Geno Stone makes his plea to remain a Bengal

[SunsetBengal]

I know that many of us would like to see his position upgraded. What do you think the chances of that happening are?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/look-bengals-safety-geno-stone-vows-to-play-better-in-2025/ar-AA1yZ1X5?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=83e46b81099a42f29dafad87afcb6a5c&ei=16

Quote:CINCINNATI — The Bengals could save substantial money if they release Geno Stone this offseason, but the embattled safety clearly wants to make up for his poor first season in Cincinnati.

He told users on X that he plans to step up his game.

"A lot more went into that," Stone said about the season-long defensive changes. "But no excuses next year I’m back on my s***."

Stone was awful in 2024, posting a 53.1 PFF grade after back-to-back seasons above 72 overall. He ranked 59th out of 66 qualified safeties in PFF grade across the campaign.

Cincinnati can save $6.5 million against the salary cap if they release him.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

He was one of the many that saw big improvement after the scheme was, "simplified."

I'm on the fence with him: I wouldn't necessarily deem him essential, but I think he can have a role going forward as well.

His only real issue is that he's not super-athletic, thus things like recovering/catching up to plays and speed to get to the right spot, will always result in negative plays, but his play recognition was really good (that Levis INT, I don't think we have had a S INT like that since Bates picked off Groper Cleveland in '22) and he's always around the ball.

I think he would need to be strictly CF and play him 1/3-1/2 of snaps, but Golden may go for a similar S approach to what Lou did, which would make that plan moot.

My .02

[J24]

If they sign/draft another coverage Safety to pair with him on coverage downs/situations, then I could see him staying here. Although his nearly 8 million in cap makes it hard to justify to keep him in that situation.

[*ochocincos*]

I think regardless whether he's released or not this season, they have to figure out 2026 and beyond.

In the Taylor years, they've typically drafted a guy a year early to give them an understudy year before the incumbent starter hits FA.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Bengals still go after a safety early in the draft even if they keep Stone for 2025, as Stone is in his final year under contract.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-13-2025, 12:46 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: He was one of the many that saw big improvement after the scheme was, "simplified."

I'm on the fence with him: I wouldn't necessarily deem him essential, but I think he can have a role going forward as well.

His only real issue is that he's not super-athletic, thus things like recovering/catching up to plays and speed to get to the right spot, will always result in negative plays, but his play recognition was really good (that Levis INT, I don't think we have had a S INT like that since Bates picked off Groper Cleveland in '22) and he's always around the ball.

I think he would need to be strictly CF and play him 1/3-1/2 of snaps, but Golden may go for a similar S approach to what Lou did, which would make that plan moot.

My .02

Anarumo's coverage scheme kinda required someone who needed to be super athletic though, which makes it a head scratcher why Stone was even added.

I have to think Golden has Xavier Watts eyed on Day 2.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

We have so many holes to fill. Creating another one at S by cutting Stone (or LB with Pratt) is fine in theory, but there is no one in the roster who is a clear upgrade.

At safety, Bell is a FA and has clearly lost a step and Anderson & Anthony never play. So we'd have to either spend in FA to replace Stone/Pratt (thus no savings) or spend draft capital. Day 1-2 pick, maybe early Day 3 to get a guy who would actually be an upgrade.

My preference would be to keep both guys through the draft. If someone like Starks or Watts falls to us, or Walker/Campbell at LB, then cut/trade. If not, hold unless we actually need the money for an upgrade elsewhere (OG, DT, DE), to bring back a more impactful in-house FA (Hilton, Hill, Gesicki), or upgrade LB/S/CB/WR.

For me  the to do list breaks down into pretty easily recognizeable tiers. And Pratt/Stone are clearly Tier 3.

1. Tier 1: Let the Big Dogs Eat.

Sign Higgins. Chase & Hendrickson extensions. Burrow restructure (+19 mil in cap). Joe already said he is willing. We have north of $40 mil in cap space now, plus $19 mil will put us north of $60. More than enough to get this done.

2. Tier 2: Fix the trenches.

This can be FA or draft. But Cappa/Volson is the worst guard combo in the league in pass protection. We only have 2 DTs signed, and while both flashed, neither screamed starter quality. We need +2-3 more there. At least 1 starter level if not 2. And Trey has no pass rush help. Murphy/Hubbard is DE2 right now.

We don't have the space to sign high quality guys at all these spots. But if we let Rankins, Cappa, Hubbard, Moss, + Volson go, we save another $30 mil. That, plus what we have left over from the big dogs eating from that $60 should be enough for 2-3 pretty high quality trench guys. Or at least 2 plus some rotation level guys. Plus, say 2 of the first 4 picks (or more). And we should have our bases covered. 

3. Tier 3: Decisions on our own guys. 

Hilton, Hill, & Gesicki are the big ones. They are FA's & productive. Guys like Pratt, Stone, McPherson, and D. Sample are under contract, but shakier as contributors. If losing one or two of those guys lets me keep one of the top 3 or a Tier 2 trench help, I do it. 

4. Tier 4. Depth pieces/Min guys.

Ford, T. Brown, ADG, Herbert, Hudson, Burton (are we giving up?). Adomitis & Rehkow should be back. Bachie? Bell? But not much cap impact here unless you think someone is a starter (ADG?).

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-13-2025, 01:14 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Anarumo's coverage scheme kinda required someone who needed to be super athletic though, which makes it a head scratcher why Stone was even added.

I have to think Golden has Xavier Watts eyed on Day 2.

Thinking the same thing. It all depends on what Golden wants in his Defense. I bet he wants a rangy Safety like Watts to pair with Battle.

I like that Geno Stone admits he needs to really improve, but he is being paid entirely too much money for a FS without much upside or athleticism.

He is a poor tackler, we should move on.

[Au165]

I would approach him with an amended contract that drops his base down to vet minimum and lets him earn back the entirety of the contract in performance incentives.

[*michaelsean*]

Bengals will cut him and then sign someone that was #60-66.

[WeezyBengal]

I'm not sold.

I think he was a product of his enviornment in Baltimore. Playing with the best safety in the league is going to elevate you.

Currently, he's not worth what he's making (7.5 million). I doubt he'd take a restructure and the Bengals are kind of hamstrung at the position...so I think he remains on the team.

Bengals only have themselves to blame for the (again) the poor evaluation, fit, cost cut.

That all being said, I take that tweet to mean that he was told he's coming back. 

[lone bengal]

I want him gone. He was the 3rd safety in Baltimore playing next to a stud like Kyle Hamilton who made him look better than he is. So he hasn’t proven he’s a quality starting safety in the NFL. Oh and guess what he also couldn’t “tackle “ in Baltimore ! It dosen’t matter what system your in tacking and angles are basic football 101. We had this lame excuse he needed to get used to Lou’s system. Week 13 coming of a bye he should know Lou’s system by then right ? Nope worst game I’ve seen a safety play. Look at who we played at the end of the year. The Titans and Browns 1st and 2nd picks overall. Dorian Thompson a third string QB started for the Browns. Stone had a lucky tip int vs. Cooper Rush and an int from an awful throw by Will Levis. With Stone if a running back or receiver gets to the 2nd level you’re worrying about giving up a td vs. a routine tackle. Watch the Wallace Td vs. Baltimore what was Stone doing you’re a safety last line of defense. Better as the year went on after week 13 of course but still getting burned for a td in week 17 when we faced a good qb.

[NATI BENGALS]

He got a big contract because of all the interceptions. I was afraid it was an over pay due to a statistical anomaly.

I’d prefer to not create more holes. I haven't looked at the free agent safety class. But lackluster safety play in a pass first league ain’t a good combo. Idk what our options are if we moved on.

[phil413]

Why are our guys so emo now working through the media man Ohio is for lovers but sounds more like sugar were going down swinging. They'll probably cut him but good grief keep it our dirty little secret who has to know?

[*bengalfan74*]

I'm not buying that he's anything more than he was the first 12 games of the year. Only way I'd keep him is if we can't land a better backup and he agrees to a much lower salary.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-13-2025, 05:52 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I'm not buying that he's anything more than he was the first 12 games of the year. Only way I'd keep him is if we can't land a better backup and he agrees to a much lower salary.

I like both Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson better than Geno Stone. Heck, I might like Daijahn Anthony more than him if it wasn't for the KC penalty.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

I think the best move is releasing him.

If he wants to come back at a more team friendly price, I am open, but it would be in a wide open competition for the spot.

Fleeced the Bengals year one. Cut him loose and renegotiate to see if he really wants to be a Bengal, or collect that fat paycheck.

[SunsetBengal]

(02-13-2025, 07:11 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I like both Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson better than Geno Stone. Heck, I might like Daijahn Anthony more than him if it wasn't for the KC penalty.

I agree, they have talented guys that they drafted for a reason. I get that Anderson was unlucky enough to get injured two years in a row, but now he's a special teams Ace, I'd like to see him on the field to know if he can do the real job he was drafted to do. I don't hold the penalty against Anthony too harshly, it was obviously a rookie mistake.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-13-2025, 03:15 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Thinking the same thing. It all depends on what Golden wants in his Defense. I bet he wants a rangy Safety like Watts to pair with Battle.

I like that Geno Stone admits he needs to really improve, but he is being paid entirely too much money for a FS without much upside or athleticism.

He is a poor tackler, we should move on.

I'm interested to see how he does at the Combine, but I'm seeing listings Watts has or should run around 4.49-4.50.

Compare that to the 4.62 of Stone.

Speed can make a big difference.

[J24]

(02-13-2025, 07:11 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I like both Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson better than Geno Stone. Heck, I might like Daijahn Anthony more than him if it wasn't for the KC penalty.

That's a bit harsh imo ; I don't think he is a bad player by any means but the scheme fit was a bit rough for him. 

Playing that much single high for a guy with his athletic limitations was a poor use of his talent. If you draft a guy like Xavier Watts to pair with him on third downs then maybe you get the most out of him. Although, A guy like Anthony(to your point) could do that job at 9/10ths of the price of Stone!

[phil413]

(02-13-2025, 07:11 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I like both Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson better than Geno Stone. Heck, I might like Daijahn Anthony more than him if it wasn't for the KC penalty.

His 6.5M may be better spent as part of the DL makeover and if he can't distance himself from the incumbents (and possible draft pick) hey may be a cut anyway.