So, armed with three weeks of data and the attention span of a goldfish, ESPN set out to grade the AFC North and the results were nothing if not predictable. Here is what they had to say about the Bengals' efforts so far.

 

Williamson's grade: D. I understand the theory that re-signing your own and cultivating talent through the draft is a great way to build a winner, but Cincinnati opened the free-agency period with a ton of money to spend -- and really has very little to show for it right now.

 

Hensley's comment: The Bengals could have certainly been more aggressive in free agency, especially when addressing needs at safety, outside linebacker and right tackle. But it's hard to give the Bengals something lower than a "C" if they end up re-signing Andre Smith and reaching extensions with defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

 

ESPN Free Agency Grades: Bengals Earn Low Marks - Cincy Jungle

Did they nail it Hellbird?

Did they nail it Hellbird?

Pretty much :lol2:

So, armed with three weeks of data and the attention span of a goldfish, ESPN set out to grade the AFC North and the results were nothing if not predictable. Here is what they had to say about the Bengals' efforts so far.

 

Williamson's grade: D. I understand the theory that re-signing your own and cultivating talent through the draft is a great way to build a winner, but Cincinnati opened the free-agency period with a ton of money to spend -- and really has very little to show for it right now.

 

Hensley's comment: The Bengals could have certainly been more aggressive in free agency, especially when addressing needs at safety, outside linebacker and right tackle. But it's hard to give the Bengals something lower than a "C" if they end up re-signing Andre Smith and reaching extensions with defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

 

ESPN Free Agency Grades: Bengals Earn Low Marks - Cincy Jungle

 

I have no problem at all with what he said. Especially how he talks about how what they are doing is a great way to build a winner. Just because they had a lot of money to spend didn't mean it was worth to go out and give these big contracts that it would have took to get some guys, and then possibly lose one of our own in the future in Geno, Dunlap, Vontez, Green, etc.

I have no problem at all with what he said. Especially how he talks about how what they are doing is a great way to build a winner. Just because they had a lot of money to spend didn't mean it was worth to go out and give these big contracts that it would have took to get some guys, and then possibly lose one of our own in the future in Geno, Dunlap, Vontez, Green, etc.

You are right, just because they had all that money to spend doesn't mean they should go out and get better players thaqn they currently have. Instead lets overspeend for horrible LB's like Rey Rey or has been safeties like Pac Man, or sign a 3rd string QB. Why waste all that money on proven players, lets spend it on middle oof the road players instead.

 

Something else you continue to miss on. You again say they need the money to sign geno and AJ etc. Did you know you have to spend a certain amount of money this year? In other words, YOU STILL HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY THIS YEAR!!!! You can't save it for next year, next year you have to do the same thing, you have to spend a certain amount.....you can't go into the season $30 million under the cap, you have to spend it. So what in the heck does next year have to do with anything?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

You are right, just because they had all that money to spend doesn't mean they should go out and get better players thaqn they currently have. Instead lets overspeend for horrible LB's like Rey Rey or has been safeties like Pac Man, or sign a 3rd string QB. Why waste all that money on proven players, lets spend it on middle oof the road players instead.

 

Something else you continue to miss on. You again say they need the money to sign geno and AJ etc. Did you know you have to spend a certain amount of money this year? In other words, YOU STILL HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY THIS YEAR!!!! You can't save it for next year, next year you have to do the same thing, you have to spend a certain amount.....you can't go into the season $30 million under the cap, you have to spend it. So what in the heck does next year have to do with anything?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

I'm far from a Bengals fan and don't really know their situation but just because they have the money to spend doesn't mean they should spend just to spend. What if the players don't do their system? Spending just because you have the money doesn't always work out, you can use a lot of baseball teams to back that example.

Something else you continue to miss on. You again say they need the money to sign geno and AJ etc. Did you know you have to spend a certain amount of money this year? In other words, YOU STILL HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY THIS YEAR!!!! You can't save it for next year, next year you have to do the same thing, you have to spend a certain amount.....you can't go into the season $30 million under the cap, you have to spend it. So what in the heck does next year have to do with anything?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

Accoring to Joe Reedy, they have to average 89% of the salary cap over a four year period. That doesn't mean they HAVE to spend it every year. I assume they are going to spend heavy with Atkins, Dunlap, Johnson, Green, and maybe Dalton.

 

Joe Reedy ‏@joereedy As I continue to say, its not a year to year thing. Four year period and it is 89 percent

But what was really out there that the bengals needed and could legitimately have a chance to get? Reggie Bush, he aint coming here, who else?

I'm far from a Bengals fan and don't really know their situation but just because they have the money to spend doesn't mean they should spend just to spend. What if the players don't do their system? Spending just because you have the money doesn't always work out, you can use a lot of baseball teams to back that example.

Well if the Bengals way was proven to be the right way then I would be all for doing nothing in FA. The facts point differently though. 20+ years with 0 playoff wins by doing it the Bengals way means they failed and their plan is a failure.

 

How many more genrations does it take until they realize and you all realize that their way doesn't equate to championships?

 

When you "build through the draft" as they have done since Mike Brown took over equates to 0 playoff wins then it's time to wake up and change your ways.

Well if the Bengals way was proven to be the right way then I would be all for doing nothing in FA. The facts point differently though. 20+ years with 0 playoff wins by doing it the Bengals way means they failed and their plan is a failure.

 

How many more genrations does it take until they realize and you all realize that their way doesn't equate to championships?

 

When you "build through the draft" as they have done since Mike Brown took over equates to 0 playoff wins then it's time to wake up and change your ways.

 

Which you would be right on their way sucked if they still were drafting horrible to go along with it. However they have shown that they might have finally got it on how to draft players, as they have been one of the best team in terms of the draft the last few years. So yes that is the reason why their way of doing things is a good idea, since now they are drafting well. Now before the last 4 years, they were horrible to have that strategy, because if you don't draft well and you don't sign anyone then you get what we had for all these years. I can't argue with you on that one. However your the one who just can't let how bad things were in the past go. You can't let your bias of how bad things were get out of your way to see that they they are doing things right for once. That they are actually building a good team. You act like your a realistic fan, but your far from it. You are one has heavy bias in one way that clearly lets it affect your opinion on them, and not realistic at all. Even people not fans who have nothing to do with this team, who have no bias one way or another are even talking about how the Bengals are doing things the right way right now and how good teams are formed.

You are right, just because they had all that money to spend doesn't mean they should go out and get better players thaqn they currently have. Instead lets overspeend for horrible LB's like Rey Rey or has been safeties like Pac Man, or sign a 3rd string QB. Why waste all that money on proven players, lets spend it on middle oof the road players instead.

 

Something else you continue to miss on. You again say they need the money to sign geno and AJ etc. Did you know you have to spend a certain amount of money this year? In other words, YOU STILL HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY THIS YEAR!!!! You can't save it for next year, next year you have to do the same thing, you have to spend a certain amount.....you can't go into the season $30 million under the cap, you have to spend it. So what in the heck does next year have to do with anything?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

When was Pac Man a safety? I guess lets add that to the made up list of things you say. Pac man was rated as one of the best corners in football last year, so nice try on that one. Now if they move Rey to the Sam where he was successful at, then its not to bad either. Now if they keep him in the middle then year that was probably a stupid decision that I can't disagree with you on. Other than that though you basically just don't seem to get it. You don't just go spend money on people just to spend money. You also have to realize there was a reason why some of these players were not brought back to their teams, and it was not just because of money. But yet you want the Bengals to overspend to try to get some of these guys here? And yes signing some of the guys you would have wanted that could have MAYBE made this team better, would have effected the money the Bengals had to sign their own guys next year. Because to get some of those guys you probably wanted, it would have taken multi-year deals to get them in, which is money for next year too.

 

I already have admitted I would have liked to seen them go after a couple of guys, however even though they didn't it wasn't the worst decision in the world. They kept a top 10 defense intact, they have a 1st round corner from last year that should be healthy. Now depending on what they do in the draft they might help out some of the areas they still need help in on defense, and on offense too. This has not been as bad of an off season as you make it out to be, now how they do in the draft will really determine how this off season was.

So futurecoach, simple question...do you think the Bengals will make it to the Super Bowl this year?

 

The Answer to that simple question will tell you if they had a good free agency this off season.

 

My answer, no. They did nothing to get better from last season in free agency, it's been over 2 decades and they are no closer to a super bowl than they were in 1991

So futurecoach, simple question...do you think the Bengals will make it to the Super Bowl this year?

 

The Answer to that simple question will tell you if they had a good free agency this off season.

 

My answer, no. They did nothing to get better from last season in free agency, it's been over 2 decades and they are no closer to a super bowl than they were in 1991

 

Way to avoid the Pac Man is a safety response, which adds to this list of false statements haha.

 

Yes I think they have a chance depending on how they do in the draft. It all will come down to the play of Dalton. Year 3 is a huge year for QB's and when usually they show their most improvement. If he improves his play then yes, but it comes down to him. He has to play better, if he can't play better than no they probably can't win the super bowl. He is the question mark, so my answer depends on his play.

Way to avoid the Pac Man is a safety response, which adds to this list of false statements haha.

 

Yes I think they have a chance depending on how they do in the draft. It all will come down to the play of Dalton. Year 3 is a huge year for QB's and when usually they show their most improvement. If he improves his play then yes, but it comes down to him. He has to play better, if he can't play better than no they probably can't win the super bowl. He is the question mark, so my answer depends on his play.

But according to you Dalton will be as great as Drew Bree's is remember? So you think they will win the Super Bowl right?

 

Or are you one who talks out of both sides of your mouth again? I say they will not win the super bowl or even make it to the AFCCG because I know this team a lot better than you do.

 

Please tell me how this team has improved over last years team so far. You can't because they haven't yet you still claim they are better. So you think they will win the SB and I don't, who do you think will be right? My money is on me, I haven't been wrong about the team yet. Even last year when I said they would lose in their first game of the playoffs and you thought they would win. One of these days you will not be young and gullible when it comes to this team.

But according to you Dalton will be as great as Drew Bree's is remember? So you think they will win the Super Bowl right?

 

Or are you one who talks out of both sides of your mouth again? I say they will not win the super bowl or even make it to the AFCCG because I know this team a lot better than you do.

 

Please tell me how this team has improved over last years team so far. You can't because they haven't yet you still claim they are better. So you think they will win the SB and I don't, who do you think will be right? My money is on me, I haven't been wrong about the team yet. Even last year when I said they would lose in their first game of the playoffs and you thought they would win. One of these days you will not be young and gullible when it comes to this team.

 

Another made up statement. You really are good at that man, you talk about people not quoting you right but you are the king of twisting things around to what you want to hear. Please show me like I have shown you where I have said Dalton will be as great as Brees? I believe I can show you how I have even said he won't be. What I have said is people thought Brees was horrible not only after this first two years, but his first three and is why they drafted Rivers. I even shared articles to you about people thinking Brees was a bad QB back then. I have talked about how he is the same height, and not the strongest arm, and how no one thought he would be anything besides apparently you haha yet he ended up being a hall of famer. Dalton through 2 seasons has been better and shown more than Brees did in three. So my point for everyone who was ready to give up on Dalton was that he can still get better, and Brees was the perfect example of that. Yeah he probably won't be a hall of fame QB, but can possibly become a top 10 QB one day. Next year will be a big year in seeing exactly where Dalton's career is going. He has to show improvement. Nice try again though man.