HoosierCat

Re preseason, what would really make a difference is if Joe can not a) be a rookie b) be coming off major knee rehab and c) have emergency surgery. Just, y’know, a normal boring camp & preseason. That would be a major change right there.

Team friendly = ownership friendly. That’s the only real question, will Joe play by Mike’s rules regarding structure. Money is not an issue. People seem to have forgotten that they once made Carson Palmer the highest paid player in the league and didn’t need to gut the team to do it.

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/report-brian-callahan-eliminated-colts-head-coaching-search

Not down on him, but if they were to reverse course and keep Bates, I have to raise an eyebrow. Ultimately I think Amphar is right, it's most likely the Bates camp trying to talk up his price tag after a rather pedestrian year from him. We will find out one way or another soon enough.

Well, I don't think the people that count are overlooking the staff, not with Callahan, Pitcher and Amaruno all getting HC attention.

Yeah, Riley was a lock once he got the Senior's nod. Agreed that it's a crime it didn't come long ago. It's why I keep agitating for guys like Anderson and Curtis. They deserve their accolades before they shuffle off this mortal coil, not after. I remain ambivalent about Willie. If he gets in, fine. Certainly there are less talented players already enshrined. But he isn't at the top of my list.

It does seem like that, doesn’t it? If they do resign Bates, I’d have to wonder if they think Dax was a mistake.

He will get the bag, and the Bengals won’t lose anyone key as a result.

Hurst or Bell. They’ll be 30 and 29 respectively so they shouldn’t command big bucks if the Bengals want to bring them back. It seems like Bates is already gone. Pratt is the proverbial $64k question. But yeah if that estimate is anywhere near accurate, that’s a valuable little cache of picks. And given that they have to pay not only Joe but Jamar as well, every shot at inexpensive talent counts.

Interesting little thought experiment here: https://sports.yahoo.com/early-look-projected-compensatory-picks-105523362.html That’s just a result of estimates piled on estimates, so actual mileage will vary.

Callahan still in the mix for HC in Indy. https://www.stampedeblue.com/2023/2/7/23589163/bengals-oc-brian-callahan-did-well-in-colts-2nd-round-interview-manning-connection-carries-weight

I would be thrilled with that draft, Army. Re DE I’m on the same page. It’s hard to see where another guy fits in at the moment. Improving the interior, where we have DJ reader and then…some guys would probably do a lot to give the edge players a boost.

One last time, for old times’ sake: Did you know he can juggle?

Post senior/shrine bowl 2 rounder from Matt Miller at ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35585484/2023-nfl-mock-draft-matt-miller-two-round-predictions-senior-bowl-shrine-bowl-quarterback-landings-spots-trade-projection First up: Hard to argue that one. Elsewhere around the division, Baltimore takes Quentin Johnson, WR, TCU and Pitt gets Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez. Notable: Miller has Buffalo snatching Cody Mauch at 27, with O’Cyrus Torrance going to Dallas at 26. And at 60: Position is definitely a need, don’t know anything about the player tho. Rest of the division: Pitt gets Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma and John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota. Cleveland lands Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan.

AJ Green calls it a career after 11 seasons. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35602517/cardinals-bengals-wr-aj-green-announces-retirement

In five years it won’t be just the pro bowl, the whole league will be flag football. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2023/02/05/cincinnati-bengals-among-nfl-players-reacting-to-hip-drop-tackle-report/69875163007/

Taylor is a FA? Damn, Tomlin should be worried…

Pitt definitely eyeing OL:

Bummer for Dawand:

ESPN doing the rumor mill thing from the senior bowl today. Thoughts here on Lamar.

Mauch works for me!

Yup. Mixon was nothing special last year and he’s getting paid like he is.

I saw one report a couple days ago noting that Mike has spoken approvingly of the rolling guarantees as an idea they may use.

Yup, this.