“I don’t want to pay more money for the same team”

[Ell Prez]

Duke said this early in the offseason. Can anyone explain to me how this isn’t exactly what has happened? Especially with reports of the Hendrickson deal getting closer to happening with a significant bump in salary. Tee got more expensive, Chase got more expensive, Hendrickson most likely.


What did we really do this offseason? Who did we add that’s going to take us from missing playoffs to playing in the AFC championship game?

[SunsetBengal]

(Yesterday, 09:24 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Duke said this early in the offseason. Can anyone explain to me how this isn’t exactly what has happened? Especially with reports of the Hendrickson deal getting closer to happening with a significant bump in salary. Tee got more expensive, Chase got more expensive, Hendrickson most likely.


What did we really do this offseason? Who did we add that’s going to take us from missing playoffs to playing in the AFC championship game?

They added a few guys via draft and free agency, and also cut ties with a couple of starters. Cutting starting players is huge for the Bengals. 

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 09:24 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Duke said this early in the offseason. Can anyone explain to me how this isn’t exactly what has happened? Especially with reports of the Hendrickson deal getting closer to happening with a significant bump in salary. Tee got more expensive, Chase got more expensive, Hendrickson most likely.


What did we really do this offseason? Who did we add that’s going to take us from missing playoffs to playing in the AFC championship game?

What should they have done? Seriously

[*pally*]

(Yesterday, 09:29 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: They added a few guys via draft and free agency, and also cut ties with a couple of starters. Cutting starting players is huge for the Bengals. 

And changed most of the defensive coaching staff

[Clark W Griswold]

I think (hope) they end up with 2 new starting guards which will help in the run game for sure. They won’t be great but if they can go from bad to mediocre that could be big with the skill position talent they have.

Defensively they changed out Pratt for Knight so they are hoping they got more athletic at that position. Obviously they have high hopes for utilizing Stewart’s natural talents.
The coaching changes are expected to help and I think this will benefit the young players on D the most .

I think Slaton will help against the run which was a big time issue.
With regards to the DBs, I think better health is the main thing they hope for this season.

I agree they could have done more - I wish there were additions at safety and a better veteran option at guard but this is still a team with a lot of talent at key positions so I am excited to see what they can do.

[Essex Johnson]

(Yesterday, 09:24 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Duke said this early in the offseason. Can anyone explain to me how this isn’t exactly what has happened? Especially with reports of the Hendrickson deal getting closer to happening with a significant bump in salary. Tee got more expensive, Chase got more expensive, Hendrickson most likely.


What did we really do this offseason? Who did we add that’s going to take us from missing playoffs to playing in the AFC championship game?

we lost three games by a total of 5 points to KC and Baltimore (2 of the top 3 teams in AFC} , their main changes was revamp coaching staff feeling that they have a good enough roster to compete and were happy i think with their group of 2nd year players and expect more impact from them especially on defense. 

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 11:28 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: we lost three games by a total of 5 points to KC and Baltimore (2 of the top 3 teams in AFC} , their main changes was revamp coaching staff feeling that they have a good enough roster to compete and were happy i think with their group of 2nd year players and expect more impact from them especially on defense. 

If the defense can improve we are much better. I think this offense is the best of the Burrow era. I think Fairchild & Patrick are solid in pass pro.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 09:24 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: Duke said this early in the offseason. Can anyone explain to me how this isn’t exactly what has happened? Especially with reports of the Hendrickson deal getting closer to happening with a significant bump in salary. Tee got more expensive, Chase got more expensive, Hendrickson most likely.


What did we really do this offseason? Who did we add that’s going to take us from missing playoffs to playing in the AFC championship game?

Let' see

Changed the OL coach and defenisve coordinator
Signed a DT who is a beast against the run
Signed a guard to start at RG and drafted a rookie to start at LG, our RG in 2024 was one if not the worst starting RG in the NFL
Drafted 2 potential defensive  starters or contributors in 2025

Got back from injury 2 starting CB's who missed most of 2024
Got back best LB who missed a lot of 2024

Get promising 2nd year player Jenkins, Jackson and Mims back so hopefully better in 2025 due to experience plus 2 rookie DT's missed games and practices due to injury
 Year 2 for Gesicki playing with JB, he got better as the year progressed

Our defense has a new leader and it appears is molding his defenive roster. We don't need a top 10 defense overall, we need a top 10 defense stopping the pass and to 20 overall and we will be very good.

[Ell Prez]

(Yesterday, 09:48 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: What should they have done? Seriously

They should have done what they said they were going to do. They said they wanted to upgrade and not have the same team except more expensive. They signed a back up LB, back up G and a rotational DT. There were plenty of FA that could have been added and been better than what we have on defense and on the O line.

Seriously, do you think the moves we made takes us from non play off to afc championship game? Orion Burks is the missing piece we needed?! If only we had him last year we would have been in the Super Bowl?!

[Ell Prez]

(Yesterday, 11:52 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Let' see

Changed the OL coach and defenisve coordinator
Signed a DT who is a beast against the run
Signed a guard to start at RG and drafted a rookie to start at LG, our RG in 2024 was one if not the worst starting RG in the NFL
Drafted 2 potential defensive  starters or contributors in 2025

Got back from injury 2 starting CB's who missed most of 2024
Got back best LB who missed a lot of 2024

Get promising 2nd year player Jenkins, Jackson and Mims back so hopefully better in 2025 due to experience plus 2 rookie DT's missed games and practices due to injury
 Year 2 for Gesicki playing with JB, he got better as the year progressed

Our defense has a new leader and it appears is molding his defenive roster. We don't need a top 10 defense overall, we need a top 10 defense stopping the pass and to 20 overall and we will be very good.

We’ve had 3-4 OL coaches in past 15 years and it’s been the same product on the field. Our defensive coordinator was once considered one of the best and up for HC opportunities. I don’t think changing the coach is going to make that big of an impact.

He’s a rotational DT. Drafting rookies is a net negative because every single team in the nfl is filling their holes and needs with draft picks.

The two CB played the first 6 or so games and our defense was just as bad.


The 2nd year players are going to get better? Are we confident on that? CTB and hill have not gotten better. Murphy did not get better. Heck even McPherson didn’t get better.


Don’t look at every little move and convince yourself of the good. Look at the bigger picture. When it’s week 4 and our defense has the same problems, we’re all going to say….same problems as last year with the same players, go figure

[Soonerpeace]

(Today, 12:34 AM)Ell Prez Wrote: They should have done what they said they were going to do. They said they wanted to upgrade and not have the same team except more expensive. They signed a back up LB, back up G and a rotational DT. There were plenty of FA that could have been added and been better than what we have on defense and on the O line.

Seriously, do you think the moves we made takes us from non play off to afc championship game? Orion Burks is the missing piece we needed?! If only we had him last year we would have been in the Super Bowl?!

But again what should they have done? What else with their money ( holding back for Trey and all).

[Ell Prez]

(Today, 12:47 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: But again what should they have done? What else with their money ( holding back for Trey and all).

Do you want specific names and specific details? Cut: Volson, Stone, Moss, Sample.

I would have signed a corner ( Carlton Davis, Byron Murphy, Ward, Fulton, slay).

Sign a safety, sign a DE or DT. Sign 2 guards.

[Housh]

Looking back we should’ve known Duke is horrible cause that’s a dumb thing to say when you’re whole team is young guys

It’s like we don’t show simple common sense

[Essex Johnson]

(Today, 01:56 AM)Ell Prez Wrote: Do you want specific names and specific details? Cut: Volson, Stone, Moss, Sample.

I would have signed a corner ( Carlton Davis, Byron Murphy, Ward, Fulton, slay).

Sign a safety, sign a DE or DT. Sign 2 guards.

As I stated before even going 9-8, we lost by total of 5 points in three games to KC  and Balt, so FO looked at that as we don;t need to gut team and now that the dust last cleared decided on these options below in offseason my humble option

1.  Don't go heavy in high end FA, instead sign extend Chase, Higgins, Gesicki and try to reach agreement with Tre but he is under contract if we dont.
2. We have a good core of young players on defense, lets change coaching and philosophy some and reshape the players we want at LB to go along with Wilson
3. Change OL Coach, see if we can get more out of our Oline with that change, draft a Guard and serviceable FA
4. Adjust our approach to offseason workouts and preseason with a seasoned offensive lets get off to a better start

Who knows if your approach or this approach above will be better, we won't know that till we circle around to after the season to gauge it (barring any major injuries)

[Sled21]

(Today, 01:56 AM)Ell Prez Wrote: Do you want specific names and specific details? Cut: Volson, Stone, Moss, Sample.

I would have signed a corner ( Carlton Davis, Byron Murphy, Ward, Fulton, slay).

Sign a safety, sign a DE or DT. Sign 2 guards.

Cam or Drew, because if you're talking about Drew you lost credibility right there. When you have an iffy O-line, you don't cut your best TE blocker. 

[Sled21]

(Yesterday, 11:39 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: If the defense can improve we are much better.  I think this offense is the best of the Burrow era. I think Fairchild & Patrick are solid in pass pro.

I agree. I think this offense is going to be more balanced this year after Chase Brown showing what he can do on the ground last year. Instead of being a passing team, I really think the coaches will implement more of the run game no that we have Brown, who is a threat to take it all the way anytime he touches it, and Tahj and Perine to pound the rock. Of course Burrow is still going to fling it to Chase, Higgins, Mike G, etc, but he shouldn't have to force it as much.

[sandwedge]

SMH..

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

So far: Starters out:

O: Cappa (cut)
D: Hubbard (retired), Rankins (cut), Pratt (cut), Hilton (FA, not retained).

Replacements:
O: Ford/Patrick
D: Ossai/Stewart, Slaton (Hill to 3T), Knight/Burks, Turner/Fig/Hill.


Volson is still on the team, but Fairchild is the starter. LS & CB could also see new starters. As coukd TE if Fant signs. 

[Sled21]

(8 hours ago)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: So far: Starters out:

O: Cappa (cut)
D: Hubbard (retired), Rankins (cut), Pratt (cut), Hilton (FA, not retained).

Replacements:
O: Ford/Patrick
D: Ossai/Stewart, Slaton (Hill to 3T), Knight/Burks, Turner/Fig/Hill.


Volson is still on the team, but Fairchild is the starter. LS & CB could also see new starters. As coukd TE if Fant signs. 

And now Patrick has a calf injury.

[Luvnit2]

(Today, 12:40 AM)Ell Prez Wrote: Don’t look at every little move and convince yourself of the good. Look at the bigger picture. When it’s week 4 and our defense has the same problems, we’re all going to say….same problems as last year with the same players, go figure

NP

Let's look at week 4 and see what the defense ranks in 2025 versus what they ranked in 2024. I say we are better, you say same or worse so let's see who correct.

As for 2nd years players getting better, if not we have huge issues. It is very realistic to expect young players to progress. We saw it offense with Yoshi and even Chase getting better.