ArmyBengal

As always when mocks start appearing, I'm left to wonder what the coaches real take on players is. Meaning, do the coaches think that Dax Hill and DJ Turner are your starting outside corners? I'm guessing they do and don't have much concern with that. Based on the conversation with the extension of Jalen Davis yesterday, it sounds like the coaches view him like Mike Hilton where he will be the starting nickel back. However, I would guess (hope) they don't bring back CTB as a free agent, which will leave things a little bare. How bare and when to fill that opening is the question. There are CB's which can probably be had into the 3rd round and give you back up quality from day one with the thought of seeing them continue to develop. There are probably a handful of guys that I could see filling that role through the first three rounds. With that being the case, maybe they don't go CB in the first. I'm left thinking an OT might be the better way to go when considering the OT draft class. That's thinking that Downs and Bain are gone. There really isn't a DT I like at #10 as I think Woods is being overhyped. After Bain and Bailey at DE, I don't think there's another worth the #10 pick. While another linebacker in the draft won't bother me, I think I'd rather see a veteran brought in. That is unless the unbelievable happens and Reese drops to #10. Long story short, when looking at the players thought to be there, the depth of certain positions, along with how the coaches view the current players on the roster, OT is making more and more sense to me. It's not even my favorite direction to travel, but it's what I'm thinking in February. Lomu would be my guy because he's a pure LT who could handle the swing tackle role initially. That and Orlando Brown Jr. is an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Lomu could learn and fill in where needed in 2026, taking over LT in 2027. Again, would not be upset with Delane. He's the top rated CB in the draft, so there's worse things.

It's been a minute since I have cared much about Trey. I loved what he has done while he has been here, but I simply think it's time to move on. He isn't happy with the way the Bengals front office handles contracts and they aren't changing. The only thing that leads to is what we saw last year with mudslinging and hold ins. Not saying his hold in led to his injury, but he wasn't himself. With slow starts being an issue for the team as a whole, that was less than helpful. Then there's still this thing about him that irritates me to no end in that he has always taken the money offered by the Bengals and then complained about it not being enough. At any point in time he could have bet on himself, turned down the money and hit free agency. He never once did that. I know it's a business and they are trying to maximize profits while they are in the window to do so, but we aren't talking about some guy who's only gotten paid on a rookie deal here. Trey has made nearly $100m in his 9 years in the league. With all due respect and appreciation, I will watch him walk away and move on.

Bengals apparently are extending CB Jalen Davis I saw a minute ago.

The Reds spring training starts this weekend and we are about a month away from opening day. Baseball means spring and the end of winter to me, so color me happy about that. The 2026 version of the Reds? I actually think they may be good this year and have a shot at the NL Central. Not sure they did enough, but it will be interesting to watch them play. Their starting rotation may be the best in the division and if not, it's really close. Same thing for the bullpen. This is nice to see from the Reds. The infield is pretty solid as well and they brought back Eugenio Suarez in free agency. The outfield is probably my biggest concern with the team and what they bring to the plate. That group needs to bring more in 2026 if they are going to contend. Overall I'm excited to see the season start. I will be catching the Sunday game of the opening series against the Red Sox. Let's go Reds !!

What would make the Bengals think they could pull off a tag and trade with Trey? Consider if you will the fact they have never once in their existence tagged and then traded a player. Like in forever. For ever ever. Here's another thought to consider... if no one would give up a 3rd or 4th last year AND pay Trey, what would make the Bengals think they would this year, while paying him more than last year and knowing he missed more than half the games last season with an injury? At this point, the Bengals should let him walk and hopes a team gets desperate and signs him to a big deal, which would result in a higher comp pick in 2027. Agree with Hoosier, just let him go and move on with improving the defense without the sheer stupidity that will surely ensue if they tag him again. The Cincinnati Bengals. The physical embodiment of not seeing the forest for the trees.

My true feelings are that I have no faith the organization does enough to consider all the options. Does anyone think they have a group of people that contemplates all variables for free agency and the draft? Burrow will turn 30 during the season. Can you believe that? Ja'Marr Chase will turn 26 before the season. Tee Higgins just turned 27 last month. Chase Brown will turn 26 before the season. I know people love to hear Burrow say his window is as long as he's playing, but that's not entirely true. While QB's tend to have a longer lifespan in the NFL, other players do not. That core of players I mentioned has about 3-4 seasons of a window together. What will it take the team to capitalize during that window? "Free agency costs too much"... Ok when won't it? Is it not worth it during this window? "We build through the draft"... Ok agree, but when it takes 4 years to realize talent, what good is it? "We have to watch the cap"... Ok but there's no time where you might consider kicking things down the road? At what point in time do you expect to have the offensive talent you do right now to make a run? Is this not a good time to consider making trades? Give up draft picks and players if need be? Have some flexibility how you handle the cap later down the road? Maybe devote a larger group of scouts to evaluate both free agent and college players? Just like last year when when it was reported teams had offered a 3rd rounder for Trey and the Bengals held onto him despite knowing he was not going to be enough to make up for how bad the defense was across the board. Hell knowing what they knew, a 4th rounder this year would be welcomed, but they will end up with nothing and out $30m from last year. The players know it, the fans know it, the analysts know it, everyone knows what this team needs to address for the defense. Apparently everyone except for the Bengals front office. I expect mid level, average players in free agency, being concerned about pushing cap dollars into the future they won't spend on anything big to help the team, an average at best draft and much of the same in 2026 regarding on field play. If they do nothing again, this is a 6-7 win team in 2026. Slowly wasting the talent this offense has and needing to start all over by 2030.

Ok, then I up my ante to both your nuts.

That's the old, "Who's on the board when you go on the clock". If a player(s) you wanted are gone, what do you do? Do you take the best player available or reach for need? My thing is, there is enough need across the entire defense it doesn't matter. CB may be the position group on defense in the best shape, but that's not a ringing endorsement for that group either. DJ Turner and Dax Hill seem solid, but there's not much in the cupboard after that and CTB should be shown the door. Too suggest CB isn't a need is just not being aware of what's going on with the team and/or roster. Again, there isn't a defensive position the Bengals couldn't justify spending a first round pick on.

I would give COB’s left nut to be in the draft war room just to see how that all goes down.

Ok Stripes just forward that to the front office and we are in business !!

It would be interesting to feed the Bengals information into an AI system and ask it to work through best scenarios for the offseason. Guessing final outcome… Fire everybody. Mike Brown Sucks. Improve the Defense. Gimme a lineman. And something about a Rascal Freedom Power Chair. Odd…

Yeah, I think people are just now starting to warm to the idea of Delane and him being worthy of a top 10 pick. Up to this point, most had him rated much lower and I never really understood why. I've watched him play and he would compliment the secondary VERY well in my opinion. While Downs is still my #1 hope, there are other solid safety prospects to be had in the 2nd round. Not a fan of either Woods or Faulk at #10. Honestly, both would piss me off when considering the talent that should be there when the Bengals go on the clock. Mesidor's stock has been rising and someone I had on the list as loving to see as a 2nd rounder. It's not looking that way anymore. Along with the safeties, there are a bunch of CB's I like in the 2nd round should they be there as well. I DO NOT think there will be a lack of talent and at positions of need for the Bengals in the 1st and 2nd. I would have rather had them lose more games, but they should be just fine to bring on solid players. Get after it in free agency Bengals. For the love of God, get after it.

Just did a quick mock of my own to see what's what and this is how it worked out. 1st- Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (My clear #2 if Downs is gone) 2nd- Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech (Older rookie at 24, but has the production you covet) 3rd- Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern (Mentioned him earlier. Ideal for me here) 4th- Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF (Really solid addition to the DE rotation in the 4th round) 5th- Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State (While not ideal, was simply the BPA and could spell Brown) I didn't bother with the 6th and 7th rounds at this point. Hated not seeing a safety that wouldn't have been a fairly large reach when I was on the clock. Outside of that, I would have little concerns with the above at this point. As always, subject to change.

Yeah, I don't think Bain will be there, but as much as another 1st round DE doesn't excite me, Bain's solid. A first round OT? I wouldn't complain, but not my ideal. There are too many needs on defense. It would depend on who else was still on the board. Like I said, wouldn't complain. None of the other 1st round names given do much for me and I would rather stay away from McCoy and his injury concerns. I've seen people say, well Ja'Marr sat out an entire year and look at him. Ok, well that's not a good comparison at all. McCoy blew out his fucking knee. Ja'Marr just decided to sit out the season. He might be ok, but I'd rather not take the risk in the first round. Christian Miller? He strikes me as what we already have on the roster with Jenkins and McKinnley. Maybe a little bigger, but pretty much the same guy. As always, I could be wrong and he turns into a monster. Caleb Tiernan? Exactly the kind of guy I would like to see them target and doesn't cost a round 1 or 2 pick. Chandler Rivers is like an inch taller than me. That's an easy NO for a CB spot in the NFL. There are other players at those spots that intrigue me more, but I'm just now really looking at it more. The end of the season gives me a heck of a lot more intrigue in the draft and who might be there.

I think Callahan will do well with that job. I think he has more talent to work with on the Giants offense then he did with the Titans. Best of luck.

Myles “Froot Loops” Murphy should have his option picked up for no other reasons than… we need his average ass and that’s not expensive. Hes not good.

There are better ways to spend that money than on Trey. Besides those core vaginal muscle injuries take time to heal up properly.

Tag Trey and give him more than $30 million, knowing it's going to make things stupid? Yeah, that's a no for me. Can't fathom there being any type of good to come from that. Tag and trade? Don't see that happening either. For one, he would need to sign the deal. That guarantees it for 2026 and I'm not sure a team would pay him more than $30m. Even if they gave him a new deal, that money for 2026 is locked in. While I think teams would be interested in Trey, I don't think they want to pay him like that. Especially when considering he's coming off an injury and turns 32 this year. The Bengals just don't give the impression they could pull that off. That would register as the most shocking Bengals thing ever.

Yep, on to 2026. Bring on free agency and the draft !! Please Bengals, give me a reason to be thrilled about the 2026 season.

Speaking of which, Jason Myers got screwed. Should have been the MVP of the Super Bowl. But can't have a kicker earn that honor. Kick 5 FG's, setting the record for FG's in a Super Bowl? Nope. Carry the team on your back, accounting for all scoring until the 4th quarter? Nope. Solely accounted for 17 of the 29 points scored in the whole game? Nope. Let's give it to the RB who, while running for 135 yards, didn't score a single point or break a record. Sounds reasonable. Personally, I think they should be able to give the award to a whole unit, like the Seahawks defense. However, Myers got shafted. No two ways about it. I'm sure he's happy they won, but somewhere in the back of his head, you know he's thinking to himself... WHAT THE FUCK !?!?

Side note, one of my military buddies hit me up right before the game and said... "New England is going to mop up tonight" and then follows that with... "I'll take them and the loser has to buy two tickets to a Bengals game of the winner's choice". I wasn't planning on going to any games next season, but free is free. Narrowed it to the Chiefs or the Bucs. Not sure yet and may wait to see how things go. Winner = this guy

When I was in the Army, playing Spades was taken pretty seriously and the shit talk was constant. One thing that always amused me was when I heard someone ask... "Do you play Spades, or are you a Spades PLAYER?" That's how I view Houston's and Seattle's defense compared to the Bengals.

I made these jalapeño poppers that had cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese and fried pork sausage with a bacon wrap. Fucking amazing !!

Delane has always been one of those guys on my list of players I would be good seeing the Bengals draft. Of the players I could see being there at 10, he’s probably my #2 behind Caleb. Woods? Yeah if he fell to the 2nd. There isn’t much about what I’ve watched when Clemson plays to suggest he’s a top 10 pick despite what others say.

Priceless I never cared for Schwartz as a head coach, but he's an above average coordinator.