I_C_Deadpeople

I am pretty excited about the games this weekend...oh wait, I forgot I was going to egt an enema...never mind..

He also has limited starts , like Mims. Guyton has 14 starts so fairly green as well.

Anyone have thoughts on Tyler Guyton?

It was was written in his contract he signed last year (and submitted to the league) that he would succeed Belichick. So they did not have to go through any process at all.

Given the way the team operates - they asked Mixon for a pay cut on his last two years, he agreed so to the team this was always a 2 year committment. And Mr. Brown likes to keep his agreements whenever possible. Mixon is also a locker room leader and with Reader out for sometime and likley Boyd gone, it would be wise to keep some of the leadership core intact.

Dehner article at the Athletic on his FA projections: The Big 5 CB Chidobe Awuzie Age (start of camp): 29 (5/24/95) Stat: Awuzie only has had a passer rating against greater than 100 twice in his seven-year career. Both came in contract years while dealing with injuries (2020 and 2023). PFF positional grade: 51 of 80 Career cash: $25.8 million Quote of note: “My speeds are still very high and my cuts, I feel like myself. All it takes is other people to see that.” – Awuzie on his athleticism late in the season coming off ACL surgery Analysis: Awuzie will start somewhere next year. It’s probably not in Cincinnati where he knows the Bengals are less likely to put him over Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner. If projecting his level of play with a full year coming off the ACL and improvement shown in the second half of the year, he could end up a bargain for someone in the $10 million per year range. Chance of return: 15 percent GO DEEPER Bengals' Chidobe Awuzie reflects on 'emotional roller coaster' season, uncertain future WR Tyler Boyd Age: 29 (11/15/94) Stat: Boyd led all WRs in 2018 with 17.9 percent of his routes on third or fourth down leading to him catching a pass for a conversion. That’s the sixth-best individual mark of the last 10 seasons. He’d never dipped below 9.6 percent since but fell to 6.9 percent this year. It wasn’t for lack of attention, as you can see, but rather a dramatic fall in the rate of conversion. 3D/4D: Targets per route w/ Burrow PLAYER 2023 2022 2021 Ja'Marr Chase 19.4% 25.9% 20.5% Tee Higgins 18.6% 16.3% 20.0% Tyler Boyd 20.8% 17.5% 16.1% 3D/4D: First downs per target w/ Burrow PLAYER 2023 2022 2021 Ja'Marr Chase 61.9% 51.1% 44.4% Tee Higgins 53.8% 40.7% 51.3% Tyler Boyd 40.9% 56.7% 60.0% PFF positional grade: 72 of 80 Career cash: $47.3 million Quote of note: “This is my first free agency so I don’t know what to expect. This is the only franchise I ever played for and the franchise that gave me my first opportunity to play in the National Football League. I’m going to always feel like I can be here depending on the situation but, it’s a business. It’s a business.” – Boyd on potentially returning ADVERTISEMENT Analysis: All signs point to the end in Cincinnati for Boyd, who should have a market of teams in search of a slot receiver. His reliability and savvy will be gold for any team grooming a young quarterback. He probably ends up with a multi-year deal in the $7-9 million per season range which would be too rich for the Bengals’ balance sheet. Chance of return: 15 percent GO DEEPER If Tyler Boyd is done as a Bengal, his legacy provides valuable lessons: Dehner Jr. WR Tee Higgins Age: 25 (1/18/99) Stat: From 2021-22 ranked fifth of 44 qualifying receivers in catch percentage of passes of 20-plus air yards (51.5 percent). Last year, dropped to 23.1 percent. PFF positional grade: 43 of 102 Career cash: $9.9 million Quote of note: “I expect Tee to be back.” – Joe Burrow Analysis: The expectation laid out by Burrow told the story. The Bengals are prepared to use the franchise tag ($21 million) on Higgins by the March 5 deadline if they cannot get a long-term extension done. Don’t look for a tag-and-trade as they chase a championship with Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow and Higgins in 2024. You never know with free agency and unpredictable movement, but keeping the group together for at least one more ride feels like a lock. Chance of return: 95 percent GO DEEPER Joe Burrow’s words about Tee Higgins' future hold weight with Bengals DL DJ Reader Age: 30 (7/1/94) Stat: One of five qualifying defensive tackles to register PFF grade of 75-plus in run defense and pass rush. PFF positional grade: 11 of 73 Career cash: $56.7 million Quote of note: “No idea. No idea. Couldn’t tell you.” – Reader on what he expects with his free agency market. Analysis: The two-time captain was about to get paid for multiple years with tens of millions guaranteed. His market is unpredictable after tearing his quad and entering his age 30 season. The landing spot could be any direction, including a potential one-year deal back in Cincinnati if his injury scares teams away. Reader said he would love to be back, if possible. ADVERTISEMENT Chance of return: 45 percent OL Jonah Williams Age: 26 (11/17/97) Stat: After missing his rookie season and half of year two, Williams has not missed a regular-season start in the last three years. He owns the fourth-most total snaps in the NFL over that span. PFF positional grade: 50 of 58 (left and right tackles) Career cash: $30.2 million Quote of note: “The culture is important. Being in an organization that values me and values winning is important. You know when it’s right and I’ll be waiting to see what it is.” — Williams on what he is looking for next in his career beyond the money. Analysis: Williams’ switch to the right side and putting away any frustration with being over there by the move for Orlando Brown Jr. turned into a significant win for him this year. He offers versatility and a solid level of play on both sides, valuable traits in a league desperately seeking more adequate line play. Given the Bengals’ approach with Higgins, long list of holes elsewhere, shift to larger offensive linemen, expected strong market for his services and contentious history with the front office, Williams returning to Cincinnati appears highly unlikely. Chance of return: 10 percent Jonah Williams moved to right tackle in 2023 and was part of an offensive line that started all 17 games together. (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today) Tight ends Tanner Hudson Age: 29 (11/12/94) Stat: Led Bengals tight ends with 39 receptions for 352 yards in just 12 games. His mark of 1.56 yards per route run was the best by any Bengals tight end since Tyler Eifert in 2016 (1.64) and far more efficient than Hayden Hurst in 2022 and CJ Uzomah in 2021, both posting 1.06. Analysis: The Bengals found something in Hudson and, in turn, Hudson found something in them. Don’t forget, he’s bounced around the league but finally made a connection with a quarterback. There’s interest in both sides keeping that relationship going. Chance of return: 90 percent Bengals TE seasons under Zac Taylor YEAR PLAYER ROUTES YDS/RTE 1D/TARGET 2023 Irv Smith 227 0.51 19% 2023 Tanner Hudson 225 1.56 42% 2023 Drew Sample 190 0.86 31% 2022 Hayden Hurst 387 1.07 37% 2022 Mitchell Wilcox 203 0.68 33% 2021 C.J. Uzomah 461 1.07 38% 2020 Drew Sample 412 0.85 30% 2019 Tyler Eifert 356 1.22 38% 2019 C.J. Uzomah 254 0.95 30% Irv Smith Jr. Age: 25 (8/9/98) ADVERTISEMENT Stat: Smith ran 227 routes this season. There were 52 tight ends with at least 150. None had fewer yards per route run than Smith (0.51). Only three others posted less than 0.75 yards per route. Analysis: This experiment failed miserably and don’t expect either side to have interest in running it back. Chance of return: 1 percent Drew Sample Age: 28 (4/16/96) Stat: Lined up in the backfield 88 times, most of any tight end. Stayed in to pass block on 30 of those, also most in the league, more than twice as much as any other tight end. One of seven tight ends with a PFF pass block and run block grade better than 61. Analysis: Created immense value for himself on a one-year deal coming off his knee injury. With no answers at running back, they had to lean into Sample’s knowledge of pass protection on passing downs, where he excelled, specifically helping Jake Browning against Minnesota. They might have to put up a small fight for his services given the rising interest in blocking tight ends around the league, but I suspect they pay it. Chance of return: 75 percent Mitchell Wilcox Age: 27 (11/7/96) Stat: Logged 728 regular-season snaps on offense and 558 on special teams the past two seasons. Analysis: There should be interest on both sides in Wilcox returning, but look for a rookie or two to enter the equation and challenge him. The advantage he owns is the development over time playing far more snaps than most realized — or expected — when he came from off the radar to make the team in 2021. Chance of return: 85 percent GO DEEPER One thought on all 61 Bengals to play at least one game in 2023 Roster depth WR Trenton Irwin Age: 28 (12/10/95) Stat: In games where Burrow started and finished while Irwin played at least 45 percent of the offensive snaps, the Bengals are 6-1, the only loss the 30-27 defeat against Houston this year. He caught 20 passes for 289 yards and five TDs in those seven games. ADVERTISEMENT Analysis: He’s become a dream cog in the back of the receiver room with how hard he works, his trust from Burrow and his ability to play multiple spots. He probably needs to fight for his roster spot next year, but it’s hard to imagine the Bengals let him out the door. Chance of return: 80 percent Trenton Irwin celebrates after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Tyler Boyd. (Katie Stratman / USA Today) DL Josh Tupou Age: 30 (5/2/94) Stat: Joins Joe Mixon, Sam Hubbard and Tyler Boyd as the only players on the 2023 roster to play for Marvin Lewis and every season with Zac Taylor. Analysis: The interior defensive line requires a significant overhaul. That likely means the end of the line for Tupou. Chance of return: 20 percent RB Trayveon Williams Age: 26 (10/18/97) Stat: Played 156 snaps on offense, more than he did in his first four seasons combined. His 294 special teams snaps were a career high and more than the previous three seasons combined. Analysis: The Bengals need to remake the running back group, but that doesn’t mean Williams ends up elsewhere. He will almost certainly be in a battle for a spot should he return, but there’s a scenario where he’s still part of the reserve group. Chance of return: 45 percent LB Akeem Davis-Gaither Age: 26 (9/21/97) Stat: Never played more than 12 snaps in a game until the finale against Cleveland, relegated to a sub-package role. Analysis: The arrow appeared to be trending up coming out of 2022 for Davis-Gaither, but when Germaine Pratt surprisingly re-signed, his opportunity to finally take on a larger, starting role evaporated. He played less on defense this year than ever. It’s hard to imagine he signs back up for that if an opportunity for snaps exists elsewhere. The club really values his contribution on special teams, but will that be enough to reach an agreement? Chance of return: 49 percent OL Cody Ford Age: 27 (12/28/96) Stat: Owns 32 career starts and would have added to the number if an injury outside of center happened on the offensive line. ADVERTISEMENT Analysis: At 6-foot-3, 329 pounds, he appeals to the Bengals’ line strategy of investing in size and power. They were pleased with his approach and contribution so look for a reunion to be in the works. Chance of return: 75 percent LB Markus Bailey Age: 27 (3/7/97) Stat: Led the team in special teams tackles in 2022 and finished second this past season. Analysis: Nobody has logged more special teams snaps than Bailey (633) the last two seasons. While special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons dealt with youth everywhere, Bailey was one of the few consistent veterans. It would make sense to see a return in that role with most of the reserve linebacker spots open. Chance of return: 70 percent Markus Bailey has been a mainstay on special teams for the Bengals. (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today) OL Max Scharping Age: 27 (8/10/96) Stat: Had one offensive snap this year before the finale against Cleveland. Analysis: Disappointing year for Scharping, who came off a solid performance when thrown into the postseason fire the year prior. He looked to be the top backup on the line and even took over the backup center role, but Ford ended up the backup guard and forced Scharping to watch all season. He should have a better chance at a larger role elsewhere and it would make sense for him to take it. Chance of return: 8 percent LB Joe Bachie Age: 26 (2/26/98) Stat: Played at least 140 special teams snaps each of the last three seasons. Analysis: Somebody needs to return among the trio of backup linebackers and special teamers. Will it be all three? Perhaps, but Bachie would be likely, even though he would have to fight for a roster spot in camp either way. Chance of return: 70 percent QB AJ McCarron Age: 33 (9/13/90) Stat: Made $11.8 million in cash over his nine seasons in the NFL, starting five games. Analysis: McCarron made sense when Burrow went down as an insurance policy with game experience. He provided a snug fit as a backup to Browning but wasn’t needed. Look for the Bengals to try and develop another young quarterback on the practice squad rather than lean back into McCarron. ADVERTISEMENT Chance of return: 5 percent Exclusive rights QB Jake Browning Age: 28 (4/11/96) Stat: Since 2011, 91 quarterbacks have made the first seven starts of their careers. Of those, Browning ranked 14th in Adjusted Net Yards/Attempt, ninth in passer rating, eighth in success percentage and first in completion percentage. Analysis: Browning will be tendered as an exclusive rights free agent and the rules specify he can’t negotiate with anyone else and is locked into that one-year contract at the league minimum for a second-year player. As that position becomes even more valuable this offseason, the Bengals have found an ideal situation. Chance of return: 100 percent LS Cal Adomitis Age: 26 Stat: Has zero unplayable snaps in his two seasons as long snapper. Analysis: Don’t know if Adomitis will chase down Clark Harris’ 212 games with the Bengals, but with two strong seasons, he’s on his way. He should receive the same ERFA tender of league minimum for a third-year player. Chance of return: 100 percent

For Mims, the pre-draft testing period will be huge. As you note, not much tape to go on.

Until they remove that ridiculous rule, every minority candidate will be seen as a Rooney Rule candidate

That is a bit of a surprise

There are actually a lot of solid OL prospects in the draft this year. What is interesting is, from the Bengals perspective, there are a few good RT options (Lapham, Fauga, Mims, Guyton) plus there are a few other LT prospects that some feel mey be better suited for G - and with that is mind, one or two of these (like Barton, Beebe, Morgan) may test out well at RT in all the pre-darft work. Jonah made a pretty seamless move to RT (seamless in that he played at about the same level as he did at LT?) , not saying it is easy but the team may find they like on the second level LT/G guys as a RT.

Wow, huge mistake IMHO. He will now be the leadiong candidate to take over the Pats if they move on from Bill B.

Panthers may have difficulty getting a Grade A candidiate given the dysfunction. So they will get a lesser candidate who thinks they can chnage how ownership operates.

Exactly. In fact, if I recall, Bates had a reasonable first year but struggled a bit in year 2? The DBs are VERY young, let’s give this some time.

Hobs needs Cartman so he can write his annual “he is really in great shape” story and pretend the player will actually turn the corner.

Weird stat - the Patriots have not re-signed a single draft pick from rounds 1-3 since 2013. Talk about shit drafting!

Damn the Eagles are imploding…that bird has the avian flu

They literally cannot protect QBs any more than they do now other than putting two flags in them and if a defender pulls one off that is a sack.

They literally annoy protect QBs any more than they do now other than putting two flags in them and if a defender pulls one off that is a sack.

I think that depends on what happens with Tee. And when we have reached for a position of need, it has reduced our success rate. I assume though that Boyd will be gone, and so a slot receiver in the mid rounds makes sense to me.

Article in the Athletic on the Bengals D (Dehner article): CINCINNATI — Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo used to talk about Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell playing safety at a 400 level. In 2022, when Bates returned from sitting out the offseason and half of training camp before signing his franchise tag, Anarumo marveled how his first day of camp included advanced-level route pass-offs on the fly despite not being on the field in 11 months. For a defensive coordinator leaning into versatile game plans and coverages that change week to week, Bates and Bell were the perfect paisans. Anarumo knew exactly what life without them would mean. “I choose not to think about that dark day,” he prophetically said last February at the scouting combine. Dark days include those like this past Sunday in Kansas City. With the season on the line, clinging to a one-point lead late in the third quarter, he didn’t opt for a 400-level call with his young secondary. No, this was more like Intro to Defense from the first semester of freshman year. “I’ve called that probably 400 times the last three years,” Anarumo said. Yet, there was Rashee Rice running free behind Cam Taylor-Britt for 67 yards with no help in sight. “Dax Hill. Go over the top, we’re playing cloud. He went the wrong way,” Anarumo said, before repeating in an even more defeated tone, adding sad emphasis. “He went the wrong way.” Welcome to the story of the exasperating 2023 Bengals defense. And one of the most critical questions about its future. “I think the structure of it in the meeting rooms and sometimes in practice — we’re there, we’re functioning, we’re talking on the right levels,” Anarumo said. “But when push comes to shove and it’s Patrick Mahomes over there, all of a sudden we short circuit for some reason.” That’s how you lead the league in explosive plays allowed. “That’s just one of those miscommunications I’ve been talking about this whole year,” nickel cornerback Mike Hilton said. “Our communication has to get a lot better. We brought in two new safeties and just throughout the whole year you could just tell there was just something missing. That chemistry was missing. It’s been a learning curve for them.” No NFL player from the last two draft classes logged as many snaps as first-year starter Hill this year (1,032). He’s been matched with rookies Jordan Battle (481), DJ Turner (774) and DJ Ivey (21) to account for 2,312 snaps. Toss in another 620 snaps for Cam Taylor-Britt in his second season and you have a whopping 2,932 snaps by players in their first or second NFL seasons. That’s not even taking into account 561 snaps from Nick Scott, adjusting to a new system after signing in free agency. It’s crazy to think, considering Anarumo was previously notorious for resistance to playing rookies at all. “A lot of firsts,” Anarumo said about this season. Only the Bears and Colts match the Bengals’ level of inexperience in the defensive backfield. Take into account that three of the four Chicago qualifiers are in their second year. One of the two for the Colts (Rodney Thomas II) is a second-year starter. The top four on the list for the Chiefs and Rams are in their second seasons. Kansas City specifically serves as an example of a young secondary that took lumps early before rising to top billing this season. There’s a cavernous difference in expectation between the first year as a starter and the second, specifically in the defensive backfield. Eleven-year veteran safety Michael Thomas extends both his arms and index fingers in the direction Cam Taylor-Britt. “Case in point,” he said. Taylor-Britt took a solid rookie season that featured a fair share of growing pains and was ascending to a Pro Bowl level before sustaining a hamstring injury and landing on injured reserve. The bet the Bengals are banking on is this collection of first-year starters following a similar path to a much higher level of play next year. The mantra throughout this frustrating run for Anarumo has been they will be better in the future for all these growing pains. They must. They can’t survive another season of short circuits like this one. “That’s just who we are right now,” Anarumo said. “And that’s not an excuse, that’s just the facts. We give up big plays and that’s never been a trademark of us, but it is for this year. Youth has something to do with it, but it’s not the only thing. We’ve got to get it fixed, for sure. This will bode well for the future. We are going to grow we are just taking some lumps along the way with these guys.” Anarumo projects growth because he’s seen it. He clearly remembers the growth of Xavien Howard from a rookie to his breakout second season while in Miami. Thomas was there, too, and he recalls the exact moment. He’s been sure to relay that to all the young players in his secondary. “We were getting ready to play Thursday Night Football against the Patriots,” Thomas said, recalling the conversation with Howard that week. Howard was complaining about Anarumo being on him about not giving up deep balls in Cover 4 but kept giving up passes underneath because of that top-shoulder technique. He knew he could make a play if he played it differently. “I said, ‘X, Coach Lou is telling you Day 1 football that in Cover 4 it is a corner’s job to stay on top of the post, on top of the go route,'” Thomas said. “But they drafted you in the second round for a reason. If Xavien Howard feels like he can be low-hip and make the play, then go make the play. Just know if they throw a go, it’s on you.” On the first drive that day, Howard picked off a dig route by Brandin Cooks. He later picked off a pass by Tom Brady over the top. “It just clicked for him,” Thomas said. “I know the blueprint. I know the game plan. End of the day, all right, myself, Xavien Howard, I have to use my skill set within that to make it work. Once these guys realize, be yourself, be who they brought you to be. Dax, you are a great athlete. DJ, you are fast as s—. Play our defense by using your skill set. Once they figure that part out you will see a lot of plays made. It just takes time.” This goes beyond anecdotes to years of evidence. They hope to join a long list of defensive backs to take a jump from Year 1 to Year 2. PFF grades and engaging stories sound nice and serve as a foundation for hope. All involved acknowledge it needs to feel different because these inconsistencies and errors didn’t just affect those making them. It leaked into the minds of veteran players wondering if the guy behind him or next to him will be doing his job correctly this time. Hilton cited this feeling as a reason he struggled early in the year. He was too often worrying about Hill, Scott, Battle, and Turner carrying out the job. Anarumo pointed to a play even last week where he saw linebacker Logan Wilson turning his head backward to see if the defensive back was where he was supposed to be. “You can see him turning around looking and they hit Rice in the seam,” Anarumo said. “You can’t operate that way in the NFL.” One head twist illustrates a specific example at the heart of the issue. “A lot of the stuff we do on defense is predicated on the checks the safeties are making,” Wilson said. “That has to be communicated to us. Young guys are still trying to understand what their voice is, meaning that literally and figuratively. You have to be loud enough we can hear you. I think there has been some growth with that. It’s just part of the process. You are young and put into a new role. You are just trying to figure everything out. You aren’t sure or confident in some things. The more you play, the more you do it the more confident you get. We obviously have to do better.” Call it communication. Call it a lack of confidence. Call it trust. Just call it a problem. It will undeniably land on the table of the personnel staff and coaches as they evaluate a path forward in the coming months. It could require a veteran free agent added to the mix to add stability. It could require another draft pick or extra work during the offseason program. Or, they will opt to plow forward believing fully in multiple Year 2 leaps. All these young players will be on notice, though. The first-year starter excuse disappears along with the ugly 2023 stats. “I personally feel like the Year 1 to Year 2 jump is big to determine a lot of people’s careers,” Hilton said. “The game slows down. The coaches are getting comfortable with what works for you. How they can put you in position to make plays. Year 1 you are just getting used to the speed of the game, you see guys you grew up watching, but once that Year 2 comes around it’s all about how you evolve as a player.” Expecting Hill and Battle to be Bell and Bates was unfair. That was never going to happen, a fact Anarumo knew well. As Bates lands in his first Pro Bowl with a case as the best safety in football this year for Atlanta, the Bengals are still searching for answers and trying to believe in the errors paving the way for progress. “There’s proof,” Thomas said. “They are going to have to continue to put in the work and make those strides, but I have no doubt. It happens all the time.” Thomas then stops and steps to the right, doing an impression of one of the many conversations he had as the season went sideways. As unbearable as the litany of mistakes were to endure, he knows, they were necessary. “You can’t skip this part of the process,” he said. “They say, ‘Mike, how do we fast forward?’ You don’t.”

No doubt, but it usually just one at a time that goes bat shit crazy.

Last year's draft at TE was packed, Dane Brugler only has 1 TE in his last Top 50 and called the TE class weak.

Thjere is always one owner like this. They finally get rid of Synder and then it is 'next man up'

On PFF Big Board he is prospect #64 and the 3rd TE. 6' 6" 253 lbs. He must have been injured for part of this year as it shows only 10 catches but 28 catches in 2022. Over 13 yards per catch in both 2022 and 2023. Edit - use this for the 2025 draft LOL

Patrick Paul is a LT though. Per PFF's Big Board the following Tackles (from thier top 145 prospect list) have played RT: Org St - Fuaga Ala - Latham Geo - Mims Okl - Guyton BYU - Suamataia (also played LT) Pitt - Gonclaves (alos played LT) ND - Fisher Utes - Laumea Ind - Adams