HoosierCat

Pelissero reporting that the 49ers are “exploring their options” with QB Trey Lance. No. 3 overall pick in 2021. Traded their 1sts in 21, 22 and 23 to jump up for him. Oh and a 3rd in there someplace too. El Oh El.

Who can keep count?

Direct link for those who don’t want to give Elon a click: https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/8/22/23840809/cincinnati-bengals-joe-burrow-beating-two-high-new-offense But yeah, definitely worth a read. It’s kind of funny (sad, not ha-ha) that so much of what you read from the coaching staff in this is stuff that fans have harped on for literally decades. The line near the end about trying to fit square pegs into round holes was especially ironic for me. Joe’s mental progression is everything we hoped it would be. Just need to get some priest or rabbi or voodoo master in who can break the preseason bad luck streak for the kid.

Yes, he is a good blocker. But he doesn’t offer anything special as a receiver and his presence can end up being a tell as to what the play is. I’ve read mixed reviews on Smith’s blocking but the consensus appears to be he’s at least OK and he offers more pop as a receiver.

And the Bucs’ starting QB is…Baker Mayfield! https://www.threads.net/@adamschefter/post/CwQDCVQuyfq/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Injury notes from Hobs, nothing major: _Taylor said defensive tackle B.J. Hill had lower body soreness Sunday that's going to keep him out but not for long. He said offensive lineman Cody Ford and cornerback Marvell Tell III are in concussion protocol and that cornerback DJ Turner was sore after Friday night's game and is going to be kept out awhile, but it's not serious. Cornerback Sidney Jones IV (hamstring) is out. Tight end Tanner Hudson (concussion) has been back this week, as is edge Tarell Basham.

Had a brief chat with Baby one threads earlier today. FWIW he thinks Sample is the odd man out at TE, with Smith, Wilcox and Asiasi all making the cut. Thought that was worth a note given all the agita earlier over the lack of TE in the draft.

Mitchell Wilcox cleared to practice. Had been on PUP since they resigned him last month.

A preseason tie. This is hell. We’re in hell. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be…

Halfway through preseason… Viewing info: https://www.bengals.com/news/how-to-watch-bengals-falcons-week-2-2023-preseason

So years ago…back when I was Joiseycat, there was a place just down the street that had the best pie ever, thin crispy crust, greasy top, perfect folding slice, damn I miss it. My biggest regret moving back to the Midwest is that pizza.

So per the latest on the .com, starting defense will get a series tonight. Whether the starters go on offense is unknown, tho chances of Burrow going are zero. https://www.bengals.com/news/mike-hilton-cam-taylor-britt-defense-eyes-return-to-preseason-games

And just think it will only be $10 a slice!

More money for Joe: Donato’s named Bengals’ official pizza. https://www.franchising.com/news/20230817_donatos_named_official_pizza_of_the_cincinnati_bengals.html

Mixon not guilty. So that’s done. Good. https://www.wlwt.com/article/joe-mixon-aggravated-menacing-trial-verdict/44840357

Of course there will. 2024 is a contract year for Burrow. He will have every incentive not to sign with the prospect of FA in 2025, unless the Bengals break the bank even more than they already have to. (And note this would be a horrible position for the Bengals to put themselves in and I can’t believe they would do it, for exactly this reason.) So the certainty of a 2025 franchise tag if he doesn’t sign will instantly come up. And in my humble opinion even the talk of a tag is a nightmare. I agree with you that neither side has given any indication that they’re headed down this road. I still think a deal gets done and that it gets done before week 1. I would just be happier were it to happen, like, today.

Re Joe playing I gotta say I’m with you. I mean, the guy drafted right behind him hasn’t even won a playoff game yet and just got enough money to buy a small country, while Joe is looking at playing this year for approximately 10% of his actual market value.

Let me put it this way: I don’t think for a second that the front office intends anything of the sort. However, as we all know, shit happens. Let’s assume for a minute that Amphar is right and the calf injury mucked up the timeline for a deal. The FO saw Joe hop off the field on one leg and immediately flashed back 20 years to when they made Carson the highest-paid player in the game, only to have Kimo rip his leg off a week later. So now things slip into the season. And Joe being Joe, he plays, and a week or three in, something happens and he’s out for an extended prior or loses the whole season. Well, that likely kills any deal this year. And next year is the cusp of free agency and suddenly people are throwing around having to use the tag and yadda yadda yadda. This is what I mean by an issue. I don’t think Joe is asking for too much, I don’t think the Bengals are being cheap, I think both sides have a good relationship and no one intends anything other than a deal to get done. It’s just that as the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Pay Joe now, Bengals. Don’t give shit time to happen.

Yeah, Ya-Sin is down too and the secondary is all banged up. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38202886/ravens-cb-marlon-humphrey-foot-surgery-indefinitely Looks like week 2 might be a good time to play them…

Hilton was barking about wanting to play some in preseason last week so it sounds like there’s some sentiment in the locker room for the starters to gear up. I’m always leery of injuries in preseason but yeah, it might serve them well to risk the starters in a couple series.

It is, effectively, done. The market has been set, we know what the numbers need to be. So…where the fuk is it? I just want to see this particular elephant escorted from the room, because the longer it hangs around, the greater the chances are that it becomes an issue.

So, it’s halfway through August and about 3.5 weeks before the real thing starts. I have just one question. Where’s Burrow’s extension?

In other news… https://www.fox19.com/2023/08/14/bengals-joe-mixon-trial-set-begin-alleged-road-rage-case/

In further news, Carmen was at LT in practice yesterday. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/jackson-carman-switches-positions-backup-tackle-battle-heating-up Pretty clear he is now in a battle for backup tackle and might not beat out Smith or Adeniji. Also Collins went through a full workout yesterday.

I suspect the slo-mo makes it look worse than it was. Again, still bad.