AMPHAR

Taylor Swift provided an estimate of $98M. When the NFLPA sends out their annual team bashing propaganda, members on this board want the Bengals to start a daycare. NFLPA once proclaimed locking their players out cost an NFL city 3,000 jobs and $160m annual impact. Now who's numbers are real? I don't know. I constantly lose count at 10. But sure, if you argue from a standpoint that Hamilton County only gets "tax burden" or budget problems from the Bengals then sure its hard to argue against the Bengals not paying for stadium work. Its easy to argue Kenton county residents or whoever should pay. But that viewpoint is biased. The same questions were asked over and over in 1990s for years until rebirth of Riverfront happened. Hamilton County was less of a partner with the Bengals back then and it would have been easier to say goodbye. Modern day Hamilton County is tied to the Bengals. Might as well face that reality and work to bring in a better solution that is as success like what was done to that riverfront. Hamilton County tax payers and leaders want to cry poor they'll just back themselves into a half ass solution that kicks the can down the road. Get over it. They need Bengals to stay. Tie the improvement to a new convention center or something and maybe they can cut into advantage Indy has over them. This is the same tired crap people argued about before the Rebirth of the Riverfront. The only difference today is Hamilton County now has debt service for that development and the only way out is to bring people to Hamilton County to spend their money.

From the start of last season this team is greatly improved, IMO. Knowing how last season started and ended, of course. First - Lou should be fired IF his defense at the end of 2024 is ranked in the 20s. He got a bunch of secondary upgrades and returns guys. It should be night and day difference. Got more pass rush at DT along with run stopping youth. The big issue is Hendrickson hold out (maybe). Hubbard return from surgery. Ossai and Murphy need to step up. 2nd - Fire Pollack IF they give up more than 35 sacks. I don't know if Trent Brown will be an upgrade or not. I am certainly worried about a boom or bust rookie OT. If Brown proves to be as solid as Patriots Pass protecting then its a plus. For some reason that stuff doesn't always translate. But mostly the QB spot is entirely better and hopefully stays that way. They've never had a normal training camp with Burrow. Now Browning has elevated his status to capable back up. That positively influences every offensive spot and if they can get up to scoring it should improve the run D as well.

KC tackles suck. They basically hold and line up in the backfield and dare the ref to call it every play it happens. The lining up in the backfield was called some on them during the year. I think holding got called in the regular season but not 1 call in the Superbowl. Goes without saying P. Mahomes greatness in the playoffs covers up a lot of bad personnel decisions. Because their WRs haven't been great. If they would have gotten beaten by the Bengals in 2022 and by whoever in 2023 in the playoffs it be a completely different view on their front office. But they caught the Bengals with 3 major line injuries, a few bad luck and missed calls. Then next year they whoop Buffalo as usual and Lamar Chokes.

Also any info via Higgins agent or Kelsy Conway is sketchy. It rivals those super market alien magazines.

Tee is going to have to have a big season. He's coming off a bad 700 yard season. Next year's draft class is loaded as well. But if he has his best season he could beat $75-80m over 3 years. It would be advantageous if possible to tag again next year, maybe. I don't see why the Bengals would up their offer off a 700 yard season to top of the market. Wouldn't make sense. The risk is on Higgins side to perform. Unless he's entertaining a deal at a number the Bengals would love, don't really see the point of them upping last year's offer.

1-9 spots are spoken for in terms of snaps. 5OL, 1 Qb, 1RB, Chase, Higgins. The remaining 2 are formation battles. Sample is going to have his spot. I don't know if we'll see alot of 2 RB. Gesicki will be on the field. Then Iosivas, Jones, Burton. The Bengals are really going to have to convert 3rd downs and get the total plays up in the 70s for guys to get targets. The drain of Burrow's calf injury on every offensive's skill players production doesn't get talked about but in the first 6 games they multiple games under 60 plays. If they can't snap the ball there will be all sorts of bad hot takes about so and so being a bust or whatever.

I think they have 24/25m under using the top 51. So as always the next topic will be extensions and I'm sure there are some coming.

Don't get me wrong, I would have loved Newton. But I like the total package of Jenkins, Burton and Jackson better. Pass rushing DT will be a high priority unless Jenkins show some skill because right now he's a run specialist. Also keep in mind this is based on Lou's scheme. So is Lou staying put? He works in a true NT along with a 3 tech pass rusher. He has a lot of mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.

Boomer is good in booth, IMO. I'm not sure what he wants to do but, IMO, his MNF radio and old NFL TV are No. 1 quality. Phil Sims is also better than Romo, IMO. Basically Romo sucks. I'd say Simms, Boomer and Olsen are very good color guys in the booth. I would think if they wanted to do it could upgrade some of the No 2 and No. 3 broadcast teams. Just about anybody ESPN puts out there sucks if its not college football. Bradshaw sucks on a pre game. Matt Ryan from what I have seen would be solid on pregame. Time for Nantz to go as well.

Bengals are easily one of the best rosters entering the draft. If you go back to first off season discussions there was not a whole lot of room for rookie coming in and playing. Its possible but it would be through injury or flat out beating someone out. The latter case is a good situation to have. It makes your point of trading up more valid but they didn't. Maybe they should have for a safer RT prospect?

Carmen or Smith will have to beat out Ford at tackle. I doubt they will but they did cut loose Adeniji which was the primary player off the bench 2022 year. Then whoever loses out will have to make a living at Guard which both Carmen and Ford have experience. I think they'll keep 2 Centers. To keep all 3 will involve Practice squad. I believe it will be 10 total.

Put this draft as a C+. 1. Don't like the first pick and it has nothing to do with the prospect. Its the fact he was the 5th tackle taken. So I doubt he was their prime OT candidate and it seems like they took the best of what was left. I don't like "Boom or Bust" being associated with any Bengal first rounder. I hate even more dealing with OL because they have taken safer picks and still got "bust". It feels like they've gone opposite what they've done in past years, usually taking safer picks in the 1st round. The last time I think they went out on a limb was Ross. Ced and Fisher weren't "Boom or Bust" they were deemed safe picks and they got big fat nothing out of each that pretty much shut the window on the Dalton/Green/Lewis era. With the pick of Mims, they are cutting 2 tackles they drafted or could find a way to play or moving them to guard. Didn't even get to a 4th season. Then you got Billy Price, Jordan that couldn't get to a 4th season or less. Its been pitiful. 2. Love the 2nd day entirely or I'd have this a "D" draft. Jenkins perfect. Glad they got him. Sure I would have loved Newton more. Burton and Jackson, I think are great picks and I think all 3 could earn snaps early portion of the season. I doubt any start without bad news. 3. The rest - Have no idea. Very interested in how the TE group shakes out. I imagine there's a pup designation in play or practice squad. The later picks are probably practice squad deals. Not sure they can beat out any secondary or bottom DL right now. As with any draft they get "Boom" with Mims and this is A+ all the way.

Unless Trent Brown shows up completely out of shape, injured, or disinterested I don't see him being cut. His Patriots days have him a lock down pass protector and that's something Burrow has never had with any starting tackle. Still give this pick a C. I hate seeing Boom or Bust next to a 1st rounder of the Bengals.

I love and hate the fact he'll wear 71. Big shoes to fill and I hope he does at least to the Andre Smith level but don't stop there and get to the Big Willie level.

Judging from their comments post pick. They considered a trade up to get Newton but the price was too heavy. Then sat on pins and needles hoping Jenkins didn't get picked. It sounds like Newton and Jenkins were their prime targets.

Party in the USA

I'm going to put this one as B+. They needed youth along the D-line.

A+ glad they got him.

some Georgia bulldog fans seem to be in agreement Mims kinda took himself out of the SEC Championship game instead of it truly being injured. they are saying Kirby post game said he was cleared to play but he didn't feel like he could continue. some think he was dodging the issue.

Bottomline is this. Bengals since Alexander have been dreadful in developing their drafted linemen. The retention of Ford and drafting of Mims probably leads to the departure of 2 drafted OL. Smith and Carman. So what? Jonah Williams - 5 star, 1 rated tackle out of highschool. Micheal Jordan 4 star top 10 offensive tackle out of highschool. Billy Price - started a freshman (red shirt) on a national champ team. Jackson Carman 5 stars, rated no. 2 tackle in his class over Sewell. The overall point is these guys are going to hit top shelf in every t-shirt and underwear measurement. Since Alexander the Bengals can't get any of them to start aside from Jonah Williams. Mims another 5 star, 2nd rated highschool tackle. I hate to sit here 2 years from now calling him a "bitch" because some dumbass coach can't figure out a way to get bona fide studs to be productive. That is just a line of failure. How many former 5 star players does Pollack need to draft in order to keep from giving up 35 sacks on a season?

I'm assuming Newton will be gone or I would love him.

I would like Fisk or Jenkins. The talent on the board left on the board is a direct result of 2nd/3rd qbs being taken in round 1.

I give the pick a C. Taking the 5th tackle over the 1st CB or pass rusher, DT. The reality is he hasn't played as a 5 star lineman. He was ranked right behind JC Latham out of highschool. You can't fault them for taking RT given the fact it has been a rotating FA visit and this year had Becton at Ruby's. With all tackles except OBJ being FAs next offseason you know they were taking a OT at some point. However, where did they really have him ranked? We'll never know but it seems like they got backed into a corner. You make a mistake with a OT pick, like Carman, there's very little you can do with them. 5th tackle over 1st CB 3rd DE, 2nd pass rushing DT? questionable. Even if those CBs, DTs, DEs never become good enough to start at any point in their career. There is always reps to be had. Hopefully he's a freak and puts all the concerns to rest. Just got to wonder why this kid was kept on the bench outside of injury. JC Latham had 27 starts, I think and there's always stud lineman there too.

I understand the pick because every tackle after this year except OBJ is a FA. Jonah Williams and Jason Taylor's of the world are grabbing multiple year deals $15m+. But this guy was a hard pass for me at 18 and then of course the Steelers take the guy rated higher than him. Hope it works but it screams tackle bust. But they'll need tackles and unless you want to spend $15-$20m of cap room on average starter this is the only route.

Its interesting the JC Latham has now jumped up to 1st OT taken in two "last" mocks.