ArmyBengal

To start, I wanted Lou gone and am happy that's the case. I was also in support of bringing Golden back into the mix to replace Lou. That being the case and hearing these are the guys he wanted to run his style of defense, I'm just going to let it happen and let the chips fall. No more bashing or questioning, just going to have faith that Golden can do what I think he can do. It's Stewart, Knight and Carter. That's what we are rolling with and I'm happy Al got what he wanted. I'm on board. Go get this defense to the middle of the road in the league and it's game on. Additionally, I didn't get the impression they would be moving on from Pratt. He's one of Golden's picks from his time previously and I'm sure fits what he's looking for in a linebacker. Maybe Golden's presence will help get Pratt back into what we had in 2022 and not what we got last year. Guess we will see. Also, nothing would surprise me more than seeing another defensive draft through the early rounds next year. Pratt, Stone, Hendrickson, Ossai, CTB and more are all unrestricted free agents in 2026.

DUDE, don't even get me started. It was one of the first things I saw this morning, jumping on PFT for updates. There I was met with, "Now that the dust is settling on the 2025 draft, we’ve been trying to figure out why he fell all the way to pick No. 144." Really? You've been trying to figure it out? These guys must be dumber than I thought. Let's take a look at stats during his two seasons at Colorado, which is what I would guess teams would consider most. He threw for a little over 7000 yards in two seasons, with 64 TD's to 13 INT's. While being lauded as a running QB he had 8 rushing TD's, his net rushing yardage over 2 seasons was -127. MINUS His passing completion rate is damn near the only thing that was worth noting in national QB rankings. He was also 8th in the Heisman voting for 2024. Top that with leading his team to a 13-12 record in his two seasons in Colorado and going 8-10 in the PAC/BIG XII. He took his team to a bowl game once during his time there and got blasted by BYU 36-14. Top that with a father that has just sang his praises at every step of the way, called out the media for not thinking his son could play at this level, telling teams there were some teams Shedeur wouldn't play for, somehow convincing the university to retire his son's jersey for what I don't know and talking about him coming to coach in the NFL if it was with his son. Top that with Shedeur being labeled as "Brash" and "Entitled" through the combine interview process and then hosting a draft party with dollar sign hats, logos and banners all over the place. Again I ask, does this sound like a QB you want your team to draft and lead your team? Let me help PFT figure out why he fell. Are you listening PFT? THE KID ISN'T THAT GOOD. So glad he went to the Browns.

I may be wrong, but as I sit here today, I do NOT like the idea of Josh Newton starting in the slot over Dax. If they aren't going to get Dax time at the safety position, I prefer him in the slot over Newton. It's not really even a close consideration for me if Dax is back 100%.

In looking closer, I now agree with the concept of them looking strictly at a LG prospect, as opposed to RG. It's debatable on whether or not that was the best approach, but I'm not really here for that debate. The fact is that Fairchild took over 1300 snaps at LG and Ratledge took over 2100 snaps at RG. If all else is equal (as is being said) then the Bengals clearly felt moving on from Volson was the best move. So if that is true, we should anticipate an o-line from left to right looking like this: Brown - Fairchild - Karras - Patrick - Mims Is that markedly better than last year's line? I don't know. I think part of the issue last year was the absolute fall off the cliff season by Cappa. Just complete garbage week in and week out. So if that was his new norm, Patrick should present as a fairly large upgrade to the LG spot this season. When considering Volson and his performance, Fairchild has the "ability" to present as an upgrade. If you are inclined to believe PFF is the be all end all (I'm not but look) Fairchild's overall grade from last year would put him just outside the top 10 NFL guards from last year. Granted, he wasn't in the NFL, so I am not expecting that. However, it's at least intriguing to think about what the new o-line coach, Peters, can get out of him. Here's where I think I'm comfortable landing now that we've had a week to consider our roster with our new rookies in the mix.... FACT: Of the 8 losses last season, 7 were by a TD or less and 3 of those by a FG or less. FACT: In 4 of the 8 losses, the Bengals scored at least 33 points or more. FACT: Joe Burrow was one of the most sacked QB's in the league (4th worst). FACT: Volson and Cappa were two of the worst starting guards in the league last year. I wasn't even aware Cappa was the triple crown winner being 1st in each sacks allowed, pressures allowed, and hurries allowed. When considering the above, it's hard to say if the additional of Fairchild and Patrick will be the difference, but again, it's intriguing. When considering the defensive woes, it's hard to say if Stewart and Knight will have a large impact or if this is the year for Murphy. Will Turner and Hill come back from injuries strong this season? Will the play of the safeties resemble the first or second half of last season? Again, the amount of improvement needed could probably be minimal and still have a large positive impact. Couple that with playing what appears to be a middle of the road strength of schedule and I think they get back to the playoffs. With a couple surprises, we might even be competitive in the post season. It's just as likely as not to consider them making a deep playoff run.

Apparently Luke Kuechly liked the pick of Stewart as well. Talking about his flexibility to play inside and outside in the C gap like a true defensive end. Also mentioned he thinks his ceiling is the highest of the DE's in the draft. There was more, but outside of being from Cincinnati, he doesn't have a vested interest in the Bengals. I liked hearing his perspective.

Maybe their definition of comfortable differs from mine because those options blow.

I'm just not getting over Demetrius Knight instead of Tate Ratledge any time soon. I simply don't know how you look at those two players and draft Knight. This isn't a popularity contest on my part either. I like Knight, think he will be at least what Pratt was and hope he does well. I can like him, while simultaneously disliking the pick. Follow up the Mims pick by having Ratledge right next to him and the right side is solid for the next 4-5 seasons. It's like moving up to take Jackson Carman instead of Creed Humphrey all over again. Ratledge going to the Lions sickens me.

I don't have an issue with picking up his option when considering the going rate. I also hope Dax has a great year. What I don't want is them paying him top of the market for that one year on an extension. Do well, get a decent extension without resetting the whole damn position market and move on. Well, that or suck and get injured again and then we move on.

I don't buy most of the talk about why a player is or isn't taken. With every year that goes by, I think the thing which matters most to them is simply which player is a person they like. Maybe not because of the stats, not because they were a captain or an All American, but are they likeable. It's like they hide behind "fit" when it's really "like". As simple as them all meeting the same guy and one coach says, "I didn't like him" or "I really liked him". If they get more liked than didn't like, they take him. If that means they take him early, who cares, they liked him. Granted, I'm probably overstepping to a degree, but it really feels like that to me. How many times have we said, "Boy that's someone you can really root for" ?? There it is.

Yeah, who knew? Seriously though, what part of Froot Loops makes you think eating clean? I mean I grew up in the 70's and still eat Froot Loops, Cap' Crunch, Apple Jacks and all that shit. A professional athlete that is trying to cut back should know these days and I don't care if you're young. What? No Fruity Peebles? What the Fuck ?? NO WAY !!!

Honestly I think Murphy gets the lion's share of the snaps Hubbard was getting. I think it's his spot to lose. That being said, I won't be surprised to see Golden have it be an open competition knowing how things ended last season for the defense. I'm equally curious what's going to happen with the linebackers and secondary though. Not sure how many times they ran the 4-2-5 last season and who was on the field when, but with Pratt still on the roster, we have an abundance of linebackers. I love that problem. In the secondary, with it appearing to be Newton moving into Hilton's vacated slot role, where does that leave Dax? How's Turner coming back from injury? Do we get the safety play in the first half of 2024 or the second half? Again, Golden doesn't need a top 10 unit, but getting them to middle of the road would be monstrous for this team.

Should have cut him before reworking his deal.

Have long said the decisions to draft both Dax and Myles have killed this team. They absolutely cannot afford for Stewart to be another example. This might be an unpopular opinion, but one thing that will play into closing the championship window for Burrow will be for the team to continue missing first round defensive picks. Now if Stewart if closer to the Texans Will Anderson, we are in business. It's time for me to do my part of the "Hope and Pray Strategy" of the Bengals and say some prayers for this to happen. C'mon guys don't let the team down. Get to praying bitches !!

What's the over/under for how many bitches he choked out before coming to the building regularly? I'm putting it at 4.

Him and Shedeur about to be buds wearing oversized dollar sign hats everywhere. Couldn't have happened to a better franchise. LEGENDARY

Just saw an interview with Shemar from the Senior Bowl and he was asked something along the lines of what QB he would like to sack the most his rookie year. He answered, "Lamar". Well, funny how that worked out where he will get two shots at him this year and each year moving forward for the near future. Also mentioned he was going for the DROY. His first challenge will be beating out the others for the other starting position before even getting that opportunity to make that a reality. Regardless, I wish him all the luck in both endeavors and many years of success.

I see what you did there... However, Burden is a complete idiot that I hope got some sense knocked into him during the offseason. Seriously, I would have like to have heard a story how TJ Houshmandzadeh went full ape shit crazy kicking the shit out of him in the middle of the road outside of PayCor stadium one night. One of those where every time he kicks or hits him, he says another word. "Don't-you-ever-do-some-shit-like-that-and-embarrass-me-again-you-punk-ass-mother-fucker" Him and Jones are exactly the reason I would have had no issue with drafting a WR this year. Bengals front office just lulling everyone to sleep this year for when they take a 1st round WR next year and shock the world.

His tweet about, "The rejected will be respected" really had me too. Could you imagine having to deal with not only this kids' ego, but his father as well? Who the hell would want to deal with that circus? Especially knowing Deion has already said the only way he would coach in the NFL was if it was with his son. Now Stanfanski gets to look forward to wondering if Haslam cans his ass trying to get Deion to come coach. Probably why he looked so unenthused when they showed his picture when the pick was announced. Just when you think it's bad to watch the Bengals front office, the Browns remind you they still exist. They are just a comical franchise to watch operate. I would feel bad for the Browns fans, but they think they are going to the Super Bowl, so no...

I would hope they wouldn't hand out an extension to either of them. Dax has had 2-3 position moves and has been hurt. CTB I would have said yes and then last year happened. He bought into his hype and then sucked. Give it half way through the season and see where they stand. If they are all all set, do it then. I'd rather them move on if there are questions, as opposed to handing them option money at this point.

As his necklace noted, "Legendary". That's how his draft day fall will be remembered.

I saw the Bengals gave Geno Atkins #97 jersey to Stewart. He better not fuck up the mojo that jersey brings !! I'm hoping Atkins' mojo is passed along to him.

I was hoping his brother would have gotten drafted before him. That would have been priceless. I don't care one way or another about where he got drafted, but I was never a fan of his either and had consistently said he hasn't done anything to get drafted so high. A high completion percentage and your last name just isn't enough. Then there was the huge draft party, custom built room just for the draft, everyone wearing dollar signs everywhere "$", and then nothing. My God that was priceless. My buddies kept texting me asking "Can you believe Sanders is falling?" to which I responded, "Yes, you lead your team to a 9-4 record, don't win your conference, get blasted in your bowl game, have your dad/head coach convince the school to retire your jersey for doing the previously mentioned, then have coaches calling you "Brash" and "Entitled" during the Combine interview process. Does that sound like a QB you want your team taking in the top 3 of the draft or at all?". I got crickets.... I'm happy he's in Cleveland. I'm more upset the Steelers drafted QB Will Howard to be honest.

Stewart, Knight and Barrett all came from a base 4-2-5 defense while in college and we run that look often here. Not sure how much change we should expect with Golden. I’m refusing to buy into these guys can do it better than some of the others on the board when the Bengals went on the clock. Guard was a position we knew was going to be drafted early and we saw that, but color me unsettled with the thought of any of these guys cracking the starting line up as rookies. It sounds like previous o-line picks where we have starters that are no better than depth. Fairchild is most often described as raw and unrefined who may someday shape into a starting guard. Here he’s the starter from day one. Bad idea… I still don’t know who the fuck Jalen Rivers is. No wait, my bad… he was the o-lineman of the week in 2022 apparently. Whew !! Then there’s the running back. I know it’s a 6th round pick but this dude will not be making any type of impact this year. Maybe next year but who knows. There were players at positions of need still available I would have rather seen brought in to compete. Really displeased with what they came away with and am not buying into the reasoning for staying away from consensus players. Obviously I will be rooting come the fall but I don’t think they moved the needle much from last year.

I like the McLaughlin signing and I had Howard Cross in some of my early mocks. Could be worse.

The thing with consensus players is they had to actually do something to get to that point. I watch a lot of college football and really look into players prior to the draft. I have no idea who the fuck Jalen Rivers is. When considering others players still on the board, it’s easily the worst pick in my opinion.