AMPHAR

Scheme is your answer. As you say the truth is the defense did suck. But they recorded more sacks in 2023 and 2024 than they did when they won the AFC Champ and Runner Up. 2024 (36 sacks), 2023 (44 sacks), 2022 (30 sacks) 2021 (41 sacks) Just answering the question. Lou wasn't real interested in running a scheme that sacked a QB or even attempted to keep an offense from gaining yards. At his best he was all about bend and don't break. Not saying any 7th rounder can replace Trey they can't. Just merely pointing out that there was never a point in time a Lou defense generated sacks, pressure or really kept yards off the stat sheet and that is fact even with whatever talent people keep saying was bled off the defense.

First, Tee is going to be with the Bengals in 2025. Unless some team gets fucking nuts with a trade package, I think that's clear. He can miss TC or whatever. A holdout does shit for him and he knows it. This is his bite at the apple. A hold out guarantees him 1 year older and 3 years in row without 1,000. So then what are we talking about? Signing Tee to whatever he wants just so you can feel good about the Bengals? Seriously? Second, there's several teams that have punted on paying 1 WR top money. There's plenty of reasons not to pay 2 WRs elite money. Third, Burton could sleep outside, play craps all night and match Higgins production from the first half of 2024. Higgins had a disaster of a contract year til mid-November. Then salvaged it a little. Point is not to promote Burton as an all star, its simply to point out being without Higgins is nothing new to this team.

Just saw Bengals have given Hendrickson permission to seek trade. So he gone. Frees up $21m at some point and hopefully brings some decent picks. Not real sure about this one. We've watched Hubbard and Atkins physically break down. Then Dunlap production fall off a cliff. Trey pretty damn good and will be tough to replace.

I cool with the Bengals holding the line on guarantees with Higgins. He had 100% last year guaranteed going into a contract year. A lot of people said he looked like a monster in TC. Then he had a disaster first half of the season. Then the last 7 games salvaged it a little to make his overall numbers look respectable. At some point the "insiders" or at least local media need to quit taking the agent's message and ask the obvious. Does he only want to play with Burrow IF he's getting paid/structured like an elite WR?

Good news on Giesicki if it holds.

$30m might be the number. It better be back loaded. If Tee isn't willing to do that, then Tee doesn't really want to play with Burrow and is playing the public opinion game. Bills just signed Shakir. 4 years at $53m. But it COULD BE 2 year at $21m. He's produced less than Tee the past 2 years but he's in his ball park. It's COULD BE 2 years because IF he stays at his current level they'll probably dump before the extra $34m kicks in. There's a bunch of teams dumping their high priced WRs. I have no problem with Bengals overpaying on the tag and refusing a trade unless it significantly beats the comp pick. Give Tee a contract that SAYS $30m a year. Pay him $40 for the next 2 or something. Then years 3,4, are up in the air with the remaining $80m or whatever. If he's not willing to do that then he doesn't want to be here and all the insiders not calling that out are not reporting the reality. This is what the Eagles have done.

I really don't see the value in Tee at $30m a year with Chase. Sorry. Tee has become the newer version of the Indoor practice field. Signing him is more symbolism vs. benefit. I would absolutely jump at any top 50 pick. Don't think the Bengals can trade Tee for a slightly better comp pick. Too much crying will happen. I doubt teams are offering up a top 50 pick. Trey - I say do it unless there's a basket of picks to be had. Although it be great to pay Trey just over the next 2 years. But if you have to risk year 3/4. He's just too consistent. You'd have to get a 1st or the equivalent in a trade. Not sure that's doable based on Hasson Reddick trade last year. Today, they are on the hook for $48m cash AND cap with Tee and Trey. If neither are here then that's at least $48m in cap room and realistically frees up $70m of cash. Then you'll have some sort of picks as well.

Probably functions as a 1 year deal with an option year. He has a ton of starts in the league. Better than back up money but I wouldn't say it locks them into Cappa starting either. Wonder if the Bengals tried to trade him and teams didn't want the $8m for only 1 year?

Thuney traded to Da Bears for a 4th. Chiefs take a $11m dead cap hit and I guess that helps them with the tag for Smith. They have less than $1m of cap room. If you like Chiefs FA LB or Safety then there's not much the Chiefs can do about it right now until move restructures/cuts/trades are done.

Hubbard's rumble in the jungle should be and I think will be a signature sports play in Cincinnati ranking up there (not surpassing) with the Pete Rose 4,192, Dillon 278 etc. I'd go as far as saying that playoff moment should be recognized somewhere inside Paycor or on the Paycor grounds. Happy retirement Sam!

I think direction of the off season is pay a lot of money to the existing offensive stars. Build your defense via the draft. I don't see interior o- line factoring in the first.

I don't think they are going next man up at Guard. Volson might end up being the starter but from the sound of it he's gong to have to fight off a challenger. So I wouldn't think they'd want both guard spots in question to start TC. My guess is RG comes from FA. There's some decent ones. Questions but decent. I'd expect Ford to be back a Guard. Cochran played well enough to be a lock for the 3rd tackle spot which Ford was basically filling.

Probably $58 but that's still not 100%. When people start digging into these contracts sometimes the guarantee doesn't kick in until new league year BUT the agent includes all of it in the press release which is picked up and reported. That's how you have people thinking the Ealges have signed ALL these offensive players but when you look at it the cash is pushed back and there a opportunities for getting out of it and its less than the reported amounts.

They should be able to get something for Pratt, maybe a 5th. He's a decent LB, he could easily find himself in a season where he grabs 6+ TOs. Hubbard with his injury and contract, I doubt anyone but Lou would trade for him. I wouldn't rule out Hubbard coming back on a greatly reduced, earn your spot in TC type contract.

Over the weekend Debo Samuel getting traded for a fifth, but then in a surprise the 9ers indicate Aiyuk could also be traded. When it comes to Tee, teams have been selling off those big WRs deals in the past year.