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Be Weary of Query
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So...here we are again friends. That 'ol too familiar spot of a) good enough to get there but b) not good enough to do anything. The natives were restless. Mike Brown was listless. Marvin was mostly clueless.
As we plod into February the apathy and/or anger is (perhaps?) beginning to wane. The standard bearers raised the Lombardi trophy for the fourth time in thirteen years. We don't have Brady. We don't have Belichick. That's not going to change. So what should? What do we have? What's the plan??? Here are some helpful suggestions for a way to maybe make a run at an fifth straight playoff spot with, shudder to think, a postseason win wedged in there?
These are suggestions that could work within the framework of a well run organization. We are not but it seems they are starting to inch their way towards that destination. With that caveat in place, here it is (in no particular order):
* Free Agents
First, our own and my suggestion in italics:
Jason Campbell, QB - (don't sign)
Cedric Peerman, RB - (sign to a modest short term deal)
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR - (don't sign)
Brandon Tate, WR - (sign to a modest short term deal)
Jermaine Gresham, TE - (don't sign)
Alex Smith, TE - (sign to league minimum, one year deal)
Clint Boling, OG - (let him test the market, resign if no takers and once price is set. Multiyear)
Marshall Newhouse, OT - (DON'T sign)
Eric Winston, OT - (sign to a modest short term deal)
Rey Maualuga, LB - (sign to a modest 3 year deal)
Terence Newman, CB - (retire)
Taylor Mays, S - (sign to one year deal)
Mike Nugent, PK - (sign to modest multiyear deal)
Restricted:
Devon Still, DT - (sign to league minimum after letting him test the market. One year deal)
Emmanuel Lamur, LB - (original round tender)
Per Over the Cap , the Bengals will have $34,298,150 (unofficially) in the 2015 financial year. They will have their usual $ budgeted for the rookie pool, incentives for players under contract and injury/cuts that will count against the cap. It's the same line we are fed every year by Hobspin. Just like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you can guarantee that Butch is going to spew that ambiguous swill that we will just have to swallow. No need to get mad about it, just the way it is in Bengaldom.
They are going to exercise AJ's option at $10.176 million for 2015. That legitimately will factor into the discussion. They can free up MORE money by either cutting/or restructuring these three players: Geathers, Peko and Hall. Three trusted vets and valued (amongst the organization) that have their best days behind them. They are also combined to make: $14.45 million in base salary and bonuses. This has to be addressed. Cut Geathers ($3.050 million salary) and Peko ($3.7 million salary). Redo Leon's deal and convert some of his base salary ($7.7 million) into guaranteed money to save against the cap. Leon will be hard for Mike to let go of due to him still being on the hook for $1.8 million of his signing bonus from his extension in 2011. They possibly could still swallow that and cut him outright. There are, afterall, two 1st round picks at CB's waiting in the wings with Pacman still under contract.
Now...here is the pie in the sky part of the plan. For the first time ever, sign a big time free agent. We the fans are sliding further and further into "who cares" land. There will be no visible changes aside from fancy new video boards at the stadium. It is going to be a hard sell for the fanbase to buy season tickets (and more importantly, businesses to reup/buy the luxury boxes). The honeymoon ended years ago with Marvin. What makes you genuinely excited about the upcoming home schedule? Home opponents (not including division opponents) include: Chiefs, Chargers, Texans, Rams and Seahawks. It will be another year of getting extensions as game week goes on and barely reaching that 85% threshold for the game to be shown locally. Thanks Kroger and P&G. Re-energize the lethargic fringe fanbase by breaking from the conventional. Sign a big (or at least for Cincinnati) free agent. Even if they don't eventually ink a player of that ilk, at least give the impression that you are trying. I am all in favor of building via the draft and keeping your own. 100%. This year is different, the fringe needs to be thrown a bone by at least trying to bring in a big time player. Short list includes players like: Suh, JPP, Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb. Again, I don't think they will get any of those aforementioned players. But at least be a apart of the conversation. Good chance they will be able to bring Michael Johnson back once Tampa Bay cuts him, which they are rumored to do.
*Extend the following:
- AJ Green
- Adam Jones
- Andrew Whitworth or Andre Smith
With the exception of Pacman, those players are carrying large cap numbers into this season. AJ's extension we free up more money to probably do nothing with but "roll over". Just being honest. But it could allow for a few more free agents to be in play as Marvin intimated a short time ago. Andre and Whit are going into their walk years. One of them has to sign long term and if the others goes, you have to have Plan B via the Draft. They should do that anyway which lead me to:
2015 NFL Draft
Here is my first mock (which is subject to change and ridicule)
1st round (21st overall)
La'el Collins (Offensive Tackle) LSU
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqwOXmGp2ns[/YOUTUBE]
Build the team via the line. If they want to be a smash mouth, control the clock team...and they do...they have to continue to invest in the line. As previously stated, Whit and Andre are going into their walk years. Boling is a free agent that will get a lot of interest. Collins is a beast that could start his NFL career at Guard and transition over to Tackle once one of the vets leaves. 6-4, 308lbs.
2nd round (53rd overall)
Denzel Perryman (LB) Miami
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZbhgf33sg[/YOUTUBE]
Undersized but I love this kid. When he tackles you, you stay tackled. Burfict is questionable to return to form. Rey M. is a free agent. Depth falls off the map after Vinny Rey. LB needs to be taken early and probably more than once.
3rd round (85th overall)
Carl Davis (DT) Iowa
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxzOO5eRuaY[/YOUTUBE]
Peko is done. Still is a bust. Thompson has balky knees. Geno yet to return to form. D line needs some attention. Get it here.
3rd round (compensation for losing Michael Johnson)
Trey Flowers (DE/LB) Arkansas
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C82V2LxmreU[/YOUTUBE]
There's the pass rusher.
4th round (117th overall)
Tyler Lockett (WR) Kansas State
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2ltdaxsoM[/YOUTUBE]
I know this will get ridiculed by many but Andy needs weapons. He can't win a game with inferior talent so the plan must continue to be to surround him with as much help as possible. Lockett can also help in the return game with experience at PR and KR on his resume.
5th through 7th (probably four picks)
CB, TE, DE, LB
*Leftover tidbits
- stuff that doesn't need much explanation but needs to happen:
* Name Duke Tobin as the GM (or at least give him the title of assistant GM). Currently he is director of player personnel. Only a matter of time before other franchises start sniffing around and offering him more. Make it clear to Mr. Tobin that he is the heir apparent to Mikey and give him a bump in title and salary. Can't lose him.
* Give Vance Joseph a bigger role. The next head coach is already on staff. Just the way that it is. Marvin is going into 2015 as a lame duck. He knows it and so does everyone else. If there is to be a change (it will have to happen eventually), have the successor lined up. Hue Jackson would be the odds on favorite but I would soothe Joseph by letting him know how valued he is (obvious with the blocking of a promotion) by making him assistant DC or something. He is a hot commodity that Mike Brown apparently is quite fond of. Show it.
* build a got ram practice bubble. Seriously.
That's it for now. Some can be accomplished. Some is just wishful thinking. Not getting my hopes up either way. That's my MO anymore. Who. Dey?
As we plod into February the apathy and/or anger is (perhaps?) beginning to wane. The standard bearers raised the Lombardi trophy for the fourth time in thirteen years. We don't have Brady. We don't have Belichick. That's not going to change. So what should? What do we have? What's the plan??? Here are some helpful suggestions for a way to maybe make a run at an fifth straight playoff spot with, shudder to think, a postseason win wedged in there?
These are suggestions that could work within the framework of a well run organization. We are not but it seems they are starting to inch their way towards that destination. With that caveat in place, here it is (in no particular order):
* Free Agents
First, our own and my suggestion in italics:
Jason Campbell, QB - (don't sign)
Cedric Peerman, RB - (sign to a modest short term deal)
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR - (don't sign)
Brandon Tate, WR - (sign to a modest short term deal)
Jermaine Gresham, TE - (don't sign)
Alex Smith, TE - (sign to league minimum, one year deal)
Clint Boling, OG - (let him test the market, resign if no takers and once price is set. Multiyear)
Marshall Newhouse, OT - (DON'T sign)
Eric Winston, OT - (sign to a modest short term deal)
Rey Maualuga, LB - (sign to a modest 3 year deal)
Terence Newman, CB - (retire)
Taylor Mays, S - (sign to one year deal)
Mike Nugent, PK - (sign to modest multiyear deal)
Restricted:
Devon Still, DT - (sign to league minimum after letting him test the market. One year deal)
Emmanuel Lamur, LB - (original round tender)
Per Over the Cap , the Bengals will have $34,298,150 (unofficially) in the 2015 financial year. They will have their usual $ budgeted for the rookie pool, incentives for players under contract and injury/cuts that will count against the cap. It's the same line we are fed every year by Hobspin. Just like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you can guarantee that Butch is going to spew that ambiguous swill that we will just have to swallow. No need to get mad about it, just the way it is in Bengaldom.
They are going to exercise AJ's option at $10.176 million for 2015. That legitimately will factor into the discussion. They can free up MORE money by either cutting/or restructuring these three players: Geathers, Peko and Hall. Three trusted vets and valued (amongst the organization) that have their best days behind them. They are also combined to make: $14.45 million in base salary and bonuses. This has to be addressed. Cut Geathers ($3.050 million salary) and Peko ($3.7 million salary). Redo Leon's deal and convert some of his base salary ($7.7 million) into guaranteed money to save against the cap. Leon will be hard for Mike to let go of due to him still being on the hook for $1.8 million of his signing bonus from his extension in 2011. They possibly could still swallow that and cut him outright. There are, afterall, two 1st round picks at CB's waiting in the wings with Pacman still under contract.
Now...here is the pie in the sky part of the plan. For the first time ever, sign a big time free agent. We the fans are sliding further and further into "who cares" land. There will be no visible changes aside from fancy new video boards at the stadium. It is going to be a hard sell for the fanbase to buy season tickets (and more importantly, businesses to reup/buy the luxury boxes). The honeymoon ended years ago with Marvin. What makes you genuinely excited about the upcoming home schedule? Home opponents (not including division opponents) include: Chiefs, Chargers, Texans, Rams and Seahawks. It will be another year of getting extensions as game week goes on and barely reaching that 85% threshold for the game to be shown locally. Thanks Kroger and P&G. Re-energize the lethargic fringe fanbase by breaking from the conventional. Sign a big (or at least for Cincinnati) free agent. Even if they don't eventually ink a player of that ilk, at least give the impression that you are trying. I am all in favor of building via the draft and keeping your own. 100%. This year is different, the fringe needs to be thrown a bone by at least trying to bring in a big time player. Short list includes players like: Suh, JPP, Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb. Again, I don't think they will get any of those aforementioned players. But at least be a apart of the conversation. Good chance they will be able to bring Michael Johnson back once Tampa Bay cuts him, which they are rumored to do.
*Extend the following:
- AJ Green
- Adam Jones
- Andrew Whitworth or Andre Smith
With the exception of Pacman, those players are carrying large cap numbers into this season. AJ's extension we free up more money to probably do nothing with but "roll over". Just being honest. But it could allow for a few more free agents to be in play as Marvin intimated a short time ago. Andre and Whit are going into their walk years. One of them has to sign long term and if the others goes, you have to have Plan B via the Draft. They should do that anyway which lead me to:
2015 NFL Draft
Here is my first mock (which is subject to change and ridicule)
1st round (21st overall)
La'el Collins (Offensive Tackle) LSU
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqwOXmGp2ns[/YOUTUBE]
Build the team via the line. If they want to be a smash mouth, control the clock team...and they do...they have to continue to invest in the line. As previously stated, Whit and Andre are going into their walk years. Boling is a free agent that will get a lot of interest. Collins is a beast that could start his NFL career at Guard and transition over to Tackle once one of the vets leaves. 6-4, 308lbs.
2nd round (53rd overall)
Denzel Perryman (LB) Miami
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZbhgf33sg[/YOUTUBE]
Undersized but I love this kid. When he tackles you, you stay tackled. Burfict is questionable to return to form. Rey M. is a free agent. Depth falls off the map after Vinny Rey. LB needs to be taken early and probably more than once.
3rd round (85th overall)
Carl Davis (DT) Iowa
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxzOO5eRuaY[/YOUTUBE]
Peko is done. Still is a bust. Thompson has balky knees. Geno yet to return to form. D line needs some attention. Get it here.
3rd round (compensation for losing Michael Johnson)
Trey Flowers (DE/LB) Arkansas
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C82V2LxmreU[/YOUTUBE]
There's the pass rusher.
4th round (117th overall)
Tyler Lockett (WR) Kansas State
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2ltdaxsoM[/YOUTUBE]
I know this will get ridiculed by many but Andy needs weapons. He can't win a game with inferior talent so the plan must continue to be to surround him with as much help as possible. Lockett can also help in the return game with experience at PR and KR on his resume.
5th through 7th (probably four picks)
CB, TE, DE, LB
*Leftover tidbits
- stuff that doesn't need much explanation but needs to happen:
* Name Duke Tobin as the GM (or at least give him the title of assistant GM). Currently he is director of player personnel. Only a matter of time before other franchises start sniffing around and offering him more. Make it clear to Mr. Tobin that he is the heir apparent to Mikey and give him a bump in title and salary. Can't lose him.
* Give Vance Joseph a bigger role. The next head coach is already on staff. Just the way that it is. Marvin is going into 2015 as a lame duck. He knows it and so does everyone else. If there is to be a change (it will have to happen eventually), have the successor lined up. Hue Jackson would be the odds on favorite but I would soothe Joseph by letting him know how valued he is (obvious with the blocking of a promotion) by making him assistant DC or something. He is a hot commodity that Mike Brown apparently is quite fond of. Show it.
* build a got ram practice bubble. Seriously.
That's it for now. Some can be accomplished. Some is just wishful thinking. Not getting my hopes up either way. That's my MO anymore. Who. Dey?
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