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Off-Season Thread

cincygrad

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Agreed - and I'll even go as far to say - you could suffer some down years and still be a contender in the post-season because of Burrow and Chase (long term) and of course Higgins this year. Last year was solid from Chase, down a bit for Higgins, and Burrow - well, we know. The defense was abysmal and this team still found a way to win 9 games. I think the depth in general is better than some may think. The issue because - it was too much to ask for some of these guys to come in and hold the fort for 10-11-12 games. They can do it in week 2, and then again in week 6 and then again in week 12...as the situation dictates, but asking these guys to be full time top level starters was too much. They are, however, still very good options for rotational pieces and backups.

I think this team will always look to some F/A. They don't tend to extend guys past their age 30 seasons (or much past it) and you can't hit on every draft pick...so, signings like Brown and Brown, or Hendrickson a few years ago and Awuzie, or Reader and then Rankins...or Stone...are always going to be a part of the plan. The key is to identify the fits for what this team does well, and find guys who can fill those roles, but also don't break the bank. At that, this current stretch under Katie, Troy and Duke have done exceedingly well.
They have also excelled at finding the mid-tier, on the rise, FA..... These are guys that won't command as much guaranteed money. I think the Bengals will be effective in giving high-end per-season deals, particularly those that are over a short time-frame where the money is basically guaranteed. And I think they'll struggle to cut checks to superstars that want North of 100 million in guarantees. But assuming you have your stars, these mid-tier, on the rise guys are a good strategy for building your roster.

I'll also say that NFL fans tend to forget how much stars matter. The Bengals were one or two plays from a Super Bowl win with one of the worst offensive lines you could field on a winning team. The Chiefs just won two championships with one of the worst receiver rooms in the league. You need to have a couple of healthy star players and out perform expectation in critical situations in games.

The current team has some weaknesses or potential weaknesses.... But, they also have enough that if they get good play from other areas, these weaknesses won't prevent them from competing.
 

Cincyfan78

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They have also excelled at finding the mid-tier, on the rise, FA..... These are guys that won't command as much guaranteed money. I think the Bengals will be effective in giving high-end per-season deals, particularly those that are over a short time-frame where the money is basically guaranteed. And I think they'll struggle to cut checks to superstars that want North of 100 million in guarantees. But assuming you have your stars, these mid-tier, on the rise guys are a good strategy for building your roster.

I'll also say that NFL fans tend to forget how much stars matter. The Bengals were one or two plays from a Super Bowl win with one of the worst offensive lines you could field on a winning team. The Chiefs just won two championships with one of the worst receiver rooms in the league. You need to have a couple of healthy star players and out perform expectation in critical situations in games.

The current team has some weaknesses or potential weaknesses.... But, they also have enough that if they get good play from other areas, these weaknesses won't prevent them from competing.
Nailed it. They've done a good job of keeping their drafted guys who are good enough without overpaying them (Burrow/Chase not withstanding) and have absolutely KILLED in that mid-tier still on the rise F/A market where they can give a really good deal, but not break the bank. That goes back to the Hendrickson, Reader, Rankins, Stone, Awuzie, and Hilton type deals...same even for the OL in Brown, Brown, Cappa and Karras...

These ain't your Grand-Daddy's Bengals of the '90's. Katie, Troy, and Duke have a plan - and have been executing it to a very high level. Honestly, it's what we used to lament about Pitt for so long - how they could get guys in that mid-tier and make them look damned good...
 

CrashDavisSports

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They have also excelled at finding the mid-tier, on the rise, FA..... These are guys that won't command as much guaranteed money. I think the Bengals will be effective in giving high-end per-season deals, particularly those that are over a short time-frame where the money is basically guaranteed. And I think they'll struggle to cut checks to superstars that want North of 100 million in guarantees. But assuming you have your stars, these mid-tier, on the rise guys are a good strategy for building your roster.

I'll also say that NFL fans tend to forget how much stars matter. The Bengals were one or two plays from a Super Bowl win with one of the worst offensive lines you could field on a winning team. The Chiefs just won two championships with one of the worst receiver rooms in the league. You need to have a couple of healthy star players and out perform expectation in critical situations in games.

The current team has some weaknesses or potential weaknesses.... But, they also have enough that if they get good play from other areas, these weaknesses won't prevent them from competing.
I like that analysis. Good post.
 

Cincyfan78

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Another reason I am high on Brown ... get this kid in some space!

Chase Brown was the fastest running back in the league last season, clocking in a 22.1 MPH.

1719946750481.png


 

CrashDavisSports

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Another reason I am high on Brown ... get this kid in some space!

Chase Brown was the fastest running back in the league last season, clocking in a 22.1 MPH.

View attachment 366346


Can't really do worse than Mixon can they? I mean, Mixon almost never broke a tackle beyond the line of scrimmage, he seemed to be studying the Le'Veon Bell running school...mosey to line of scrimmage, wait for blocks to develop, hope you were not hit while waiting and then jet through. Now granted, with the line he had in Pittsburgh, you could do that. Didn't work anywhere else.

We need a RB willing to take the fight to the defenders. Hit that hole hard, and fast and make the defense react to them instead of them reacting to the defense.

Plus, I don't see either RB as a downgrade to Mixon in the passing game. They have to be better at blocking, but I don't think they are a step back catching.
 

CrashDavisSports

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Besides, if you are going to be potentially spending 90-95 million a year on two players, you better figure out positions you can restock cheap on a regular basis, and RB seems like as good of a position as any. It can join the TE room for that distinction on the offensive side.
 

Cincyfan78

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Can't really do worse than Mixon can they? I mean, Mixon almost never broke a tackle beyond the line of scrimmage, he seemed to be studying the Le'Veon Bell running school...mosey to line of scrimmage, wait for blocks to develop, hope you were not hit while waiting and then jet through. Now granted, with the line he had in Pittsburgh, you could do that. Didn't work anywhere else.

We need a RB willing to take the fight to the defenders. Hit that hole hard, and fast and make the defense react to them instead of them reacting to the defense.

Plus, I don't see either RB as a downgrade to Mixon in the passing game. They have to be better at blocking, but I don't think they are a step back catching.
Mixon over the past few seasons was one of the worst at yards above expected, miss tackle rate, broken tackle rate...I mean, just about every advanced metric Mixon was at or near the bottom of RB's.

He had a great first few years, but his last few...no bueno.

I'm excited to see what the new guys can do. I think the difference between Brown and Mixon last year in running was a stark contrast, and I think this year it will lead to a much more balanced offense.
 

Cincyfan78

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Besides, if you are going to be potentially spending 90-95 million a year on two players, you better figure out positions you can restock cheap on a regular basis, and RB seems like as good of a position as any. It can join the TE room for that distinction on the offensive side.
You're not wrong...and RB's in today's game just aren't used the same way.

I'd rather spend money on QB, OL, WR (in that order) before looking at RB/TE (unless your TE is a guy like Kelce, Gronk, etc...in that case you can swap that out for a WR).
 

cincygrad

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You're not wrong...and RB's in today's game just aren't used the same way.

I'd rather spend money on QB, OL, WR (in that order) before looking at RB/TE (unless your TE is a guy like Kelce, Gronk, etc...in that case you can swap that out for a WR).
I agree. But I would be tempted to use a high draft pick (a late first or second) on a running back if the guy had special talents. The ability to control the rights of a young playmaker for 5 years at a bargain rate is not a bad strategy. The downside is that you'll spend a pick that you should be using for a player at a premium position. But, if it comes down to taking the 5th best DB or the best RB, you at least have to consider it if you don't have the position figured out. The finances for guys on rookie deals are good and allow you to keep some of your FA cash for other positions.
 

Cincyfan78

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I agree. But I would be tempted to use a high draft pick (a late first or second) on a running back if the guy had special talents. The ability to control the rights of a young playmaker for 5 years at a bargain rate is not a bad strategy. The downside is that you'll spend a pick that you should be using for a player at a premium position. But, if it comes down to taking the 5th best DB or the best RB, you at least have to consider it if you don't have the position figured out. The finances for guys on rookie deals are good and allow you to keep some of your FA cash for other positions.
You're not wrong, but RB is so far down the list. Though, I think the key word here is "special".

Even then...Would a special talent be utilized to the full extent in an offense like this? Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Burton, Gesicki....Personally, I'd lean more heavily into the OL to ensure that the offense can both protect the QB at an elite clip, but also ground and pound late in games. You can find a lot of RB's who can get 3-4-5 yards behind an elite OL...while simultaneously ensuring your QB doesn't end up on IR....again....(lol).
 
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