2012-2013 Bengals Discussion

[Sea Ray]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

Us Cincinnati fans all hate Mike Brown, for a pretty good reason I may add. But I also think there needs to be a point where we start giving the Bengals organization credit. We all say Mike Brown is cheep but he has paid up to keep Zimmer on as the defensive coordinator. When Gruden was hired we laughed saying Brown though he was hiring John and got Jay. He brought in Hue Jackson after his stint as HC in Oakland. Granted they are still a small front office, but one that has gotten bigger lately.

Now to the actual players. Spending top dollar in free agency is a recipe for disaster. For ever J Joseph who becomes a top tier player on another team, there is a Mario Williams who is quiet on his new team. I am not sure of the new collective bargaining agreement, but I think you have to wait to extend draft picks. Green, Dunlap and Adkins MUST be extended and retained. Same can be said about Andre Smith. But there is a question with Michael Johnson, is he a difference maker, or is he going to be like Robert Gathers, a nice complimentary player but nothing special. The last thing you want to do is hand out big extensions to guys who are replaceable.

Time will tell but I like the path the Bengals are on. They do need to open up the pocket books but do that in extending your current stars, not trying to be a player in FA.

Three playoff appearances in four years sounds like a long term trend to me and not just a blind squirrel finding a nut. They're not yet the Steelers or Patriots but they're not the 90s Bengals either.

All this while playing in arguably the toughest division in football. I doubt any division has placed more teams in the playoffs than the AFC North in those 4 yrs

[Stray]

It'd be nice to get a 10 win season. I agree with not resting starters because it can throw momentum off, it's a risk but so is every week. Oh and I just saw Kyle Cook is starting over Robinson again...maybe there's something he brings that isn't visible to the naked eye, but I can't figure it out.

[blumj]

Originally Posted by Sea Ray

Three playoff appearances in four years sounds like a long term trend to me and not just a blind squirrel finding a nut. They're not yet the Steelers or Patriots but they're not the 90s Bengals either.

All this while playing in arguably the toughest division in football. I doubt any division has placed more teams in the playoffs than the AFC North in those 4 yrs

No other, 9 in 4 years, although the NFC North might only be one back after today if the Bears or Vikings gets in. The AFC West has had the bare minimum of 4, and even one of those was an 8-8 team. And, for all the NFC East is such a tough division talk we're subjected to every year, they're likely to end up with only 5, just 1 better.

[Ohayou]

Johnson reaches double digits in sacks.

[Boss-Hog]

What's the latest with the Law Firm? They said on TV he pulled his hamstring in warmups, but I couldn't figure out if that's legit or just a nice way of saying he will not play.

[Ohayou]

Burfict all over the field today.

[KoryMac5]

I think I would rather keep Johnson than Dunlap if it comes down to a choice between the two. I like Johnson's overall game a bit better. With Atkins providing the push we can find another DE to fit the defensive scheme if we lose one to FA.

[Ohayou]

Originally Posted by KoryMac5

I think I would rather keep Johnson than Dunlap if it comes down to a choice between the two. I like Johnson's overall game a bit better. With Atkins providing the push we can find another DE to fit the defensive scheme if we lose one to FA.

Speak of the devil.

[The Operator]

Carlos Dunlap with the pick-6.

That guy is good.

[KoryMac5]

Let's not pick between the two, how bout we keep both!

[The Operator]

Originally Posted by KoryMac5

Let's not pick between the two, how bout we keep both!

I like the way you think.

[Ohayou]

Looks like we'll be playing the Texans (again) this year, assuming both the Broncos/Patriots win today. I can't complain.

[Redhook]

Pretty sweet for the Bengals that Houston just lost. With NE and Denver hopefully winning later today, the Bengals go to Houston. They can beat them.

[Stray]

10-6 with terrible losses to Cleveland, Miami, a game given away to Dallas, and a 4 game losing streak? I'll take it!

[RiverRat13]

I think they'll go ahead and take care of a Dalton extension this offseason. He's a statistically average to slightly average QB so I hope his new contract reflects that. After him, my personal priority list to extend:

1. Atkins
2. Green
3. Dunlap
4. Johnson
5. Smith

Atkins and Green are really 1A and 1B but A.J. has two years left on his deal so Geno's new deal takes first priority for me. However, I believe that A.J. gets a new deal this offseason first of the two. I don't think Smith is the worst player on the list, but he's the biggest risk as the potential is still there for him to eat his way out of the league and in today's NFL guys who get to the QB are more valuable than right tackles. I would be ecstatic if all of the guys get new deals but not sure if that is possible even with all of the Bengals' cap space.