“Kick the Tires” on Proven Performers

[Whatever]

(02-17-2025, 02:42 PM)CJD Wrote: There's a proven performer in free agency that I really hope we sign.

He's a 26 year old WR named Tee Higgins. I think he and Joe Burrow will work very well together.

Two 1000 yard seasons in five years in the league makes you a proven performer?  

[Sled21]

(02-17-2025, 10:45 PM)BoomerFan Wrote: So would he just renege on the bet?

Edit: I guess he could set unreasonable terms. And even if he didn't there is the question of whether the Bengals would give up a roster spot/the DL chemistry. OTOH, signing Watt would sell tickets and gear and probably make box/season ticket holders happy. 

Watt would have to roid back up and put that playing weight and muscle back on. And he's 36 and was hardly healthy when he quit. No thanks.

[Bengalbug]

(02-18-2025, 10:34 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Watt would have to roid back up and put that playing weight and muscle back on. And he's 36 and was hardly healthy when he quit. No thanks.

He played 16 games and registered 12.5 sacks when he retired. Playing 816 snaps, 10th most for DEs. The previous year’s, yes he had injury. But the last version we saw of JJ Watt, was productive and available.

[Bengalbug]

(02-18-2025, 12:43 AM)Whatever Wrote: Two 1000 yard seasons in five years in the league makes you a proven performer?  

Tee Higgins is 18th in yards (cumulative) and 12th in touchdowns since entering the league in 2020.

[*bengalfan74*]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability.  This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025:  Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown.  Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere.  Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.  

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

I totally get what you're saying, But speaking to the draft:

It's a total crap shoot for sure. You just never really know what you're getting. But I do think the Bengals have a history of rolling the dice a bit to far, hoping too much.

Cases in point - Drew Sample Rd 2 - 52 Nearly a top 50 pick and he's produced so very little. Good blocker but still way to high a pick for his production.

Jackson Carman Rd 2 - 12 His draft profile is not a glaring draft this guy fast thing. I doubt many teams had him graded as a top half of the 2nd prospect.

Myles Murphy Rd 1 - 28 Again his draft profiles read needs development to make it in the pros.

Jermaine Burton Rd 3 - 80 Just way too many red flags coming in to take that big a chance in the 3rd round. And look where we are.

And there are other bad misses in top 4 rounds for sure. This team can't continue to swing and miss this badly on top round draft picks!

[*ochocincos*]

As much as I would love it, Bengals won't have much opportunity to get upper-tier FAs with the current cap they have available, especially if they tag Higgins.
Bengals may have to be crafty and/or part ways with some expensive vets on the team to make good moves that get people excited before the draft.

[Whatever]

(02-18-2025, 11:27 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: Tee Higgins is 18th in yards (cumulative) and 12th in touchdowns since entering the league in 2020.

That's great, but there are a number of people drafted since then that are better, but just haven't logged enough years to beat his cumulative stats, not to mention guys that were better when he started, but have since retired or fallen off sharply.  

[Luvnit2]

(02-18-2025, 12:42 PM)ochocincos Wrote: As much as I would love it, Bengals won't have much opportunity to get upper-tier FAs with the current cap they have available, especially if they tag Higgins.
Bengals may have to be crafty and/or part ways with some expensive vets on the team to make good moves that get people excited before the draft.

I strongly disagree. If Bengals cut these 5 guys, they will have around 91 million in cap and can also restructure Burrow to get us over 100 million. As of now, we have 216 million in cap space in 2026 which is huge as it would allow Bengals to push cap into 2026 and beyond. If they extend Chase, it is likely his 21.6 cap hit in 2025 will be reduced for more cap room in 2025.

Bengals will have the cap space, the question becomes is will they cut the underperformers. Will they give a huge signing bonus to Tee and Jamar to lower the cap hit in 2025?

Cuts
Rankins
Cappa
Hubbard
Stone
Moss

Get it done FO

[*ochocincos*]

(02-18-2025, 03:16 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I strongly disagree. If Bengals cut these 5 guys, they will have around 91 million in cap and can also restructure Burrow to get us over 100 million. As of now, we have 216 million in cap space in 2026 which is huge as it would allow Bengals to push cap into 2026 and beyond. If they extend Chase, it is likely his 21.6 cap hit in 2025 will be reduced for more cap room in 2025.

Bengals will have the cap space, the question becomes is will they cut the underperformers. Will they give a huge signing bonus to Tee and Jamar to lower the cap hit in 2025?

Cuts
Rankins
Cappa
Hubbard
Stone
Moss

Get it done FO

Then you actually agree with me, as I stated with the current cap, which does NOT include cutting anyone.
I directly mentioned they will have to get crafty and/or cut some current guys to get additional room to work with.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-18-2025, 03:32 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Then you actually agree with me, as I stated with the current cap, which does NOT include cutting anyone.
I directly mentioned they will have to get crafty and/or cut some current guys to get additional room to work with.

I think you have to assume they cut at least 4 of those guys. I don't believe what some are saying and that they won't cut them.

They probably cut them all for what they are currently paid and maybe bring back one or two for cheaper, but that is about the only way 
they keep any of those guys and the only one I could really see it happening with is Hubbard who is a leader and a good run stopper when 
healthy who always has worked his ass off.

[SladeX]

(02-17-2025, 02:42 PM)CJD Wrote: There's a proven performer in free agency that I really hope we sign.

He's a 26 year old WR named Tee Higgins. I think he and Joe Burrow will work very well together.

Too injury prone.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-18-2025, 03:40 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I think you have to assume they cut at least 4 of those guys. I don't believe what some are saying and that they won't cut them.

They probably cut them all for what they are currently paid and maybe bring back one or two for cheaper, but that is about the only way 
they keep any of those guys and the only one I could really see it happening with is Hubbard who is a leader and a good run stopper when 
healthy who always has worked his ass off.

Actually, I am conservatively assuming only Rankins will be cut.

Stone I would have put into that bucket too if not for his December performance. Golden may think there's something there worth keeping him around for.

Cappa and Hubbard have tenure in Cincy, especially Hubbard.
I can see them waiting on one/both until after at least the meat of FA goes through and they can get a replacement.
We don't want another situation where they see Reader gone and decide to scramble for what they think is best option to replace in Rankins.
They should bring someone on first then cut the incumbent.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-18-2025, 04:32 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Actually, I am conservatively assuming only Rankins will be cut.

Stone I would have put into that bucket too if not for his December performance. Golden may think there's something there worth keeping him around for.

Cappa and Hubbard have tenure in Cincy, especially Hubbard.
I can see them waiting on one/both until after at least the meat of FA goes through and they can get a replacement.
We don't want another situation where they see Reader gone and decide to scramble for what they think is best option to replace in Rankins.
They should bring someone on first then cut the incumbent.

Cool and I agree on bringing in someone first being the safest way to go about all this. With Stone we do need a FS if the coaches do not 
think Tycen Anderson can be one. I have heard others talking about cutting Volson as well as Cappa which just sounds too over the top for
me as Volson is still on his cheap rookie contract and could be depth, all be it, not the best depth. I like Ford better now which is wild.

[Essex Johnson]

(02-18-2025, 12:37 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I totally get what you're saying, But speaking to the draft:

It's a total crap shoot for sure. You just never really know what you're getting. But I do think the Bengals have a history of rolling the dice a bit to far, hoping too much.

Cases in point - Drew Sample Rd 2 - 52 Nearly a top 50 pick and he's produced so very little. Good blocker but still way to high a pick for his production.

Jackson Carman Rd 2 - 12 His draft profile is not a glaring draft this guy fast thing. I doubt many teams had him graded as a top half of the 2nd prospect.

Myles Murphy Rd 1 - 28 Again his draft profiles read needs development to make it in the pros.

Jermaine Burton Rd 3 - 80 Just way too many red flags coming in to take that big a chance in the 3rd round. And look where we are.

And there are other bad misses in top 4 rounds for sure. This team can't continue to swing and miss this badly on top round draft picks!

I agree with you especially Carman but Murphy was projected a 1st round , some thought he go top 20, 

[J24]

(02-18-2025, 04:32 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Actually, I am conservatively assuming only Rankins will be cut.

Stone I would have put into that bucket too if not for his December performance. Golden may think there's something there worth keeping him around for.

Cappa and Hubbard have tenure in Cincy, especially Hubbard.
I can see them waiting on one/both until after at least the meat of FA goes through and they can get a replacement.
We don't want another situation where they see Reader gone and decide to scramble for what they think is best option to replace in Rankins.
They should bring someone on first then cut the incumbent.

Cappa is getting cut and Hubbard is not going to be playing on a 11 million dollar contract next season for any team. Pratt will likely be gone as well either by trade or  cut.

[Bengalstripes9]

The Vikings have a couple secondary players likely to hit the market that are solid.

I think corner is an area where it makes sense to look to free agency.

[Bengalbug]

I’m still in the Bobby Wagner business if we trade or cut pratt

[ERIC1]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability.  This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025:  Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown.  Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere.  Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.  

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

or do a much better job drafting

[*ochocincos*]

(02-18-2025, 07:30 PM)J24 Wrote: Cappa is getting cut and Hubbard is not going to be playing on a 11 million dollar contract next season for any team. Pratt will likely be gone as well either by trade or  cut.

They may, but here's what I expect...

Bengals wait to cut these guys until after the draft in case they can't get replacements they like.
They cut one/both of them and use the argument that the freed up cap can go toward an extension of someone like Chase, Hendrickson, or Higgins.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-18-2025, 08:53 PM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: The Vikings have a couple secondary players likely to hit the market that are solid.

I think corner is an area where it makes sense to look to free agency.

Yeah, saw the Vikes have a lot of dang good players hitting the market.

(02-19-2025, 02:36 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: I’m still in the Bobby Wagner business if we trade or cut pratt

I am down. Bobby still is playing like a beast. Just doubt the Bengals pay a guy that old even if he is still playing well.