AMPHAR

Tee its the same issue as its been since Chase broke out in 2021. Can they or should they build a team around 2 highly paid WRs? The Bengals and Joe have indicated "yes". Unfortunately for Tee, he's the Robbin in the scenario. Once the tag is applied is he good enough to get a long term top of market deal AND part ways with a top 50 pick? Nobody knocked on his door last year. The Bengals are guaranteed a comp pick so a team is going to have to beat that and probably more considering Joe has made a big stink. That's were it could hurt Tee. So he doesn't like the tag. What's a hold out get him? Its clear as mud unless there's a round of injuries in the summer/prior to trade deadline and the trade value goes drastically up but team's are typically locked in cap wise and then there's teams dumping WRs like last year for cheap. If you don't like the tag AND you can't get to a long term number. Then settle for a deal that pay you more in 2025 and throw in 2026 and 2027. Have an out after 2026 in case you explode stat wise. Then move on. If the Bengal offers aren't paying at least $26mil in cash for 2025 then they are in the wrong, IMO. Somehow when there's this much clarity it seems to get done.

The family babysitting/family hospitality room is just lack of awareness by the NFLPA. Yes, let's get all the wives/girlfriends together at the game with the kids monitored by our husband's employer. Great idea! Serve alcohol, even better! I guarantee if you could get that made into an show independent from the NFL propaganda, it would out draw the pro bowl. Joe already freaked out when his house got broke into and people found out he had that model shacked up in there. I'm sure he'd love TMZ finding out who Joe's guest was in the family room this week or which girlfriend/wife didn't show because she has a black eye etc. Best idea I ever heard. "My mommy says my daddy fucks to many hoes on the road and that's why she got a new car". Make it mandatory and coaches wives/kids too. Guarantee the Ravens wouldn't have been blind sided by Justin Tucker.

Until the chef unleashes Dante's Inferno Burger.

I just feel bad for the Chef.

From yesterday's presser. "Get off" is number 1 thing Tobin wants from an edge rusher. Player has to be able to threaten the tackle or he'll just sit on you. 2nd is a pass rush plan/2nd move.

If they Tag. It puts $26m in his pocket IF he signs it. That gives him $48m for the 2024/25 seasons. I could argue that's an overpay. I don't think its a underpay by any means. If he wants the security of year 2,3, and 4 then sign a deal already. If they are willing to put $26m in cash and cap with tag then you have to assume the long term deal meets or probably exceeds that in year 1. If you out perform it after year 2, then pull a Trey. Getting the franchise tag should not be bad news for Tee Higgins. Its not the best situation for the Bengals because they are putting up front money and not getting the longer term benefit.

IMO, Tobin reference Trey being under contract in response to repeated questions concerning how, when, and why these extensions for Chase, Trey, and Higgins would happen. He came off optimistic. I'm not sure how they are done. Media/rival fans have been expressing doubts of this happening since they won the AFC. So I feel like most want these done so they can move on to new stories. What I got from it was they feel they are among the best in the AFC. Trying to win a Superbowl, I think Zac mentioned that later. At one point mentioned on the field let downs across the board to finish games. I think fans/media trying to frame this as a front office problem are dead wrong. You don't go 1-4 in 1 score games vs. opponents that were in the division round (except Pats) and then win 5 in row without talent in the NFL. I can't remember if it was Zac or Tobin but they felt like several games could have been handled earlier and didn't have to be close IF they make the plays they expect. I think Al might get a veteran FA. I assume LB to replace an eventual trading of Pratt. But other than that he'll be tasked with getting a young defense to improve. Tobin very bullish on Dax Hill and the overall talent in secondary. Tobin was wishy washy on the line. You don't fire the line coach if you feel its doing a good job. I think he'll be trying to add new players there but isn't going to burn the bridge with the existing players until he's got the new players under contract. Just my thoughts. Gesicki feels like an extension is more in play than previous rent a TEs.

Walter Nolen at 32 in Mel's last mock? No Pearce in first round? I just glanced through his mock has some picks going against the norm.

Not a FA but free agency effecting. Bills reup Shakir at a $15m average, $32mil up front. Probably takes Buffalo out of any major FA WR. Does it effect the Higgins value?

Ugh would not like the Miami game being moved. Was hoping to go down to South Florida for that one. Sample legit red ice player.

Desai had a rough end to the Philly portion of his career. But his rise in coaching is interesting and probably keeps the theme of getting young players prepared.

I don't see it as a number of 3rd rounders or higher the last 15 years as being relevant. They keep 9/10. Typically 4 tackles, 2 true Centers then the rest guards and combo G/Ts. Those spots prior to 2017 were filled by high draft picks and high performers. They simply weren't going to use a 3rd round pick because there wasn't a need. During those years they rolled through Steinbach, Whitworth, Boling, Bobbie Williams, Zietler through the guard spots. Then had Collins, Winston, Pollack, and Roland filling in as 6th tackle/first off the bench. I think Roland is the only player drafted outside the top 150, maybe undrafted. Post Alexander. Has been a flop of draft picks and they tried to address via free agency which hasn't provided great success. Also its true the Bengals aren't a line friendly scheme or QB as well. IMO, it starts with New Line coach selling Zac/Burrow on more short yardage running Next year they need to blow the LOS up in 3rd and 2 run. Get it with ease. I don't think Zac/Burrow truly want to run the ball then when its clear they struggle winning the LOS in short yardage its becomes automatic to put the ball in Burrow's hands. New line coach is going to have to convince them they can block it well enough so Zac isn't having to answer questions post game about not letting Burrow throw it because its easy to default to that. These past 2 seasons 2nd and 3 have been the most stressful downs for the simple fact they can't consistently move people. Another factor in all of this is they are a super soft team practicing. Its just very hard to flip a switch and say OK now we are running it when you haven't been taking full advantage of padded practices in TC/Practices.

Trey has a strong case to be among the top 5 paid. Back to back 17 sacks season AND I think he gets cheated in the DPOY conversation. He's is clearly the most consistent pass rusher I've ever seen with the Bengals. At the same time his snap count has gone up because Lou didn't have much a rotation and defense couldn't get off the field. He's hitting 30. If they trade Trey, then it will have to be good drafting and probably scheme change to get the number of sacks up. Trey was about half of the sack production.

Trey's comment about finding out via text was weird, IMO. He shouldn't be in a rush to do a deal. There is a lot of rumor/trade/cut demands that could change the market for edge. He's going to be among the top of whatever new market comes about.

Buyer beware tweet regarding Trey Smith.

Rough life for a punter. Regarding Trey Smith - Chiefs board is all over him being overrated given his presumed future contract. They said the same shit about Orlando Brown. I think Brown hasn't been perfect but has been worth the contract Bengals gave him. Chiefs tackles have sucked for a while. If the refs would call all the holding, false starts, lining up in the back field I think they'd still be playing their week 1 game. Anyhoo -Trey Smith overrated according to a lot Chief fans.

Even IF they sign Tee. If Hollywood Brown is out there for what the Chiefs got him for last year. I'd be tempted to do it.

I still think the A++++ situation is getting Chase, Trey and Tee extended out to 2027. But someone is going to have to shoulder risk in their contract in order to do it and as of right now it doesn't appear any of them are willing to do that which makes it very hard to do and improve the team. Chase basically shot that down in the summer. He's going to want his cash outlay to mirror his yearly average as close as possible through the first 3 or 4 years which is going to be $100m+ in 3 years then probably $130m in 4. If the above is given. Then Tee has to give if he wants to be apart of the Trio, IMO. Probably same with Trey. However, the Bengals could absolutely destroy the bounty the Chiefs got for Hill by trading Chase now. He's so much younger. Not saying that would happen but they could probably match the DeShaun Watson bounty Cleveland gave up.

If they pay Tee. I think they'll end up trading Trey. If Tee goes on the franchise tag, doesn't sign it. I think it could flip their strategy. Never for 1 second do I think the front office wrote off extending Tee. His agent was a factor and his overall availability is a factor and its a debate everyone has had holding it up. Can you build a contending team with so much money going to 2 WRs and QB? How much are they willing to overpay Tee consider you'll drop the bag on Chase? People will throw out the Eagles. But the Eagles deferred the money to their key players and its likely they'll dump some of it. Already rumors AJ Brown could be traded. There is a significant difference between the cash Burrow will get vs. Hurts. Probably the same between Chase and Brown. Trey is all about his sacks and tries to pretend he isn't, fake. But I do think he provides a bit of leadership because it seems like a productive competition vs. jealousy. 17 sacks is harder for the Bengals to replace vs. Tee's 900 yards. I wouldn't write off Burton getting 500 yards in that spot even if he's homeless and playing craps all night. However, Trey probably gets you more in a trade with a draft that's deep in D-line talent. They need to get younger there anyway. They hired the college coach that would be used to getting young players to be prepared. An area were Lou flopped big time and has mostly gotten a pass. Trey is older and has a ton of snaps. They've watch Geno Atkins and now Sam Hubbard decline significantly with age. Trey could easily go the path of Whitworth but I think they'll go the path of trading him. Whitworth at a min should of gotten the tag and they tried to get cute and cheap with it.

Those CBs being in the top 10 just scream how not good the quality of the FA class is. Its also hilarious how unaccountable the NFL.com writers are too. Like none of them mention, "Hey here's a name you'll recognize Bryon Murphy wasn't good enough to be in my top 10 a few years ago, but he is now!" Ronnie Stanley is another dude. Yeah he can start in the league. I hope the Chiefs blow their wad on him. He's a injury red flag and really wasn't all that good. Baseball fans are so much realistic about free agency than NFL fans. Probably because the stats are easily to project and they buy into the back of the baseball card mentality.

I'd love Chase Young on a short deal. Would love to try to get Josh Sweat at decent deal but afraid he'd be over priced because of the thin class. Tee Higgins is almost like you have to resign him just to "prove it" to people. When he plays he's great. He don't play. I think he's the classic WR that could go to a team with nobody, monopolize targets, put up stats and the offense ultimately sucks. Zac Baun - Would love to have him. It'd have to be cheaper than a Pratt deal. Hufanga - sounds good. Has been banged up. BJ Hill - wasn't in favor of signing Reader last year to anything but a prove it deal. That's what he got and he only played 45% of snaps. Hill I would not go too deep on as well. I would only go short term on him. If the Bengals trade or cut Pratt which most say is likely. I think Golden will want a veteran LB, Could be wrong I wouldn't think they move Pratt until another LB is signed. Probably plays out like Mixon last year.

I think Trey Smith is really the prize player in FA over Higgins. I'm not going to be mad IF they would sign Higgins to a long term deal but will certainly be interested in the structure of it. I'd absolutely go for Trey Smith at the highest paid for 4/5 years over Higgins but the likely hood of them paying a guard that much is unlikely. There's several stop-gap or hole fillers players but most of them scream two year deal. Bryon Murphy and Ward at CB are prime examples. No way on earth would I want top CB money for either of those two and locked in for multiple years. Sure they are bona fide starters but Murphy was ranked in the 30s his last free agency voyage and signed a cheap deal. What's changed? Ward was ranked 89th best FA back in 2022. Now top 10? You got to be fucking kidding me. I hope Chiefs sign him so I can watch Chase torch his ass repeatedly. I don't know if I'd want Ward at the 4th CB on our team right now and our secondary got roasted repeatedly. Just searching through these FA rankings reminds you that in the month of March Bengals fans and NFL fans in general are going to be acting like fools over 2nd tier at best players. Yes its possible to get the Hendrickson. Trey got a decent deal but a lot of people questioned it at the time even though he was the 4th best FA that year.

The problem with this Free Agent class that the top 15 rankings are a joke. This FA class is so thin to flat out not impressive. So there will be players you would like to catch on the way up that are going to be way overvalued even more so than a typical FA year. Josh Sweat would be a good get at mid contract. You ready to make him among the highest paid? I dunno. Case in point below are some of the names sprinkled in the top 15 FA rankings: 1. Tee Higgins- Hasn't had 1,000 yards in two season. Hasn't played over 60% of snaps in two seasons. Has never played more than 80% snaps in his entire career. Completely overrated at $30m or whatever a year. He's a fan favorite but I'd really like to see that contract structure IF they ever get an extension done. But on the free market he'd be some franchises key building block. Not sure if that would happen but whatever Bengal fans and Joe loves him. 2. Trey Smith - that's solid starter. Comfortable having him as a top 5 paid guard? Maybe. 3. Chris Godwin - in the top 10? Laughable at $25m+ he's had two major surgeries in the past 3 years. Torn ACL and Dislocated ankle. This is guy that should be ranked were DJ Reader was last year in the 40s and be looking at a prove it deal. 4. Ronnie Stanley - OT Ravens - Top 10? I dunno about that. Major injury red flags. This is guy that should be ranked around that Panthers tackle a few years ago that had the knee surgeries and could only get 1 year deals. 5. Zac Baun - This is my favorite top 10 Free Agent. WTF? I actually would love him on a cheap deal. However, he wasn't on any top 100 FA list last year I could find. Had to settle last year for 1 year $4m deal. Rags to Riches, I guess. 6. Bolton Chiefs - solid player. Top 10? 7. Ward - CB - He's in the top 10? I'd have a hard time thinking CB spot was solid if you have him marked down as a starter. Maybe a solid depth piece. 8. Byron Murphy CB - Top 10? Laughable. He was a FA two years ago ranked in the 30s. Had to settle for a low 2 year deal with Vikings. Starting CB. Had real trouble beating out Dre Kirkpatrick back in the day. But Hey, a defensive conerstone! 9. Josh Sweat - I would love to have as potential up and comer with a contract that matched that. Think Carl Lawson/Hendrickson value 1st FA contract. I don't know if I'd make him my cornerstone on a defense and equal cap hit. There's a couple guys you'd like to have as a stop gap starter. But the most likely out come is that you are cycling through 2nd tier players that for some reason can't land a 4/5 year deal with the team that drafted them. When guys like Ward, Baun and Murphy on their regularly scheduled Free Agent tour are in a top 10 the quality is way down.

If Al wants more pressure generated from his LBs then he's going to need to add new faces. It felt like when Wilson/Pratt recorded a sack it was out of a spy or Green Dog (add on) blitz situation. It seemed very rare LBs were the designated blitz that mostly came off the Corner Spot under Lou. It just was a very conservative scheme and it rarely changed even when an opposing offense demonstrated they figured out his zones.

Tee getting tagged according Rapien. Non exclusive. Speculates further long term deal still on the table, I guess. I think Rapien broke the news last year as well. Of course Rapien floated out there Tee could get $30m-$35m a year. I wonder where he gets all this stuff from? In other Tee news - Trevor L would love to have him. I would personally love for them to have him as well for pick No. 41. Or picks 72 and 94. Of course anything greater would be gravy. Tee playing at $26m on the Bengals cap isn't ideal. Not horrendous but not ideal.