ArmyBengal

Agree with an incentive type deal as well for Zeke. Again, I would love his addition. Pollard became the lead back due largely to the speed of his game, which Zeke does not have any longer. However, I don't think his production was the concern. Zeke missed 3 games last year due to injury as well. If we are looking at production, it's pretty interesting. Zeke is also only 27 so it's not he's 32 or something. Perine is 27 and Mixon is 26. In the 15 games Zeke played, he ran for 876 yards with 12 TD's and another 92 yards and no TD's receiving. It was his first season not averaging at least 4 ypc, but the 12 TD's was tied for 2nd best in his career. Pollard took the majority of passing plays, going for 371 yards and 3 TD's. He's more dynamic than Zeke for sure. In 16 games Perine ran for 394 yards with 2 TD's and another 287 yards and 2 TD's receiving. In 14 games Mixon ran for 814 yards with 7 TD's and another 441 yards and 2 TD's receiving. My point in Zeke is that he can certainly take the Perine role and should present as an upgrade. Just know going in, he's not breaking off 75 yard runs where no one touches him anymore. Yes, draft a speed element with pass blocking skills.

I would LOVE to see them do this. I understand it's a change in their approach to contracts, but it's that very approach that will make it more of a challenge to keep other players when they have to start figuring in high end contracts. No, reducing Mixon's contract alone won't equate to a new contract for Chase in and of itself, nor will cutting him, but it could certainly play a part regardless of how small or large. That being said, I still don't think it happens, which irritates me to no end.

Not to be such a Buckeye's homer, but I really want Zeke in that Perine role. I've accepted the Bengals are going to pay Mixon 12 million to be here this year. Bring Zeke in and if they still want to draft Mixon's replacement, then great. I think he would be motivated playing back in Ohio with a real shot at a Championship.

Why do they have a silver back gorilla playing RG ?? Good Lord !!

Dude is tone deaf as hell. Look at your stats big boy and let that be the guide for those 13 year old girl emotions. The Bengals don’t owe you a conversation ahead of time. The fact you feel slighted by something you aren’t entitled to speaks volumes. Allow me to share a thought I use to give to Chad Johnson… FUCK YOU JONAH !!!

Great additional thoughts guys. What the coaches think will pave that path when it comes to the draft. They seem pretty good with who they have, but obviously that can change. The future of the position is an argument I can get behind.

Done and done !!

So I went to take a look since I seem stuck on this point. Thought I might educate myself before I keep yapping on about shit. Hubbard accounted for 801 snaps for a 77% share. Hendrickson accounted for 629 snaps for a 60% share. Outside of those two the other DE's: Cam Sample was 412 for 39% Ossai was 334 for 32% Gunter was 37 for 3% Those guys combined didn't take the snaps that Hubbard took and I don't see that changing in 2023. It appears they could take another DE to bolster the depth and possibly take some of the snaps from Hubbard and Hendrickson to keep them fresh, but I think they have that in house already. Again, I could be wrong, but I just don't see the team taking a DE early on minus a trade down and them acquiring additional picks. Even if they did that, it would open the door to consider other positions as well to include WR's which they have been looking into recently. Just food for thought...

Not bad, but I see no point in drafting a DE that early that will sit more often than not. As always, it depends on who else is on the board. While not being upset with that draft, the only pick I would be pumped about would be LaPorta.

Can we retroactively assign the "Zero" to Akili Smith and then retire the number ??

I get it. Sample is probably the best option due to his understanding of the offense. I just don’t think much of him. Maybe he comes back and has a breakout season. Always room for hope.

So now the Bengals are considered "The Dark Side" ?? I'm good with that after so many years of being "The Far Side" !!

Agree that the Bengals will be taking a young QB in the draft to mentor behind Burrow. I still like the kid out of UCLA, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as I have stated before. He's a late round guy like O'Connell. He also has the ability to make play with his legs and should we need to bring a QB in to replace Burrow for any amount of time, having the ability to run will give a different look for defenses when he comes into the games. Maybe there's someone better at that. If so, I will take whoever that is as another option.

When you looked him up, did you see the hyperlink which took you to the definition of "Suck" ?? There's a reason a 2nd round draft pick is getting no love.

Which is why taking Kancey should he be available makes all the more sense. The CB and TE positions can be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round, while competing with whatever OT prospects are there. Honestly, I don't see them drafting a DE at this point considering the roster and where the new DE would fall in given snaps.

I would rather Hurst as well, but I just think our Hurst is in the draft.

Give me Kancey in that situation.

Just jumped into my head and I have no idea how close they were, but Jonah Williams and Irv Smith Jr. played together while at Alabama for two seasons (2017-2018). In this scenario, if everything goes according to coach Zac's plan, the two could end up playing next to each other if Jonah pulls his head out of his ass and competes for the RT spot.

No I have no issue with these guys signing here. Cornerback is a position where I could see the Bengals signing to a long term deal if they have a good season, but I don't really see that for the TE spot. Why sign a guy like Hurst to a long term deal when he's only going to get the 5th amount of targets his way in this offense? There's not enough production from that spot to warrant that kind of deal. As an example, lets say the Bengals feel the best approach is to take a TE at #28 this year in comparison to the deal Hurst just got from the Panthers. Hurst got a 3 year deal for 21.7 million and 13 million of that guaranteed. The #28 pick will get slightly more than the #28 pick from 2022, which was Devonte Wyatt of the Packers. His rookie wage scale contract nets him a 4 year deal with 12.8 million, which was guaranteed. You also can't forget they can pick up his 5th year option as well. Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not suggesting a rookie is going to be Hayden Hurst in his rookie year, but I would bet that he won't be far off on his target share within this offense. Again, I could be wrong, but when looking at all the other big deals they have coming up, they won't be investing much outside of picks at the TE spot. The Panthers suck and they are lacking talent. They could afford to pay Hurst on that deal and will be taking a QB #1 overall and build around him like we did with Burrow.

Him and Jones both in on one year deals and have had injury problems. Would be really nice if both had stellar seasons. If that gets us back to the Super Bowl, that would be awesome, but it would also probably mean they leave in 2024. Like I have read to the point, these signing still don't keep the team from addressing both CB and TE early in the draft. I'm good with that.

Hard to believe he’s only 24 years old. I think I first had him mistaken for someone else. There’s another TE that has made rounds from one team to another but can’t think of his name. Anyway, another get healthy and we are good guy. Edit: I went looking because it was annoying me. OJ Howard is who I was thinking of.

So welcome Irv Smith Jr. to the Bengals. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/28/bengals-sign-tight-end-irv-smith/

The Colts being that pathetic is hilarious !!

Well there’s that COB…

First, I love that Jackson is now requesting a trade from Baltimore. He's a dumbass and he's totally screwing the Ravens at this point in time. I love it all, please keep up what you guys are doing Baltimore !!! Sidney Jones... I remember that dude coming out of Washington and his projections were through the fucking roof. Loved the kid. and his injury, while bad, wouldn't have kept me from drafting him. Things haven't worked out that way for him, but I believe in what I've seen from guys like Apple, that he could make all of those projections become a reality in this defense with Lou as a coach. This is his best shot at regaining what he's lost. I really like this signing.