Cincinnati Bengals (Same Ole Bengals)

[CMic]

It was a really fun team to follow this year - definitely uneven results in the regular season,
but the team really came together in the off-season.

They've made some stellar personnel decisions over the past couple of years.
Mostly great choices on offense in the draft and defense in FA.

For the first time in years, I'll be watching the off-season personnel management closely.

 

[RB07OSU]

This team has the opportunity to be really special led by Burrow and Chase. But the main person to constantly hold this franchise back is: Mike Brown. The team will only go as far as what he's willing to spend to bring in and keep talent. Brown has a long history of not paying big money to keep talented players. I'd like to be optimistic, but history has shown that Brown is going to screw up yet again

That has always been what I have said, but from all accounts Katie Blackburn is actually running the show now and Brown has mostly stepped aside. She spent money in free agency to build a defense, seems to treat the players well, and from everyone I talked to in LA, she has made sure the fans are treated well and has made it more interactive with the players. Of course that is word of mouth but with the results this year and the fan turnout on the road, I tend to believe all of that.

 

[RB07OSU]

It was a really fun team to follow this year - definitely uneven results in the regular season,
but the team really came together in the off-season.

They've made some stellar personnel decisions over the past couple of years.
Mostly great choices on offense in the draft and defense in FA.

For the first time in years, I'll be watching the off-season personnel management closely.

Agreed completely and I am definitely going to be watching the off-season movements carefully. First, we have to keep all our guys on defense imo except for Waynes (dead weight, huge cap space). The one potential hang up is Bates...man needs paid more, but how much? Had a great playoff run, but not exactly a great regular season...hopefully we can come to the middle on price because Bates and Bell are a damn nice duo back there. Love our DL and Wilson and Pratt really stepped it up and Bailey did nice filling in, would like one more LB in the draft though. Keep in mind we get Ossai back next year, who I think will be a monster if healthy. A veteran LB in FA like we got in Bynes a couple years back would be ideal if we don't get one in the draft. A solid CB in the second round would be great, need some more youth back there unless we can find someone in FA.

Obviously, every focus needs to be on OL but I hope to see a multi-tiered approach. Meaning we get a couple studs in FA first that we know are good OL and have already proved it. A couple more guys like Reiff, or better. Then get a couple young prospects in the draft, I am thinking 1st and 3rd round depending on who is there. I would really like some proven vets to add on the OL because next year is our year if we are going to win it all. I don't want to be hyperbolic, but in the NFL you have a window with young talent, cap space, etc. This is our window with all the young talent and cap space, we just need an OL and yes, things have to fall the right way, but we have as good of a shot at winning it all next year as ever if we can get an OL with a pulse.

Will be fun to see the moves that are made.

 

[pnuts34]

That has always been what I have said, but from all accounts Katie Blackburn is actually running the show now and Brown has mostly stepped aside. She spent money in free agency to build a defense, seems to treat the players well, and from everyone I talked to in LA, she has made sure the fans are treated well and has made it more interactive with the players. Of course that is word of mouth but with the results this year and the fan turnout on the road, I tend to believe all of that.

I feel like that's been a story whenever the Bengals were winning, Blackburn got the praise. And when they lost, fans blamed Brown...
It seems like when the Bengals win, they win in spite of ownership. I know 30+ years of being mediocre to bad can make a fanbase hungry, but lets not forget that when you have the least amount of scouts, and have let countless amounts of talent walk, either too late, or for no compensation, IDK how they expect to maintain success. I'm just an observer of the team, and not a fan. But I can easily see Brown/Blackburn bringing in big names past their prime in FA. Getting to the SB has made Bengals fans forget about the ineptitude of the FO. I hope I'm wrong, because Cincinnati has been fun(even being a Steelers fan) when the Bengals win, and that hasn't happened often.

 

[RB07OSU]

I feel like that's been a story whenever the Bengals were winning, Blackburn got the praise. And when they lost, fans blamed Brown...
It seems like when the Bengals win, they win in spite of ownership. I know 30+ years of being mediocre to bad can make a fanbase hungry, but lets not forget that when you have the least amount of scouts, and have let countless amounts of talent walk, either too late, or for no compensation, IDK how they expect to maintain success. I'm just an observer of the team, and not a fan. But I can easily see Brown/Blackburn bringing in big names past their prime in FA. Getting to the SB has made Bengals fans forget about the ineptitude of the FO. I hope I'm wrong, because Cincinnati has been fun(even being a Steelers fan) when the Bengals win, and that hasn't happened often.

There were always murmurs that Blackburn was finally going to run the show, but it never happened until arguably this year. There is one thing that I think is unequivocally true though, we have never spent the money and took FA as seriously as this year. I just can't see Mike Brown ever doing that to be honest, which is why I think Blackburn was legit running it this year. If that trend continues next year and we buy ourselves an OL, then I will continue to believe it. If we regress and get cheaper than Newt Gingrich, then I will think it was a flash in the pan. Regardless, I think Joe B has forced some change because he is a winner and demands results (along with others, mostly him though), so I am not going to act like the whole season was simply a front office change.

 

[CMic]

I feel like that's been a story whenever the Bengals were winning, Blackburn got the praise. And when they lost, fans blamed Brown...
It seems like when the Bengals win, they win in spite of ownership. I know 30+ years of being mediocre to bad can make a fanbase hungry, but lets not forget that when you have the least amount of scouts, and have let countless amounts of talent walk, either too late, or for no compensation, IDK how they expect to maintain success. I'm just an observer of the team, and not a fan. But I can easily see Brown/Blackburn bringing in big names past their prime in FA. Getting to the SB has made Bengals fans forget about the ineptitude of the FO. I hope I'm wrong, because Cincinnati has been fun(even being a Steelers fan) when the Bengals win, and that hasn't happened often.

For sure, Cincy has been one of the worst managed teams under the 30 year Mike Brown stewardship for the reasons you state.
A strange thing happened last year, however, as the front office paid real cash-money for real NFL players at positions of need.
I know this seems simple for most organizations, but it's the first time I've seen the Bengals do this in the FA era. We'll see if this 1-yr trend is repeated or repealed. I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[pnuts34]

There were always murmurs that Blackburn was finally going to run the show, but it never happened until arguably this year. There is one thing that I think is unequivocally true though, we have never spent the money and took FA as seriously as this year. I just can't see Mike Brown ever doing that to be honest, which is why I think Blackburn was legit running it this year. If that trend continues next year and we buy ourselves an OL, then I will continue to believe it. If we regress and get cheaper than Newt Gingrich, then I will think it was a flash in the pan. Regardless, I think Joe B has forced some change because he is a winner and demands results (along with others, mostly him though), so I am not going to act like the whole season was simply a front office change.

Carson Palmer was also a winner...
Arguably the best Bengals team I've seen in years and the most complete, Brown and Co. let all go with nothing to show for it. Palmer a good OL, good RB, great WRs, and a good to average defense, and they were wasted. So I apologize in advance for sounding jaded, but it's hard to think the Bengals will change their stripes, even after just getting to the SB. Like @CMic said, I'm also cautiously optimistic...

But I'll just watch the off season moves, but in the mean time the entire Bengals fan base deserves time to bask in the SB hangover.

 

[RB07OSU]

In a down year for OL prospects in the draft, I think we're going to need to hit FA agency hard to fill the holes. That said, would love to see us trade up to get the center from Iowa...kid is a stud and won't be there for us at 31. Plus centers historically have the ability to play effectively right away, whereas tackles typically take more time.

 

[CMic]

In a down year for OL prospects in the draft, I think we're going to need to hit FA agency hard to fill the holes. That said, would love to see us trade up to get the center from Iowa...kid is a stud and won't be there for us at 31. Plus centers historically have the ability to play effectively right away, whereas tackles typically take more time.

Historically, the Bengals don't trade up. But maybe we're seeing the "new" Bengals.
Mock drafts I've seen have us taking a CB in the 1st.
Would be OK with that provided, as you state, they are aggressive on FA OL candidates.
Also wouldn't mind picking up one of the Buckeye OL in the ~3rd round.

 

[RB07OSU]

Historically, the Bengals don't trade up. But maybe we're seeing the "new" Bengals.
Mock drafts I've seen have us taking a CB in the 1st.
Would be OK with that provided, as you state, they are aggressive on FA OL candidates.
Also wouldn't mind picking up one of the Buckeye OL in the ~3rd round.

I'm with you, if there is a better value pick in the 1st at CB, then pull the trigger because we do need a solid CB. I would only trade up to the 20-25 spot if Linderbaum is still there. I would expect to pick up at least 2 high caliber OL in FA, but 2 of the first 3 picks need to be OL so we have some youth to develop. I'm not totally out on Carman despite this year, he was a rookie and had his moments run blocking, but we need at least 2 young OL regardless.

 

[CMic]

In a down year for OL prospects in the draft, I think we're going to need to hit FA agency hard to fill the holes. That said, would love to see us trade up to get the center from Iowa...kid is a stud and won't be there for us at 31. Plus centers historically have the ability to play effectively right away, whereas tackles typically take more time.

After seeing the list of FA OL, I'm fully on-board with your Linderbaum suggestion. Bad year to have a poor FA OL list.

 

[RB07OSU]

After seeing the list of FA OL, I'm fully on-board with your Linderbaum suggestion. Bad year to have a poor FA OL list.

I hear you, unlucky year to need an OL in FA. And really an underwhelming OL class in the draft. But the reality imo is if we make an incremental change for the better on the OL, that should be enough if we stay relatively healthy. I think Williams and Reiff are good enough, Carman might come along in his second year. That means we need at least 2 OL between the draft and FA, but preferably 3-4.

 

[CMic]

As expected, Bates was franchised.
With exception of CB, goal for defense should be to keep existing roster.
Hopefully, the defensive gel we saw in the playoffs carries over into next season.

 

[RB07OSU]

As expected, Bates was franchised.
With exception of CB, goal for defense should be to keep existing roster.
Hopefully, the defensive gel we saw in the playoffs carries over into next season.

Expected but yes, critical. Bates is arguably the most important guy on our defense right now. Agreed that we just need to mostly get all of our guys back on defense and pick up one more CB. Grabbing another LB would be great if the value is there for a cheaper FA player or late round guy. Then unload the war chest on the OL.

 

[RB07OSU]

Looks like Eric Fisher isn't going to re-sign with the Colts, could be a name to watch even if he wasn't necessarily a Pro Bowler last year. Armstead and Trent Brown are the other names I would think we pop up for, although I haven't really seen any smoke nor fire yet. Still early, but I would hope we're in talks with some of those guys.