AMPHAR

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!

Damn Rat Zones! 1. No wonder our young safeties struggled. That's a whole lot of knowledge 2. Fans can't trust PFF grades. Nobody with an All-22 video is going to figure out what the hell should have happened. Each covering defender has 3/4 different rules.

I'm not sure Callahan is taking the same anything to Titan land after watching a Joe Goodberry video. A lot is dependent on Burrow. Does he have a franchise changer like Burrow down in Nashville?

Play calling is a red herring for the Bengals. I'd love to see a stat of how many drives per game are stalled because line issues in pass blocking. They don't really run all that well vs. light boxes either. Be honest I think the coaches are fine with a weak run game as long as it doesn't throw them off schedule. But they are looking for conversions via the passing game and giving up 3 sacks per game is a damper on the overall numbers.

Its an A. McPherson and Chase are among the top 5 in their positions, I guess. Each have provided historic moments already. This alone, IMO, would be hard to grade lower than an A. Then several depth pieces that will be entering 4th season and a few will still earn spots.

Blast from the past: Blame this on not being in the conference championship game. Update on some of the Senior Bowl hero of yester year. 1. Dawand Jones - Browns - 4th round - 9 starts. I think most DAWG fans are happy with him. Made PFF all star rookie team. 2. Cody Mauch - I think he's still missing teeth. Bucs - Round 2. If you think PFF is worth a crap he graded poorly. Higher number of sacks given up but appeared to be day 1 starter all season long for playoff team at Guard. 3. Riley Moss - Denver Broncos - 3rd round. Got 6 starts at the end of the year. Not sure what happened to him during the year. 4. John Micheal-Schmitz - Giants- Center- Round 2 - Injured on a "tush push" play. PFF again if you think its worth a crap, poor grade. 5. Sydney Brown - EAGLES - Round 3 best known for being twin brother of Chase Brown. Had some nice game changing plays. Got hurt last week of season. Good PFF. 6. Will McDonald IV - Edge rusher - JETS - 1st round - 3 sacks 7. Keion White - Edge Rusher - PATS - Round 2 - 1 sack 8. Julius Brents - DJ's top senior bowl CB - Colts - Round 2 - 9 games played. Good PFF if you believe in that. 9. O' Cyrus Toorence - Buffalo Bills - Round 2 - Day one starter for playoff team. PFF rookie team Conclusion: Guys that get noticed at Senior Bowl - get drafted and play.

lol. Well hopefully he'll be good enough to at least challenge the Chiefs and maybe make them go on the road a little more in the playoffs.