COB

Sample tore his Achilles and missed all or almost all of ‘24. Kind of a prove it deal to see if he can play after that injury. The Brown family seems to have suffered the football management version of a torn Achilles as well. They certainly can’t find free agents to fill these holes in our roster.

I found that quote from new o line coach Scott Peters that I thought indicated Volson has an inside track to starting: "I was impressed with him when I was with the Browns," said Peters. "I thought we should love to draft this guy, because he had all the intangible things, too. He’s a tough kid. Really loves the game. Just kind of helping him along in his career, take his next step is the goal. I really liked the kid coming out of college. He’s a tough guy. He’s physical. He’s got length. I think just helping him find ways to utilize his tools better is one of the areas of (improvement). You can do that through drilling and kind of emphasis on certain things where we think we can help him, but I think there were some things where hand placement was something that was difficult. Some of the set angles and just having the ability to capture cloth with his hands. It’s something that we put a big premium on. I'm optimistic about all the guys we have. I think that sometimes it's a good change of pace. I know when you get a new coach in, sometimes it's a new, fresh start. Definitely optimistic. I look at it like, I see the issues, but are these things we can address and correct? Yeah, in many ways you probably can walk in with a clean slate, and I'm optimistic for sure." After reading that again, I think Peters kind of leaves himself an out on Volson. He says Volson’s issues are fixable through drills, etc. It’s a lot more than hand placement, dude was one of the most ineffective pass blocking guards in the league. We’ll see.

Almost, he’s 33. Not optimal, but he’s far from a rent a wreck. Zeitler’s 35.

Damn, Zeitler out of the picture. Bring on Brandon Scherff! He’s way younger than Zeitler anyway. Also his strength is pass blocking per some podcast I listened to.

Man, even by Bengals’ standards, their free agency period is slow and uneventful.

They need two FA guards, in my opinion, but I believe you are correct in that they’ll only get one. I base this on a quote I read from the new o-line coach wherein he blabbed on about how great Volson was. Pretty clear he has the inside track to starting again.

This is Mike’s dream. Trade away every good vet that wants paid and field a team that’s full of guys on their price controlled first contract. He’d probably get to the minimum spend by just giving it to burrow.

The colts? But wait, there’s no place Trey would rather be than right here in Cincinnati! Gosh! Shucks!

The Chiefs restructure two contracts, Mahomes and Chris Jones. They get 50 million in cap space. The Bengals? Burrow literally offers his contract up for a restructure, trying to improve the team. The Brown family’s response? Just silence.

I saw a rumor online that the bengals are pursuing Jenkins. I’m sure they are not the only team interested. The Brown family in a competitive situation when it concerns a player does not inspire confidence.

I’ve only been to Cheesecake Factory once. Arby’s gang rise up.

I’m going through the dumpster behind Jeff Ruby’s right now. It’s kind of creepy. Not the dumpster, it’s awesome. But Baker Mayfield is sitting back here in an SUV muttering to himself.

JFC are the Browns actually going to start Kenny Pickett next year? Worst owner in sports.

With the cap flying up every year, a team like the bengals might be smart to radically rethink their strategy in regards to big contracts. Three years of watching JaMarr Chase play, and it is very apparent he’s a top 3 or 4 receiver in the nfl. Maybe even two years. Just extend him then. You get to do the extension within the context of the existing cap. Yes, you lose 2 or 3 years of a price controlled rookie deal. But you can offset that with the savings in the later years of the deal. The advantages- You have a major piece (like TJ’s Granny) to build your offense around. You bring stability to your offense. You avoid the circus of distractions these situations bring. You free up what in our case are very limited front office resources, negotiating resources, and allow those resources to focus on making other positions better. the Disadvantages: There is risk. Bad injury or the player takes his foot off the gas. Also, the guaranteed money and the escrow rules could cause Smithsonian level sock garter collection to have to be auctioned off.

Thrilled to have Perine back. He was such a good pass blocker on 3rd downs, and when he got the ball he was crazy north south. Like he was up to speed in about one step. Really hurt to see him go to Denver, I can’t recall what the issue with keeping him was. If he’s the same player or close to it we just got a lot better in the offensive backfield, especially on 3rd downs. Also, we were kind of running our young guy into the ground, it’ll be good to lessen his load.

How in the hell is Kevin Zeitler still playing at a high level in the nfl?

“You don’t know how hard it is to run an nfl franchise.”

Khalil Mack re-signs, I was kind of hoping we’d get him.

Tobin said exactly that at his presser at the combine. Basically said we’re not running the same team out there. Also something like the guys who played well are going to get the $$ from the underperformers. So I’m fine with signing Hill, Ossai, Gesicki, Cody Ford, etc. Some starters, some rotation, some depth, but those guys all filled their roles well. If not well, at least serviceable. Now bring on the free agent starting guards!

Cody Ford is a good depth guy, glad we kept him. Hendrickson is filled with resentment. Sorry dude, you’re a 3rd round pick who didn’t distinguish yourself those first four seasons with the Saints. He’s still sitting on a pile of money but he’s thinking about what could have been.

DK Metcalf loses interest if he’s not getting the ball. Not a diva, just can’t seem to stay engaged if he’s not in the middle of something.

Myles just threw away his chance of ever winning anything in football. Kind of won everything else, though. He’s another Joe Thomas, great player but a career on the Cleveland Browns.

Is Tee Higgins’ mom a factor in all this? How?

Agreed TJ, but look at it this way: Gesicki masquerades as tight end. He’s really a receiver and his stats, where he lines up, the routes he runs, all bear it out. He’s a hard nosed possession receiver who will go over the middle. If you look at it that way, that contract is a bargain. And I’m excited to hear the Higgins deal is nigh. That’ll be awesome.

“No place I’d rather be.” Right. That’s why for two years in a row your agent, while you were under contract, asked for you to be traded. Trey is playing the fans and media. I understand the strategy of using your platform to leverage yourself into a sort of quasi-free agency status wherein you can get competitive bidding going for your next deal. What I don’t understand is the Eagle Scout act. This bullshit about wanting to play in Cincy. What he wants is a pile of money. That’s normal. At this stage in his career he SHOULD have a mercenary outlook. I don’t need to be gaslighted by millionaire professional athletes.