This Has Been the Best Off-season Since...

[agreen_112]

It's been the worst off-season IMO. The season can't get here quick enough... and it's not even camp time yet... ahhhh.

[Sandwedge]

Go ahead and poke fun, but I REALLY want to see Shirley come into camp with the intent of making people stand up and say, "How the hell did this kid fall so far ?"... Yes, I know he has issues, but if he learns the defense quickly, he just might be the DT we have always longed for. 6'5, 340 that disrupts the line with speed to boot ?? Color me excited. He may just be the second coming of Askew, but until that time arrives, I'll be happy that anything on the defense makes me excited...

WHODEY !!!

You and I are right there!!! I think Shirley will only get better with a good diet of Marvin on his ass... In the long run though, I think he will be the steal in this draft!!! I can't wait to see this Hoss kicking ass and taking names later.. I watched a few Fresno St games and he stod out, obviously when he played... As for Sims or Ellis, I wanted Ellis, but I think the combo of Rivers and Sims was something we didn't expect and I still can't believe that deal just fell in our laps.... It made losing Ellis a non facter in my book..

[HAPPYJAQ]

There is no way you can look at this offseason as anything but one of the best in the Marvin era. As far as the draft goes, you get a player that most think will be solid, if not spectacular, for 10 years in the NFL over a player who will either be the next John Randle/Tommie Harris or a big time bust who the Saints gave a fortune to draft, as a 285-pound DT. Later in the draft, you get a first team ALL SEC DT in the 3rd round, who is an underclassman with a ton of potential! Combine the big time sleeper picks of Lynch, Simpson and Shirley and if 2 are starters/big time players of the 3, then it automatically goes down as the best draft since '01 when we got Rudi, Chad and T.J. Also, Simpson and Collins figure to play significant action one way or another by next year, at the latest. If you factor all of that in, the Bengals figure to have added 3-6 that figure to be prominent players, through the draft this year

I still believe that Utecht will go down as one of the best FA signings in Bengals histroy. Imagine how defenses will have to gameplan with a 3rd and medium down package of T.J., Chad, Utecht, Kelly and Perry/Watson, in a two-TE set! I think Odom wll be at least as good as Smith and cheaper, while offering more in the pash-rush department. Landon (D. Jones), and Madeiu Williams (White/Nduke) production/roles should be easily replaced. More great reasons to be excited about '08.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I haven't replied to this thread because I'm waiting to see how things have or have not come together during the 2008 preseason games. Last years preseasons games didn't bode well to me, I predicted an 8-8 record, and ended up close to the eventual 7-9. The point is all the moves are yet to be proven on the field. After the Saints game on August 23rd, I will know one way or the other.

BTW, the reason it's not after the final Colts/Bengals matchup is that game is always a waste of time. The Bengals usually win against the Colts scrubs. BFD.

[GregCook]

I haven't replied to this thread because I'm waiting to see how things have or have not come together during the 2008 preseason games. Last years preseasons games didn't bode well to me, I predicted an 8-8 record, and ended up close to the eventual 7-9. The point is all the moves are yet to be proven on the field. After the Saints game on August 23rd, I will know one way or the other.

BTW, the reason it's not after the final Colts/Bengals matchup is that game is always a waste of time. The Bengals usually win against the Colts scrubs. BFD.

Mr. BB you have pounded the nail flat. Until training camp starts, until a couple pre-season games have been played, we're all smoke'n dope on the Bengals 2008 season. Lets see who joins Kenny Irons on PUP by Labor Day.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Mr. BB you have pounded the nail flat. Until training camp starts, until a couple pre-season games have been played, we're all smoke'n dope on the Bengals 2008 season. Lets see who joins Kenny Irons on PUP by Labor Day.

The proof is always in the pudding, and that dish is never served until late August.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I don't know about a "good" off-season, unless you consider replacing lost players with what are technically downgrades and improving the TE position a "good off-season." And for the Bengals', maybe that is.

I remain highly skeptical of this team until I see otherwise. I've learned over the years not to get too high on them, or anything they do, and not drink the pre-camp kool-aid every year.

Lots and lots of ? marks and conjecture here - with a lot of young, fairly unproven players on defense, and now at WR on offense, who are still learning. We don't even know what we'll get from Odom since he was basically a part-time player, and losing Smith's tackles etc...,

But hey, at least at this point there's the whole "unknown" factor going and with a top 5 QB, and some bad characters gone, they could come together and have a good year...we can only hope, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[TJJackson]

Without arguing the main point - and instead focusing on one bullet point of the offseason, specifically the franchising of Stacey - we definitely blew this one. The one place on your team where continuity is an absolute must - the offensive line - we are now renting a player for a single year at an exorbitant price. I'd argue that despite the price, he needs to sit on the bench this year so his snaps are given to someone who WILL BE HERE such that we can BUILD CONTINUITY for the future.

I see no point in starting Stacey now and essentially having to start all over again next year. Develop the next player, and this time, pick someone who isn't homesick for big brother. Use Stacey only to fill in for injured players.

[HoosierCat]

I don't know about a "good" off-season, unless you consider replacing lost players with what are technically downgrades and improving the TE position a "good off-season."

Well, what was the alternative? Give San Fran money to Justin, or Minnesota coin to Madieu? Hell, people are still bitching and moaning about spending $7.5 million on a "backup" tackle. Can you imagine the hue and cry if the team had shelled out $50 million for Smith?

Even if White or Nduke turns out to be worse than Madieu, or Odom worse than Smith...exactly what have we lost? It's not as if either player was a big playmaker now being replaced by an unknown.

Call it downgrading if you like, but what I see are attempts to get better at a couple positions where we had guys whose reputations were bigger than their play. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but at least they are taking some shots.

Contrast that with prior years when they let under-rated guys like Steinbach and Kaseviharn go while spending to keep the likes of Justin.

Like Billy said, we'll find out if it was a good offseason this fall, but like mem, I like what they've done this year versus at least the last two offseasons.

[Wraith]

Last year, Letting Steinbach go and franchising Justin was a big mistake but I understand the thinking.

This year, Franchising Stacey was a gamble on a long term contract, it seems like Stacey's representation is determined to test the free agent waters, I have said it before, if we are "renting a player for $7.5 million then applying the tag was a mistake, It only makes sense if he signs a long term deal and that isn't looking too good.

[HoosierCat]

Like I've said before, Andrews has very little incentive to sign anything but a blockbuster deal. And arguably his play hasn't justified that. So I understand why both sides are having such trouble reaching an agreement. If he indeed "breaks out" like Pete Prisco believes, the Bengals will back the Brink's truck up to his locker. If he doesn't, both sides move on.

[rwalling]

I haven't replied to this thread because I'm waiting to see how things have or have not come together during the 2008 preseason games. Last years preseasons games didn't bode well to me, I predicted an 8-8 record, and ended up close to the eventual 7-9. The point is all the moves are yet to be proven on the field. After the Saints game on August 23rd, I will know one way or the other.

BTW, the reason it's not after the final Colts/Bengals matchup is that game is always a waste of time. The Bengals usually win against the Colts scrubs. BFD.

Mr. BB you have pounded the nail flat. Until training camp starts, until a couple pre-season games have been played, we're all smoke'n dope on the Bengals 2008 season. Lets see who joins Kenny Irons on PUP by Labor Day.

With that photo, you have a lot of nerve talking about pounding anything flat!

I agree with your thought. Let's see what happens in Gtown and a couple exhibitions before we get too high or low.

[HairOnFire]

To be perfectly honest I've hated this off-season more than any I can think of, but I'm not sure I can put my finger on why I feel the way I do. For example, when I read the opening post I scrolled through the list of positves Membengal wrote about and each step of the way I nodded my head in agreement. Yet somehow when it's all added up the results don't quite add up to something I consider positive.

Truth be told my mood seems close to that expressed in another thread by JJAKQ. That being, I'm weirdly disinterested.

[BengalszoneBilly]

To be perfectly honest I've hated this off-season more than any I can think of

The replacement of defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and linebacker coach Ricky Hunley is something you hate? I can understand being peeved at Chad, or exasperated with the franchising of the Dancing Bear, but you have to admit the defensive changes with the addition of Zimmer and FitzGerald hold promise. If you honestly look at the past, it hard to argue it couldn't get much worse.

I personally am not about to start shouting about Superbowl possibilities, but if the Cincinnati defense can climb it's way out of the basement in terms of league rankings, the Bengals have a legitimate shot at post season play.

I'll leave it at that.

[HairOnFire]

To be perfectly honest I've hated this off-season more than any I can think of

The replacement of defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and linebacker coach Ricky Hunley is something you hate?

I never mentioned them. In fact, I agree with the sentiment that many positve steps have been taken. I can't even put my finger on why I have so little optimism as the season approaches. Normally I'm a glass is half full type, ehh?

All I can say is that taken as a whole this off-season has been one of the most trying and frustrating of any in recent memory.

[HoosierCat]

I can't even put my finger on why I have so little optimism as the season approaches. Normally I'm a glass is half full type, ehh?

All I can say is that taken as a whole this off-season has been one of the most trying and frustrating of any in recent memory.

Funny, I think its been great and that the Bengals have at least as good a chance as any team in the AFCN to make the playoffs. In some cases (see: Baltimore), better.

But then, we never can seem to be on the same side of things...which I suppose is probably for the best since it would certainly lead to one of those matter-antimatter-universe-annhiliated scenarios.

Anyhow, here's to you being 100% wrong!

[HairOnFire]

Anyhow, here's to you being 100% wrong!

Wow, I wonder what being THAT wrong would actually feel like?

Care to share?

No matter though....because I'd love to be wrong. I am a Bengal fan, right? I want them to do well. But like the man said in another thread, I'm feeling weirdly disinterested. Or put better, I'm interested enough, but I'm simply not expecting much this season.

[HairOnFire]

Funny, I think its been great and that the Bengals have at least as good a chance as any team in the AFCN to make the playoffs. In some cases (see: Baltimore), better.

Here's a question just begging to be asked. Let's say you were asked to evaluate the Bengals roster. Being the guy you are you diligently break down the position groups from QB to WR to RB to OL. And then you move on to the defense and special teams. And let's not forget special teams or the coaching ranks. You note every upgrade in talent, as well as every lateral move or step back. Best, you also break down all of the other teams in the division and conclude most things are equal.

So, how would you break down the so-called intangibles?

The reason I ask is because THAT'S where I think the car leaves the road.

[HoosierCat]

So, how would you break down the so-called intangibles?

All teams in the division have their issues. The heart of the Steelers' line left this offseason and the team has been plunged into an ownership crisis. In Baltimore, the defense totally lost heart last season, and are now faced with having to hope yet another QB pans out. Cleveland is probably the most "together," but an Anderson stumble could ignite a QB controversy. And Cincinnati needs to win some games early or risk a Chad meltdown.

[HairOnFire]

And Cincinnati needs to win some games early or risk a Chad meltdown.

That's probably just the tip of the iceberg, but it does touch on the fact that the Bengals are a team built around a raving douchebag who has produced an ever growing list of mental meltdowns and outright choking performances.

And let's face it, Chad Johnson is at risk of melting down regardless of whether the Bengals win early or often. After all, he has a long history of complaining about the number of catches he's not getting, the number of yards he's not producing, or the number of lame celebrations he can't entertain with....and those complaints have been delivered in the past without any consideration being given to the teams won/loss record.

Make no mistake about it, Chad Johnson will meltdown again this season. In fact, all that remains to be see is if the meltdown will be yet another tiresome verbal broadside or if we'll see something more creative.....like another faked injury.

[Bobcat Bengal]

Much of this amounts to re-hashing, but I'd love to see any competent NFL talent evaluator who thinks that Sims grades out about the same as Ellis. Really. I would. Many teams had Ellis as the best DT on the board, and by all accounts the dropoff in talent was after that batch, and before Rivers. Rivers was mid-round talent. I'm not sorry to have him, but he ain't as good as Ellis, regardless of the amount of kool-aid consumed. Problem with this draft is too much reaching.

As for the FA signings, I consider the current state of the D-line to be a failure of the draft recently. Lines in football is like pitching in baseball - if you try to buy it as opposed to developing it, you'll pay out the ass. Odom is expensive, and in my opinion, not that great. Like I said, I'm not that enthused.

Regarding Chad, there's too many "if"s in that statement. Which would you rather have, the satisfaction of having "beaten" Chad, or win games? I'll take the wins, myself.

As for Andrews, it doesn't look like they're working a deal, which he's not worth anyway, and I believe under the CBA it's more expensive to franchise a guy twice (though I could be wrong). I agree in general on spending for OL, but the fact that they're relegated to spending it on Andrews is, again, a failure.

You know, I'm inclined to agree with membengal on this matter.

In previous seasons past, including the off-season, a lot of us would be holding our breath, waiting to see what kind of trouble our beloved Bengals would manage to get into. So for that alone, reason number 5 is good enough.

And with FA signings, I don't think the Bengals brass can win in the eyes of some fans.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

A lot of fans will rip Mike Brown for being 'cheap' and 'not going after players in the off-season because of cost prohibitiveness', but when they DO finally land an impact FA signing, the response is "Oh, they overpaid". We won't know obviously until the season ends, but it's better than having Justin Smith at this juncture, I'm sorry. I want to see some new faces at that position.

And finally, a lot of draftniks had Sims pegged as a first-rounder, much like Jason Shirley, but due to a number of circumstances, he, much like Shirley, fell in the draft.

What do you want? The dude played in the SEC, has great size, a quick first step, and has the potential to be really, really good if he focuses and gets his head in the game.

I don't know what some of you Bengals fans want sometimes.....sheesh.

It's like you enjoy complaining....(not necessarily aimed at DC BEngals fan or anyone in particular)

[HoosierCat]

That's probably just the tip of the iceberg, but it does touch on the fact that the Bengals are a team built around a raving douchebag who has produced an ever growing list of mental meltdowns and outright choking performances.

And, as I suspected, there it is. You're "weird disinterest" isn't weird at all, it's just all about Chad and your increasing inability to root for a team he's on. Well, fair enough. I recommend jumping on the bandwagon that is your wife's squad. After all, it's only laundry, right?

[HairOnFire]

And there it isn't.

Let me remind you that it was you who mentioned Chad, not me. And it was you who immediately acknowledged the never ending threat of meltdown that Chad represents. In response I pointed out that Chad is simply the tip of a very large intangible iceberg, and is notable only because it can be argued the entire team was built around his talent and his idiocy.

[HairOnFire]

You're "weird disinterest" isn't weird at all, it's just all about Chad and your increasing inability to root for a team he's on. Well, fair enough. I recommend jumping on the bandwagon that is your wife's squad. After all, it's only laundry, right?

Your advice wouldn't seem quite so silly if I were the only Bengal fan feeling the way I do. But I'm not, and you only have to read the thread JJAKQ27 wrote to find another example of a fan who admits being unusually disinterested in the coming season.

So is he obsessed with Chad too?

And should he also abandon the Bengals in favor of my wifes favorite team?

[BengalByTheBay]

And there it isn't.

Let me remind you that it was you who mentioned Chad, not me. And it was you who immediately acknowledged the never ending threat of meltdown that Chad represents. In response I pointed out that Chad is simply the tip of a very large intangible iceberg, and is notable only because it can be argued the entire team was built around his talent and his idiocy.

Where's the iceberg? Outside of the outsized Chadmania, exactly who is it that constitutes this "very large intangible iceberg?"