ArmyBengal

Looks like a lot of players are not wanting to bother. I’ll still check it out.

I have seen a bunch of different places reporting out on what the Bengals could get in return for Higgins. The thought process in those articles states they could get either a first or second round pick in return. To that I say, go hang on some nuts. If we trade Higgins, who's the #2? We would either have to find a cheaper option in free agency or depend on a rookie we take in the draft. In order for the Bengals to give up a known product, who is a big piece of our offense, that return had better be more than that. I've heard, "Well, that gaining team also has to pay the player". That's true, but it also is weakening our own team in the process. Both should be accounted for. The return should shock the shit out of me before I get behind it.

Higgins doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who is going to complain about getting the tag. Not that he doesn’t want a long term deal mind you… One, I don’t think he really wants to leave Burrow and Chase. Two, he knows nearly $22 million is nothing to turn your nose up at. That’s double what he’s made in his first 4 seasons combined. Three, if no long term deal is done, he’s going to crush the market in 2025.

See ?? That's the kind of shit that happens when rules 1 and 2 are broken !!

Haven't we discussed rule #1 and #2 about Rookie Pool ?? "You do not talk about Rookie Pool"

Leonard Williams anyone ?? https://heavy.com/sports/seattle-seahawks/news-rumors-cincinnati-bengals-leonard-williams/

Overhaul the offensive game plan. Yeah, I’m hoping that what they saw after Burrow went down was an indicator that they can in fact mix things up a bit more. That and play to the strength of the o-line they have.

Well the 30 million dollar increase in the cap paid for the tag and still left the Bengals with about another 8 million. The tag was pretty much a no brainer before the increase so whatever is better than a no brainer is what that decision was after the fact.

And the Bengals inform Higgins and his agent that Tee will be getting tagged. Basically to all the others teams interested…. Fuck off !!

Wow the Bengals are in a great spot and all the other North teams are sucking ass. Nice !!

I wouldn't have minded seeing him go last year if they were going to pay him what he was due to make. Then they went and did something I don't think they've ever done and reconstructed his contract. At that point I was totally good with bringing him back and it ended up working out well for 2023. Now, this year they have to relook it. Do they feel he's worth the 8.85 million or do they cut him and save a little over 6 million? I'm good with his current salary and would have no issues with him being back. Who takes his place? Brown? Ok, who takes his? If they let Mixon go, they have to get more help at the RB spot one way or another. I'd rather them just keep him. He appears to want to continue playing for the Bengals and may actually be willing to take another pay cut to make that happen. Again, I would rather him stick around. Just let Brown spell him more than in 2023.

I love Tee and would have no concern if the team extends him. For the record, I think there is a part to him playing alongside Chase and Boyd that gets diminished. I would hope if he leaves that he goes on to have a great career. Although, I also wouldn’t be surprised if his numbers were not as good with a new team if they don’t have the QB and WR talent he’s played with here. Nothing but love for Tee !!

Keep the striped endzones though !!

Newton is still widely considered the top DT in the draft, but heard yesterday he’s having foot surgery and skipping the combine. Love him as a player but expected him to be gone by 18 as well. I loved the Chase pick and didn’t think Carmen was a good enough OT to go in the 2nd round. The fact he was projected to be moved inside was even less appealing to me. Now I would just like to see them cut him.

Here’s the other thought I had about our needs vs free agent availability… When looking at the free agent OT’s, it’s pretty slim without true upgrades to what we had with Jonah. That’s part of the reason I still say OT early. However, when looking at the DT free agents, there are some impact players I would jump for joy adding. As much as I love Tee, I don’t think the team gets better paying him 25 million per year. Not with Chase and of course Burrow, who should make other WR’s better. But, you put that money into another top end interior pass rusher and I just think it’s a bigger overall impact. Of course I could be wrong but that’s where I am today. Thoughts and ideas subject to change…

Nope we couldn’t have used him…

For what it's worth, the mock draft up on the official site had both Latham and Mims still on the board at #18 and the Bengals taking DT, Murphy, out of Texas. I wouldn't necessarily be upset with that pick. While I think there are decent OT's that could be had in the 2nd round, I'm not sure the quality when the Bengals go back on the clock will be what they want protecting Burrow. In this situation, looking at Latham, Mims and Guyton still on the board, I would hope for a trade down and grab another draft pick. Grab the best available DT in the 2nd and bring back Reader if he's healthy. They should be able to afford him.

Well, hope it looks good.

Agree

I certainly won't argue about taking Murphy over the next available TE last year. They thought Irv Smith was going to make an impact and improving the pass rush is a yearly consideration. Murphy was considered a value, most thought would be long gone before the Bengals went on the clock. It was a solid pick despite him coming on slowly and me wanting more from him sooner. I also agree they may not take the next available OT at 18 if so many come off the board. I started trading down in my mock drafts to pick up a selection and taking an OT toward the end of the first. If they are hell bent on getting an OT, that may provide the best course of action. There are at least a handful of OT's I think could help at the RT spot, so I am hopeful.

Much like the Bengals o-line, the Reds success will be tied to their pitching. Hoping for a fun season !!

I have long been in the Jer'zahn Newtown camp for #18 and really haven't changed my "want". However, I don't see many OT options in free agency. Some of those have expressed a desire to resign back with their team and others have injury concerns. While I don't think the odds of a free agent OT are good, I'm certainly NOT opposed to it. When looking at the draft, there are at least a few RT prospects which may be there at #18. As we get closer to the draft, they may climb above our slot, but that remains to be seen. I would rather not look at it as a "This or That" option though. I given the choice, I would look to add OT help in both free agency AND the draft. Can't forget on top of Williams this year, Jackson Carmen and D'Ante Smith are free agents in 2025. I would rather have a solid vet to start, build the rookie up, while kicking Carmen out the door.

There are in fact many WR's ranked pretty high year in and year out. I wasn't aware of that comment being made at the Senior Bowl, but thanks for the insight. That being said, I went and took a look at the 2022 WR draft class. There were 21 drafted in the top 150, but there may have been 4-5 that I wanted in stripes. In 2021 there were 20 taken in the top 150, but there were only 3 that I wanted in stripes. In 2020 there were 17 taken in the top 150, but there were only 5 that I wanted in stripes. There were only 4 that I wanted in stripes in last year's draft. When looking at this year's WR draft class, there are about 10-11, maybe more I would take. I guess I'm looking at it as the "World according to ArmyBengal"... lol

Oh, I agree. Whomever they decide to bring in, I will believe it's because they feel they will make an impact. That's simply because, as you said Hoosier, more hits than misses. If they feel Carl Lawson is going to come back and be impactful, I would tend to agree. Not because I can't live without Lawson in stripes, but rather the coaches and what they have built over the years. NO, I DON'T THINK LAWSON IS COMING BACK...

Also, weren't the Bengals one of the teams to put in a claim for DT Teair Tart, who ended up with the Titans? Well, he's a free agent as well this year. Wonder if there's any interest remaining there?