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Same way they pretend Tobin is some kind of draft guru despite the string of busts.

At the same time, they pretend their model is to draft and develop and "we'll pay our own". Sometimes that applies, as with Burrow, Hubbard, Pratt, and Wilson. Or Boyd and Mixon before them. Sometimes it doesn't, as with Tee today. Chase has 2 years left on his rookie deal and they'd no doubt tag him twice. So he's 4 years away from freedom. I agree they aren't going to pay Tee. If he has a good season, they may be able to trade him for late first, early second round value next year after a second tag. It would be an easy decision if Burton or Iosivas has a good season too. They could easily afford a second tag season if they wish, at 26 mil. Bengals are currently about 45 mil under the projected 2025 cap with only Karras, Hilton, and BJ Hill as significant free agents after 2024. So they'll have money to spend wherever they want to upgrade.

Hill played 0 snaps last year. So Scharping was certainly ahead of him, though I agree he didn't play much. We can probably expect Matt Lee to displace Trey Hill from the roster but he may be more of a PS candidate than one for the 53. Ford is nominally a tackle though he's also played guard in the NFL. He was ahead of D'Ante Smith and behind Jackson Carman on last year's depth chart.

That's true, but I have to think if I was a multimillionaire owner of a billion dollar sports franchise I would recognize that me staying a multimillionaire was entirely dependent on how I ran that sports franchise. Maybe not expect it to be an endless money faucet for my entire extended family forever. Maybe encourage the grandkids to start their own company instead of all going to work for me, even if it meant funding them to get started... You can't deny the nepotism with the Bengals organization is a little over the top, or that they've been pennywise and pound foolish with their decision making. Take Jonah for example, they started that guy at RT because they owed him $12 million. How much do you think that decision cost them? I'm gonna guess it was a hell of a lot more than $12 mil. They've been frivolous with their own cash in their efforts NOT to spend it. I think that's what people find frustrating.

Fairly obvious they are content with the “rental” approach…and backfill with 4 year college rentals. Uno will get a deal, but I’m somehow thinking it’s not going to be as long a term as most people think. And when he gets to the end of that 4-5 year span, he’ll be moved like the other rentals.

The collar and chains are giving a real "we talkin bout practice?" vibe.. This guy gave up more QB pressures than any other LT last season. I want to see him hitting the sleds like Mims not standing around cheesing.

Man, you know everyone is frivolous with someone else's cash. they get tight in the Tookas when its theirs!!!😅

Even though all 5 starters started every regular season game, Ford was definitely ahead of Scharping in terms of usage. Ford got 78 offensive snaps in 2023, Scharping only 13 snaps. Less sure about Hill at center since Karras started every game. Hill certainly has more experience at center than Scharping, who only started practicing some in the middle after the Bengals picked him up on waivers before the 2022-23 season.

Southwest of Cincinnatuh

But last year Scharping was ahead of Hill on the depth chart at center and maybe ahead of Ford on the chart at guard. He was also paid more than either of those worthies. So it doesn't make much sense to drop him in favor of guys behind him unless they had proven to be better players. Let's just say they didn't show much last year.

Didn't Tee say he wanted the Pittman deal? That was for less than the Collins deal, so if the Bengals won't go to Pittman levels, he won't be here long term. But both he and the team should want a good season from him in 2024 to increase his market value. Next year's WR draft class doesn't look as strong as the 2024 class so a tag and trade following a good season might still be doable. But the team would have to make the decision early before teams spend their money on other players.

He reached home plate #NotBad

Mims said in an interview he enjoys watching baseball. ⚾ So he will likely become a regular.

^ Really Trent is doing the Bengals a favor by being gone, as it allows them to get Mims starter practices without having to hurt Trent's feelings and break their FA promise he would begin the year as the starter. I would also love to see a 6 OL package with Trent and Mim's next to each other. Using Mims as a huge blocking TE.

Life isn’t always an “uh oh”—as in the negative “in trouble” connotation. Most likely, real life occurrences that affect us all. “Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans”. —-John Lennon

I’m thinking that those teams with a really strong defense might opt to just kick it into the end zone every time, give the opponent the ball at their 30, and avoid the chances for a long return all together. I guess we’ll see how teams’ tactics change through the preseason and into the first few weeks of the season.

This is an interesting point he made. Kickoff results could vary wildly from an outside stadium w/ some inclement weather versus an enclosed structure...

Kickoff returns are going to look very different this year. Even the players aren't sure how much it could affect games. From Geoff Hobson: MONEY MAC REACT: With players able to line up opposite each other for the first time, Tuesday was also the first day everyone could see in person just how jarringly different the new kickoff rule is. "It doesn't feel too much like football," said Bengals kicker Evan McPherson. "But I'm sure it will." The receiving team and coverage teams lined up five yards from each other at the receiving team's 35-line yard line while the kicker lined up at his 35. He can't cross the 50 until the ball touches the ground or a player in the last 20 yards or the end zone. The other ten can't move until the ball hits the ground or player in the last 20 yards or the end zone. Plus, a kick in or out of the end zone is now penalized and moved to the receiving team's 30. McPherson is certain he can adjust, even though on Tuesday he attacked kickoffs the exact opposite of the way he's done it his entire life. Now, instead of booming, he's shortened his stride and chipping it inside the 5 to the corners. "It's definitely interesting. It brings a lot of placement into play. It's all touch. It feels weird for me," McPherson said. "I'm used to kicking it as high as I can, as hard as I can. Now I have to throw it inside to the 5-yard line in specific areas. It's definitely an adjustment. You have to play the wind a lot more now."

Bengals posted a couple of schedule themed wallpapers for your phone

For those wondering what some of the changes there might be with Dan Pitcher's offense, here is potentially one described by Geoff Hobson: HOT MIKE: New Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki has lined up everywhere on The Banks this spring. In the slot, split out, on the line, always, it seems, in motion. "Love it," said Gesicki Tuesday. "During my (seven-year) career, I've moved a ton." He's appearing in a lot of double tight-end sets (12 personnel) these days with either Tanner Hudson or Drew Sample, but when asked if he thinks this marks an influx of more double tight-end personnel for an offense that has led the NFL in three-receiver looks (11 personnel) the past few years, Gesicki said, "We just got through the first seven-on-seven of the season. Ask me that in late August." Just from watching in the slot, where the 5-9 Hilton has to occasionally deal with the 6-6 Gesicki, Hilton thinks they'll be more varied. "We saw a lot of 12 today," Hilton said. "I think they'll mix it up a lot. Gesicki, that's a big slot receiver. So you get that 11 look. We know he can play on the line, But when he makes his money, he's split out getting those matchups. Obviously, he's a big receiver. He's not really a burner, but really savvy in his routes. His length is a problem. I feel he fits in perfectly."

Just saw this from James Rapien: First round pick Amarius Mims continues to play with the starting offensive line. That'll change when Trent Brown returns to the offseason program, which is expected to happen in the near future.