HoosierCat

Big draft stakes tonight. An L and the Bengals are at 13. A W drops them all the way to 17. https://www.tankathon.com/nfl Go Jags!

Up to 14. Can rise to 13 if the packers pull the upset. Drop to like 18 if they win tomorrow.

Hey, we’re back! Let me just say that this is a great weekend for the Bengals to play on Monday because OH MY GOD GODZILLA IS FUCKING AWESOME. Seriously, use your Sunday wisely and go watch this.

Looks like Higgins and Cam will be back. Browning dealing with a wrist injury.

Also in the news today: Hue Jackson fired from yet another head coaching job. https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/29/bengals-offensive-coordinator-hue-jackson-fired-grambling-state/ I've said it before, I'll say it again, I don't want Hue as a HC but I would welcome him back as OC.

On the subject of the offense, this seems like a really good rundown with some solid suggestions for improving things. I don't think those suggestions will surprise any of us but it's nice to see them get called out here. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/analyzing-cincinnati-bengals-scheme-identity-how-to-improve-it-moving-forward

On another note, the Bengals have several extra late-round comp picks this year. And it looks like they may need to use one on a punter. Again. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/look-brad-robbins-ranks-among-nfls-worst-punters-as-search-for-consistency-continues

The one and only Abe Vigoda.

Another one. $26 million (though it's really a one year $14 million deal) for Nick Martinez. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39010979/reds-rhp-nick-martinez-agree-26m-deal-sources-say

Seems like a good pickup. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2023/11/29/cincinnati-reds-bolster-bullpen-with-veteran-reliever-emilio-pagn/71742989007/

The Hee Haw scene was a post-credits stinger. In it two hillbillies are sitting on the porch of a rickety cabin, the only thing standing in an otherwise burnt out wasteland. In the remains of a front yard a shrine has been erected made from cinder blocks, old coffee cans and half-buried whitewashed tires. In the center of the shrine, surrounded by candles, is one of those foot-tall plastic Godzilla toys from the Seventies. The one that shot off its fists when you pushed a lever on the back, which is why this one is missing its left paw. The hillbillies begin to sing a sad worship song to the toy Godzilla.

I'd offer Carolina a 7th for him.

I don't have any objection to re-signing Jonah, as long as the price is right and he's willing to come back. We will find out the answers to those questions in March. If they re-sign him or otherwise address tackle in FA, I wouldn't expect one in the first. If not, it has to be on the table, regardless of any trepidation they may feel. Really, it won't be until after the FA smoke clears that we will have an idea of where to go with the early picks. Williams, Higgins, Reader and Boyd are the big names. I don't think you can let all four walk, and I don't think you can keep more than two. Just have to wait and see. For the record I don't think there's any real evaluation issue other than that the Bengals suck at evaluating OL and have for a long time now. Their last above-average pick was who, Zeitler in 2012? Somehow other teams find linemen in the draft, just not them. I don't know what the problem is but I'd start with Tobin and the scouting staff. Whatever they are doing when it comes to evaluating OL, they need to tear it down and start over.

Yeah, finding a guy with enough potential to be worth a pick is the rub. They faceplanted with Finley back in 2019 and haven’t tried again since. Maybe someone like Jefferson (Arkansas) or Bama’s Milroe if you want a guy with some wheels. Seems like one or both should be there in the 4th, maybe the 5th.

Who, Allen? The guy who was (checks notes) 1-5 as a starter here? Go home, TJ, you’re drunk. The sad fact is that they’re aren’t enough quality QBs to fill all the starting roles in the league, much less provide a pool of adequate backups. Browning is about par for the course.

Like Joe says in the video he had some rough outings earlier but he actually played pretty well against Pitt.

If you’re looking for hope for Volson and Murphy, here ya go.

Alternative viewing this weekend. Currently at 100% on rotten tomatoes.

I don’t think that label is unfair. Though I would note that the QB position has been taking a beating this year all around the league. I think they said Sunday that Browning was the 50th QB to start a game this season, and there’s still a third of the season to go.

Willie up for the Hall again. https://www.bengals.com/news/willie-anderson-makes-fourth-straight-hall-of-fame-semifinals

Bengals say Burrow had surgery today. Apparently went as expected. On track to return next season.

Only 76 days to pitchers and catchers!

Yeah I was surprised when they said last week that it wasn't moving. But then I looked at the schedule and it's a shitshow. The only really compelling early game is Broncos at Texans, and the only standout late is Niners at Eagles. I'm sure both were protected by CBS and Fox, respectively. So what do you dump Bengals/Jags for? Chargers/Pats? Falcons/Jets? Panthers/Bucs? This is a "bleeding eyeballs" weekend. It's only fair it ends with this game.

Wasting time today at the pff mock simulator: 15: RT Taliese Fuaga. Known more for being a mauler in the run game than for pass protection, this pick is a big f**k you to head coach Zac Taylor. Bye-bye Jonah Williams. 47: DT Kris Jenkins. Need some disruption up the middle to go with our edge guys. So long and thanks for all the tackles, DJ Reader. 79: WR Brenden Rice. Because I hate myself so much I made me cheer for JERRY RICE'S SON. Thanks for all the catches, Tee.

The noobs did get some time yesterday. More would always be nice. Murphy was in for 22% of defensive snaps, got a sack and three tackles. Turner got the call in place of the injured CTB and had a couple nice plays. Princeton got another catch. Would have been nice to see Chase Brown but they would have to run the ball and apparently that's against the rules in Cincy or something.