ArmyBengal

Not that I have any reason to believe he would end up here... Myles Garrett just requested a trade from the Browns.

Because the score board is only one piece. If they are an effective NFL business because they win, then the question must be asked, how did that happen? Is it the way they conduct their business that produces the wins and in turn they are effective? Or is it because they have a generational talent at the QB position with other pieces? It's like using stats alone to determine how good a player is. Again, I can and do give credit to the front office for getting deals done, but that alone does not make it the most efficient and effect way to run your business. I defer to COB's comments from earlier as opposed to simply rewriting them.

I get you COB, hate to see some of those coaches leaving. It happens though. It was reported that J. Smith was offered over $4m in NIL money to leave and he refused. Your point about OSU producing NFL caliber WR's is spot on. There is a reason for that and really one of the few coaches I would have heartache seeing leave. Brian Hartline Dude doesn't not get enough credit for not only his recruiting ability, but being able to get these young kids ready to play in the league. His resume speaks volumes and one would be hard pressed to find another coach that has had the type of impact he has had, on their own team. Do whatever needs to be done OSU, but do NOT let that dude leave the building.

“Helped sharpen the defensive line” Yes please…

I am more than willing to give the front office credit for getting some deals done, but those are not in and of themselves an indication of a modern way of doing business in the NFL. I periodically change the oil in my car. That in and of itself does not make me a mechanic.

Regarding offseason notes: I really hope Burrow is keeping track of these guys recently taking shots at him saying he’s not an elite QB.

Wait one... "Complete" fault ?? No, of course not. There's certainly understanding the player and/or their agent play a role in these deals. My take is that the front office rarely seems to make these things a priority unless they are a QB. The other guys that have gotten paid seem to be when they bring in free agents. When they are due for an extension, it seems to fall apart.

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't really care what teams decide to do. I can hate a player for whatever they did, while simultaneously cheering for them when the team wins. Example: Jackson Carmen is a piece of shit. I was really happy when the Bengals released his dumb ass. However, he was an absolute bully in the Bills playoff game in the snow and I cheered the hell out of that. My point is, I will never understand how people can work so hard to get themselves and their families to a good situation in life, only to make a stupid decision that jeopardizes it all. Just stupidity of epic proportions.

You're not.

As to the first comment, it's easy. They had eyes on Chase since day one and knew what they had. They did what they always do and waited for someone else to move first instead of just paying him regardless of the others. I argued at the time Chase should be the highest paid WR and was laughed at. I would be less irritated by it if it wasn't what the Bengals always do. This time it's going to bite them if they don't cheap out yet again. His new deal is going to far eclipse whatever they were going to do last year and he will reset the WR market. Who's fault exactly is that? I said the same thing about Higgins after a couple of contracts (like Pittman's) were signed in that the Bengals would be smart to offer him the same deal. Again, I was laughed at. What's beyond me is fans that honestly think the front office is being up front in paying these guys what they are worth. If they were, Burrow wouldn't be doing interviews saying the same thing. It's not like they don't know what the team is capable of when they take the field. This isn't much different offensively than the group that went to the Super Bowl. Running a front office is easy if they would take advantage of the work that was done for them by other teams and offer a deal now, instead of waiting a year to see them "prove it". Now the combined cost of Higgins and Chase, should they pull both deals off is going to cost them $8-10 million more per season. Higgins wasn't worth $20m and Chase wasn't worth $30m. Lets not forget that worth is predicated on what another team is willing to pay them, not what anyone thinks about their injury history or whatever else someone can throw up as a reason.

I literally haven't watched TV since last weekend outside of movies on whatever streaming platform. The only football news I have been into is whatever is discussed here and mock drafts. I'm sure it will pick up as we get closer, but I'm not watching the Super Bowl either. Just don't care.

Money must really cloud the fuck out of your judgement when making THAT much. I struggled with money when I got out of the Army and was busting my ass to get my family back on track. I got on at the VA and was going back to school. I kept working and got promotions quickly. Then it happened. One day on my to school, I filled up my gas tank. I got in the car and started driving and it hit me. I had no idea how much it took to fill my gas tank. Like literally NO idea and I thought, "Wow, that's cool". I even called my wife and told her about it. She just laughed at me, but it really hit me. I had spent most of military career not making shit and struggling. Got out of the Army and struggled. Worked and worked and worked some more and finally got my family pointed in the right direction. All these years later and I couldn't imagine fucking all that hard work up with such a poor decision. What are these guys doing?

I would love a Pittman type deal for Higgins as well, but don't think there's a way they get him at that number. Having that type of out after 2 seasons would be spectacular. In retrospect, the Bengals messed this up, just like Ja'Marr. They tagged Tee and reportedly didn't offer a long term deal that hit $20m per year. It was a mistake because that number was only going to go up from there. If getting Tee at $21-$22m per year now would be a great deal (I DO) than the Bengals messed up. They could have had it at that last year and be sitting only needing to focus on Chase and Trey right now. Just like Ja'Marr betting on himself and turning in one of the best WR season's in history. People saying he wasn't worth the $30m last year are going to shit themselves with his deal coming up. Again, people will NOW say, "Yeah, pay Chase $30m per year". TOO LATE...

I haven't read (or looked for) a single thing about the Super Bowl. It's like the game has already been played. Can't muster any interest at all...

Keeping Tee was always going to be a struggle and I don't think that's the Bengals being cheap either. I want them to and think they can, but am unsure if it's really the right thing to do. I guess some of that will come with seeing who else they could add to the roster in free agency. I was curious in a comparison and went to take a look at the Michael Pittman Jr. deal. Him and Tee were drafted in the same draft class. Higgins has played in 70 games, starting 62 of them. His stats look like this: 330 receptions on 512 targets. That's nearly 60% success rate when thrown his way. 4,595 yards and 34 TD's, converting 233 first downs. During the playoffs, he has 31 catches, 457 yards, 3 TD's and 21 first downs over 7 games. Pittman has played in 78 games, starting 70 of them. His stats look like this: 405 receptions on 598 targets. That's 53.5% success rate when thrown his way. 4,470 yards and 18 TD's, converting 215 first downs. During the playoffs, he has 5 catches, 90 yards, 0 TD's and 3 first downs in 1 game. While there are several different ways one might interpret that, I'm in the camp that says when Higgins is healthy and on the field, he's clearly the better receiver. Had he been healthy, those numbers would only be increased. Another might be, well Pittman has had shit QB's play and still put up solid numbers while Higgins has had Burrow throwing him the ball. Either way around, Pittman got a 3 year $70m deal, averaging $23.3m per year with a $15m signing bonus. $46m of the $70m is guaranteed. The Colts have a $5m dead cap out the 3rd year, saving $24m if they move on. While there are certainly other WR's that could be compared, this is a pretty good one in my opinion. My take away is there is no way a contract is done that doesn't average AT LEAST the $26.2m tag. As much as Tee should probably stay with Burrow, some team will throw a bigger number than that at him. With that said, Tee is gone...

It’s sort of like mediation in a lawsuit. The insurance agency offers this much. The other party wants this much. When all is said and done, the insurance agency gives more than they want to while simultaneously the other party gets less they wanted. Middle ground… Oddly enough you walk away thinking FUCK YOU !!

Nope, can't hurt at all. However, it takes people being both willing to listen and move from their current stance. How much they move is the story. Should be interesting.

In all honesty, I have no business being anywhere near a football field. Well, unless I'm cutting grass or have good seats. In terms of actually playing football, that never appealed to me. I was always short and light in the ass. Soccer was my sport. Played since I was 4, played all over the world and finally called it when I was about 35-36 years old. Great sport and provided great memories. I miss playing, but love watching. Back on topic... I like the Norman-Lott kid out of Tennessee as well, but am not sure why he has missed games in almost every season he played in college. I'm assuming injuries, but am not sure. Still looking for the clone of my favorite Bengals player at that position. GENOOOOOOO !!!

Yeah, that was almost too easy. I couldn't resist. Sadly, all of that is true. LOL...

Don’t know why they are worried about the Jefferson and Lamb deals. They sat on their hands last offseason, Chase bet on himself, and they watched him become one of the few WR’s in history to pull off the receiving triple crown. His deal will eclipse both of those mentioned. The Bengals fucked that up for sure. Just lazy on their part.

All looked great when he was healthy this year and agree with the comments. That being said, the knee were noted in college and they knew it was a risk. It bit them. Such is life. Honestly, I’m intrigued by what McLachlan might be. He was solid in college.

Hell yeah I am. Once I get this degenerative disc disease, rheumatoid arthritis and PTSD under control and cut back on the whiskey, I’m all in. Come to think of it, a couple of those things might actually help. Anger issues and pain killing agents probably are a bonus when tackling. Yep, put me in coach !!

The big knock on Nolen I have seen is the lack of consistent desire to be great. He clearly has the ability to do so, but his motor runs cold at times and disappears.

Aaaaaaand there's the risk with All, which was noted heavily. Better make sure that Gesicki is a priority. He just got more valuable.

If Tee walks, can we please not replace his 6'4 big body frame with a guy who's 5'11 ?? I think that's kind of the point with Tee. He's big AND athletic. Those guys don't grow on the draft tree. If they do, it's an early selection and I'm all in on giving Golden a new weapon based on what he wants/needs for the defense. The only thing that really takes me off of a defender at #17 is a free agency bonanza that nets us a starting DT, DE and Safety. Ok, maybe two of those three, but still. Minus a guy like WR Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona dropping, that's a no. If you haven't seen that kid play, check him out. T-Mac reminds me a lot of Tee.