Off-Season Thread

[DanBengalfan]

When teams start to panic, we will likely trade the pick if our player isn’t there.

Oh and here’s another fake draft

 

[Cincyfan78]

I agree. I would be interested in making a deal with our first rounder for a proven lineman.

One issue that I think is worth considering for roster building is relative age of the defense. At some point, we'll need a few younger guys that start to play big roles, or our D will age out too quickly, leaving us dependent upon free agency again. So, if you don't trade picks, my hope would be to take care of the offensive line with free agency - sign several guys. Use your draft picks to draft promising prospects on D at positions like corner or D-line.

I agree, the defense already needs to start looking for replacements. Shelvin and Ossai along with the other edge guy are nice starts, but they need another DT next to Reader for the next 2-3 years AND they'll need depth. Interior DL is a need as well as another edge guy - because you have to have depth rushing the passer in this league.

DB is another position that needs youth added. If they decided to trade back out of 31, and get an earlier 2nd round - Coby Bryant from Cincinnati would be a big-time get as a #2 guy and would lock up the DB's for a few years with Cheeto/Hilton manning the #1 and Slot spots over the next few years. Also will need a safety to replace Bell at some point because if they pay Bates, you can't pay both Safeties.

Bengals have 48M currently in Cap. That's not including cutting anyone like Hopkins or Waynes - both of which would push the cap closer to 55M. You can sign 2, or even 3 OL and still get Bates under contract and extend anyone else. You also keep the future cap in check by paying up front, so when the TV deal hits and the cap jumps - the Bengals will not have any back-loaded deals for their peices and this will allow them to re-sign guys like Higgins, Chase, Burrow, etc...

As I've already said - Bengals are in a PRIME spot to spend and yet STILL save towards the future cap.

 

[Cincyfan78]

And, if you wanted to draft an edge guy early who could use a year still - Cincinnati's Mygia Sanders is a beast. He needs to add weight, and would be a PERFECT rush specialist his 1st year, or so, as he adds more to his frame. His speed and quickness are elite - and he could impact the defense right away as a 3rd down guy, allowing someone like Hendrickson to slide inside.

 

[cincygrad]

The way the NFL is moving, you have to keep stocking edge rushers and D-line disruptors. We saw this in playoff teams we went against.... It was a problem to deal with Max Crosby and Von Miller on the edge. And it was obviously a problem to deal with Aaron Donald and Jeffrey Simmons in the interior. Even on our own D, you can make the argument that the two free agent signings that really changed our D were DJ Reader and Trey Hendrickson. While I think you need a good group of corners, I would be hesitant to drop huge money on one in the modern game. Even the best corner can be victimized in man-coverage by a good QB and receiver. Case-in-point was Jalen Ramsey against our receivers. Even if you call Higgins for PI and take that play out of it, Chase beat him several times in that game for big catches and had him beat on the last play.

 

[Cincyfan78]

The way the NFL is moving, you have to keep stocking edge rushers and D-line disruptors. We saw this in playoff teams we went against.... It was a problem to deal with Max Crosby and Von Miller on the edge. And it was obviously a problem to deal with Aaron Donald and Jeffrey Simmons in the interior. Even on our own D, you can make the argument that the two free agent signings that really changed our D were DJ Reader and Trey Hendrickson. While I think you need a good group of corners, I would be hesitant to drop huge money on one in the modern game. Even the best corner can be victimized in man-coverage by a good QB and receiver. Case-in-point was Jalen Ramsey against our receivers. Even if you call Higgins for PI and take that play out of it, Chase beat him several times in that game for big catches and had him beat on the last play.

No matter how much the game changes, one thing remains constant: You have to have good OL/DL play for the rest of the units to play up to their potential.

No DB can cover for 4-5-6 seconds. No QB can consistently throw the ball facing a constant pass-rush. No WR can get open in 2-3 seconds. No LB can make plays if the OL is getting to the 2nd level without disruption.

Build really good OL/DL - and the rest of the positions can be good, even if they are not "great". When you don't invest at the lines, that is when your other units get exposed if they are not elite/great.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Twitter rumors about signing ryan jensen at c. That’s an upgrade.

 

[DanBengalfan]

 

[Cincyfan78]

Also, if true, would be big time tampering. Not that this doesn't happen everywhere, but you would think players would know to keep their mouths shut until F/A actually starts. Then again, it's Pacman...so, yeah.

 

[DanBengalfan]

ha ha, PacMan

 

[cincygrad]

Over on Bengals.com, ole Hobbs has his annual "the Bengals are broke with no money to spend" article posted for the beginning of free agency. Among a few of the gems from Hobs in the article is the comment that the Bengals have "about 20 million left to spend." I think he's really outdone himself this year.

Seems even Hobs can't get his head wrapped around the Bengals signing guys even after they did a lot the last two offseasons. I guess some old habits die hard.

 

[cincygrad]

When you start looking at the money that is going to be flying for guys that are at the top of their positions, you really get the sense that the best chance for the Bengals to win a championship will be in the next two seasons. After that, we'll be needing to make serious decisions about how we can keep the core nucleus of offensive talent while still fielding a competitive defense that could be aging by that point. The last time the Bengals had to deal with these realities was in 2005 when they paid franchise money to extend Palmer... And the roster got fairly thin in the years that came after - To the point that Palmer still complains about their lack of investment in other parts of the team.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

When you start looking at the money that is going to be flying for guys that are at the top of their positions, you really get the sense that the best chance for the Bengals to win a championship will be in the next two seasons. After that, we'll be needing to make serious decisions about how we can keep the core nucleus of offensive talent while still fielding a competitive defense that could be aging by that point. The last time the Bengals had to deal with these realities was in 2005 when they paid franchise money to extend Palmer... And the roster got fairly thin in the years that came after - To the point that Palmer still complains about their lack of investment in other parts of the team.

I guess if we only have $20 million to spend they don't care about offensive line because they are supposedly interested in JC Jackson knowing he will cost around $20 million a year.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Over on Bengals.com, ole Hobbs has his annual "the Bengals are broke with no money to spend" article posted for the beginning of free agency. Among a few of the gems from Hobs in the article is the comment that the Bengals have "about 20 million left to spend." I think he's really outdone himself this year.

Seems even Hobs can't get his head wrapped around the Bengals signing guys even after they did a lot the last two offseasons. I guess some old habits die hard.

Hobbs needs to update his schtick - not because the team is telling him to write they have no money, but because the Bengals have spent a crap ton of money the past 2 years.

In fact, they've spent more money in F/A. the past 2 years than every single team in the NFL, but 3. Spent the 4th most money. They had roughly 45M going into this off-season, and tagging Bates brings that down to the low 30's. They still have moves to make to save roughly 17M in cap space (Cut Waynes and Hopkins). That means, they still have about 47M to spend in F/A.

If the last 2 years are any proof of the Bengals willingness to spend in this "new" era for management - all they need to do is look at the numbers. They are spending.

NFL Insider: Free Agents 'Really Want' to Play for Bengals

 

[Cincyfan78]

When you start looking at the money that is going to be flying for guys that are at the top of their positions, you really get the sense that the best chance for the Bengals to win a championship will be in the next two seasons. After that, we'll be needing to make serious decisions about how we can keep the core nucleus of offensive talent while still fielding a competitive defense that could be aging by that point. The last time the Bengals had to deal with these realities was in 2005 when they paid franchise money to extend Palmer... And the roster got fairly thin in the years that came after - To the point that Palmer still complains about their lack of investment in other parts of the team.

Remember though, the cap is going to explode in about 3 years. Many projecting a cap north of 300M once the new TV deal hits. The Bengals will have money to spend.

They have money to spend now, front load the deals so those deals don't detract from guys like Higgins, Burrow, Chase in a few years.

As I've said - the Bengals have run into the perfect storm of being able to spend now, spend later, and still maintain their cap.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Remember though, the cap is going to explode in about 3 years. Many projecting a cap north of 300M once the new TV deal hits. The Bengals will have money to spend.

They have money to spend now, front load the deals so those deals don't detract from guys like Higgins, Burrow, Chase in a few years.

As I've said - the Bengals have run into the perfect storm of being able to spend now, spend later, and still maintain their cap.

Burrow may get 500 million. 50-55 million a year when that cap starts hitting that. Then of course, other players are going to want massive money too, and deservedly so if the cap is that high. Justin Jefferson may be the first 200 million dollar WR. Chase will be right behind him.

 

[cincygrad]

Remember though, the cap is going to explode in about 3 years. Many projecting a cap north of 300M once the new TV deal hits. The Bengals will have money to spend.

They have money to spend now, front load the deals so those deals don't detract from guys like Higgins, Burrow, Chase in a few years.

As I've said - the Bengals have run into the perfect storm of being able to spend now, spend later, and still maintain their cap.

Here's the issue though.... Some agents are going to just dig in when the cap goes up. If it used to cost 50 million for the top QB, you can now expect it to cost 75 million for the top guy. Same thing at other positions. Owners just can't help themselves - Once one team wildly overpays for a top end cornerback, all teams have to wildly pay for a top end cornerback. I'm not against players getting their portion of the profit.... I'm happy they'll have 300 mil per team to work with. I just wish there were some sensible ways to distribute the cash.

 

[cincygrad]

But you're right.... Front load a few deals now under the old cap. Get ahead of this thing.

 

[cincygrad]

It will totally be a Bengal thing to sign JC Jackson in free agency while ignoring all the early o-line signings. Our strategy will be to sign Jackson, add a mid-range right tackle, let Bates walk after next season, and draft a bunch of linemen. Hobs will remind us that the Bengals don't value guards or safeties and that they love corners.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Here's the issue though.... Some agents are going to just dig in when the cap goes up. If it used to cost 50 million for the top QB, you can now expect it to cost 75 million for the top guy. Same thing at other positions. Owners just can't help themselves - Once one team wildly overpays for a top end cornerback, all teams have to wildly pay for a top end cornerback. I'm not against players getting their portion of the profit.... I'm happy they'll have 300 mil per team to work with. I just wish there were some sensible ways to distribute the cash.

Yes, that is true, but it won't jump that high in 1 year, so it will be in increments. So, let's say next year the cap goes from 208 to 225. Big jump, but not enough to suddenly start throwing around multiple 50MM contracts on a team. Following year could go to 240ish, etc..etc...

So, when you look at it as 1 big jump - yes. But, when you realize it'll take several years to get there, it will be mitigated, at least to a point.

 

[DanBengalfan]

don't like the idea of losing this player, but I guess we will lose some and gain some:

Bengals’ Larry Ogunjobi could see $10 million per year in next contract

It seems doubtful the Bengals would keep up in a bidding war for the defensive tackle.

www.cincyjungle.com