Things got a little heated over on the Browns thread, so come over this way, Bengals fans! We have a lot of reasons for optimism headed into this year, so let's focus on that!
(Full disclosure for the long post: I have a little quarantine situation here at the house, and it's been 90+ all week in Cincy, so I can't hardly even go out in the backyard so figured I'd start typing up some not-so-hot takes!...my apologies in advance haha)
Here's some of my perspective on some key points of the Bengals team this year. Discuss!
Joe: Let’s go.
“Mainstream” view: Bengals are still an afterthought (lucky, fluke SB run, they’re still just the Bengals), which is both amazing and welcomed by me! I get they’re an easy pick for SB hangover, but in my view this team ended up way ahead of schedule last year, improved the biggest weakness in FA, and kept all their coaches and key players. They’re ready to keep growing. Let everyone else ignore them, talk trash, and write them off. I love it.
Jessie Bates contract situation: I think he really might just sit out the year. His big-time agent is trying to play hardball, and the Bengals don’t blink in these situations. (I think now we’re past the date of being able to negotiate anyway, so it’s Franchise Tag or nothing…correct me if I’m wrong?)
I hope he gets to a point that he realizes he just needs to sign the franchise tag and ball out, then leave after this season and try to get the #1 Safety $$$ that the Bengals obviously don’t have him valued at. I understand the Bengals perspective that they need to plan for extensions down the road for key players like Burrow and Chase, probably Logan Wilson (and maybe hope to find a way to keep Tee Higgins too?). So that along with them drafting 3 DBs are indicators that they’re not breaking the bank to keep Bates.
Young D-Lineman: need a DE to step up. Hendrickson can’t do it all game long on his own. Love Hubbard overall but he’s not an elite pass rusher. For this secondary to really excel, going to need to get pressure fairly consistently. Hopefully Joseph Ossai can be a big contributor, and Sample & Kareem etc. can have some value rotationally. Interested to see how/where Zach Carter fits in.
CB2: Eli Apple played well at times last year, but still not a CB2 I'm supremely confident in. If Cam Taylor-Britt can earn playing time and be reliable, that would be a huge boost.
Left Guard: Only big concern on the O-line. I really hope Cordell Volson turns out to be a good find and vastly outplays Carman. Other than that, depth still a concern…just one or two plays away from Adeniji and Prince being back on the field.
WR/RB: Best set of 4 skill players in the NFL (Chase, Higgins, Boyd, Mixon). Need the 3 WRs healthy because there’s not much behind them. I’m personally hoping Chris Evans at develops into RB2, and maybe even a sort of hybrid slot receiver given the lack of depth at WR. My worry is that Taylor is too loyal to Perine and will hold Evans back.
Hayden Hurst: Very excited to see him work as an under-the-radar option at TE. Dude was a first round pick but got stuck behind both Mark Andrews (Bal) and Kyle Pitts (Atl). Not expecting massive production due to the other talent on offense, but I think he can at least replicate Uzomah (500 yds, 5 td) and maybe be more like a 700/8 guy as a red zone weapon who can sneak around and get open when all the attention is focused on the WRs.
Zac Taylor: Seems that he’s built a great culture group. It was a rough road his first two years, but you saw what great team chemistry can do during the back half of last year. He needs to let Joe take control and win games. I do think this turned around when he realized he completely f**** up the 49ers game with his OT play calling.
Lou Anarumo: He was the man behind the curtain for the SB run. So glad he’s back. It’s not a defense loaded with pro-bowlers, but it’s a good group and with Lou running the show, I like what they’ve got.
White Helmets! I guess they still haven’t been officially revealed, so we’ll see. I’d really like it if they did white helmet, black stripes, and a thin orange outline around the stripes like the numbers on the away jersey. Could wear those with white jersey and the black pants and it would be an amazing look.
Exciting TV Slots! 5 Primetime games and 3 in the "featured" 4:30 Sunday window (Cowboys, Chiefs, Bucs). Really looking forward to some awesome, big games.
What other key topics/comments do you have surrounding the '22 Bengals?? Last year ended up being the most fun of my life as a Bengals fan, let's hope the encore keeps that momentum going!
