Near miss and a possible Guard

[jj22]

I think they are too comfortable with players that while may be good (Ossai, Hill), can be upgraded.

But their thought seems to be why upgrade them if they can just bring them back and keep status quo. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(03-12-2025, 12:07 PM)BengalFanInNJ Wrote: I honestly like them bringing back Ossai. I thought he was starting to come on late last season when we needed it. We still need to grab a DE/OLB early in the draft though.

Me, too. 

I don't sweat missing on Olujari or Bosa or Larry O one iota. I think all those are overpays for guys who are either super inconsistent or declining. 

If I am gonna go that vet route, I want a discount. Guys like Campbell (DT/, Zeitler & Scherff (G), Smith (Edge), Simmons (S), Gilmore (CB) are guys I would welcome at the right price. 

Not $12 million, though..

DE: Hendrickson, early pick + Ossai, Murphy is your top 4. C. Johnson or another pick/cheap vet is #5. That's it  

DT: Hill & Slaton will start. Jenkins & Jackson will backup. I'd bet on an early pick for a DT disruptor/pass rusher type. That is likely it. 

I guess we coukd carry 11 on the DL instead of the usual 10. 

[Bilbo Saggins]

(03-12-2025, 10:41 AM)Au165 Wrote: The AFC North isn't special or unique or some super tough division where only big people play like people always try to make it out. TJ Watt is 250 and does just fine his partner on the other side Alex Highsmith is 242 and their 3rd rusherer who is pretty good Nick Herberig is 240. Ojulari did fine against AFC North teams last year, in fact getting 5 of his 6 sacks against AFC North teams.

Lawrence Taylor played at ~237.  Robert Mathis played at ~245.  Even guys like Bruce Smith and Dwight Freeney only weighed ~265.  I guess those guys were all bums when they played against AFCN teams.

[*bfine32*]

The thing I always think of when I see Teven's name mentioned. It's who we woulda/coulda/shoulda took when we traded back and got Carman

[higgy100]

(03-12-2025, 02:02 PM)Bilbo Saggins Wrote: Lawrence Taylor played at ~237.  Robert Mathis played at ~245.  Even guys like Bruce Smith and Dwight Freeney only weighed ~265.  I guess those guys were all bums when they played against AFCN teams.

No they weren't but OL today weigh 50-60  lbs. more than they did back in the 80's/90's. They're far more athletic as well. Ain't easy to get around /thru those big guys without some Dinty Moore beef stew in their own system.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-12-2025, 10:32 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Bengals tried but did not get pass rusher Azeez Ojulari from the Giants....
https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/03/11/bengals-near-miss-prized-target-free-agency/82277649007/
But have reached out to the Bears Guard Teven Jenkins. Last year Jenkins was 18th out of 135 Guards. 75.8 pass blocking rating.
Get her done....
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/bengals-express-interest-in-one-of-free-agency-s-top-remaining-guards/ar-AA1AIQ65?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=c2188dbe78ac4d31b4029478d2a03b40&ei=14

Heard a bit about Ojulari from Pulses yesterday. Too bad we couldn't get him, he would of helped our pass rush.

Need to get a Guard and Teven Jenkins would be a good one for us.

[Sled21]

(03-12-2025, 02:20 PM)higgy100 Wrote: No they weren't but OL today weigh 50-60  lbs. more than they did back in the 80's/90's. They'e far more athletic as well. Ain't easy to get around /thru those guys without some Dinty Moore beef stew in their own system.

Well like someone else pointed out, Watt weighs 251 and Garrett is 270

[Luvnit2]

(03-12-2025, 02:26 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Well like someone else pointed out, Watt weighs 251 and Garrett is 270

I think Murphy should shed about 10 lbs. I think it would help him be quicker and faster. It is either his weight or his ability to read and react that is holding him back. His strong RAS score does not show up watching him play.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-12-2025, 12:28 PM)jj22 Wrote: I think they are too comfortable with players that while may be good (Ossai, Hill), can be upgraded.

But their thought seems to be why upgrade them if they can just bring them back and keep status quo. 

I think it's a cost and trust thing.

They could be afraid to roll the dice on an outside vet who may perform like a Sheldon Rankins or Trae Waynes and not be worth the money.
At least with Hill and Ossai, they know what they are getting.
Plus, they are usually setting a hard budget willing to spend and won't typically pay for the top-cost guys who are more trustworthy to perform.

[THE PISTONS]

(03-12-2025, 12:28 PM)jj22 Wrote: I think they are too comfortable with players that while may be good (Ossai, Hill), can be upgraded.

But their thought seems to be why upgrade them if they can just bring them back and keep status quo. 

They're not going to pay top dollar for external free agents.

Once the dust settles and the price tags come down because cap space is gone around the league...they'll swoop in.

[RunKijanaRun]

“Near Miss and a Possible Guard - A Cincinnati Bungles Retrospective (2000-2024)”

[higgy100]

(03-12-2025, 02:26 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Well like someone else pointed out, Watt weighs 251 and Garrett is 270

Yes but 270 is still 270 and not 235 or 245.Always going to be a couple exceptions in there such as a guy like Watt but there's no doubt that OL are absolute freak athletes and monsters today and would swallow most of those guys whole who played the same positions at 280-285. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(03-12-2025, 02:30 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I think Murphy should shed about 10 lbs. I think it would help him be quicker and faster. It is either his weight or his ability to read and react that is holding him back. His strong RAS score does not show up watching him play.

Completely agree, late as a rookie we saw of bit of what Murphy can do when he was lighter. Like you say, he needs to shed some weight
and get his quicks back and we could see that 1st round talent back. MM gained too much muscle last season and it slowed him down and
you could see it out there. He did beat some OL last season, but he had a much slower first step and he had problems finishing.

(03-12-2025, 02:32 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I think it's a cost and trust thing.

They could be afraid to roll the dice on an outside vet who may perform like a Sheldon Rankins or Trae Waynes and not be worth the money.
At least with Hill and Ossai, they know what they are getting.
Plus, they are usually setting a hard budget willing to spend and won't typically pay for the top-cost guys who are more trustworthy to perform.

All good points. Makes them a little gun shy when you get these Rankins/Waynes signings. We know what we have in BJ Hill and Ossai.

The good news with Ossai is I think he is still ascending as a player. Could be the same with BJ as well and we know he will work his ass off.

[Joelist]

Lou had Murphy pick up some weight so maybe Golden will have him take it back off.

As to Ossai, where was the clear upgrade out in this market?

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(03-12-2025, 02:20 PM)higgy100 Wrote: No they weren't but OL today weigh 50-60  lbs. more than they did back in the 80's/90's. They'e far more athletic as well. Ain't easy to get around /thru those guys without some Dinty Moore beef stew in their own system.

Yup

Anthony Munoz was 6'6, 278lbs at OT. ('80 draft)
Tim Krumrie was 6'2, 270lbs at DT. ('83 draft)
Dave Lapham was 6'4, 259lbs at G. (From ('74 draft)

30 years later Jermaine Gresham ('10 draft) was 6'5, 260lbs at TE (Gronk from the same class was 6'6, 265). The NFL has certainly gotten heavier in the box.

Of the ~50 OL at the combine this year, only 1 was weighed in at below 300lbs and he was 299.

[TJHoushmandzadeh's Shiny Shoes]

Teven Jenkins worries me.

I fear we’re going to overpay in order to be seen to be doing something.

But is an injury prone G who was better at run blocking than pass blocking and likely slowed down by injuries what this roster needs? Is he actually any better than someone like Dalton Risner?

I think I'd rather a one year rental of Scherff or Zeitler or Hernandez whilst a mid round draft pick is prepared by the new OL coach to takeover long term.

[Frank Booth]

(03-12-2025, 04:32 PM)TJHoushmandzadehs Shiny Shoes Wrote: Teven Jenkins worries me.

I fear we’re going to overpay in order to be seen to be doing something.

But is an injury prone G who was better at run blocking than pass blocking and likely slowed down by injuries what this roster needs? Is he actually any better than someone like Dalton Risner?

I think I'd rather a one year rental of Scherff or Zeitler or Hernandez whilst a mid round draft pick is prepared by the new OL coach to takeover long term.

But they can get Jenkins at a value. That’s all that matters

[TJHoushmandzadeh's Shiny Shoes]

(03-12-2025, 04:34 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: But they can get Jenkins at a value. That’s all that matters

My point was that I think Jenkins is the most expensive remaining guard and I don’t think he’s good value.

[jj22]

(03-12-2025, 02:32 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: They're not going to pay top dollar for external free agents.

Once the dust settles and the price tags come down because cap space is gone around the league...they'll swoop in.

Paying "top dollar" for free agents is what got them to the SB and AFCC..... 

Bargain hunting has got them nowhere in the last 30 years.

[TJHoushmandzadeh's Shiny Shoes]

(03-12-2025, 04:46 PM)jj22 Wrote: Paying "top dollar" for free agents is what got them to the SB and AFCC..... 

Bargain hunting has got them nowhere in the last 30 years.

It was finding value in free agency in Awuzie, Bell, Hendrickson and DJ Reader.

They all outperformed their deals.