now this

[jbuck]

Giants cut Kevin Zeitler, paving way for possible reunion with Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals could have another shot at Kevin Zeitler now that he has been released by the New York Giants.

www.yahoo.com

 

[DanBengalfan]

I thought he was still a top 10 guard, why did the Giants decide to cut him? too expensive, or did he start playing bad?

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I thought he was still a top 10 guard, why did the Giants decide to cut him? too expensive, or did he start playing bad?

Too expensive, and they probably felt they could replace guard cheaper than a couple other areas trying to get under cap.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Talk about a possible reshape of this line if we were able to get Thuney for LG and Zeitler for RG along with drafting Sewell for RT.

LT Williams
LG Thuney
C Hopkins
RG Zeitler
RT Sewell

Then of course you have a few players for backups in Spain, Price, Johnson, Adeniji, Su'a-Filo and maybe another developmental player taken in the draft later on.

We are 5th in salary cap space with 42 million. Granted, the Jags, Jets, Patriots all have considerably more money in FA and all need offensive line help. So there will still be competing bucks.

The Chiefs just released BOTH of their start tackles. Some teams are really cutting the salaries.

This might be the year we could possible sign both those guards for 10 to 12 million each for a few years. Mike Brown doesn't want to break bank, and this could be their chance. Those two guards and Lawson then some cheaper filler pieces and the draft. I would feel much more comfortable heading into the season.

I still think I would prefer Teven Jenkins drafted for RT over Sewell, as I think he will be better pro in the long run, especially at RT, but that would require us doing creative planning. Trading down far enough to maximize value out of Jenkins current rankings, or trading back up into the 1st round to nab him around 20ish.

 

[DanBengalfan]

basically, we have the potential to go from one of the worst OL in the league to one of the best.

the future of this franchise (which pivots around Joe Burrow) depends on the Bengals FO taking decisive action.

 

[Cincyfan78]

basically, we have the potential to go from one of the worst OL in the league to one of the best.

the future of this franchise (which pivots around Joe Burrow) depends on the Bengals FO taking decisive action.

Zeitler offers an intriguing option. Not because of the return to Cincinnati, but because he's just 2 years older than Thuney, you can probably get 3-4 more solid years out of him, and likely he'd cost a bit less.

Also, a lot of the OT's hitting the market are LT's. I know the team has said they are happy with Jonah at LT, but something may have to give a bit if they also look to sign an OT.

 

[DanBengalfan]

a proactive offseason free agency period is necessary for any team wanting to climb out of last place.

I just don't know if the Bengals realize how deep down the hill they really are.

 

[Cincyfan78]

a proactive offseason free agency period is necessary for any team wanting to climb out of last place.

I just don't know if the Bengals realize how deep down the hill they really are.

Here's the funny thing. Are they really? I mean, I don't say that to be a blind homer, but when you look at some of the most important pieces around the team, they have some really good players.

Burrow, Boyd, Higgins, Mixon. That's pretty solid for skill players. Yes, the OL needs work. But, let's just play along here for a moment and say they go out and get Thuney and a legit LT and move Jonah to RT and still draft a tackle in round 2 or 3 like Cosmi, Leatherwood, Hudson. Let's say they also draft another guy that can play guard since you need depth. Let's say that means they target Pitts or another WR in round 1.

Suddenly - that offense looks pretty good. And this league is an offensive league.

Defensively, they need work, but if they re-sign Lawson, you have Lawson, Hubbard, Reader (healthy) the young LB's were decent last year, and the 1 CB returns from missing a full year, and the Safeties were pretty good - especially Bates. Yes, need more. Yes need depth. But if you can get a return on the starters signed last year, and add a little bit here and there through F/A and the draft....with the offensive skill positions pretty much set.

The issue right now, IMO, isn't that the roster is so far behind (thanks for Burrow seemingly panning out) but that will management actually spend the money to right the ship. They have the space and the money to actually drag this team from the bottom of the depths thanks to some luck in landing Burrow and their cap spending being a saving grace in a year where the cap actually shrunk. If ever there was a time to strike and take advantage of that, it is this year. Will they do it, is another question.

 

[DanBengalfan]

at the moment, they are

the Steelers are in trouble, so we wouldn't be in last place with todays roster, but the Browns and Ravens are at least a year ahead of us.

we lost to the browns twice while burrow was healthy, the ravens beat us pretty bad too.
Burrow would have helped with Ravens #2 game, but I imagine the end result would have been the same.

 

[Cincyfan78]

at the moment, they are

the Steelers are in trouble, so we wouldn't be in last place with todays roster, but the Browns and Ravens are at least a year ahead of us.

we lost to the browns twice while burrow was healthy, the ravens beat us pretty bad too.
Burrow would have helped with Ravens #2 game, but I imagine the end result would have been the same.

Most likely, but let's say the Bengals upgrade the OL. Cleveland barely won those games. A few more sustained drives and maybe Cleveland scores a few less points, while the Bengals score a few more.

Defensively, they need help - but it's hard to really know when you lost 4 starting DL at one point, including your #1 DT and #2 DT, and your #1 starting F/A corner - and lost your #2 F/A corner for several games, IIRC.

Like I said, more is certainly needed, but with this F/A class of OL and the draft so deep in OL - the biggest area of concern can EASILY be taken care of to help this team take massive steps forward. Again - will management make those moves? We'll see.