more scouts

[vancelot23]

There are exceptions to every rule. Congrats on finding one. Other programs figure out ways to move money and spend it the right way. The bengals don't even try.



The ravens are also considerably better than the bengals, have a track record of actually signing guys in FA, and will beat the bengals both times again next year.



Cincinnati is home to the cheapest people I've ever met and it obviously that has translated to the fans. Rucker signed for what? 4 million a year? Robert Meachem got paid not necessarily because he was in a pass happy offense, but also because HE HAD ZERO DROPS last year. He is a good receiver and will be a good one in san diego.

This is not overpaying. The numbers we've seen in this year's FA are going to be par for the course going forward because of the new agreement, as discussed. What is the point in sitting on cash putting a crap product on the field because you think its 'over paying,' although 31 other franchises disagree?

We have way to many holes than are fixable with the draft right now, and anyone who is content with this year's FA period is just condoning everything that's wrong with Mike Brown

The good teams rarely spend big in free agency. What big named free agents did Baltimore sign?

Rucker got 5 years, $21 million. He also got a starting job, which is why he left. He wasn't picking Cincy over a starting spot. I'd also invite you to check his stats from previous years. Basically nothing. He parleyed 1 good year into a big contract. Good for him.

 

[vancelot23]

Bleacher report gives the Bengals an A- for FA so far. Fans just want flash.

 

[flamingrey]

It's really difficult for me to understand why you think I'm whining. I'd say I'm probably one of the very few people around here that hasn't resorted to name calling, or complaining about the opinions of other posters. I simply disagree with the assessment of us having a 'good' offseason. I wasn't aware that a 'negative' opinion of our moves so far was 'whining.' In the future I'll be sure to look on the bright side of everything so I can be a more 'objective' fan.

That's easy...because you don't agree with him.

 

[flamingrey]

Bleacher report gives the Bengals an A- for FA so far. Fans just want flash.

LOL. And that's supposed to mean something?

From a high level view, that's an easy answer. Technically, yes we made upgrades at G and RB. We haven't lost anyone yet in the secondary, but added more players. We've "only" lost 1.5 backups on the d-line (Rucker as the half). Looks great.

But looking at a more in-depth view of our needs and their magnitude relative to the rest of the offense and defense, they failed. Whereas we needed major upgrades in the secondary and the o-line, we made minor ones - though I wouldn't even consider the secondary an upgrade per se. RB could be even MORE improved for a small additional amount. And while we only lost backups on the d-line (the strength of the defense), our strength was in our depth and versatility - both things we lost.

Fail.

 

[flamingrey]

The good teams rarely spend big in free agency. What big named free agents did Baltimore sign?

Rucker got 5 years, $21 million. He also got a starting job, which is why he left. He wasn't picking Cincy over a starting spot. I'd also invite you to check his stats from previous years. Basically nothing. He parleyed 1 good year into a big contract. Good for him.

Rucker was a starter here. Get your facts straight.

He didn't leave because he got a starting job elsewhere. Quit making things up. Either the Bengals didn't even attempt to sign him, or they were being cheap.

 

[ckhokie]

Bleacher report gives the Bengals an A- for FA so far. Fans just want flash.

Lol at bleacher report.

 

[flamingrey]

Fans here wanted Bush because he's from Louisville, and we were interested in him before. He's not significantly better than BJGE. Also, the teams I mentioned NEVER sign big FAs, not just this year. They build the right way, so know what you're talking about before you make ridiculous statements. Yes, Brandon Lloyd went to NE, but he basically recruited himself there to play with McDaniels. I would love to have had Porter, because I think we need another starter. And I'm not a fan of the Harvey signing. I'm OK with the rest. Wasn't big mega-moves that make make less intelligent football fans go OOOOHHHHHH, but we addressed the positions we lost. We brought back some important pieces, and have a few other visits lined up. We have 3 picks in the first 2 rounds and can get a WR, then possibly another guard, CB, or RB. As somebody else said, it was probably a C+ FA period so far, but for fuck's sake, don't act like you don't know football at all and call Michael Bush some kind of savior, and talk like BJGE is useless.

Yup, we wanted Bush because he's from Louisville. LOL. What are you getting out of making all this stuff up?

Nobody has called Bush any kind of savior nor argued BJGE is useless. Another lie.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

LOL. And that's supposed to mean something?

From a high level view, that's an easy answer. Technically, yes we made upgrades at G and RB. We haven't lost anyone yet in the secondary, but added more players. We've "only" lost 1.5 backups on the d-line (Rucker as the half). Looks great.

But looking at a more in-depth view of our needs and their magnitude relative to the rest of the offense and defense, they failed. Whereas we needed major upgrades in the secondary and the o-line, we made minor ones - though I wouldn't even consider the secondary an upgrade per se. And while we only lost backups on the d-line (the strength of the defense), our strength was in our depth and versatility - both things we lost.

Fail.

We had a top 10 defense last year with that secondary. Not sure why we needed major upgrades, besides safety. FA is not over, and the draft has not occured yet, so I think we are doing just fine so far.

WE made the playoffs last year with a rookie QB and rookie WR, that had to deal with two guards that may be the worst in the league.

They are still trying to sign Lawson, and the defensive line I do not believe is "much worse" than before. We still have the draft and second round of free agency still. I think the defense will be just fine.

As long as we go after a guard and WR in the first 3 picks, we should be okay at those positions also, as the team is high on Boling as the second guard, and guess Otis Hudson has been coming along (still a backup, but may not be as much of a drop off if one of the guards get hurt).

I really want Kendall Wright, but would be happy with Floyd, one of those guys could be available at #17, and Cordy Glenn could be there at 21.

If we wouldn up with those two guys in the first round, this has to be our best offseason in like 10 years, and that is before we even hit the second round of free agency.

Remember, last year I believe we had a worse team than we are shaping up for this one, and we were a playoff team with a top 10 defense, a rookie QB, and a first time NFL offensive coordinator who has not even been a position coach in this league for several years.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Rucker was a starter here. Get your facts straight.

He didn't leave because he got a starting job elsewhere. Quit making things up. Either the Bengals didn't even attempt to sign him, or they were being cheap.

He was not a starter, he was a rotational player. When the entire line is a rotation, no one is a starter. They just sub in and out all day long for each other keeping them fresh, because no one was good enough to be a 3 down starter.

 

[bengaldoug]

You're right, we KNOW Bush will add that extra element to the offense. We can only HOPE BJGE can. I would hardly call that a "nitty" point.

A 4 fumble difference in a 600+ carry sample is entirely INSIGNIFICANT. Bush essentially turns the ball over 1 more time than BJGE in an entire season. Not sure in what world that is significant.

I think you underestimate the significance of the fact that Green-Ellis has NEVER fumbled in his four year career....not even ONCE.....I want that guy on my side.....unless, of course, Bush is Eric Dickerson by comparison to Green-Ellis....he's not.....

 

[cincygrad]

He was not a starter, he was a rotational player. When the entire line is a rotation, no one is a starter. They just sub in and out all day long for each other keeping them fresh, because no one was good enough to be a 3 down starter.

By this logic, there will be no reason to retain the services of Geno Atkins or Carlos Dunlap - Both are heavily rotated.

 

[vancelot23]

Rucker was a starter here. Get your facts straight.

He didn't leave because he got a starting job elsewhere. Quit making things up. Either the Bengals didn't even attempt to sign him, or they were being cheap.

Your lack of knowledge astounds me.

 

[bengaldoug]

"As long as we go after a guard and WR in the first 3 picks, we should be okay at those positions also, as the team is high on Boling as the second guard, and guess Otis Hudson has been coming along (still a backup, but may not be as much of a drop off if one of the guards get hurt)."

Sorry Crash, I'm just not buying into Boling and/or Hudson....if either was any good at all he could have played ahead of Livings and/or McGlynn......that was the worst pair of starting guards in the league last year, and these guys couldn't beat either of them out.....

 

[vancelot23]

Yup, we wanted Bush because he's from Louisville. LOL. What are you getting out of making all this stuff up?

Nobody has called Bush any kind of savior nor argued BJGE is useless. Another lie.

LOL. You're a waste of my time.

 

[vancelot23]

Rucker's stat line before last season: 1 sack, 1 sack, 1 sack. He's not some stud DE that can't be replace. That's Cincinnati thinking for you.

 

[ckhokie]

The good teams rarely spend big in free agency. What big named free agents did Baltimore sign?

My point was they (the ravens) are already better than the bengals, dont have the money the bengals have, nor as many holes. Not an excuse for the bengals to sit idle.
But while on topic, in 2011 the Ravens signed Vonta Leach, who made the Pro Bowl, and got Lee Evans (though he got hurt) to address their WR issue. In 2010, they got Anquan Boldin, who's their best receiver, all while resigning guys they drafted like Ray Lewis, Terrelle Suggs, and Ray Rice.

The bengals NEVER do anything in FA.

Rucker got 5 years, $21 million. He also got a starting job, which is why he left. He wasn't picking Cincy over a starting spot.

Like I said....$4 million a year (is 4.2 exact enough for you?)
Rucker also had the highest stop per snap played ratio on the team, making him arguably our most effective player on defense. Not sure why everyone thinks he's a guy who is fine to let walk. Not saying he's an elite talent but raises questions after the Marvin Lewis 'we develop and sign our own talent' bullshit.

 

[bengaldoug]

You guys are ALL just arguing semantics now....doesn't matter who starts on the DL, all 8 were playing significant minutes, and I would rather have Rucker and Fanene than Anderson and Harvey, and I don't care which were drafted earlier.....we got worse on the DL with those transactions......

 

[vancelot23]

The ONLY spots that concern me still are LB (supposedly working to resign Lawson, but I'd love to draft Keuchly), Safety (if Crocker starts again we're screwed), and WR (Lots of good options in the draft). I'd also draft Glenn or DeCastro if they're available. I think DeCastro will be gone. I'm fine with drafting a RB in the 2nd or 3rd depending on how the draft shakes out. I'd also draft a CB to take over for Clements next season.

 

[vancelot23]

You guys are ALL just arguing semantics now....doesn't matter who starts on the DL, all 8 were playing significant minutes, and I would rather have Rucker and Fanene than Anderson and Harvey, and I don't care which were drafted earlier.....we got worse on the DL with those transactions......

With Harvey, yes, but Anderson is basically a clone of the two we lost. Good run stopper, can play inside and out,

 

[ckhokie]

The ONLY spots that concern me still are LB (supposedly working to resign Lawson, but I'd love to draft Keuchly), Safety (if Crocker starts again we're screwed), and WR (Lots of good options in the draft). I'd also draft Glenn or DeCastro if they're available. I think DeCastro will be gone. I'm fine with drafting a RB in the 2nd or 3rd depending on how the draft shakes out. I'd also draft a CB to take over for Clements next season.

The fact is, we have glaring holes at OL, S, WR, CB, and aren't good in the LB position. We cannot fix that with the draft alone. If we are going to sit on the cash we have, and do not address more of these in FA, it proves to me that the Bengals aren't serious about winning this year.