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Although they can't officially announce the moves until Wednesday at 4 p.m., the Bengals made their two biggest free agency plays in history Tuesday when published reports said they agreed to terms with one of the best young lineman in the game in Houston nose tackle D.J. Reader and a former first-round cornerback in the Vikings' Trae Waynes while boosting their defense with two impact starters.

 

https://www.bengals.com/news/reports-bengals-enrich-defense-with-two-impact-players

 

 

Skimming info on Wayne he's been a decent enough starter & is a good run defender.   That'll go a long way around here & hopefully means Drek is really cleaning out the locker.

I noticed the "run defender" part as well.  Even if you think Waynes is equivalent to Dre in pass coverage, if he even makes an *attempt* to tackle someone running the ball he's a huge upgrade.  This has been a weakness in general with Bengals corners.  Dennard at least tried but wasn't the best, WJIII also does his best but seems to come up injured/labouring way too often.

Generally speaking it's safe to say the Bengals saw the run defense as a big problem, and have made moves to address it.  Well done.  Now even one upgrade on the OL and we're starting to get somewhere.  Add a reliable LB and suddenly it's starting to look like a successful FA period.

6 minutes ago, HavePityPlease said:

I noticed the "run defender" part as well.  Even if you think Waynes is equivalent to Dre in pass coverage, if he even makes an *attempt* to tackle someone running the ball he's a huge upgrade.  This has been a weakness in general with Bengals corners.  Dennard at least tried but wasn't the best, WJIII also does his best but seems to come up injured/labouring way too often.

Generally speaking it's safe to say the Bengals saw the run defense as a big problem, and have made moves to address it.  Well done.  Now even one upgrade on the OL and we're starting to get somewhere.  Add a reliable LB and suddenly it's starting to look like a successful FA period.

They could use 2 LBs in FA.

I like the Waynes pickup, on the fence with Reader. I would have loved to see some oline and lb talent added to the roster.

9 minutes ago, Hooky said:

They could use 2 LBs in FA.

Yes they could.  I would be happy to get 1 LB and 1 OL in FA and a LB at 33 and OL in 3rd.  But it does look like they are trying.

8 minutes ago, PatternMaster said:

I like the Waynes pickup, on the fence with Reader. I would have loved to see some oline and lb talent added to the roster.

I'm the opposite, I'm 'meh about Waynes and excited about Reader.

Reader is a better player than Waynes but he's a 2 down player, not a pocket crushing pass rusher. 

2 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

Reader is a better player than Waynes but he's a 2 down player, not a pocket crushing pass rusher. 

 

IDK, he looks disruptive & quick enough to be part in that rotation. 

 

Wonder what this means for Geno? 

Just now, T-Dub said:

 

IDK, he looks disruptive & quick enough to be part in that rotation. 

 

Wonder what this means for Geno? 

Watching some Reader tape he looks to be a better version of Peko. Geno should be happy.

30 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

Reader is a better player than Waynes but he's a 2 down player, not a pocket crushing pass rusher. 

False.

This at least opens up the draft a little, pushing CB and DL down  to the later rounds.

From Field Yates, ESPN: Pairing D.J. Reader with Geno Atkins gives the Bengals one of the best defensive tackle duos in the league. Look past the numbers with Reader; he's an elite interior player who is near impossible to move around. Stud.
 

PFF: The Bengals sign D.J. Reader, who was 
@PFF’s #2 free agent IDL and the #33 overall free agent in this class.
Reader is still just 25 and has been stout vs the run and developed as a pass rusher (36 pressures in ‘19)
He was worth 0.14 WAR last season, which was 8th among DI’s.

1 hour ago, sparky151 said:

Reader is a better player than Waynes but he's a 2 down player, not a pocket crushing pass rusher. 

He's a very good pass rusher. He creates havoc in the middle that allows the other lineman to cash in on sacks.

2 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Reader is a better player than Waynes but he's a 2 down player, not a pocket crushing pass rusher. 

If the bengals are now running a hybrid defense,dose this mean Geno Atkins  could see less playing time ?

Neither of these guys even make anybody's Top 100 Free Agent list. but guys like Andrew Billings and Cordy Glenn do....wtf?

1 minute ago, Duluoz said:

Neither of these guys even make anybody's Top 100 Free Agent list. but guys like Andrew Billings and Cordy Glenn do....wtf?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're looking at FAs still available.

3 minutes ago, Duluoz said:

Neither of these guys even make anybody's Top 100 Free Agent list. but guys like Andrew Billings and Cordy Glenn do....wtf?

Wtf are you even talking about?

this should probably be in the free agent thread - but - are there any linebackers still out there worth pursuing?

49 minutes ago, HOF dan said:

this should probably be in the free agent thread - but - are there any linebackers still out there worth pursuing?

Nigel Bradham

Josh Bynes

Vigil

We have talked to Ogletree

At some point I would bet Tahir Whitehead and Denzel Perryman (if released) get looked at. Both played for Golden

 

Not a ton of talent but it's out there. 

15 hours ago, BengalMobster said:

False.

 

He's got 6.5 sacks in 4 years despite playing with JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus, and 3 of those years with Clowney.  Reader is not an interior pass rusher and will be subbed out in obvious passing situations. 

13 hours ago, bfine said:

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're looking at FAs still available.

So you're saying once a FA player signs with a team he's no longer available ?

4 minutes ago, Duluoz said:

So you're saying once a FA player signs with a team he's no longer available ?

Yes.

1 hour ago, bfine said:

Yes.

Geezuz