ArmyBengal

The Bengals seem to forget that free agency includes the caveat of the player “wanting” to play for them. They win the “most visits” battle but that because players are trying to drive up their price.

Another thing to point out is this is another situation where you have to do well drafting if your philosophy is to build through the draft. It makes adding players at high prices, especially when considering giving up picks, more challenging. This organization simply fails at many levels when it comes to building a roster.

Yeah the Bengals were interested. Interested in making people believe they were interested. They weren’t…

More amusing is JaMarr thinking Crosby would help this abortion of a defense. I mean he’s on the damn team.

Look at the depth chart for the Ravens defense BEFORE they added Crosby. While they didn’t sport a top 10 defense, at least they had players at all levels. Them giving up 2 firsts for Crosby made sense. They will be a very hard beat in 2026 if they all stay healthy. Have to be favorites for the AFCN crown at this point and it’s not close. Now look at the Bengals defense and tell me what adding Crosby and giving two picks would have gotten us. Due to the absolute void of talent, they would have had to tag Trey to keep him around and they still would probably suck AND they would have given up two 1st’s. That trade might have crippled what’s left of Burrow’s career. I’m glad the Ravens don’t have first rounders this and next year but I think they are closer to competing for a Super Bowl than we are. We suck.

Just posted something similar in the other thread COB. Couldn't agree more with your take on the family way.

I use to think things would change if something ever happened to Mike Brown. I think it's pretty safe to say the hope and pray method with a pinch of catch lightning in a bottle approach is what will continue to be seen for many decades to come. This model that Mike has employed has been shaped and molded to be passed down through the generations for one reason and one reason only. Making the family money for those coming generations. Yeah, there's winning. Yeah there's the jobs it brings to the city. Yeah, there are other ancillary benefits to having a pro team in your city, but that's not really the family's 1st, 2nd or 3rd concern. Honestly, I doubt any of those fall in their top 10. That's my dead truth belief about the Brown family. No filter. They don't care about winning, the people, or the city. That is the reason I was hoping the city wouldn't extend the lease. Them taking the Bengals and moving to a new city was my final hope with all of that. Now here we are. I honestly believe I will go to my grave never seeing a Super Bowl in Cincinnati. Anyone thinking this shitshow will change must either be new to the game or delusional. FUCK YOU MIKE BROWN AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY !!!! I truly wanted them to leave town.

One more thing, the Bengals are thought to have around $48 million in cap space. Thing is, there are 7 teams that have far more cap space and some are in great need of improving. My point is, I think players are going to get paid more than their talent may suggest. That being the possibility takes any optimism I may have and sets it to fire...

Oh yeah, the time for restructuring Burrow's deal is BEFORE free agency, so that's out. Not that I really saw them doing something so progressive, but just saying.

I really don't know why I bother posting about players that could help the Bengals. I have no faith they will sign anyone worth mentioning. Bunch of players that never were and never will be, but they will be cheap in comparison. Please Bengals, shock the shit out of me.

Not sure how I missed Bryan Cook from the Chiefs being out there as well. So give me this for the defense: DE, Odafe Oweh LB, Leo Chenal or Devin Lloyd S, Bryan Cook I'm really thinking Cook on the chance the Downs is there and they pass on him. That and I am not buying the talk of Jordan Battle being an above average starter. Hell, give me Cook AND Downs in the first and now we are cooking. There has to be a veteran linebacker brought in to stabilize and help the youth we have there. Chenel might be the more expensive of the two and he's my #1, but Lloyd won't bother me at all. DE should be addressed in both free agency and the draft when looking at what remains. No Trey (which I'm good with) Ossai is a free agent. Myles "Froot Loops" Murphy, and Stewart is an unknown. Cedric Johnson? Cam Sample? Ugh, give me two more at that spot and go from there. Those moves would also free up the draft dramatically or maybe even allow for the thought of trading up or trading for a player. One thing the Bengals have done in the draft is trade for players and used draft positioning as a part of the deal as opposed to straight up giving up picks. I'm just in the spot of thinking if they don't do something drastic, I might be tuned out before the season even starts. We all are too aware of how this organization and coaches work. It's been asked too many times... "Will it even matter"? Sadly this is the most optimistic time of the season for me. I think that's why I love the draft so much.

I feel your pain COB. Degenerative disc disease from top to bottom. Waiting for my spleen to fall out any minute now.

HOPE LIVES !!!

Oh absolutely, honestly my heart sank a little bit because on top of the fact the Bengals don't value the safety position and I thought there was an equal chance of them passing on Downs even if he made it to #10, poor medicals would only ensure that to be the case. I want an impact safety so much for this defense and year after year we get mediocre play from that group. Fortunately there are some solid safeties outside of Downs I like. A.J. Haulcy from LSU is a guy that could be there in the second round. Even guys like Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina and Zakee Wheatley from Penn State. Guess we will see.

So we are 5 days from the start of the tampering period. Who do you want to see them sign? DE, Odafe Oweh- Clearly going to need some help with Trey gone. LB, Leo Chenal- He's 25 and would be a great veteran presence for Knight and Barrett. LB, Devin Lloyd- Same thing as Chenal. I really think they bring in a veteran for the linebackers. The DT free agent group is kind of weak in my opinion with the best of the bunch being 29 year old John Franklin-Myers. However, his age and potential contract make him less likely. After that, the cupboard is pretty bare. If they want a veteran DT a trade may be in order. I'm also not a huge fan of the safeties out there despite the talk of it being a deep free agent group. All in all, I would like to see them add veteran leadership to the defense at almost any/every position. I just don't think there is enough out there to cover some of the holes I would like them to.

Now that it's all said and done, I wish Trey nothing but the best. He was a great signing for the Bengals and I loved cheering for him. I didn't like how things went down the last couple of seasons, but hold no ill will. Nickelback? Guilty pleasure...

Yeah, I don't care and still want Downs. Once the medicals actually come out the Buckeyes have their pro day in 3 weeks I will reconsider. Cory Kinnan is some dude like us who writes about the draft and football in general in Cleveland. Nothing personal, but I will wait this one out until the docs release the medicals.

We are still better than a month away and free agency has to shake out before the draft. That being said, here are the players that may or may not be there at #10 that I like. I will give them in my order: 1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (Always been my #1) 2. Rueben Bain, DE, Miami 3. David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech (Dude is just high twitch and fun to watch) 4. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (I have argued he's Arvell Reese's equal) 5. Monsoor Delane, CB, LSU 6. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (He's a LT) Combine and competition faced moves him up. 7. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah (He's a LT) Don't get it twisted, there are other players I like and in the event of a trade down, that list expands. Picking 10 and looking at the other players thought to go higher, I'm going to get one of those 7. In that event, my first round grade is already an "A+". The next thing is.... who falls to us in the 2nd round? Someone always falls. It's inevitable.

I wouldn't rule out an OT at 10 either. Might not be my preferred, but as always... it depends on who's on the board when they go on the clock. Just make him a guy capable of playing LT. That would be my only ask if they go that way. I heard about Downs' knee as well and chalk that up to someone wanting him to fall. The medicals will confirm for sure.

Yeah, I'm glad they haven't and hopefully won't tag Trey as well. I just find all the talk surrounding Trey humorous. They always have been and continue to be full of shit. Rework Burrow's deal? Yeah, I will be shocked if that shit happens either. It's just not something this organization does historically. They don't like to "kick the can down the road". While there are times I agree with that approach, you can't be "All in" and not consider every opportunity you have at your disposal to accomplish what you preach is your goal. The Chiefs just did this with Mahomes and gained $43.6 million in cap space this year. No one in the Bengals front office thinks something like that might help? It's March though, so we already know half the family is already on a beach somewhere.

Wait? No tag and trade of Trey? Good idea Bengals. Better leave those advanced tactics to the real organizations. Sit back and wait for someone to offer Trey a big deal and take the 3rd round comp in 2027. I bet the whole tag and trade idea came from the granddaughters. I mean that certainly wasn't a Mike Brown or Pumpkin idea. I wouldn't typically mind the 3rd round comp pick, but if they are as aggressive as they need to be and sign multiple players, they will just cancel out whatever happens with Trey. Tell me again why trading him last year wasn't a good idea? Stay tuned, to preserve that 3rd round comp pick, there will be no free agent signings.

Richardson may benefit from a change of scenery but his stats don’t indicate it would matter much. Although we survived Jake Browning so there’s that.

Yep Hoosier, just another reason to continue hating this organization as much as I do. They couldn't muster up a feel good story to save their lives. They are the walking, breathing embodiment of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. If I had to take a guess at what the largest cause of depression in the greater Cincinnati area is, I would say the Bengals front office and Brown family. They are the dark cloud that hangs over the franchise. Here... here's a quick Bengals depression check for all fans to consider: 1. Do the Bengals feel like a burden to you? 2. Do you think you would be better off without the Bengals? 3. Do the Bengals make you feel like you don't want to get out of bed? 4. After free agency and/or the draft, do you find yourself saying, "What the fuck, just leave me alone"? 5. Do you use rigid language like, the Bengals MUST improve the defense, or the Bengals ALWAYS start slow, or maybe the Bengals COMPLETELY fucked this up? 6. Do you find yourself deflecting Bengals related topics by saying, "Really, I'm sure it will work out fine". 7. Have you lost interest in Bengals related things and think, "I don't care anymore"? 8. Have the Bengals ever brought you physical pain or discomfort? 9. Have you ever had feelings like, "I wish we were ran like that organization"? 10. Have you ever broken anything in your house when trying to understand the Bengals? If you answered yes to 7 or more of these questions, you should seek medical attention.

Yep better to have than not.

Why does this win feel stupid? Why not a 2-3 year deal? They could have made the last year one they could get away from. Even if they draft an OG this year or next who takes Risner's job as stater, he would be solid veteran depth AT WORST. Nope don't need that, he's old. Don't get me wrong, this is a win and addresses the issue for now. It just feels like the Bengals fucked it up. I guess time will tell. I still hate you Bengals.