AMPHAR

Jeff Ruby's anybody?! Rumor is Joe going to host a dinner. Not sure who's going but it didn't seem like Free Agency until the Ruby's dinner. I would start off with their barrel aged Manhattan. A little Raw Bar action. NY Strip. Cream Spinach. A little cheese cake.

Mixon gettin paid. Makes you wonder if all the local scribes know what they are talking about. If Zac Moss is an upgrade then why didn't the Texans take that great deal?

Never worried about losing Reader. Hopefully they get younger. If Reader signed on the cheap, I'd probably be a little disappointed. Edit: 2 yrs. $27m for Reader. Glad that didn't happen. Good luck to DJ and for Lions sake hope he stays on the field.

Tier Tart visiting. Source: talking box in my car.

Tobin partially justified with his Bates stance because the high price safety took a dump this offseason. However, bringing back Bell and bringing in Stone suggests Hill and Battle aren't locks for snaps so the replacement plan still needs to prove out. Given, that I would assume Zac Carter might be in a crunch with Rankins coming aboard. Not looking rosey with the defender development right now. Just see how it all melts together.

That's pretty good. I thought it was conditional meaning they wouldn't get a pick until next year. Kudos. Mixon/Moss? The reality is Chase Brown is the X factor as of right now. He's going to have to be the one filling the Mixon void. They probably just going to divide snaps up differently. Maybe a draft pick goes to RB as well.

Because nobody in a professional capacity is paying attention to those stats. They have more time, better tools to create their own. When you are hired as OL assistant or whatever that's what you are doing among many other things. Otherwise they'd just pay the subscription cost and save the money. I assume the Bengals will or won't sign Becton at certain amount based on that.

I knew if I went to bed earlier. That would spur the Bengals to some activity.

Rankins - Like the move. Former 1st round pick. Possible get you 5 sacks from 3T. Hopefully paired with BJ. Don't like the availability or age. I don't think this spells the end of the Nose Tackle spot. This probably puts Zac Carter on notice as this is more of pass rusher. I would think BJ Hill is safe. Bell - Hilarious. Sign a year earlier and people are estatic they kept Pratt and Bell. Let Lou sort out the pieces in the secondary. I don't think it spells the end for anyone, there's a ton of potential in that group. Get them sorted out and elevate the level of play. Becton - If this happens. It probably more of a problem for Smith or Carman. If they sign him and do nothing eles. Cody Ford would be your RT opening TC. With one of the other tackles competing for a spot. I doubt this is all they do at tackle. Just might not lock them in at 18 taking one.

Just a guess but Texans will beat the Bengals out for Armstead and probably would not have traded Collins if they weren't sure they have an opportunity to sign Armstead. Maybe. Or maybe the Bengals didn't like Collins at $8.5m. Who knows? Why do they wait to release Nick Scott? My guess would be to make sure Geno Stone signs, I guess.

Nick Scott released. Great Scott 1.21 giggawats!

Baltimore Ravens are like a farm team for the NFL for offensive linemen. Too bad they would never trade in division. It seems like there are so many former Raven low round draft picks starting elsewhere.

Chiefs have a cake walk next year to Division title. Chargers are going to tank the 1st year of Harbs so they can fix the cap and go bonkers year 2/3

I would think there would be some interesting cuts. There was a lot of cap dollars allocated the past couple days and now the deadline looms. There's been so much activity; I have no idea how many have already done their cuts and who hasn't.

Bengals certainly would have the up to date injury info. The hesitation probably more to due with his age and injury history. He's been injured a lot as a Bengal. He only plays 55%-65% of snaps when healthy. DJ needs to be on the La'El Collins type contract. I don't have a lot of heartburn losing DJ. His availability is a question but most of the local media seem to think he's DJ of 2021. From my untrained eye his play slipped big time in 2023. Although Lou wants him back. Give him a 1 year deal with play time incentives. Heck maybe sweeten it for the extra year. I would not go above $8m per year based on what some other rotational DTs have signed for. If the Detroit Lions out bid you, more power to them.

Joe was a good one. I don't wish him luck because he's staying in the AFC. Was productive behind some of the crappiest lines.

Webb/Jones/and Jonathan Jackson. With Willie at RT. Good lord I would kill for that today.

The local insiders flat out said Bengals won't use a high draft pick on rookie tackles last off season. So????? If there's an ounce of truth to that. Tyron Smith on a 1 year deal. BOOOM. I can't remember how old Whit was when he got the 1 year offer, but with inflation that would make Tryon Smith cheaper than that offer. So do it. However, Latham and Fuaga are plug and play and IMO there isn't room for both. If they sign Smith then there is a whole world of players that will be awesome to have at 18 especially if 4 or more QBs go above them. Sign Smith you instantly root for a run on tackles along with QBs.

Dude on the radio indicated similar thoughts. The market for the mid-tier tackles and Smith is slow to develop because of the draft class. Same with the mid tier DTs. He thought its not a case of the Bengals dragging their feet more of when do some of these players get ready to set market. Take it for what its worth. Wasn't super positive on Jonah returning but wouldn't rule it out because it sounded like there is a price they would act on. Also indicated if DJ Reader returns they would need another add.

Yeah, that's a pain in the ass.

Bengals.com is still silent on Mixon/Moss scenario. Probably means Mixon traded for Will Anderson or something. Just odd every other deal is acknowledged by Bengal.com but not the Mixon/Moss transaction. Also if Hobson doesn't make reference to a rolling Stone gathers Moss. I'll be disappointed.

I don't know if Gesicki would get enough snaps/target to amass 700 yards. We'll see. The important thing is he can get open because Chase draws so much coverage.

Yeah Hudson on top of this would give them alot of options to play around with TE vs. Slot WR.

Is Mike Gesicki a Bengal? Thought I saw it. That's a solid move if it isn't expensive. Edit: Yes he is. 1 year $3.25. Doesn't end the yearly TE debate but this is a solid move. Has had a couple 700 yard season and former 2nd round pick. Out of all the rent a TEs they've done recently, I like this one the most.

Sooooooooooooo? If Zac Moss is such an upgrade why didn't Houston just sign the cheaper/better RB? Instead they give up a pick and take on slightly more money. However, its the path chosen by the Bengals so at least they got something in return.