TJ Slaton is a Bengal

[*bfine32*]

(03-10-2025, 06:15 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Yep. Feels like we just kind of do stuff with no overall plan.

They just don't have your plan

[NATI BENGALS]

Feeling pretty good about this signing after watching some of his Green Bay highlights.

This is a big strong dude. I expect our DT play to improve a lot this year.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-10-2025, 06:07 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Not going to pretend I know who this dude is, but he's big and our D-line coach must like him.

Golden's D asks a lot of the LBs and a dude like this can help keep them clean. I'm liking Jalon Walker more every day

Yep, Jalon Walker or Jihad Campbell fit what Golden asks of his Linebackers as pass rushers. The Viper position.

(03-10-2025, 06:13 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: This should have been expected, if you've paid any attention to how Al Golden uses his DL. He asks them to occupy blockers and have at least one big guy that commands a DT. He likes to use his LBs to generate pass rush.

Personally, I'm glad that the Bengals addressed DL needs today, kind of impressed with them actually. (last year they sat on their hands until the cupboard was empty) We should have a really solid rotation, as I expect the young guys to take a step forward this year.

Same here. The ones complaining don't know how Golden uses his DL or his Linebackers. This allows both Kris Jenkins
and McKinnley Jackson to develop behind some good vets.

[Bengalfan4life27c]

This was a value signing dont hate it. I was underwhelmed when we initially got Reader.

[Nicomo Cosca]

Poor drafting strikes again. Could have taken this dude instead of Shelvin.

[XsandOs]

(03-10-2025, 05:42 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Slaton is a run stopping Nose Tackle and one of Montgomery's guys from Green Bay. Makes a lot of sense.

You aren't going to get accurate PFF grades for NT's very often, their job is to take up multiple Defenders and let others make the tackle.

Great point Nate. It is relationships like this that helps pull FAs away from other Teams. I'm sure the contract was competitive, but the connections matter. 

As related to PFF, I know the validity of it for certain positions have been debated ad nauseam on the previous and current board. And yes, interior OL and DL is difficult to grade because one cannot always tell assignments of each position on a given play.

 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-10-2025, 06:34 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Great point Nate. It is relationships like this that helps pull FAs away from other Teams. I'm sure the contract was competitive, but the connections matter. 

As related to PFF, I know the validity of it for certain positions have been debated ad nauseam on the previous and current board. And yes, interior OL and DL is difficult to grade because one cannot always tell assignments of each position on a given play.

 

Truth. Certain positions are a lot easier to grade, on the DL the EDGEs are easier to grade than the interior and 3-techs or pass rushing 
DT's are easier to grade than Nose Tackles. It is a completely different job they are asked to do.

[THE PISTONS]

(03-10-2025, 06:32 PM)Bengalfan4life27c Wrote: This was a value signing dont hate it. I was underwhelmed when we initially got Reader.

Reader was considered the top NT in football and way up on lists of free agents.

This is in no way comparable.

The board was also largely excited for Nick Scott too.

This guy might be a good run stuffer, but we have no pass rush.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-10-2025, 06:13 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: This should have been expected, if you've paid any attention to how Al Golden uses his DL. He asks them to occupy blockers and have at least one big guy that commands a DT. He likes to use his LBs to generate pass rush.

Personally, I'm glad that the Bengals addressed DL needs today, kind of impressed with them actually. (last year they sat on their hands until the cupboard was empty) We should have a really solid rotation, as I expect the young guys to take a step forward this year.

I haven't watched the ND games close enough, but was he running primarily a 3-4 with rushing OLBs?
If so, I'm curious to see how the defense morphs.

Maybe we could see a DL of Hill-Slaton-Jenkins/Jackson with Hendrickson and whomever at OLB with Pratt and Wilson as ILBs.

[THE PISTONS]

(03-10-2025, 06:43 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Truth. Certain positions are a lot easier to grade, on the DL the EDGEs are easier to grade than the interior and 3-techs or pass rushing 
DT's are easier to grade than Nose Tackles. It is a completely different job they are asked to do.

I do agree with this.

But even at that, this guy has no pass rush. We need to add 2 ends that can pass rush now.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-10-2025, 06:47 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Reader was considered the top NT in football and way up on lists of free agents.

This is in no way comparable.

The board was also largely excited for Nick Scott too.

This guy might be a good run stuffer, but we have no pass rush.

This is probably Nick Scott caliber, honestly.

Reader was a known commodity. Scott was a dude who took a bit before getting opportunity at previous team, was still under the radar league-wide when signing to the Bengals. Ended up not being great with Bengals.
Hope Slaton doesn't follow the same path.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-10-2025, 06:47 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Reader was considered the top NT in football and way up on lists of free agents.

This is in no way comparable.

The board was also largely excited for Nick Scott too.

This guy might be a good run stuffer, but we have no pass rush.

Agree on Reader, he was a top FA in his prime and the top NT that Free Agency. That was a monster signing for us.

I don't really remember being excited for Nick Scott though, thought he would of been better than he was of course, but that is about it.

You are forgetting about Kris Jenkins developing this season. I bet he is light years better as a pass rusher for us on the inside this season.

(03-10-2025, 06:48 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: I do agree with this.

But even at that, this guy has no pass rush. We need to add 2 ends that can pass rush now.

I bet Trey is back and we can bring back Ossai as well and draft the Viper position early in Jalon Walker for our pass rush.

[masonbengals fan]

(03-10-2025, 06:49 PM)ochocincos Wrote: This is probably Nick Scott caliber, honestly.

Reader was a known commodity. Scott was a dude who took a bit before getting opportunity at previous team, was still under the radar league-wide when signing to the Bengals. Ended up not being great with Bengals.
Hope Slaton doesn't follow the same path.

I sure hope not. 

[Joelist]

The board was not excited for Nick Scott. Slaton fills a real need on the defense (lack of a space eater NT) and this Free Agency only had a couple of big NTs available. A big NT can and does take two blockers which allows Hill, Jenkins and Jackson better pass rushing opportunities.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-10-2025, 06:55 PM)masonbengals fan Wrote: I sure hope not. 

I meant more in terms of name recognition.
I am hopeful too he'll have more positive production than Scott did for this team.

[SunsetBengal]

(03-10-2025, 06:47 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I haven't watched the ND games close enough, but was he running primarily a 3-4 with rushing OLBs?
If so, I'm curious to see how the defense morphs.

Maybe we could see a DL of Hill-Slaton-Jenkins/Jackson with Hendrickson and whomever at OLB with Pratt and Wilson as ILBs.

No, he runs a 4-3

[Luvnit2]

He obviously is a role player, a DT built to stop the run. In a division with George and Jackson, we need multiple run stoppers. I like our pick last year, I think these two rotating will keep them both strong for 17 games.

I did not know him, but it appears FO has a plan, stop the run first.

Does anyone have the PFF numbers (I know they are not perfect resource) on Trey H. against the run. I know he is a great pass rusher, but it is average or a liability against the run?

[ERIC1]

(03-10-2025, 05:10 PM)samhain Wrote: Yeah they definitely don't seem like an organization trying to max out their generational qb's prime window.  

Not all splash signings work out.  Many are disasters.  I just don't se a lot of urgency here.  Much more cap could have been created and better players could be acquired.

Feels a lot like the later Palmer years in Cincinnati.  Lots of disappointment following one or two years of high-end play.  

I will make certain that the bengals front office keeps you informed...The DL was palying great the last 5-6 games last year ..the rookies were taking off ..even Murphy was playing great..They kept BJ..they signed a pretty decent lineman and most likely will get a good one in the draft..Hang in there

[Luvnit2]

(03-10-2025, 07:01 PM)Joelist Wrote: The board was not excited for Nick Scott. Slaton fills a real need on the defense (lack of a space eater NT) and this Free Agency only had a couple of big NTs available. A big NT can and does take two blockers which allows Hill, Jenkins and Jackson better pass rushing opportunities.

A 4 man rotation of Hill, Slaton, Jenkins and McKinnley may also keep them fresh. These are big men and if overplayed get worn down quickly. Also, Jenkins and McKinnley hopefully progress in 2025 and both stay healthy. Both had injury issues last year.

[THE PISTONS]

(03-10-2025, 06:54 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Agree on Reader, he was a top FA in his prime and the top NT that Free Agency. That was a monster signing for us.

I don't really remember being excited for Nick Scott though, thought he would of been better than he was of course, but that is about it.

You are forgetting about Kris Jenkins developing this season. I bet he is light years better as a pass rusher for us on the inside this season.


I bet Trey is back and we can bring back Ossai as well and draft the Viper position early in Jalon Walker for our pass rush.

Hopefully Jenkins does. It's hard to count on our picks to produce.

This guy does seem durable and is a run stuffer which is good. We need a LB that can pass rush too.

I'd probably sign Chase Young or Clowney at this point.