HoosierCat

More in the genre. The rest here: https://wapo.st/45FqPiu (gift link for you cheapskates)

Chido cleared for action against Cleveland. Burrow still “day to day.”

They haven’t won their first away game of the season since 2018 (Indy). Would be nice to break the streak…

Some good chuckles here, especially in the fan comments at the end. https://defector.com/why-your-team-sucks-2023-cincinnati-bengals

Oh well. Guess the “less crowded d-line room” theory was correct.

Taylor wouldn’t commit to Joe starting week 1 at today’s presser. Read into that what you will. I would normally ignore it as typical “everything is a state secret including what color socks I’m wearing on game day” head coach behavior, but there’s been enough question marks floating around lately (injury? contract?) that it’s…well, fukking aggravating, frankly.

They could have put Ossai straight on IR. They did that with two other guys as part of the final cuts. But yeah he may think he can come back faster.

So I saw this story by Graziano on espn+ offering up 32 "potential surprises" for each team. So what's the big surprise in store for us Bengals fans? Drum roll, please... Well, Dan, I promise you that I won't. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that no one will be surprised when (not if) this happens.

AJ Green will be "ruler of the jungle" for the home opener against Pitt. https://www.bengals.com/news/a-j-green-ruler-of-the-jungle-ravens-week-2-2023-season-home-opener

I think you are right about PUP, at least that's how it used to be. As far as I know they don't have to cut a guy to put him on IR. Now, if a player gets hurt in camp, gets cut and clears waivers, he reverts to the team's IR list (because you aren't supposed to be able to be cut due to injury). That player might subsequently be released after reaching an injury settlement. That might be what you are thinking of.

Only thing I can think is that they didn’t have enough info on Ossai yet and will do something like PUP or IR/Return now, and that they have a wink-and-nod agreement with RJ3 to come back in that event. That he hasn’t gone anywhere else yet as far as I can tell supports that but we will see.

Ossai out 4-6 weeks, per Baby. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38292305/joe-burrow-practices-first-july-27-calf-injury Ok, so why didn’t they PUP him and keep RJ3?

Well good for Fred! But it’s just a 2-year deal for this season and 2024 for a total of $2.2 million. And it took four teams to get to that point, including Cincy. Don’t think I’d classify this as a miss by the Bengals.

Well, Mel’s got him as his No. 6 QB prospect so I don’t think he sees him as a top of the first prospect, though others might, I dunno. Based on what he wrote in Nix’s write-up I take it he thinks its Williams and Maye and then everyone else. If anyone wants his write-ups of any other players on the big board let me know.

Adeniji signed with Minnesota.

Ah, the ol' sign a guy from your upcoming opponent trick!

PS announced. Still 2 spots available. S Michael J. Thomas DT Domenique Davis CB Allan George C Nate Gilliam DE Jeff Gunter LB Shaka Heyward TE Tanner Hudson WR Shedrick Jackson CB Sidney Jones IV G Jaxson Kirkland WR Kwamie Lassiter II WR Stanley Morgan LB Tyler Murray

You...me...everyone pretty much.

Starting off with some good news: Burrow back at practice today. https://www.threads.net/@bbaby41/post/Cwk_ltGx0Pk/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

I think he was a free agent but I could be wrong.

OK that’s funny. And sweet. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/watch-cody-ford-reacts-to-making-bengals-53-man-roster

Good for him! I thought he might have a market. Bears picked up our old pal Khalid Kareem as well, I see.

Ah yes, another year of TE agita, just what we need! Bowers will be long gone unless this season goes far worse than we expect. The Texas kid, Sanders, gets good marks for both receiving and run-blocking. Maybe he’s there at 32? :) I think DT has to be up there. Both nose tackles, Reader and Tupou, are free agents next March, and both will be just a few months from their 30th birthdays. We really don’t have anything behind them. Likewise WR depending on how the situations with Boyd and Higgins play out, and how Jones and Iosivas do.

Per OTC, post-cutdown the Bengals have $20,577,888 in cap space available.

So who should you be watching on Saturdays this season? Mel has issued his first big board and position rankings of the year. (paywalled of course but…) Position rankings: Big Board: