AMPHAR

A couple times its been mentioned about Guyton not looking strong up top. Mentioned Day 1 and now Day 2. Basically edge guys can jerk him off balance getting a hold of his shoulders, I guess.

From Bengals.com. Should also be noted that Cody Ford was a Orlando Brown teammate.

If they can bring back the same TE group with a slight increase in cap room its a win, IMO. All 4 are FA. 2 restricted and 2 unrestricted. Last year the group was under 2% cap room. I think its possible to give them all a raise (if they want too) and keep it under 2% of cap this year. I'd only want to see high priced TE or highly drafted TE, to replace void of losing Higgins and them committing to that TE playing 95%+ snaps. With the assumption of tagging/keeping Tee. There's no room for a big investment in TE. Burrow/Chase/Higgins/5 OL/some RB are going to be on the field 95%+. That leaves you 2 slots to rotate the following: 1. They always use some form of blocking TE. 2. They'll have some form of slot WR rotation. 3. A few time empty, a few times 2 Rb, a few times 2 TE. The current TE group. I assume they are happy with Sample and his duties. Tanner appears good enough to get balls when coverage dictates. Irv Smith the same (fans act like he's $8m player when he's cheap as hell).

Yeah more power to Goodberry. I find it odd people would pay it, but whatever.

I think WR/DBs have entered the same level of importance as the trenches. As referenced before in the "why offenses suck" the defenses are playing way more complicated coverages that the average JOE media and fan don't realize. Even though defenses have clawed back some of the gains offenses have achieved since the rule emphasis/changes after 2010 there's still a world of difference. 2009 - 171K of yards gained with 10,991 points scored 2010 - 172K of yards gained with 11,283 points scored Even the declined numbers of 2023 are greater than those levels.

Senior bowl bias - Mitchell CB from Toledo has become my favorite for 18. I reserve the right to change this a 100 times.

I would like to have Jonah Williams back but its not going to happen if the Jawan Taylor market of last year exists this year. Can't justify a multi year deal at 12-16m cap hit or more with the long term contracts that need to be done. Higgins is in the top 15 of a lot of Free Agent lists. Just because he's been a Bengal doesn't discount the impact. If they would sign any other top 15 Free Agent to a 1 year deal everyone would love that move. Tag is the the easiest move. If he plays under the tag its not the best outcome but its still a good outcome. Then they've simply locked him away for 2024. Come to terms that a long term deal isn't happening and start handing out his 2025 and beyond money to other extendable Bengals on their list. A trade? I would want them to get 3/4 top 150 picks otherwise it feels like they are spinning their wheels and accepting risk in the 2024 season. Chase deal? I hope. But like Burrow last year some pieces are going to have to fall in place and they will.

I could be wrong but the 2nd practice was the one with Guyton.

Interior OL There's been several positive updates about him. There's a UCONN guard (Haynes) that looks pretty good to me. Wonder if he'll show up on the Day 2 winners report. Just had a rep a Center and pissed the LSU NT off so bad, the LSU guys ripped his helmet off. He's won every rep LG, RG, and C vs. whoever he's faced. Oregon Center - updates have been slowed because he left with a hamstring injury.

Kinda a weird update but Interior DL. Loves the swim move. Sweat; NT from Texas is back to power game today and impressing. FSU; Fiske - has good interior rush moves. (Edit Fiske from FSU). The interior group during 3rd down period can't block him.

I can attest McConkey was open all day. Impressive slot candidate IF 1v1 represents reality.

DE news: When Mitchell was mentioned "best in class" by DJ. They also said Robinson was clearly the best along the line. At least that's the way I remember the comment.

RB update: I happend to be watching this play. Very impressive. Couldn't remember the players name, but remember Marshall.

CB News: According to DJ he's been the "best in show" defender here and its not close. There's other DBs at the Senior Bowl I promise. However, the one that is generating the most comments it Mitchell.

Tackle news: Happy for this dude because he had a bad National Championship game.

Those interested in TEs:

Quote above from Hobson. This guy was impressive today too. Apparently already on the radar. I think they made the comparison to Danny Woodhead.

Quinyon Mitchell should also pop up on these "best day" list that come out later today. CB Toledo, OH.

Fuaga from Oregon state. I would expect to see him on some "best day" list this afternoon. Had a great rep against UCLA's Latu (First Rounder edge).

Put Kris Jenkins on your DT watch/wish list: a. Bengals have used high picks on Michigan players last two drafts b. he's a freak

Here's some of the Bruce Feldman freaks https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/several-prominent-2024-nfl-draft-prospects-make-this-years-cfb-freaks-list/

Duke Manyweather? You'll notice a couple of these guys are working out with him. He's built an offseason training camp for NFL lineman and a NFL prep for prospects. He boast some former top 15 picks. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/big-boys-club-meet-duke-manyweather-offensive-line-guru

https://trenchwarfare.substack.com/p/2024-senior-bowl-ol-preview-rankings One dudes summary pre-Senior Bowl. Good summary write up. Has a lot more info, I deleted. Click the link for the rest.

Browns just hired Ken Dorsey that was fired mid-season via Bills for OC.

So I've heard the "Defenses have caught up to the offenses" theory several times this year. However the difference is staggering. Assuming I have not miscalculated: In 2020: With 16 games - There was 183,825 yards gained and 12,692 points scored. In 2023 With 17 games - 180,382 yards gained and 11,606 points scored. Holy shit 1 extra game and 3K less in yards and 1K less in points. 2020 - 183,825 yards gained; 12,692 points scored (16 games) 2021 - 186,897 yards gained, 12,502 points scored (17 games) 2022 184,332 yards gained, 11,860 points scored (Buffalo and Cincy) 1 less game. 2023 180,382 yards gained, 11,606 points scored (17 games) Damn rat zones!