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If Dax and Myles Murphy were linchpins for the defense, this whole scenario would look different. Dax would be entering the year before his club option decision was looming and the team trying to figure out how to pay him. Myles Murphy would make the Trey situation look much different and have the team to looking for his replacement in the draft, without thought of paying him market money. Even if the light goes on for Myles this year, they have him locked up for three seasons including the option year. Since that is not the case, they could afford to pay both Chase and Tee, because, well… who else are you going to pay?

I see the same thing by and large Hoosier, but have found that when considering those OT's that will probably move to OG once drafted, my outcomes improve. Again, who knows how it's all going to play out? That's why I think we continue to see visits with guys like Minnesota, OT, Aireontae Ersery. Big, athletic OT's that will probably move inside, but still capable of backing up the OT spot as well in a pinch. That honestly might be the best approach as I view things anyway.

Looking forward to taking care of the Trey Hendrickson extension so we can shift focus to next year’s Trey Hendrickson contract dispute.

No, no, I didn't take it that way at all. What federal agencies still exist come end of the year remains to be seen. Clearly, I'm an advocate for Veterans and always will be.

I’m just glad to get a damned guard, and Patrick’s track record looks pretty decent. Now sign Scherff anyway.

I saw that Geno Atkins will be eligible for the HOF next cycle. Are we ready for a few decades of complaining on Geno's behalf? I know I am.

Yeah Until the league allows for some form of roster expansion, position versatility is gold. There really should be 60-63 dressing for game day, allowing for one more sub at most every position That aside, most of the college OTs have arm lengths of 33 inches or less and will as such often become OGs

In regards to a trade down scenario, those OT's soon to be OG's would be my target.

The OT in the 2nd round I really, really like is Jonah Savaiinaea. Dude is going to be a OG in the league but could still get you backup duties at OT if needed.

LOL, in your face, Bobcats!

Re safety, Stone sucked for most of last year and is a FA after this season. (He'd gain the Bengals about $6.5 million in cap space if cut this year, too.) I like Battle, but I also don't think he's anything particularly special. So I don't have an issue with grabbing a Starks or an Emmanwori at 17 on a personnel level. The thing is, when I do a sim or look at mock drafts, DB is one of those positions where there usually seem to be quality guys still available in rounds 2-3. In fact that seems to be the case for virtually all defensive positions, which is why I would love, love, love to see them trade back and pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder. And whenever I take a defender of any stripe at 17, I end up reaching for an OL at some point in the second or third round. In contrast, when I address OL at 17, I like the results a lot more. Now maybe the real thing doesn't play out this way, who knows. But as it stands, while I wouldn't object to safety, or really addressing any defensive need since we have them all over, in the first, my gut is telling me they should go OL there.

Army: every source I look at has Emmanwori well below Starks in their overall ratings why do you prefer Emmanwori? Im not knocking your preference here, rather, I'm picking your brain

So it’s the Bengals or nothing for Trey. Good luck sitting out a year and thinking you might cash in next year.

Here's to hoping he earns a starting role.

My dad used to say this country is great at making veterans, not all that great at taking care of them.

Right now there are two players that may be there at #17 I would love to see drafted: 1. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina- He might truly be my #1 hope to get player in the draft. 2. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama- Yes, of course I'd like a linebacker, but in my defense, he's really good. 3. James Pearce, DE, Tennessee- He's an iffy one for me. Are the stories questioning about much he really wants to play ball true? If not, he's an athletic freak at a position of need. Now don't get me wrong, there are others I would love but simply don't expect them to be there at #17. Will Campbell, OT Armand Membou, OT Players no longer on my want list at #17: 1. Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama- He's about as athletic as a turd and while a people mover, is not what we need. 2. Jalon Walker, LB/DE, Georgia- What is he? Does he excel at either? Will it take creativity to make him work? 3. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia- The only safety I want in round one is Emmanwori. If not him, wait. 4. Mike Green, DE, Marshall- I don't care if he wasn't charged with the sexual assaults. Just say no.

MemBou also wouldn't bother me in the least. Have to love the big, athletic linemen like him. Not sure he sniffs anything close to #17. Him outside the top 10 would be shocking. Don't let me rain on your parade though TJ. Keep hope alive.

My absolute dream pick at 17 would be OT Armand Membou, whose short-ish arms means he will probably play OG in he NFL 9.82 RAS https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=27170&ovl=Combine

Please do not draft an injured player til r4 or later

Many would like it to go away, but anyone truly holding that opinion doesn't understand that demographic and what pushing all of them into an already bloated civilian medical situation would do to them. Nothing like waiting 12 months to get in to see specialty providers. This is a topic for another forum though, so I will cease and desist. Looking at the schedule, the opponents and what they have done to this point, I'd like to bump my prediction to 11-6. I think the offense remains lethal and have faith Golden gets the defense to middle of the road. Give me the 16th ranked defense Golden and we might just be back in the championship game and more.

I think Rapien is a knucklehead and I don't care to listen to him. Him and the other dude don't strike me as any more informed than the average fan. Why listen? I to was hopeful for the two year deal they could move away from and that's what we have with Tee. I love looking at Spotrac once contracts are released, because I like the way they break it all down for you to see. If Tee has two above average seasons in 2025 and 2026, paying him 32m in 2027 will look like chump change. If he doesn't, they can walk away saving money as Tee is shown the door. EXACTLY what I wanted. Same thing (kind of) with Ja'Marr. Except they are "married" to him for 4 seasons and even that is how it's viewed. While there is an out for the Bengals in 2029, there is still savings to be had earlier if something crazy happened. It's about how much savings makes the most sense. I would bet an extension is in play earlier if all is good. Knowing he could play though the 2029 season and still not be 30 years old makes me very happy. I really don't get all the concern with paying both of these guys and it's been said here many times. Who the hell else will they need to cough up big dough to in the next 2-3 seasons? They have guys on their rookie deals and free agents they may or may not decide to keep down the road. There's so much that could change, that it doesn't make any sense to worry about what if's at this point. I'm happy knowing we don't have to worry about these guys for the coming few seasons and maybe more. Chase, Tee and Gisicki signings will ensure this offense will remain fun to watch for some time. Devote resources to Al Golden rebuilding the defense and roll with what you've got. I'm good with that approach. Or we could be the Steelers that are about to put the 2025 season into Rodgers hands. If I'm a Steelers fan, there is nothing about that scenario that would make me excited about the upcoming season.

They are idiots. Bengals don't have 20% of the cap used up in dead cap. Thus the Bengals don't need to push cash paid this year into future years. The trade off is having Chase/Higgins in reasonable situations in the outer years. For example: The Higgins deal will allow them to get out of the contract after 2 years. IF they don't Higgins is only a $32m cap hit in year 3 and $36 year 4. So you basically got a two year deal with a injury plagued player none of the cap hits are not unmanageable in his deal. If he has his two best years they can keep for a 3rd. If he's only 60% of snaps played they can move on from him. That's the trade off the Bengals can evaluate Higgins's roster spot more on merit vs. an unreasonable cap hit years 3/4. They are married to him for 2 years. This is not hard to figure out and I can say that because its exactly what I posted on here several times. The ideal contract for Higgins was something they could get out of after 2 years without major cap implications because he has had trouble staying on the field. Quit listening to uninformed agenda driven social media. They are never going to say the reality because it is boring and boring don't drive people out there to watch their videos.

Winston, Rodgers, Cousins ?? All the same guys at this point. None of which I would want as a QB of my team.

Russel Bodine, Billy Price, and Eric Ghiaciuc. Names that will live in infamy. I throw those names out there not to trigger PTSD in your heads, not to bring up the CTE in their quarterbacks heads, but to illustrate what may be a major philosophical shift in the handling of the inside offensive linemen by Bengals management. The old way - draft a guy then you just play him almost no matter what. All three of those guys struggled at times, were overmatched at times, and were just asked to do more than they could. Didn’t matter to the bengals. It was kind of like hey, “we’re not worrying about center or left guard or whatever, we got this guy on a 4 year deal and we’re good there.” Meanwhile the poor guy is out there getting the living shit kicked out of him. No help, no reinforcements, no free agent starters brought in. The new way, which I will call the “Rental Tight End” model: bring in an inexpensive vet with a lot of experience who is desperate to extend his career. It has certainly worked with the TE spot. We know Burrow has a lot to do with that. But it now looks like our new IOL, Lucas Patrick, could be this year’s rental tight end, but he’s a guard. I’m all for it. The old way didn’t work. At least with this method we aren’t married to the guy and if he falters we can try again. Scherff looms.

Scherff is, apparently, in no rush to sign anywhere and is taking his time to weigh up multiple options. I think that we sometimes forget that this is a 2 way street.

A bit of a bummer to have less cap space contrary to expectation, but it should ease the load down the road.

That's why I don't really get all upset with whatever the numbers are. Much like Burrow signing the contract that made him the highest paid QB in history. That's just something to say, but is always short lived. Truth is, that in a couple of years, those deals will look like bargains simply because the cap and future deals with other players will do nothing but continue to grow. While I wish they would have gotten things done sooner with them, it really is neither here nor there. Tee and Chase will be here for a while with Burrow and the offense should be fun to watch. Just pay Trey already and let Golden get the defense back to middle of the pack. If that happens, we are right back in the thick of Super Bowl contention. I truly believe that and am happy to be able to feel that way about our team. It's a good time to be a Bengals fan.

“We’re going to score 75 points a game… and we’re going to have to.” LMAO !! So true.

Ah, here it is! The headline that TJ has been waiting for: Bengals attended Ashton Jeanty's pro day ahead of NFL draft