AMPHAR

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.

Consider available Free Agents. Its really hard to beat Jerick McKinnon to fill that Perine role, IMO. I have no idea why they didn't sign him last year and there's no rumors of talking to him this year. Also confused why no other team has signed him yet. He runs more routes, at greater distances, get targeted more and gains more yards per reception than Perine, Mixon, or Zeke. He is older, I guess. Maybe teams credit Andy Reid too much? Have no idea.

With your experience in the shape shifting community, have you come across a guy that shape shifted into a fat Ewok? If so, how hard is it to transform back into a NFL RB? True. Zeke improves short yardage. However, Perine/Mixon were equal to slightly better rushers than Zeke last year. If you could theoretically plug either one of them into the Cowboys for Zeke they would have been slightly more productive. That's statistical mumbo jumbo. Let's say Zeke with an assumed improved Bengals line from game 1 to AFC Championship game could adequately back fill either Mixon or Perine or both rushing while improving short yardage. The problem IS which Zeke are they signing (if they do) in terms of pass catching? Both Mixon and Perine choose whatever stat line you want or both were dramatically superior in pass catching. Mixon/Perine played enough pass down snaps, produced enough that it is a legit concern, IMO vs. Zeke of last year. Cowboys asked him run fewer routes (40% decline). Ran those routes at a shorter distance (50% decline, under .5 yards), when he did run routes they targeted him less (45% decline). Declines are from 2021. The most concerning point when factoring "THIS OFFENSE at this point in time" Zeke's declining route distance each year and declining yards per reception. His great pass blocking is less of a factor because at his current rate in this offense defenses will leave him wide open because Burrow won't throw him the ball and when he does he'll be standing less than a half yard beyond LOS and not evade a tackle. Thus eventually Zac will have him on the bench just like the Cowboys. Choose either one or both. Mixon/Perine ran more routes, and greater distances, were targeted more and gained more. Anyone with memory knows this factor was key in beating the dreaded cover 2 along with Hurst. Which Zeke are the Bengals getting? Then they'll probably still have to find a pass catching back to fill the void because Zeke isn't going to be a 3rd down factor with any distance to gain greater than 3 yards. Do you really want a RB that in the last 3 years has never ran routes deeper than 1 yard has declining YAC replacing Perine in their 2 minute offense? Zeke needs to come to Cincy with a body weight/fat percentage incentive contract and they'll probably still need to find a back to be productive catching the ball.

No one was making the point that Zeke didn't have stats. I don't ever recall arguing that. The point I was making and it is true. Zeke has declined because he's gained weight. Perine has higher YPC and YPR in the last 2 seasons. That's the player he is replacing and IF the Bengals sign him they better be comfortable with his conditioning. You give Perine 231 carries behind the Cowboys offensive line he's smokes Zeke last year. You take out Zeke's 1 reception for 31 yards last year, he averaged less than 4 yards per reception and they stopped targeting him. No one ever said Zeke didn't gain yards. I am talking about whether or not he's an upgrade. Based on his stats from last year he is not and he did in fact gain weight. Because of these facts, Mem wants me to die in a hole. I don't think that is fair.

Oh, you go ahead and fuck ON. Some rando report links him to the Bengals, now you got to get your Bengals cape on to defend whatever you see as injustice to the Brown family. STFU, homer. You made up some point just so you could argue it. His receiving yards declined deal with it and he's sitting on the FA market for weeks. It should tell you its not automatic getting franchise Zeke. Perine was off the market before FA started.

Mixon could have gone for 1,000 too if not for missed games. Dallas Cowboys out rushed the Bengals. The over all point in the Perine role : eke probably isn't getting those touches and would need to be able to pass protect and do something more than 91 yards receiving in order for it to be an upgrade. If they are signing Zeke to replace Mixon then that's salary cutting because Zeke gained less yards than Mixon last year behind a better line.

You don't give a shit about Zeke? Somehow you seem invested enough to argue a point not being presented. Zeke caught 91 yards last year, 31 coming on 1 play. He lost that role to a faster player. He will not be a big help to the Bengals on pass blocking alone IF he can not get open and grab YAC like Perine was able to. Clearly this is a concern as he sits on the market for weeks while Perine was signed during the tampering period. You get your panties in wad because he's was linked to the Bengals in some report, homer.

lol. If Zeke wants more than Perine then you can stop cheer leading for him because he won't be a Bengal. Which is the ONLY reason you are such a Zeke defender, homer. STFU no one is taking an "L" debating your dumb ass.

True you have no idea. Perine got a deal quickly. Zeke still waits. Should tell you something but it doesn't. He caught 91 yards, 31 came off 1 play. They need a back that can pass protect and be a factor catching. That role was taken away from Zeke. Most likely because he was overweight or lost a step. By the way, we were never getting the All-Pro La'el Collins either. Right? A good pass protecting RB does nothing if they get cut down right after catching a ball. That is what Perine was able to do and he was signed a lot faster than Zeke. If it was that obvious Zeke would be signed already. What do you know that these NFL GMs don't? Perine was signed during tampering period. Zeke has sat for 2 weeks. ??????? Clearly there is some doubt about his abilities in NFL circles. Is he asking for too much? Is he fat and slow? He's not WAY more productive than Perine. Rushing? He's a volume back. His YPC was way less than Pollard behind the same line and a better line than the Cincy's last year.

I have no idea why McKinnon wasn't on their radar last year and not this year. He's a good pass protecting back. A lot faster than Zeke and completely capable of producing more than Mixon/Perine receiving totals. Cap hit of $1m last year. Still available. Age would be a factor, I guess.

Zeke's weight gain is an issue. If he produces like last year he's a downgrade from Perine. You get in shape Zeke of previous years then its a clear upgrade. He clearly lost favor to Pollard in the passing game this past season. He caught 91 yards last year and a 1/3 of that was 1 play. Bengals would need to comfortable this guy hasn't lost a step or decided to eat his way out of the league and could handle churning out receiving yards. Smells like an incentive deal would be best but would he take that from Bengals considering Jerry Jones loves him and is hinting about signing him back?