15 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

40 million deal for a guy with 6 sacks 4 starts.

That is some good numbers so in his 4 starts that is an average of 1.5 sacks per start. That would be 25.5 in a 17 game season starting. ?‍♂️

it is only day one.  A little disappointed with the start.  I was expecting more from the day.  Team wasn’t as aggressive as I had hoped. 

4 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

That is some good numbers so in his 4 starts that is an average of 1.5 sacks per start. That would be 25.5 in a 17 game season starting. ?‍♂️

My bad they paid 60 million. His numbers have declined as well.

Signed 

• EDGE Boye Mafe -- 3 years, $60 million 
• S Bryan Cook -- 3 years, $42.5 million

Retained

• OG Dalton Risner -- 1 year, up to $5 million

I think the hometown kid Cook is a quality signing but I scratch my head on the overpay in my opinion for Mafe. 

If we had an owner and a competent GM who wanted to truly win it all we would have made the trade for Crosby to surely replace the outgoing head case Hendrickson. 

 

4 minutes ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

I think the hometown kid Cook is a quality signing but I scratch my head on the overpay in my opinion for Mafe. 

If we had an owner and a competent GM who wanted to truly win it all we would have made the trade for Crosby to surely replace the outgoing head case Hendrickson. 

 

You can say the Bengals aren't a team to make blockbuster trades but when Crosby is available you swing for the fences.  

I wonder how Burrow feels now. He faces his existing foes Watt and Garrett twice a year already and now add in Crosby! 

4 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

My bad they paid 60 million. His numbers have declined as well.

Overpay surely. 

3 hours ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

I think the hometown kid Cook is a quality signing but I scratch my head on the overpay in my opinion for Mafe. 

If we had an owner and a competent GM who wanted to truly win it all we would have made the trade for Crosby to surely replace the outgoing head case Hendrickson. 

 

Signing Cook is a head scratcher. They pay him but wouldn't pay Jeese Bates when he was a free agent and considered the best safety in the league. The Bengals make no sense!

3 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Signing Cook is a head scratcher. They pay him but wouldn't pay Jeese Bates when he was a free agent and considered the best safety in the league. The Bengals make no sense!

 

6 hours ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

I think the hometown kid Cook is a quality signing but I scratch my head on the overpay in my opinion for Mafe. 

If we had an owner and a competent GM who wanted to truly win it all we would have made the trade for Crosby to surely replace the outgoing head case Hendrickson. 

 

 

6 hours ago, BlueBloodedColonel said:

Overpay surely. 

I don't think it was an overpay for Mafe at all, as this number was not much higher than what people were expecting. Especially when you consider how much edge players go for these days. 

To add more to it. Mafe has increased his pressure win percentage every year in his career. Mafe numbers wise is very similar to what Hendrickson was when the Bengals initially signed Hendrickson. 

Hendrickson a 10.2% win rate, 113 pressures, and 21 sacks. 

Mafe a 11% win rate, 161 pressures, and 20 sacks. 

Hendrickson signed for 4 years for 60 million. 

Mafe signed for 3 years for 60 million.

The salary cap in 2021 was 180 million. The salary cap now is 300 million. So the salary cap is 120 million more than in 2021 when Hendrickson signed. So in reality this is essentially on par with the same contract that Hendrickson got in 2021. So not really an overpay at all, and on par with what edge rushers like Mafe would go for now in compared to 2021. 

Most experts have said this group of free agents isn’t great and most teams are over paying.  I like both signings.  I believe they address immediatel needs.  I like the story of Cook and he has produced for a proven winner.  He is a no brainer plug and play. I think Mafe fits the athletic model the Bengals like, and will be used as a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher.  He is a Super Bowl champ and will be given opportunity to perform.  I am concerned the Bengals paid for upside here and that doesn’t always work out.  Ultimately, if this team is going to compete for a division championship and Super Bowl, these signings aren’t enough and a lot more work needs to be done today.  Finding contributing pieces that are further down the free agency lists will be key to the success next fall.

 

What do they say in golf — you don’t win the tournament on day one, but sure can lose it.   Bengals didn’t lose it yesterday, even if I only like the signings and wanted more done yesterday, they still have plenty of opportunities to build improved team. 

4 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Signing Cook is a head scratcher. They pay him but wouldn't pay Jeese Bates when he was a free agent and considered the best safety in the league. The Bengals make no sense!

Just like a Steeler fan — only wanting to talk about the past.  Bengals moved on from Bates and so have the fans. 

I hope the Bengals target Chenal at linebacker.  Also think guys like Bosa and Chaisson on the edge should be considered.  Wouldn’t hurt to consider Woolen or Wright at corner.  Several safeties left.  Unfortunately, doesn’t appear to be any real help on the interior of the line.  Bengals needed to sign JFM.  Please don’t respond with they were in the running.  Of course they were; anyone with Madden experience saw that need.  The job isn’t about trying, it’s about getting it done!  Cue the fans calling for the team to bring back Reader.  Interior line will have to be drafted.  

6 minutes ago, FatNate said:

I hope the Bengals target Chenal at linebacker.  Also think guys like Bosa and Chaisson on the edge should be considered.  Wouldn’t hurt to consider Woolen or Wright at corner.  Several safeties left.  Unfortunately, doesn’t appear to be any real help on the interior of the line.  Bengals needed to sign JFM.  Please don’t respond with they were in the running.  Of course they were; anyone with Madden experience saw that need.  The job isn’t about trying, it’s about getting it done!  Cue the fans calling for the team to bring back Reader.  Interior line will have to be drafted.  

I would love to see the Bengals get Chenal, and also DT Logan Hall. He is a former 33rd overall draft pick, and is very athletic as a 3 Tech, and can play some 5 tech when the Bengals do their 3 man front stuff. Golden up until last year had always been a big blitzer and a guy who does a lot of line stunts, so getting someone athletic at the 3 tech like Logan Hall would be very beneficial. If they can get Chenal and Hall today, they are in a great spot. Still could add some cheaper veteran deals, but they would be in a good spot heading into the draft. 

7 minutes ago, FatNate said:

I hope the Bengals target Chenal at linebacker.  Also think guys like Bosa and Chaisson on the edge should be considered.  Wouldn’t hurt to consider Woolen or Wright at corner.  Several safeties left.  Unfortunately, doesn’t appear to be any real help on the interior of the line.  Bengals needed to sign JFM.  Please don’t respond with they were in the running.  Of course they were; anyone with Madden experience saw that need.  The job isn’t about trying, it’s about getting it done!  Cue the fans calling for the team to bring back Reader.  Interior line will have to be drafted.  

I am no expert.  Not even close.  I am most hopeful they sign Chenal today.  Then start targeting solid pros with some upside or situational experts to add depth on the defensive line, particularly on the inside.  It would be nice to be able to take the best available guy at 10 and not forced to take a specific position.  

2 hours ago, futurecoach said:

I would love to see the Bengals get Chenal, and also DT Logan Hall. He is a former 33rd overall draft pick, and is very athletic as a 3 Tech, and can play some 5 tech when the Bengals do their 3 man front stuff. Golden up until last year had always been a big blitzer and a guy who does a lot of line stunts, so getting someone athletic at the 3 tech like Logan Hall would be very beneficial. If they can get Chenal and Hall today, they are in a great spot. Still could add some cheaper veteran deals, but they would be in a good spot heading into the draft. 

 

2 hours ago, FatNate said:

I am no expert.  Not even close.  I am most hopeful they sign Chenal today.  Then start targeting solid pros with some upside or situational experts to add depth on the defensive line, particularly on the inside.  It would be nice to be able to take the best available guy at 10 and not forced to take a specific position.  

If the Bengals sign a LB and DT, they can draft best player available at pick 10 regardless of position.