Is there a need to bring in any further potential starters ? I'm not sure there's a need on the Bengal's compared to what's available but maybe I'm overlooking something.

Picture for attention...

Linebacker, as p much everyone has been screaming for months 😅

Agreed, LB is the only place we NEED another starter.

Don't know how they can pass up Bobby Wagner. On any level. And it seems with Sexy Dexter here, now, surely he must realize his job just got a lot easier in Cincy (not to mention Jonathan Allen who I believe was #3 after Dexter in absorbing double teams).

Free agency begins again at 4pm today. I would like to think that the Bengals are working hard to bring in either Bobby W or Bobby O, but other teams are expected to dive back into the LB market too. Dallas, Carolina, Jacksonville, etc. More demand than supply.

Not bringing in a Vet LB is putting ALOT of trust in the two guys we had last year, who were really really bad. I'm not saying they will be bad this year, as you'd hope they would grow and the game slow down, but I still would rather not put that much trust in them. Having a vet on the field even if in limited snaps due to age, would be helpful to get them to understand everything they should be doing.

Wagner should be paid and more importantly could be paid. None of that matters if Wagner doesn't fit Golden's style which I have problems identifying as a defense.

Edited April 27Apr 27 by Numbers
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1 hour ago, Jamie_B said:

Not bringing in a Vet LB is putting ALOT of trust in the two guys we had last year, who were really really bad. I'm not saying they will be bad this year, as you'd hope they would grow and the game slow down, but I still would rather not put that much trust in them. Having a vet on the field even if in limited snaps due to age, would be helpful to get them to understand everything they should be doing.

If so, they're putting the world on top of our rookie.

Perhaps the much needed linebacker will come later, maybe much later, when

some quality guys are cut in their training camps and/or become cap casualties.

4 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Perhaps the much needed linebacker will come later, maybe much later, when

some quality guys are cut in their training camps and/or become cap casualties.

Is it possible our linebacker is on our team as a defensive end ? After reading about this 425 defense I'm thinking a hybrid LB/DE might just fill the bill. I'm just not familiar with the 425.

yeah wagner is the only on the market player i see being a potential starter.

6 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Perhaps the much needed linebacker will come later, maybe much later, when

some quality guys are cut in their training camps and/or become cap casualties.

Definitely possible. The current list of available players will change between now and Week 1. I wouldn’t even rule out a trade given recent events.

9 hours ago, Numbers said:

Wagner should be paid and more importantly could be paid. None of that matters if Wagner doesn't fit Golden's style which I have problems identifying as a defense.

Don't feel bad, none of the players on the field seemed to know either 😆 His style is not Logan Wilson, apparently. Beyond that it was like watching a frog in a blender. Guess we'll find out but I need to see Big Improvement to believe he's the man to turn it around. (against division teams, not some 3-11 lost cause)

people seem to be confused with the linebacker position.

they also seem confused with the salary cap.

i will agree as other mentioned a wagner could roll into play or something...

but this roster is 99% set... if half or more sets are going to be 2 LB sets then im not sure where or who you are planning to get... spotrac says we have 6.7 mil..

they usually keep 8-10 for injury buffer.. as an example joe flacco makes 6 mil.

you either need to move money around on important contracts to bring in whomever you want to bring in... or they need to be a league minimum guy...

now they could move a DT in camp or post camp.. which could free a tiny bit of room or slaton to move a chunk...

any teams overflowing with linebacker aand dying for playable DT?

Our LBs can't cover a TE but I think this is why they drafted Davis as he has the capabilities of covering a TE and the physical attributes. Over the course of the year in 2025, our D allowed the most receptions (116), yards (1,444), and touchdowns (16) to TEs. I believe these are NFL records for the worst ever. I could be wrong though.

The LBs you guys speak of are very old. Do they even have it in them anymore. They should've drafted a LB or got one early in FA. I think like HSH is look for a LB on roster cuts is the way to go or pick a very good one off a team's practice squad.

they just need any average vet that can still play the position, they don't have to do anything special. more important that they don't rattle, are consistent & act like a pro. if things go right they'll probably play less as the season unfolds & only have to be good enough for it not to be the reason if it doesn't. Seriously low expectations here, borderline starter grade, cheap, old, brony, whatever.. but they need someone that knows the job.

i think they expected that out of Oren Burks but didn't get it

like a Dhani Jones type?

i think most are tired of watching TEs and RBs catching open passes 4-5 yards down field in the middle time and time again.
to me that states a LB or coaching problem
or both

It’s weird, I watch football all the time and for some reason I see TE’s catching footballs all over the field every game. It’s almost like no team does a good job of covering TE’s. Crazy.

1 hour ago, stryker57 said:

i think most are tired of watching TEs and RBs catching open passes 4-5 yards down field in the middle time and time again.
to me that states a LB or coaching problem
or both

LB problem.

Can't cover.

This tall rook CB may help in that regard.

Camp cuts coming too

50 minutes ago, spicoli said:

It’s weird, I watch football all the time and for some reason I see TE’s catching footballs all over the field every game. It’s almost like no team does a good job of covering TE’s. Crazy.

Right..

Seems the Bengals get beat over and over by them but it's a league wide thing .

Many good route runners now...

8 hours ago, spicoli said:

It’s weird, I watch football all the time and for some reason I see TE’s catching footballs all over the field every game. It’s almost like no team does a good job of covering TE’s. Crazy.

Maybe, but we were historically bad at it last season.

just tired of seeing it, ,
i also understand the rules and the game are tilted to the offense and the QBs
cant hit a qb hard but they can fight to not get tackled and break free.
if they do a great fake and hand the ball off, and get hit its a flag.
they can run down the sideline and its up to the defender to avoid them while they may step out of bounds at the last sec or they may fight for an extra yard.