Arkansas Bengal

Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer Williams: Why Joe Burrow's expected 2024 return won't solve Cincinnati Bengals' problems Jason Williams, Cincinnati Enquirer Sun, Jan 7, 2024 at 6:57 PM CST·4 min read Zac Taylor reiterated the Cincinnati Bengals’ annual goals minutes after a disappointing season ended. “Win the division and win the Super Bowl,” the coach said in the wake of Cincinnati's 31-14 dismantling of the playoff-bound Cleveland Browns’ backups in the regular-season finale at cold and dreary Paycor Stadium. It’s important to note Taylor said “win the Super Bowl.” He didn’t say “get there” or “get close.” Perhaps it’s most important the front office take note of Taylor’s words. Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walks off the field at the conclusion of a Week 18 NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.More The Bengals brass simply can’t chalk up this season to losing Joe Burrow to an injury in mid-November. They might have still made the playoffs with Burrow, but they almost certainly weren’t going to win it all. They weren’t built to win the Lombardi Trophy, even with a fully healthy franchise quarterback. Burrow’s injury unmasked and exposed all the Bengals’ flaws. It should be a wake-up call to ownership and the player personnel folks to step up and do much better than they did last offseason. Do better at evaluating potential free agents and prospective draft picks. Do better at who they bring back and let walk away. A starting point to fixing the roster: The Bengals cannot live by the belief most of their problems will be solved when Burrow returns. Burrow fixes a lot, no doubt. But can he stay healthy? The Bengals should operate as if he may not after two of his four NFL seasons have been cut short by major injuries. Burrow has also missed most of training camp the last two seasons because of other health-related issues. Next: Focus on fixing the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines just aren’t good enough, particularly the interior of both. The Bengals couldn’t run the ball and they couldn’t stop the run. Blame some of it on the Bengals’ ongoing struggles in recent drafts with both position groups. And the Bengals almost certainly will lose two of their more productive players in the trenches from the 2023 season to free agency in offensive tackle Jonah Williams and defensive tackle DJ Reader. Injuries to veteran players were also part of the problem on the defensive line. Reader missed the last three games with a torn quad. Defensive end Sam Hubbard, who just finished his sixth season, is showing a lot of wear and tear. The injuries forced the Bengals to rely on younger defensive linemen to step up. Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy, both early round draft picks in recent years, weren’t up to the task. It's critical the Bengals make these fixes when looking around the league. For all the hype about the NFL being quarterback-driven, the run game still matters on both sides of the ball. Go look at the playoff-bound teams. Most of them are good at running the ball and stopping the run. The No. 1 seeds Baltimore and San Francisco entered Sunday ranked first and third in the league in rushing. Ten of the top 14 teams in run offense after the Sunday afternoon games are headed to the playoffs. Eight of the top 12 teams in run defense are heading to the postseason. Seven of the top nine teams in sacks are playing on. You get the drift. With Burrow, a drastically improved team in the trenches is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Without Burrow, a drastically improved team in the trenches is at least likely heading to the playoffs. Let the Browns, who had the luxury of resting most of their starters on Sunday, serve as a shining example. They lost their starting quarterback and running back to season-ending injuries. They’re still heading to the playoffs because they are strong in the trenches. They can run the ball. They can stop the run. Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) breaks away on a deep run in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.More The Bengals’ running-game woes aren’t just on the offensive line. They must part ways with aging running back Joe Mixon this offseason, something they should’ve done last year. The Bengals entered Sunday ranked last in the NFL in rushing. They finished 29th last season. It’s fair to say the Bengals lacked a plan for how to move on from Mixon. They let everyone know that when they restructured Mixon’s contract in the summer, giving Cincinnati an out in his deal after this season. Here’s hoping the front office doesn’t get too enamored by Mixon running all over the Browns’ second- and third-stringers on Sunday, when he went for a season-high 111 rushing yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Change has always been hard for the Bengals. They’re probably not going to magically start drafting better in the trenches. They’re going to continue to spend under the salary cap. But something has to meet Taylor’s Super Bowl goal. Burrow can’t block and tackle, too. https://sports.yahoo.com/williams-why-joe-burrows-expected-005709643.html

Jax loses so the fucking stealers are in

There goes our shut out

Must be nice to have a REAL punter…

Way to go, Zac! We are running the ball down their throats, so what do you decide to do? Three straight passes. goddamn moron let someone else call the plays next year!

Halftime Bengals. 24 Clowns. 0

Jacksonville should’ve hired Dr. Heimlich as offensive coordinator.

INT - Wilson!!!

Another shit punt…

Dammit Boyd - another drop.

Second TD for Mixon! 14 - 0

Good for Mixon!

TD Mixon! keep running it

Typical shit play calling from Zac. We are running the ball down their throat, so he decides to start passing. Friggin idiot!

Dammit Browning.

By Charean Williams Published January 5, 2024 09:10 PM Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase becomes eligible for a contract extension this offseason. He has one year left on his rookie deal, and it’s certain the Bengals will exercise his fifth-year option, putting him under team control through 2025. But Chase hopes for a new deal with the Bengals sooner than later. “Lord knows, I want to do that. I mean, but we’ll see what happens,” Chase said Thursday, via Callie Lawson-Freeman of SI.com. Bengals president Mike Brown has been open about the challenge of trying to keep Chase and receiver Tee Higgins after the five-year, $275 million deal that quarterback Joe Burrow signed in September. Higgins, who is doubtful for Sunday with a hamstring injury, likely has played his final game for the Bengals. Higgins is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Chase was asked this week if he would take less to keep Higgins. “That’s a good question,” Chase said. “Who knows? It depends on how much I’m taking. It depends at the end of the day, because then I might not really be taking a cut. It might come from somewhere else.” Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb said earlier this week that he wants to become the highest-paid receiver in the game. Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill currently is the highest-paid at the position, with a $30 million average in new money. It’s likely that Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson resets the market at the position whenever he signs an extension, and Chase knows that. Chase answered “hell, yeah,” laughing, when asked if Jefferson getting a deal done is a prerequisite for signing an extension. That’s what Burrow did in following Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s five-year, $262 million deal. Chase said he will prioritize “upfront” money in negotiations. Burrow’s contract includes guaranteed money in the second year of the deal, and Chase declined to get that specific about what he wants. “I don’t know. You’re going a little too far now, buddy,” Chase said. “Gave you a little spice. Don’t take all of it.” Chase has made his third consecutive Pro Bowl with 96 receptions for 1,197 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He will play Sunday in the Bengals’ final game despite a shoulder injury in hopes of getting 100 catches for the season. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals

Paul Dehner Jr. @pauldehnerjr · 22m #Bengals inactives include Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder/calf). Both free agents at the end of the season. WR Tee Higgins CB Chidobe Awuzie RB Chris Evans OL Trey Hill OL D’Ante Smith TE Irv Smith DT Travis Bell

Go Bills! Go Jaguars! FUCK PISSBURGH!!!

Report: T.J. Watt diagnosed with Grade 3 MCL sprain By Charean Williams Published January 6, 2024 07:51 PM The Stealers lost NFL sacks leader T.J. Watt to a knee injury in the third quarter Saturday, and they could be without him next week if they make the postseason. Watt was diagnosed with a Grade 3 MCL sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports. That’s a complete tear of the medial collateral ligament, which is a multi-week injury. Watt will undergo further testing Sunday. Stealers coach Mike Tomlin allowed only that Watt is being evaluated for a knee injury. The defensive player of the year candidate collided with defensive lineman Montravius Adams while rushing Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley on a third down pass. He stayed down, pounding his fist on the ground after the play. Watt made two sacks Saturday, giving him a league-leading 19 for the season. Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson has 17. This would be Watt’s third time leading the league in sacks, which would set a record since sacks became an official stat in 1982. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-t-j-watt-diagnosed-with-grade-3-mcl-sprain

Stealers, Ravens, Browns, and Kansas City in that order.

Bengals make roster moves before Week 18 vs. Browns Chris Roling Sat, Jan 6, 2024, 12:15 PM CST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals made a pair of roster moves ahead of the team’s Week 18 game against the Cleveland Browns. Seeking depth at key spots for the season finale, the team elevated cornerback Sidney Jones IV and wide receiver Stanley Morgan from the practice squad to the active roster. As standard elevations, both players will return to the practice squad on the Monday after the game. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jalen Davis are questionable on the final injury report, so Jones reinforces that area. More significant is the fact wideout Tee Higgins carries a “doubtful” tag into the game, so Morgan is important depth behind the likes of rookie Andrei Iosivas. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-roster-moves-week-18-181542476.html

Stefanski announced the following players will join Flacco on the sideline this weekend: DE Myles Garrett (who was “sore” on Friday) CB Greg Newsome II S Juan Thornhill LB Anthony Walker Jr. WR Amari Cooper CB Mike Ford K Dustin Hopkins

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer Thu, Jan 4, 2024, 9:15 PM CST·5 min read Six years later, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson is still in touch with quarterback Patrick O’Brien. They met at the 2017 National Bowl, a lower tier senior bowl in the pre-draft circuit. Hudson was clinging to the dream that he could make it in the NFL coming out of Southern Arkansas University, and O’Brien was doing the same thing after wrapping up his career at Catawba College. In that game, Hudson caught seven passes from O’Brien for 117 yards, including two touchdowns, and got his name on the radar in that NFL Draft cycle. Before then, he didn’t think he had much of a shot to make it, even as an undrafted free agent. Now, as the Bengals’ starting tight end, he’s proving that he belongs in the NFL. Without that relationship with O’Brien, he doesn’t get a chance to develop even stronger ones with Bengals quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. “I knew I could play, but it was about getting the right chance to do it,” Hudson said. “This is incredible. It’s been six long years for me. To get this opportunity and take advantage of it has been great.” Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson went from a practice squad player to a tight end producing starter-level production in 2023. Entering Week 18, Hudson ranks 21st among NFL tight ends in receiving yards per game. After spending six years on practice squads, including the start of 2023, he’s averaging 31 yards and two first down catches per game. Last year, former Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst averaged 31.8 yards and two first downs per game. Among tight ends with at least 30 catches this season, Hudson ranks sixth in catch percentage and ninth in success rate. He's finding open space in coverage, catching just about everything that gets thrown his way and keeping the chains moving better than the average starting tight end in 2023. Since training camp, Hudson has been a favorite of Burrow’s and Browning’s. Both quarterbacks have vouched for him, and Hudson has capitalized on his opportunity. “I have a lot of faith in him,” Burrow said in November. “He makes plays on the scout team every week. So when he was up (off the practice squad), I felt really confident about his ability to get open and make plays for us.” Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson ranks 21st in the NFL among tight ends in receiving yards per game this year. Before he got here, Hudson was cut eight different times by four different teams, including the Bengals. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and went on to make five total catches in three years. Last December, the Bengals signed him to their practice squad because they needed more depth. Hudson caught a fade in his first practice, making a great first impression. Every practice, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor noticed him making plays. “It's easy to get him the ball,” Taylor said. “That's why you see him show up and all of a sudden make catches in pretty tough situations. He has got a great awareness about him. And that's why that's why he's on the team.” Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson developed a close relationship with the Bengals' quarterbacks and earned their trust to make big catches in big moments. This year, Hudson was a training camp star. When Browning needed to complete passes to win the backup quarterback battle, he turned to the 29-year-old tight end. The Bengals cut Hudson at the end of the summer. He didn’t provide enough as a blocker or on special teams to beat out backup tight ends Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox for a roster spot, but Taylor reminded Hudson of how much the Bengals valued him. Taylor told him that the Bengals loved him, and, more importantly, their quarterbacks loved him. “Zac was very upfront and honest with me,” Hudson said. “I respect that a ton. Being able to stay and play under him with this team and this coaching staff, I was excited.” Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson stepped into a bigger role in the middle of the year and has capitalized on his opportunity. After Irv Smith Jr. injured his hamstring early in the season, Hudson earned a call up from the practice squad in Week 3. Burrow quickly showed his confidence in him by ripping an aggressive throw to Hudson on a seam route over the middle for a 26-yard gain. Then in November, following a game where Smith fumbled the ball near the goal line, the Bengals signed Hudson to the active roster. Since then, he has been as consistent as any Bengals pass catcher aside from Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Over the Bengals’ last nine games, Hudson has been one of the team’s top-three pass catchers in six of them. “I just stuck with the plan and the grind,” Hudson said. “Coming here, (tight ends coach James Casey) was an incredible resource to take my game to a new level. He helped me understand offense in the NFL in general, and he helped me understand defenses. Hearing his perspective and having a coach who also played in the NFL helped a lot.” Hudson’s limitations as a blocker will likely prevent him from being a full-time starter down the road, but he has earned a spot in the NFL as he heads into free agency this offseason. While Hudson has come out of nowhere as a success story, none of it has looked like a fluke. “Ever since he joined the Bengals, he has just been working,” Sample said. “Look at the skill set he has. He’s a great route runner. He can catch the ball really well. He has a really good feel for defenses. That’s been big for him. He brings a lot to our offense, and he takes advantage of his opportunities.” https://www.wave3.com/sports/betting/2024/01/07/bengals-browns-nfl-promo-codes-picks-predictions/