AMPHAR

Gibbs would be awesome in the passing game. There are immediate snaps available. Thing that would concern me is it seems of the recent Alabama picks they've taken there have been missed games in the first year. Now Gibbs was a transfer in so maybe the Alabama grind isn't as pronounced. There are certainly productive NFL Bama backs to pick from. Forbes - was Lapham's pick (If he's there). This guy has risen in recent weeks. Fast, Long, Ball Hawk. Would love. But wondering about his size and the Bengals like run supporting CBs.

Will Levis first overall pick? That would be crazy. I just don't see the hype around him in the first. 2nd/3rd? Yes.

Wow that Florida guard has fallen a lot according to Mel. You still might be able to find some mock putting him top 15.

Log jam at tackle. Before they draft they have 6 guys for 3 spots. Somebody leaving.

Supposedly (from another board) Carman back at Paycor looking ready to roll.

Just about any position can be justified as a "need" when factoring next year's Free Agents. As far as coming in and grabbing snaps TE and RB would be a top the list, IMO. But this is a good CB class and I would love to grab one at 28. Turner from Michigan would be awesome and you know they've been in that film and around that facility for a while since they drafted Hill last year. Forbes might be a first rounder now, he's getting a lot of mentions lately.

I would think they'd have to draft RB Robinson in that scenario. That would be the director I would want them to go.

Its just time to get a line that allows less than 35 and hopefully less than 30 sacks in a season. I'll take an all-pro tackle at anytime for the draft but it is sooooo tiresome talking about adding another piece to the line in order to survive after Pollack's unit has sucked up an enormous amount of FA dollar action.

lol. Just don't ask him to practice in August or during game week.

I have no hate for the Jets. That move makes the Chiefs and Bills schedule harder. Now there are a lot of interesting Jets games I hope they put in prime time.

Eh, no problem with suspensions at all. I don't care what gambling partnerships the league is profiting off of. People tend to forget the players/owners are partners in the revenue pool and have agreed how to split it up. Reference the NBA ref (in his view) was just providing gambling picks based on his knowledge of the game. He went to jail and his picks were going all the way up to mob bosses. Of course Pete Rose. Pete ultimately got in so deep he supposedly had to start "betting" on his own games. I can't remember if that NBA ref was "giving picks" on his own game or not (I think it was). Then there is always the rumors about Jordan's dad. I also think Mike Vick dog fighting suspension was more about gambling than animal cruelty. You can get in the hole pretty damn betting on dog fights. Whatever the rule is, its there to protect the league and players. The league has all kinds of alcohol related rules and suspensions over the years. Yet they aren't saying no to that revenue and the majority of players would not want them to.

Bengals were loaded in that era. Playoff melt downs and bad luck really robbed those rosters of recognition they deserved. Very similar to the late 80/early 90 Houston Oilers. Loaded teams that ultimately suffer a playoff let down. Carson Palmer robbed himself of a legacy skipping out on those teams. Its a healthy debate IF you remove Coaching and QB from the equation about which roster was better 2014/15 or 2021/22? Personally I think 2014/15 had a monster defense and a dominant OL. You stick Burrow and Taylor on that sideline with that team and its a monster, heck they only lost 4 games in 2015 anyway. Really a question if Burrow/Taylor leadership could have brought wild cards like Pac Man and Burfict.

There's pressure on Pollack, IMO. You just can't start the season off sucking dick giving up whatever obscene amount of pressure they did. Basically taking 4 winnable games and turning it into 1-3 record. Given that, Collins is done. Even if he's cleared before August. How the hell are you going to count on him when he practiced twice last year and on 1 of the days he started a fight (with the Rams) because he was getting whooped so bad? I mean if your Pollack and you mark him down as starter then your just an idiot coach. Williams - I have little concern about. I think they move him eventually. Roster numbers before the draft dictate some OL are leaving even before they draft. If they don't then he has a lot to lose if he acts like a baby. How the hell are you going to sell yourself to teams refusing to block for Burrow on a Superbowl team? Overall the line has to be improved. The early season numbers from last have to be skewed because they were all on vacation last year during August. So those numbers are not the norm. Then late season injuries derailed what became an average line. LT is improved. They played and won playoff games with Adeniji and Prince playing RT. I mean your lining up Brown, Karras, and Cappa. 3 of your 5. I don't care who you fill in the other two spots, if you can't drastically reduce the pressure on the QB then they need start firing coaches. Personally, I don't think Carman has to improve all that much to match what Collins gave them mid season. They probably should have been starting Adeniji over Collins in the first couple of games. He was ass. Carman is just a big question over 17 games. He was on the bench for a reason but its also from a coach that we've had to basically hand pick FAs for and the standard of 3 sacks of game seems normal around here. Remember when Bengal fans would bitch non stop about Brat and Alexander and Palmer was just getting sacked 25 times a year? I mean its a holiday in Cincinnati if they only give up 3 sacks in a game today. Crazy.

Dixie>Gold Star>Skyline. I enjoy all 3 but if forced to give a ranking that's the order. I'll probably eat more Skyline when they ramp up the Bengal promotions.

Reported cap hits of the Hurts deal. Cap gymnastics is more important than total dollar amount of the deal. Eagles have 4 seasons of a franchise QB in which the cap hit doesn't come close to the annual average. By the time the 2027 off season rolls around the cap could be over $300m. The Eagles have an MVP worthy Qb on their roster only taking up that much cap. In comparison Dak takes up $26.8 and a whopping $59m next year. This deal was a huge win for the Eagles, IMO. All you here from media and rival fans is the dire circumstance of Burrow's contract and how it will destroy the bengals roster. Nope. KC did similar things. Joe Burrow is already ear marked for cap hits through $11.5 and $29.5 for the next two seasons. Its up to the Bengals on how they want to structure. Joe is going to get paid alot of money but the Bengals could even see immediate cap savings in the short term pending on how they do it. We'll see what they do but a message to rival fans they may have been hopeful paying Joe means losing Higgins or Chase. Probably not, the only way those two aren't on the team is if the brain trust elects to build the team in a different manner. Deshaun Watson is basically $19m this year and $64m to the end of the deal. Every offseason the Browns are going to be stuck reworking that deal in their cap to maintain a team. Watson is a decent QB or once was but if he doesn't pan out there is not an easy way to get out of that deal.

Ashland University LB Micheal Ayers was drawing pro scouts to games duing the season. I'm not sure if he's landed at any of these NFL visits.

Bills estimate open air on same site are about $1.5 billion. Add $300 million to that for a retractable roof if they are wanting to explore usefulness 365. Nashville is $2.1 billion with some stadium village construction included and I believe retractable roof. I

Depth comes in all forms when replacing production. When Chase went down there were important catches made by Perine, Hurst, and Mixon. That trio was instrumental in counter acting the cover 2. They lost 2 of the 3. Irv Smith is quite capable of replacing Hurst, IMO IF he's healthy. But Perine and Mixon? I'm not hot and bothered about Mixon's money until RB room takes more shape. If it comes down to paying Mixon his current contract this year so be it. IMO, Mixon's division playoff game is worth it all by itself. You just don't know what you are going to run into during a season. As it stands right now, I'd rather overspend on Mixon. I also believe Perine carved out a nice role on the team but people went too far with Mixon protection issue. Sure Perine better blocker and Mixon not a great blocker. I think Mixon could back fill some of that role. Now they sign McKinnon or Fournette that changes things. Zeke does very little for me at this point. Current backs EVan and Williams - somethings has kept them off the field. I'm not sure what, I just know they have not been big factors despite being with the team.

Tough part is the AFC North has been ultra competitive since its inception. There only been 5 AFC North Champs go undefeated in the division since its inception in 2002. Despite Cleveland never winning it and mostly finishing in last place. Steelers 02, 08, 17, Bengals 09, and Ravens 12. The AFC North is typically going to hang a loss or two on the eventual champ. Also it seems whatever 2 teams emerge as the contenders they attempt to kill each other in season and playoffs. Ravens/Steelers/Bengals were blood baths. Most recent example was Baltimore in the last game of the season. It'd be nice to have a non-competitive division. KC is like 27-3 2015 in AFC West.

I hope that doesn't mean 2 Thursday night games unless one is the NFL season opener in KC.

In no particular order, my guess at the position groups for first 3 picks would be CB, TE, RB. 1. Too many bodies at OT right now. Can't get out of Williams $12m without a trade. Can line up and play today and in 2024 with bodies they have on the roster. Would need to see a trade and confirm who's going to guard etc. I think that doesn't get sorted out til TC. 2. TE - down 1 spot already. Will be a hole in 2024. Draft is deep. 3. CB - down 1 spot already. Major hole going into 2024 offseason. Draft is deep. Franchise position. 4. RB - down 1 spot already. Many think Mixon won't play on the $10m salary this year so I doubt many think the Bengals are going to pay him $20m for this season or next. I don't see major deals for Apple or Flowers at this point they only thing changing would be IF they could lock them in past 2024. I don't see a major deal for a FA RB at this point. I do see room for a versatile Safety as well that could swing back and forth from CB.

Basham apparently played for Joe Burrow's dad.

Tarrell Basham has signed with the Bengals. Former 3rd round pick of the Colts. Edge rusher. 29 years old. Has bounced around a few places. 11 career sacks. Highest sack total in 1 season is 3.5. Hopefully he can provide a couple rush snaps through out the year and match or create a new career high. I always like adding former top 150 picks.

I think something will happen with Mixon. Katie's comments along with Tobin's prior comments seems to hint that something will eventually happen. Whether its a cut or restructure/pay cut we'll see. My wish list of RBs out of the crazy rumors during the offseason 1. Ekeler or Henry - Pipe dreams but those are 2 moves that basically stamp them as AFC favorite screw anyone else. I doubt Tenn or SD would doom the AFC like that even if the Bengals were interested. 2. McKinnon - was a wish list item last year and I think he really has possibility to improve the offense. 3. Fournette - never really considered it before looking at his passing stats. Would be an upgrade to the offense as well. 4. Elliot - its La'el Collins all over again. A name people would get excited about, probably even "freak" over. Which is good offseason fun. I don't think he'd end up being as impactful as the hype. I also think it still leaves the Bengals wanting to find a RB that would be on the field in passing situations and 2 minute offense. Concerns over him losing a step are real, IMO. Bengals might try to pair a rookie with Mixon. I dunno know. I think analyst run too much with "pass protecting" back. Get a decent rookie pair with Mixon maybe gives Mixon more work in passing downs. Would that proposition sink the offense out of the top 10? Doubtful. Just like the bold predictions Fournette would flounder in Tampa Bay because he was a horrible pass protector. Seemed to work out fine for them.

Leonard Fournette is also one I would add to the list. His number of routes, distance, target % and YPR are all favorable to Perine, Mixon and Zeke. His passing offense role improved while with the Bucs and remained steady. One interesting point about Fournette is there is no shortage of predicted failure when making the move from Jags to Bucs because PFF said he wasn't a good pass protector. Somehow that changed. Maybe its coaching. Maybe these advanced stats aren't worth a shit. It probably is "who gives a fuck about blocking, when your churning out 400/500 receiving yards at 6/7 YPR?" His rushing efficiency is slightly worse than Zeke and Mixon in 2022 down from an impressive 2021. Tampa Bay had OL problems in 2022.