AMPHAR

KC doesn't suck. I think they disprove your point about guards. They paid guards instead of WR and Tackles. Their offense declined 75-85 yards and about 8-9 points a game since doing so. That's hard to argue against so I understand your tone. I think the Bengals roster talent are very close to KC overall. Just because the Bengals went a different direction at guard doesn't mean its wrong or whatever point you were trying to make. I don't really see the guard position as it stands today more concerning over tackle play and really think IF they get a healthy Higgins the offense production should increase no matter who they are lining up at guard.

OL- There's been enough grumbling from fans about Pollack its strange to see "give them a pass" mentioned. I would think a lot of people saw the issues constantly in adjusting to stunts etc. Firing coach and 2 starters is a weird pass. But I think the reason why guard is talked about so much because its avenue for those who want to piss and moan to allow them to do just that. The real issue, IMO. Is the pass protection metrics from your tackles. Healthly first. Second, both spots need to clearly separate themselves further from level Jonah Williams played on the Left and Right sides. Gives you freedom to slide protect with hopefully better stunt pick up then would think the opposing team's success rate in rushing 4 would drop.

Avoid being historically bad in the 4th quarter IS NOT the same thing as "all they have to be is middle of the pack". Not even close. A point overlooked completely. Pick any defensive coordinator. Anyone. To earn a playoff spot in 2023 and/or 2024 ALL they would have had to do is get the same group of players to play the same bad defense in the 4th quarter as they did in the first 3 quarters. The decline was that significant. Bad coaching and young players. To win a Superbowl in the next 3 seasons? Yeah, a segment of these defensive draft picks will have to be more than average. Were they ever going to get that with a coordinator that couldn't stop a rookie QB from scoring a TD on every drive? Doubtful.

Can't play football without them kinda important. Don't see them drafted too often in the top of the first kinda important.

Bengals have missed playoffs past 2 seasons by slim margins in the standings while suffering multiple 1 score defeats. The defense is enemy number 1. Talent? Obviously. But there was a sharp decline in defense played in the 4th quarter than how they performed in quarter 1 through 3. That's coaching. I don't think its a stretch to say you could take any historically bad defense change a couple calls and prevent a rookie QB from scoring a TD on all drives they didn't kneel down. There's several other examples such as a bad Steeler offense the past 2 seasons having 2 400 yard games and 1 500 yard game.

KC paid guards over Tackles and Wide Outs. KC guards and Centers are considered to be among the best. The KC offense has lost production of about 75-85 yards a game and scores about 8-9 points less per game since the days of having players like Hill and OBJ. Also the QB throws less than Burrow still gets hit more, pressured more, has to throw the ball away more. In all seasons of Netflix QB each of the participating QB have segments highlighting injuries. Infamously Mahomes ankle injury before 2022 AFC Championship game. There's probably a fan on this board a couple years ago suggesting KC might take some steps back on offense because they put too much into interior line. Maybe. KC gets the benefit of the whistle with tackles lining up in backfield, holding, and early starts more than most teams. The trolling comes into play because its a self fulfilling prophecy for negative fans. If the Bengals had a "name" guard. Then they'd move on to another spot. So on and so on. Some fans are willfully ignorant and slaves to their POV.

Shemar and his representation started off stupid and its just a question of how long they remain there. 1. He could have and should been on the field in mini camp. Him practicing would not have prevented any negotiating. 2. Now if the reporting is true. 20 teams use the clause. Its new to the Bengals. The clause doesn't change the over all value of the contract. Now its mental midgets and lawyer wannabees splicing hairs of "Well its new to the Bengals" or "Well he isn't getting the same structure". The last report with from Rapport seemed like he was dumb founded by the Shemar camp's stance because there is very little to be gained. As people continue to dig in and find more truth about the situation the worse off he'll be from a perception standpoint. Because at the end of the the day the Bengals aren't the ones being unreasonable in this situation.

We know.

Shemar's team loves drama and not too smart. Sure. 1. Fight NCAA. Incur legal fees and hope for a quick resolution in time for the college season. If you believe that is viable...point 2. 2. Fight United States labor laws. Because the NFLPA CBA says his rights remain to Bengals if he plays college football or any other league. More legal fees and still need a fast resolution in time for college or CFL season. If you believe points 1 and 2 are still viable or need another "yeah but'... 3. He sits out. Doesn't play and reenters the draft. That will show the Brown family! So if you believe any portion of 1,2 or 3 is viable then point 4: 4. Over half the league uses the clause on their current first round picks. But maybe your sitting here thinking its only half the league and with his NIL money that hasn't been spent on legal fees from 1 and 2 he still could come out ahead or slightly damaged its worth the fight vs. the evil Brown family well then point 5: 5. Clause doesn't change his money. It only changes the timing and form of payment. So say he agrees to all clauses and negotiates a favor payment schedule. Violate a clause he doesn't lose money at that point. It converts to salary which he earns. OH YEAH! THAT's the whole point he could get screwed by the fucking Brown family.... So at this point if you think points 1,2,3, and 4 could favor hims and its worth avoiding the Brown family scheme in point 5 just so they can cut him without cause OK point 6: 6. IF the Bengals unjustly cut Shemar before his rookie deal because he violated a clause. If he's under 3 years vested he hits wavier wire so any claiming team picks up remaining contract. If he's over 3 years he hits FA free to get paid. So if your still sitting here thinking that Shemar has any power left or this fucking contract drama would still be worth it point 7: 7. I can't recall the Bengals ever cutting a 1st, 2nd or 3rd round pick during their rookie deal that ultimately wasn't universally agreed upon by the fan base. Meaning you must suck and even still I don't recall them cutting to many. But if your still beating this drum and its not the reality that matters its the principal that Brown family can't keep doing this then point 8: 8. You'll always be trolled by bad reporting. It has hit the fucking stupid stage. It 100% a dumb agent team.

This is a tiny town, boy. We don't like your kind around here. lol.

It was reported the clause in question is actually used across the NFL. It was also shown rookies without contracts practiced in voluntary and mandatory camps. Shemar's camp could have had him practice and negotiated the clause. There's was only 1 stupid action and it was on the part of Shemar's camp. Sorry if reality is such a burden to your point of view. Seeing all the blatant wrong hot takes all off season you'd think some fans would learn. You are not getting objective viewpoints You are getting agent propaganda most of the time spun into something they know that plays with a lot of the fan base for clicks etc. Edit: It has also been pointed out none of these clauses change the earning potential of the player. It just voids the guarantee nature of the payment. It was dumb to hold the player out over this. A fan that took sides with his camp was lied too initially. Period. Believe what you want.

The only stupid act was committed by the Shemar camp. They took him off the field. There was an easy observation to be made. 2nd round pick ON THE FIELD without contract. Miss number 1. Miss number 2 is not posing that question to the player not practicing because of contract issues. So what does it matter what Joe thinks? He doesn't have clue as to what was or wasn't offered. He makes good youtube videos a real journalist makes the observation. lol. Florio. That report is probably bullshit. Fans that are predetermined that the front office is somehow going to pull the football from them are easily trolled. There's already reports showing previous first round picks of the Bengals getting a higher percentage of money up front when compared to other teams.

Supposedly out of 40 draft picks unsigned. Shemar is the only 1 that didn't participate in practice. Hard to defend that. Its a shame so local media personalities ran with first story just to bash an organization without simple follow ups. Guys like Dehner, Mo, Pike, Rapien, Gooberry. What a bunch of clowns.

Nah. He could have and should have been on the field. 2nd round pick was and doesn't have a contract. Then he's holding a "fight" over what is now reported as common in the NFL and the picks before and after have it. That's a complete 180 from how it was described. His team probably lost points with the local guys because they ran with his story and now they look stupid as well. Negative fans, sports fans in general are easily trolled.

The kicker always take the hit for misses. New holder, snapper etc can play a big role. Overall that apart of the game was apart of costing them playoffs unfortunately. Still say defense and OL were the top factors but missed FGs or maybe some opportunities they didn't take cost them as well.

This most likely comes from the Bengals as his source. No reason why Shemar couldn't enjoy Zac's mini camp just like the 2nd round pick that also isn't signed. Shemar has dug in over a common practice. Great. Makes me wonder if Shemar has something in his past that isn't publically known. I hope not. What a horrible job of representing this player. Might as well advise Andre Smith to run a 40 yard dash without his shirt on.

Golden is very good with the media. You can tell he's a former HC. I don't think he'll be with the Bengals very long.

2nd round pick is unsigned and was on the field. His contract negotiations are not in the media because he chose to be on the field. Shemar's camp chose a different path then went public with it. His dad has been on the radio and Shemar called out the front office earlier in the week. The guy has gotten bad advice or simply isn't making good choices. Sure taking shots at the front office will get immediate positive reaction from a segment of the fanbase. Then reality sets. He still is a draft pick the majority of Bengal world hated at the time. A lot of the national NFL ridiculed him at the time despite mock drafts having him as a solid first rounder. Just dumb to be acting the way he is. He could have been on the field and simultaneously fought any clause he wanted to and put nothing at risk. What happens if/when he pulls a hammy, gets off to a slow start or whatever after making such a fuss? The segment of the fan base that cheered him when he took his shot at the front office will flip on his ass so fast. Once the emotion from the negative portion of the fan base wears off and it always does because those fans aren't objective. I hope he gets off to a hot start. I'd hate to be him if he has 0 sacks entering week 3. Its somewhat sad he's being used by an agent and the media that need clicks to pander to a negative sports fan.

Same logic applies to him. He sat out when he could have played. He has put his career on hold in favor trying to win a contract dispute. Its NFL business. If you are annoyed by it quit reading/listening to outlets that are trolling you.

This is in an example: The below suggest Chase could have taken $3.8m in the form of salary. Meaning he earns it game by game. His agent got him a roster bonus instead. I'm guessing the appeal is he gets his money in August vs. waiting and risking it being cut sometime before 17 games was up. Crazy to think about that now but at the time he's a draft pick and who knew what his career could have been? If you apply that to Myles Murphy. I don't know what his payment structure is. But for his sake I hope its roster bonus because he could find himself on the outside looking in because he has under performed. But the action of turning the payment in roster bonus caused the offset language or clause. Take it as salary the need for the clause becomes void because wouldn't earn it without being rostered. I think the agent isn't wrong. But neither are the Bengals. I think the further it goes I think the agent is doing a disservice to his client. However, I think the over effects of losing May, June or even July practices is exaggerated. Just NFL business.

I think you need to read that article. You've been misled or trolled by the media that has been pushing the agents view. 1. Shemar could have practiced. Not required to but there was nothing contractual from stopping him. It 100% wrong to try to spin that as a contract dispute. His team chose to make that statement. 2. Offset clauses are and have been common practice league wide. The agent is playing semantics describing it as new. I guess the wording might have never been used but they clearly have signed rookies with protection clauses. See the Chase example above. I don't know for sure but I would guess the Bengals would be completely agreeable to the most conservative payment structure allowed with minimal additional language. The player wouldn't. As they hammer out the payment structure clauses get inserted to protect the team. Does the guy want to play NFL football or not?

Myles Murphy gave up his captain crunch. He don't give no fucks about Shemar's reporting date. Shemar was always walking into a battle for snaps any first round DL was with this roster. The time he missed is easily replaced at this point. If the hold out is used as some kind of excuse then probably was never the player they thought. Myles Murphy going into year 3. Always looked out of shape. Boom cuts out cereal. Maybe that's the magic pill. Maybe Shemar shows up and is the freak we hoped and sends Murphy on his way. There's just a bunch of guys in Shemar's way working with their NFL lives on the line. A former 5 star, SEC player knows the drill of camp competition and would easily figure out a way to supplement missed camp time. Bloggers/Reporters are good at words but don't recognize that dynamic because they are good a words not running thus its about feelings. Probably played no cut sports up until middle school if they played at all.

Al seems pretty confident he's got talent to work with. But that could be his personality and persona when talking to the media. Very upbeat in his last interview. How that plays out on the field is anybody's guess at this point.

Offset language concerning guarantee money has been a reality the whole time under the rookie slotting system. I believe this is pointing out Chase got a payment sooner based on being on the roster vs. earning it over the 17 weeks of the season in the form of salary. The offset language was he couldn't hold out. I believe the hot take generators troll negative fans with this kinda of stuff. If fans feel the need to take sides. I'd suggest reading the below and probably realize they aren't getting the whole picture. Informative article below https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-2025-nfl-rookie-contract-projections-for-key-round-1-picks-with-wage-scale-explainer/

The morning camps are a welcome change, IMO. I'll try to make one. A lot cooler.