Post-Draft Whinging & Moaning Thread

[AMPHAR]

Media got burnt hyping the Bengals pre-2024 and them not making the playoffs.   Bengals aren't going to get objective "hot takes". 

The reality is this team was hyped as good going into 2024.  Lost 4 games by 1 score or less (?) to teams that were in the division round/Conference, or Superbowl.  Then finished 5-0.

I like what I've read about the draft class.  I didn't grade it high because its not what I wanted to see pre-draft.   I think Golden is going to improve the defense and think the Bengals are sitting on one of the best rosters in the league.  

Meanwhile in Rapien World they've wanted to add 5-7 new starters from Free Agency to be happy.  There's a lot of clown media that would be clapping like sheep IF they took the coveted "guard" round 1.  Same people that threw out As when Billy Price was taken with Lamar Jackson was on the board and all they had was Andy. 

Nobody knows but anytime the Bengals get praise, don't meet those expectations people aren't going to rush out on a limb following that to praise them.    They'll go with the crowd for the most part.

 

[COB]

9 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

 

I've probably softened my stance on the draft results myself.
 

I do this every year.  I read about the draft picks and there is inevitably a ton of praise and I totally fall for it.  Then the season rolls around and I thought we had 4 all pros but you look around and they’re not even starting a rookie anywhere.  

[ArmyBengal]

3 hours ago, COB said:

I do this every year.  I read about the draft picks and there is inevitably a ton of praise and I totally fall for it.  Then the season rolls around and I thought we had 4 all pros but you look around and they’re not even starting a rookie anywhere.  

I’m not falling for the “Theae guys are going to be All Pro players” bit and I still think they could have had a much better draft which addressed more needs.

I do have faith in Golden and I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Bottom line is, we have no other choice.

[COB]

I’m completely falling for it.  Our first round guy who had 1.5 sacks in college?  He now looks like Hendrickson’s replacement to me.  
 

Part of it is wishful thinking on my part.  I want them to be world beaters so I have a prism through which I view all the post draft news.  

[TJJackson]

Shemar is a bum

Will never be anything but a huge bust

It continues to amaze me how this accursed Brown family has decided to throw the prime years of Burrows career in the wastebin

[ArmyBengal]

My approach THIS YEAR is to not bash the players (and I could) but to trust what Golden is doing. If these are the guys he wanted to build his defense, then let’s go.

I will be rooting for the players and hoping the best for all of them.  While Fairchild may get more playing time than all the other rookies, the defensive picks are going to get their opportunities.

If they don’t produce and get this defense back on track, they are cooked.

[AMPHAR]

The big concern with the draft I have is  10 DL went off the board after they took a LB with 49 and before they were up again.    I like what I've read about the LB.   But even if they nailed the pick and a few of those 10 DL become impact players that might be a miss.

They probably aren't resigning a 29 year LB to a top of market deal.     Then they doubled down on another dime a dozen position at G.

Another 6 DL went off the board between that pick and 4th.    Again Fairchild becomes All World, are the Bengals signing him to a top of market deal when Mims is due as well?   Don't know.
 

We'll see but this was supposed to be DL loaded draft.  Would have really like to have seen 2 DL in the top 4.  Hope it doesn't prove out to be a miss taking positions that are typically considered dime a dozen.

 

 

 

[HoosierCat]

UDFAs signed.

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-13-rookies-2025

[ArmyBengal]

19 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

UDFAs signed.

I like Howard Cross the DT from Notre Dame and Seth McLaughlin the OC from Ohio State. 

[HoosierCat]

Colts have inked Tyler Warren, who went at 14. $20.9m fully guaranteed deal, including an $11.9m signing bonus.

[TJJackson]

I think we will be playing some 3-4, ergo, more LBs needed

 

[COB]

11 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Colts have inked Tyler Warren, who went at 14. $20.9m fully guaranteed deal, including an $11.9m signing bonus.

wtf.  Is this common now, fully guarantee these dudes?  This guy could turn out to be a bum.  First rounders bust all the time.

[ArmyBengal]

I think most first rounders are guaranteed, but this year was the first time a 2nd rounder got a fully guaranteed contract. 

I could be wrong on both accounts.

[HoosierCat]

6 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

I think most first rounders are guaranteed, but this year was the first time a 2nd rounder got a fully guaranteed contract. 

I could be wrong on both accounts.

Nope you are correct. And just for the record Mims got a fully guaranteed deal, so I don’t expect that to be an issue for a Stewart. Knight, could be.

[COB]

On 5/9/2025 at 7:33 AM, TJJackson said:

Shemar is a bum

There is no way this dude deserves that label.  We’ve had our share, for sure.  The tackle from Clemson we just unloaded comes to mind.  But Shemar is known for his strong work ethic.  He also openly talks about about his belief that hard work and dedication are what get you places in life.  He does not take plays off, and plays hard all the time.  I’m thrilled with this pick and the closest comparison I can think of is Higgins.  Tons of potential, a game that really transfers to the NFL.  
 

I’m sending a couple gallons of kool aid to your place TJ, if I don’t drink it all first.

 

[TJJackson]

Joes house is just down the street, maybe he can hook us up with some free Body Armour drinks

[ArmyBengal]

I wear Under Armour, under my Body Armor, while drinking Body Armour.

Or I may have started drinking again…

[TJJackson]

 

[ArmyBengal]

I just refuse to worry about any of this stuff. What the team does or doesn’t do. What the players do or don’t do. What anyone thinks about it. Who cares? 

Wake me when it’s September…

[COB]

“EXCLUSIVE”

 

I’m surprised they could even spell it correctly.  

[COB]

I googled ML football and it appears to be a fake bullshit account.  

[HoosierCat]

I don’t know what Knight’s issue is, but per Florio, Stewart’s holdup is with the  percent of the deal that’s in roster bonuses. Last year’s 17th pick, Christian Gonzalez, got $1.7 million of his cash in roster bonuses, or about 11% of his $15.1 million deal. Stewart wants 11% or more of his deal in roster bonuses, too, and the FO is apparently balking.

Given that the whole deal is going to be fully guaranteed, this seems to me a dumb thing for either side to dig in on, but hey it’s the Bengals. Heaven forfend that anything go smoothly.

[glasgowbengal]

Hendrickson at it again… 

Saying that there has been zero contact from the FO since the draft and that he was “promised” a particular deal if he “continued to play well”. All sounds very nebulous but typical at the same time. 
 

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1921963995193356795

 

[COB]

July 27, 2023.  A day that will live in infamy.  On that date Trey signed an extension and raise he had been requesting.  He wanted the extra millions, he got the extra millions.  
 

Had he not asked for that extension, he’d be a free agent right now.  
 

The bengals had a lot of nerve, giving Trey what he wanted.  
 

I’ve really had it with this dude.  Playing the victim in the press when he’s completely under contract for one more year under terms he negotiated and agreed to.  NFL teams are not charities that hand out millions of dollars just to be nice.  There are a ton of examples of teams signing free agents then the player gets hurt or doesn’t play to the level.  It’s tough shit and the teams just pay.  Trey can play the choirboy all he wants, what I see is a duplicitous, greedy, entitled, little brat.  

[HoosierCat]

Possibly worth noting: the absolute “worst” case for Trey is that he plays out his deal, earning a paltry $16 million in 2025 and bringing his total cash earned in Cincinnati to a measly, embarrassing, barely noticeable total of (checks notes) $81 million.

Hang on a second, I have to go check the backyard…ok, I’m back, and as I thought, my garden of f*cks is just undisturbed dirt. I have none to give you, Trey, sorry.