HoosierCat

Joe is a (soft) no on Grant at 17. https://youtu.be/qzCUjvKcns4?si=6PbQrcroHQmJsZjT

Sounds like Willie is getting hosed again. https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bengals_legend_willie_anderson_hints_at_latest_pro_football_hall_of_fame_decison/s1_16652_41671911

So I guess maybe Justin Tucker thought Deshaun Watson was a role model? https://apnews.com/article/baltimore-ravens-justin-tucker-massage-therapists-f0ca1a8f70dd02e02c442eb8e30179c4

Some years ago I had an acquaintance who worked as a consultant, primarily in the food industry. He once described his job to me as walking back and forth between two conference rooms when the relationship between a manufacturer and a retailer had gotten to the “Fuck you! No fuck YOU!” level, which seems to be about where the Bengals and the county are. He would basically just let one side vent at him, then take the usable parts of whatever they wanted and present them calmly to the other group. They’d vent right back, but he would make a little progress and then the cycle repeats until the two sides have calmed down and gotten to some common ground. I suspect that’s what needs to happen here.

County bringing in a “stadium expert” to boost negotiations. https://archive.ph/BKXBb Can’t hurt, we’ll see if it helps.

If the Bengals need someone who, at the snap, will run in the opposite direction yelling “I give I give don’t hurt me don’t hurt me” I’m their guy.

I don’t think Duke actually knows much/anything. Like COB said he’s just repeating the company line. Ja’marr will reset the market. That’s a given, otherwise he ain’t signing.

My take on the state of play: Tee — I’ve seen no word about talks between the Bengals and Higgins. Maybe both sides are just really good at keeping things on the down low, but by all appearances are they are going to let him walk. The tag remains an option. The deadline to make that call will be in early March. Chase — They want to do a deal but Tobin’s “frameworks” calls to mind Marvin’s comment about how they offered one of the Sharpers “a structure” before he left town and eventually signed with (I think) Seattle. So yeah, they are still hung up on doing business their way. They still probably get something done but it won’t be easy. Trey — Sounds to me like business as usual. They’ll give him something but aren’t willing to pay top dollar. Odds of a deal maybe 50/50? I dunno.

So Tobin talked about Chase and Trey at the Senior Bowl. Re Chase: “Framework” in question are the Jefferson and Lamb deals Re Trey: No mention of Tee.

Yeah, both DT and edge seem pretty deep this year, which is why I haven’t been locked in on dline at 17. Won’t complain if they end up going there but I don’t think it’s the end of the world if they don’t.

Let me preface this by saying I’d like Gesicki back, but they were very much different models. Gesicki is the more modern TE/WR type. All could catch too but was more the old school TE/FB guy. And I really liked how the offense looked with him in there. I haven’t looked at TEs much so far in the draft but I’d love to find a guy like him.

Good thread. Thanks.

Joe looks at Derrick Harmon. https://youtu.be/Hw_uTdq__P0?si=ooKMUhyi83ngLKgl Guy would be a top 10 pick if he could tackle. As is, it’s a no from me at 17.

Yup. Sucks. Sounds like the reports that his first surgery was not done correctly were accurate. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/report-cincinnati-erick-all-tight-end-to-miss-2025-season-due-to-injury-01jjq1wd82bj

At this point, all eyes turn to Tee and the FO. That's the proverbial elephant in the room. If they re-sign or tag him, then they could go almost any direction at 17. If Tee walks, I think we can just pencil in Emeka Egbuka there and start discussing who we'd like in later rounds.