01-10-2016, 03:30 AM
I know people are going to freak out, but lets try and think rationally for a few minutes. The window doesn't stay open forever. There have been some pretty talented Bengals teams that have produced regular season success only. The key pieces are there, but it's time to make some changes.
I'm not suggesting a fire sale like the Reds. I'm not suggesting change for the sake of change. Something has to give though. I'm a fan of Lewis, but it may be time to clean house (Alexander too) and try again. I'd let Adam Jones, Leon Hall, Brandon Tate, and Andre Smith walk. Best of luck, don't let the door hit you on the way out. On offense, you have your QB in Dalton, you have a great WR in Green, you have a great TE in Eifert, and you keep Gio for sure. They have to get an upgrade at Center. They need another WR that is going to help take coverage off of Green. Marvin Jones is the best in house option, but there's no reason not to look around.
On the defensive side, I love Peko but there has to be upgrade out there. I'd move on from Burfict and bring in some actual talent at the LB position that aren't total head cases. Bringing in aging, near the end veterans aren't the answer. Dennard, Lewis-Harris, and Shaw would be my only safe CBs. Explore what's out there. I understand you'd be losing talent letting Jones and Hall go, but getting younger is going to have happen sooner or later. I'd keep Nelson and Iloka as the safeties.
Nugent needs to go. The team needs a kicker with a big leg. I understand long kicks are tough for everyone, but there are better options out there that can help in 50+ situations.
I know a lot of people are going to just get mad and say this is a stupid idea, but something has to give. Doing the same thing hasn't worked out so well the last 5 years. Don't get me wrong, I love being competitive and you don't have a chance to win it all if you don't make the playoffs. As it sits, it doesn't look like this team has a chance to win it all even making the playoffs. Doing the same thing repeatedly has netted the exact same results, playoff failure. It's time to make some big changes.
I'm not suggesting a fire sale like the Reds. I'm not suggesting change for the sake of change. Something has to give though. I'm a fan of Lewis, but it may be time to clean house (Alexander too) and try again. I'd let Adam Jones, Leon Hall, Brandon Tate, and Andre Smith walk. Best of luck, don't let the door hit you on the way out. On offense, you have your QB in Dalton, you have a great WR in Green, you have a great TE in Eifert, and you keep Gio for sure. They have to get an upgrade at Center. They need another WR that is going to help take coverage off of Green. Marvin Jones is the best in house option, but there's no reason not to look around.
On the defensive side, I love Peko but there has to be upgrade out there. I'd move on from Burfict and bring in some actual talent at the LB position that aren't total head cases. Bringing in aging, near the end veterans aren't the answer. Dennard, Lewis-Harris, and Shaw would be my only safe CBs. Explore what's out there. I understand you'd be losing talent letting Jones and Hall go, but getting younger is going to have happen sooner or later. I'd keep Nelson and Iloka as the safeties.
Nugent needs to go. The team needs a kicker with a big leg. I understand long kicks are tough for everyone, but there are better options out there that can help in 50+ situations.
I know a lot of people are going to just get mad and say this is a stupid idea, but something has to give. Doing the same thing hasn't worked out so well the last 5 years. Don't get me wrong, I love being competitive and you don't have a chance to win it all if you don't make the playoffs. As it sits, it doesn't look like this team has a chance to win it all even making the playoffs. Doing the same thing repeatedly has netted the exact same results, playoff failure. It's time to make some big changes.