AMPHAR

Murphy is a bust, IMO. It didn't appear he entered last year's TC ready to go. He was running with the scrubs early in TC and the only reason he made it out was due to injury. Then as the season went along after he returned from injury he started making a few plays, no sacks. He needs a sharp turn around.

With the assumption Trey stays. That gives them what 8 DL? I think they got a spot at DT and DE open. The prospects in this draft are rated high. They need to at least get 1 if not 2 in the first 4 rounds.

There's plenty. Nick Wright has commented against it. Unsportsmanlike has as well. That's fine. I think it is a legit points. However, when they were calling the Bengals "cheap" that point of view was muffled or absolutely not brought up at all. There were plenty of reasons not to sign Higgins and commit cap dollars to him. Yet when they tagged him it was "cheap". They were shamed nationally. Joe Burrow should ask for a trade etc. Tee Higgins can't repeat that past two years, IMO, for this to work at the highest level. Which has been about getting Joe a second bite at a Superbowl.

Trey comes off to be All about his sacks. But there's a bunch of defensive players publically hoping he comes back. I'm hoping it happens.

Defense of course but on a higher level its finishing games. For example they were in control a bunch in Baltimore then Chase Brown fumbles, they let a dude dash down a sideline for a TD, bad calls or no calls etc. That story repeats itself a bunch the past two seasons and its realistic because the margin they've missed the playoffs has been so slim.

Don't think Al would be surprised. His comments have been about developing players.

I hope Schreff is in play. I'm sure the Manning Colts comparison's are coming. Neither Bengals or Colts, IMO, when they were at the bottom before Manning or Burrow set foot and said WE must have 2 top WRs at the start. Its a matter of paying and retaining the parts that have worked out. In the case of Manning. Faulk and Harrison were already on the roster and unexpected 1997 meltdown landed them Manning. They were in the playoffs 95 and 96. Its a zero sum game and something Tobin has not proven to win at. He must add top pieces while drafting in the 2nd half of rounds.

Its also clear they were waiting for the Monday news cycle to make it official. Which is kinda like they waited for Thrusday Night opener to report Burrow.

Bengals need Higgins 4 best years. If they get that then this could be gold. If they get the last 2. It could be a problem. Trey is supposedly home shopping in Cincy area, lol. That's off one of the youtube podcast. If the rumors are true the Bengals are offering that. Its hard for him to say no, IMO. If this group returns to the Superbowl and Trey moved on. Its like not going in on the work powerball pool and it hits.

Structure is the key. I think Justin Jefferson is really the highest non paid QB. Myles Garret details have not been released yet. Justin Jefferson gets $96m first 3 years and then, $126m first 4 years. $110m considered guaranteed. The Max Crosby deal never exceeds any of those numbers. So the media can't afford to wait to report truth it will go on the AAV and their hot takes which is not truth. JJ's cap hits were $9m first year and $15m. So if its structured in the same manner there's significant cap savings. Higgins: I believe Waddle is considered the highest paid No. 2 WR. He gets $53m in 3 years, $77m in 4. His cap hits are $9m first two years. If structured in same manner more cap savings. We'll see.

Big moment for the franchise. Rival fans, media won't eat crow but ever since the Bengals beat the Chiefs in 2021 they've been saying the Bengals couldn't (poverty franchise) or wouldn't (cheap franchise) get this done. Now they all can suck it and pivot to Bengals shouldn't (not a smart franchise) get this done. I think it puts pressure on Trey if they have $30m out there. You really going to be the lone player not to comeback and chase $$$? Best chance to get paid more and win is in Cincinnati. Now Reds get Elly extended and we can be the nexus of the sports world.

They've gotten plenty of deals done. The workings of Chase/Tee, IMO, are not holding anything up for guard. The pool of money was known its not hard to project cap impact a 100 different ways that probably have less 5% change in any of them. They'll sign a guard when they find one they like in the price range they want to pay. It is what it always is when it comes to guard. They are going to pay just about every other position first over guard. Yes, the Bengals will get slandered in the media because they stupidly paid 2 WRs that a few days ago bashed them for being cheap for not paying 2 WRs. Schreff is one I hope they use some of the wiggle room with. Loved to have him for 2 years next to Mims. But if he's wanting 4/5 year Fries type deal it probably isn't happening. I don't know what the deal with Z is, but I think there's burnt bridges there and you also have to wonder why he's going from team to team at this point IF he's as good as he was. I would not put long term money into Jenkins at all. I don't get the hype. I also do believe Cleveland who our new O-line coach has history with could cut any of their interior IF they are truly QB shopping again. I also would not rule out or be against bumping their flawed LT in a guard for a season.

Edit: probably fake account saying Chase deal is done.

Ogunjobi suspended for 6 games, PEDs.

Chase is more about the structure for me. I figured it would get done and hope that it does. Just interested in the details. Media is what it is dishonest when it comes to the Bengals. Chase did agree to something last summer so its not like there was never any plan of not trying to extend him.

From the Colts board. With that many teams and it doesn't even mention Eagles that were rumored "monitoring". Stick with the ridiculous trade package as long as you can especially when its rumored the Bengals have a $30m offer on the table. What's the point of trading Trey for compensatory pick value? Let him sit out and take a chance at the deadline a team gets desperate if he don't want your $30m.

Even if you were talking about a top 10 pick. These are the type of trades that have been going on: I mean come on. There's huge trades all the time and the attitude has always been its just draft capital. Now a GM floats out the price is too much and the media just laps it up. There's no reason to leak out your thoughts on the trade package request, unless of course you want the player to sign a big deal and just don't give a shit, agent? or trying to lower the price, GM?

Colts insider has the Colts offering a 3rd. Bengals want a player supposedly and more????? I'm glad they are asking for what other teams deem ridiculous. They shouldn't entertain giving him up on the cheap or even what another team considers a win at this point. A few years ago a common media opinion shunned draft capital. Hell, some local Bengals media once again bashed the team because they wouldn't give a 3rd for a TE. Its just a 3rd. Now the Bengals are being ridiculous for asking for the moon for a current sack leader. You can review a whole bunch of top 15 picks that never got the team 17 sacks. If its that important then there isn't a price big enough to ask for. Whenever people talk about the prospects of the Bengals losing Trey, well its that important.

The Bengals are now being "trade" shamed, lol. If Trey is the missing link to the Superbowl and he's deserving of whatever contract he desires. Then the Bengals are justified in asking whatever the hell they want. I've never seen such slanted reporting. Keep in mind this is a league that saw Watson traded with known sex assault issues for 6 picks. Its just fucking noise at this point.

I do think the Browns might have to cut one of their 3 interior line guys soon. Maybe? Maybe not? They could also explore their former 1st round draft pick LT that was up and down and all around through his time with Browns. Maybe a bump inside for a year or 2. I generally like most the moves that have been made but like most have an eye on extensions or trades.

This offseason its about the big 3. They are under contract. A holdout does not provide a clear solution to their assumed demands. With the cap/cash already accounted for on the cap and the rumors it appears at some point something gets resolved. Unfortunately there's nothing that mandates it gets done March or even before draft day. Once past that, its nothing until July 15th. The media knows this. So they've sewn a narrative that the price is going up to generate clicks, narratives etc. Still got to wait on details on a couple contracts but my guess is that its all bullshit. The Justin Jefferson contract will be the one to beat still. The reason I say that is Myles Garret guarantee money in 4 years is still lower than Justin Jefferson's 4 year value. The Browns have used void years/extra years to spread up front money. That inflates the reported AAV. The Bengals haven't pissed away $8m a year with Chase.

1 guy to watch on the RG front would be Wyatt Teller. Browns don't have much cap space but are QB shopping. He's due $10m on the 18th. So potential cut. However, he's a dead cap casualty so any cut/trade would have to designated post 6/1. I'd take him over any FA that was available at any point this off season. Other starting G is in similar spot. $10m due on the 19th.

Zeitler has been a FA at least 2 offseasons in a row and maybe 3. So you got to wonder why? But anyway the Bengals and Z have never been linked to each other once he got cut out of his big contract in each of those seasons. So I'm guessing there's a reason why. I think he's off the market now anyway. Schreff would be my choice out of any. He's been the top RG while in Washington. Lost some of luster in Jax, but was it really the RG the problem there? Jenkins - Every fan is all over him. Great. Something about being available makes people over rate you. La'el Collins vibes with this one. At one point people were wanting to trade a 1st La'el then they were following him around in the Mall. WTF? For that guy? Then of course couldn't practice all summer. Pollack decides to start him off 2 practices and he gets whooped bigger than shit the first half of the season. Becton - They took him to Ruby's. Never offered a contract? I think Tier Tart was there too. Afterward it was references as personality fit or whatever. Becton couldn't play one side or refused to or something because of his knee. I think he played LG with Eagles. Tier Tart thing, I'm guessing it was because he dropped the peoples elbow on Karras's kneck after a play. Surprised nothing ever became of that. Dangerous as hell. Becton, I guess they weren't too impressed. Probably better off drafting at RG at this point. Maybe two.

Volson will get his chance in TC. He doesn't cost much and there's not much cap savings. I think he got too long a leash under Pollack. I think he has a very low ceiling.

He would have been the starter. I can't remember when he got hurt but he was running with the top team in TC. Myles Murphy was doomed to the scrub squad. Although I believe Hubbard was also recovering. I'm glad they brought him back. At least give him a chance to beat somebody out even if its for depth.