2025 Opponents Set/Offseason Notes

[COB]

The theme that we don’t pay guards, that we just draft 4th rounders or pull disabled vets off the embalming table for a last go is just a false narrative promulgated by an evil cabal of bengal-hating media members.  Stop letting yourself get trolled.  example of trolling below, don’t read unless you are voluntarily being trolled:
 

According to PFF, Alex Cappa finished dead last among starting guards in all three major protection categories: pressures (51), hurries (36), and sacks allowed (eight, tied with Houston's Shaq Mason).

[COB]

Don’t trust your own sensory organs.  
 

For instance, if you watch “Quarterback”, and you think you see our franchise quarterback profanely raging at his head coach over our clueless and incompetent line play, AFTER A WIN, don’t believe it.  Don’t let your own eyes troll you.  
 

Your eyes are very likely in an unholy alliance with a cabal of demonic, bengal-hating, sports reporters who’s sole purpose is to troll you into thinking our front office is an understaffed herd of drooling cheapskates who’s greatest accomplishment was tanking the 2019 season so they could hold Joe Burrow hostage for 15 or 20 years.  

[ArmyBengal]

Alex Cappa was a beast.  How dare you show proof to anything other than my statement.
Save your stats showing how poorly he played for us, he was an All Pro snub for sure.
We need more of his leadership and effort to get this team to the promised land.

Alex Cappa should be the next ring of honor awardee !!

[AMPHAR]

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.   

 

 

 

 

  

[AMPHAR]

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.   

[ArmyBengal]

I think most rational fans would agree that defense in enemy #1 for the Bengals.

The o-line doesn't get a pass because of that.  They do still in fact suck ass.  The media doesn't need to tell me that, I see it each and every week.  Most fans overlook it simply because the offense is so stacked at the skilled positions.

Defense though?  Yeah, clusterfuck central and I would likely say that if the season goes off the rails it will be because of that unit.  The defensive end position is not is a great spot.  Get Trey back and Shemar in camp and I am at least optimistic.  I like Hill and Slaton at the DT spots, but we are left to hope that Jenkins and Jackson improve in year 2 and the interior unit can get some pass rush push up the middle.  The linebackers may or may not be better.  Are rookies better than who they let go?  Remains to be seen.  The CB's and safeties are an injury away from being in shambles.  How is it they couldn't trust Battle last year, but this year he's the starter.  Anyone feel comfortable with backups at any of the secondary spots?  I don't.

While saying "All Golden has to do is get them to the middle of the pack" is true, that's a taller task than it sounds.
Still employing the hope and pray method.  I'm hopeful though.

[Stripes]

I'm going to say something bold and dangerous. I'm going to say something you won't hear in the mainstream. I'm going to challenge everything you thought you knew about American football.

...

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Guards are important.

[AMPHAR]

10 minutes ago, Stripes said:

I'm going to say something bold and dangerous. I'm going to say something you won't hear in the mainstream. I'm going to challenge everything you thought you knew about American football.

...

...

...

Guards are important.

 

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

 

[TJJackson]

58 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

we are left to hope that Jenkins and Jackson improve in year 2

I cant speak for Jenkins, but my dead Gramma says she will give it her all

[AMPHAR]

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. 

[AMPHAR]

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.

 

 

 

[COB]

4 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

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.    

I hope we don’t get some good guards in here to Cincy so we don’t start sucking like Kansas City.

[AMPHAR]

2 hours ago, COB said:

I hope we don’t get some good guards in here to Cincy so we don’t start sucking like Kansas City.

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. 

 

[HoosierCat]

The rich get richer, and the taxpayers get soaked-er.

Quote

It’s a $470 million renovation plan with Hamilton County’s contribution capped at $350 million. But that’s just the start of taxpayer obligations that could flow from a letter of intent signed June 30 by the county and the Cincinnati Bengals.

In fact, it could end up costing the county more than $1.1 billion over 21 years, according to a WCPO 9 I-Team analysis of contract terms.

That’s because the proposed new lease calls for the county to pay up to $134 million for capital repairs to Paycor Stadium.

In addition, the county plans to issue bonds to pay for its $350 million contribution, which could lead to $210 million in new interest expense over 15 years.

Finally, the county reversed an earlier stance by agreeing to cover stadium operating expenses on the same terms as the old lease. That could add up to $418 million to the taxpayer tab.

The Bengals and the NFL would contribute $120 million toward the renovation project and up to $45 million more in rent, if the deal ends up being extended for 21 years. But in the end, the county would cover 87% of total expenses, while the team pays for 13% of the bills.

 

[ArmyBengal]

Waiting for news that fans in Hamilton county that pay the extra taxes get some kind of price reduction for tickets.
I'm sure that's coming soon.  Hell yeah !!

Can't wait to retire again and get the fuck away from here.

[HoosierCat]

1 hour ago, ArmyBengal said:

 

Can't wait to retire again and get the fuck away from here.

You get to retire?!?! Man, must be nice. Pretty sure I’m gonna die at work…

[ArmyBengal]

Look, I can sell my house, get rid of one of the cars, do without many of the things people feel they can't do without and fucking disappear forever.  That will be two pensions, social security and my investments to live on.  I am NOT doing this shit forever.  5 years at most and I'm out.  My youngest will be out of high school, I will be 60 and I'm going to evaporate like a fart in the wind.

[HoosierCat]

Speaking of 2025 opponents, former Bengals and current Browns DB Tony Brown is now The Ap3x.

https://substack.com/home/post/p-167486344

[ArmyBengal]

Cool story about his trip back to Africa.
I am curious if his own roots trace to Ghana or was he just there because that's where his teammate was from?
Don't really care, but it's cool when people can trace their roots back and know where they came from.
I still have family in Italy, Germany and Ireland and know exactly where we came from.

I hit the drinking heritage trifecta !!

[AMPHAR]

So where are all the cool pictures of the proposed renovated stadium? 

[ArmyBengal]

Only the trolled fans get to see those.

[COB]

4 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

The rich get richer, and the taxpayers get soaked-er.

 

Holy shit.  So taxpayers are basically funding the Brown family’s business.
 

 The Hamilton County Commissioners should begin the legal process right now to seize ownership of the team through eminent domain.

[COB]

3 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Cool story about his trip back to Africa.
I am curious if his own roots trace to Ghana or was he just there because that's where his teammate was from?
 

Remember Chinedum Ndukwe?  7th rounder for us but he played.  I remember he took an off-season trip to Liberia.  Most memorable thing when he came back - He said the physicality of the people in Liberia was almost otherworldly.  He said there were regular guys just walking around on the street who looked like they could step right on an NFL field and play. 

[Stripes]

TJ Watt was just extended.

3 years, $123M  (average $41M per year). That will only make Trey Hendrickson more difficult, as the Bengals infinitely drag their feet. Save ten cents today to pay ten dollars tomorrow.

[HoosierCat]

3 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Cool story about his trip back to Africa.
I am curious if his own roots trace to Ghana or was he just there because that's where his teammate was from?
Don't really care, but it's cool when people can trace their roots back and know where they came from.
I still have family in Italy, Germany and Ireland and know exactly where we came from.

I hit the drinking heritage trifecta !!

According to the dna test I did, I’m about 60% Irish/northern England, 30% southern France/Bavaria, and most of the rest is Scandinavian. So I too have a drinking trifecta!