we have eyes. He’s a playmaker. The only one we can count on in big games, big moments, playoffs outside of Trey. If they cut him or trade him so be it. But he’s done nothing to deserve the way fans have turned on him this last year. But fans have fully turned on him for some reason not just on the board but across the jungle. 

He’s done too much to ignore and has been key in championship runs. Just because a players play may fall of at 30 does t mean fans should turn on them. 

Soon we won’t have any players on defense that has experienced playoff wins. Understand how to win in the playoffs. That’s noteworthy. Don’t underestimate players inability to step up in big games. It isn’t easy as we see every year in the playoffs. 

Pratt hasn’t been arrested, hasn’t held out, hasn’t embarrassed the fans or team, is a captain. So why all the hate? What did I miss? Fans still mad he yelled at Ossai?

He did ask to be traded, and did embarrass Ossai and the team with his tantrum after Ossai hit you know who to draw a penalty.

Pratt is trying to hard to be "Big Play Pratt" when he just needs to be "Wrap Up Pratt" who takes better angles.

I appreciate what he did, and will appreciate whatever he brings in trade.

Like Hendrickson said, helping the Bengals by being here or bringing in improvement via trade. 

[J24]

The only reason why he was resigned in 2023 is because the Bengals knew they were going to lose both Bell and Bates in free agency. They didn't want to leave free agency in letting all three of their best free agents go. Similar to letting Kirkpatrick go.

[SunsetBengal]

(02-13-2025, 05:10 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Important to note he was a 2-down LB then. Then he got paid, was moved to being a 3-down LB, and hasn't seen the playoffs since.

It's tough for a guy like him to admit that he's limited in his abilities. There's no shame in it, he 100% effort, every down. It's just simply that once there is enough film for savvy OCs to know, playing 3rd down becomes incredibly more difficult than defending a pass on 2nd down. Not to mention all of the late tackles due to attempts to dislodge the ball. 3rd down certainly has been Germaine's nemesis.

[sandwedge]

(02-12-2025, 08:06 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Good. He’s one of my least liked bengals. Stone takes the cake. But I’m sick of seeing Pratt miss tackles or tackle 9 yards down the field. We need a thumper and someone who can get pressure.

Doubt anyone would want to trade for him

He definitely became an arm tackler 

[sandwedge]

(02-12-2025, 11:05 PM)The D.O.Z. Wrote: I wonder if LB now becomes a real first round possibility. I can’t remember the kid’s name but I saw a top LB mocked to us. The knock is he is an off-ball LB? What does the free agent LB crop look like this year? I doubt we bring in a top LB to replace Pratt, this front office already has a ton on their plate with Chase, Hendrickson, and Higgins. Then there is the IOL and finding another pass rusher opposite Trey for the DLine. That’s a LOT to cover. Do we go with Wilson and ADG? Wilson and Njongmeta with ADG in a possible Golden’s “viper” role? Add a late round LB for depth behind those guys?

The less we see ADG on the field, the better the Defense will be...

[sandwedge]

(02-13-2025, 07:02 AM)BengalsBong Wrote: Big difference between tackling someone at or behind the LOS as opposed to getting drug down the field or run over top of and still making the tackle 5 to 10 yards downfield.

He is Brian "Puddins" Simmons 2.0

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-13-2025, 07:02 AM)BengalsBong Wrote: Big difference between tackling someone at or behind the LOS as opposed to getting drug down the field or run over top of and still making the tackle 5 to 10 yards downfield.

aka 2010 Dhani Jones, who was 11th in the NFL in tackles.

[*Go Cards*]

(02-13-2025, 10:42 AM)ERIC1 Wrote: so let me get this straight..when you had lunch with Pratt last week..he told you 'the ship was falling apart" and he did not want to go down with it

Still afloat equates to falling apart ? 

Yet last season the defense did fall apart and it seems Pratt does not want to be part of the overhaul to fix per his trade demand. 

But no, I did not have lunch or dinner with him per he declined my invite.