This could be a fun thread. Let's say you're in charge in Cincy as of now...how do you re-build the team? (Note: You're in complete charge. Mike Brown does not exist...either that or you bought the team from him. :lol:)

 

1. Coaching change? Hire a GM?

2. Do you blow the team up completely, meaning anyone is tradeable or do you build around a handful of young talent?

3. Who gets sent packing (particularly among the marquee names)?

4. What is your strategy to build the roster? Will you focus more on the draft or free agency?

5. 2009 draft strategy...let's assume for arguments sake the Bengals have the #1 pick, so you can have whoever you want.

6. Anything else you want to mention that I left out?

 

 

I think it's kinda fun to play GM and speculate on what you'd do if given the chance. What say you?

1) I hire a GM, and try to hire either Bill Cowher or Marty ball as coach.

 

2) I build around Palmer and Chris Henry on the offensive side of the ball. On D I keep Leon Hall, Chinny, and Rivers. Send the rest packing, well, maybe not Geathers.

 

4) Build through the draft, mainly, look for a big named FA on both sides of the ball though.

 

5) I trade down a couple picks and draft an O-lineman.

1. Hire a quality GM and coach and they fix the rest.

Who would be at the top of the list as a quality GM?

1. Hire a quality GM and coach and they fix the rest.

Who would be at the top of the list as a quality GM?

 

OK...I'm changing the rules. That's the easy way out. Let's say, you are the GM...what do you do?

OK...I'm changing the rules. That's the easy way out. Let's say, you are the GM...what do you do?

 

Wait a second. You changed the rules in the predict the wins thread. We're even:D:lol:

Wait a second. You changed the rules in the predict the wins thread. We're even:D:lol:

 

I don't know what you're talking about...

Here's what I would do...I'd use my DVR to rewind back to a week before the 2008 draft and I'd trade Chad Johnson to the Redskins for 2 draft picks.

I don't know what you're talking about...

 

I see how you are..

Seriously, I think you'd almost have to make a coaching change at this point.

Obviously, Cowher would be a target. So, coaching aside...

 

Looking at personnel...I'd focus on the offensive and defensive lines until I got that fixed. O-line would be top priority, because Carson Palmer won't be leaving Cincy if I'm GM and I'm not going to get my franchise QB killed. From the offense, I'd keep Palmer, T.J. and Stacy Andrews for sure...

 

Defensively, I like the young secondary...I wouldn't declare them untouchable, but I wouldn't be looking to move them. Keith Rivers is a keeper. Odom and Geathers have decent potential, but help is needed in the interior before you can maximize the value of your ends.

 

I'd probably try to unload Chad Johnson. Hopefully, he'd bring at least a 2nd round pick. Not sure about Chris Henry...seeing how I inherited him, I'd probably keep him. But, he'd be gone at the first sign of smoke.

 

I'd focus on building my roster through the draft and developing my own players. I would not depend on free agency to quick-fix things. As for the draft, there are three players I'd probably decided between...

 

1. Michael Oher (LT), Ole Miss

2. Andre Smith (LT), Alabama

3. Eugene Monroe (LT), Virginia

 

More than likely, I'd pick one of the SEC guys. Assuming the pick works out and Andrews develops into a dominant RT, you have your bookend tackles and franchise QB for the the next 5-10 years.

 

With so many good RB's in the league right now and quite a few coming out of college, it seems like you'd be able to land a quality guy after the first round. Depending on who fell where, I'd possibly look for a starting back in the second or third.

 

Obviously, DT would be the #2 priority, but I wouldn't reach for a guy if the value wasn't there and I wouldn't take the top DT over the top LT because I have to take care of Palmer. (An alternative would be to blow the offense up completely, deal Palmer for picks and you could probably address both lines in the draft...but you might be looking for a QB for the next 10 years. I don't think you can trade a proven, franchise talent at QB.)

 

The last things I'll add is that there is one potential FA that I'd take a stab at. Albert Haynesworth. If the Titans let him hit the market, I'd definitely look into signing him. His presence could immediately make the Bengals defense respectable, if not flat out good.

 

This is all just guess-work though...because I have no idea how the Bengals cap situation will be over the next few years and how trading a guy like Chad would affect it. They may not be in great shape cap-wise to make a lot of moves.

This could be a fun thread. Let's say you're in charge in Cincy as of now...how do you re-build the team? (Note: You're in complete charge. Mike Brown does not exist...either that or you bought the team from him. :lol:)

 

1. Coaching change? Hire a GM?

2. Do you blow the team up completely, meaning anyone is tradeable or do you build around a handful of young talent?

3. Who gets sent packing (particularly among the marquee names)?

4. What is your strategy to build the roster? Will you focus more on the draft or free agency?

5. 2009 draft strategy...let's assume for arguments sake the Bengals have the #1 pick, so you can have whoever you want.

6. Anything else you want to mention that I left out?

 

1. Coaching change for sure. Marvin and Brat definitely would be gone. Then new coach could decide on rest of the staff if they stay or go. I would like to see them go after Bill Cowher, Pete Carroll, I would try to talk to Jimmy Johnson see if he interested in coming back to coaching, or Lane Kiffin assuming the Raiders are dumb and let him go.

 

2. I wouldn't blow it up that much at all. There is talent here, I really think the coaching is a big part of it with this group right now. I would probably let TJ go after season. He is getting up there in age, and will probably want a big contract. Would stick with Chad (he probably be happy with new coaches, so wouldn't be a problem hopefully). Keep Chris Henry as long as he still has kept out of trouble, and give the two young receivers we just drafter a chance.

 

3. I as I said would probably let TJ go to his free agency. Dexter Jackson would be gone, John Thorton and one of the other defensive tackles. I would hope new coach would switch to a 3/4 defense as well.

 

4. Would build through the draft, however if there is someone like a Haynesworth that could make a run at then would. Also if a good center is on the market I would go after them.

 

5. I wont say we will have the 1st pick cause not that bad IMO. AT this rate looking like definite top 5 or at worst top 10. So I would really look if there is a top running back available, or a top linebacker who is also a good pass rusher.

1. Coaching change for sure. Marvin and Brat definitely would be gone. Then new coach could decide on rest of the staff if they stay or go. I would like to see them go after Bill Cowher, Pete Carroll, I would try to talk to Jimmy Johnson see if he interested in coming back to coaching, or Lane Kiffin assuming the Raiders are dumb and let him go.

 

2. I wouldn't blow it up that much at all. There is talent here, I really think the coaching is a big part of it with this group right now. I would probably let TJ go after season. He is getting up there in age, and will probably want a big contract. Would stick with Chad (he probably be happy with new coaches, so wouldn't be a problem hopefully). Keep Chris Henry as long as he still has kept out of trouble, and give the two young receivers we just drafter a chance.

 

3. I as I said would probably let TJ go to his free agency. Dexter Jackson would be gone, John Thorton and one of the other defensive tackles. I would hope new coach would switch to a 3/4 defense as well.

 

4. Would build through the draft, however if there is someone like a Haynesworth that could make a run at then would. Also if a good center is on the market I would go after them.

 

5. I wont say we will have the 1st pick cause not that bad IMO. AT this rate looking like definite top 5 or at worst top 10. So I would really look if there is a top running back available, or a top linebacker who is also a good pass rusher.

 

2. T.J. is roughly 3 months older than Chad. He's far more consistent and dependable...not to mention, his style would age better because he's more of a possession guy. Chad is more of a big play guy who depends on speed and quickness.

 

3. You can't switch to the 3-4 without the personnel, and the Bengals most certainly don't have it. That switch probably would take at least a couple of off-seasons to get the players needed to run it. I agree on Jackson...not sure about the current DT's though. Whether or not I kept them would depend on what I could do in the draft and free agency. May not have any alternative but to ride it out another season with them.

 

4. A good center would definitely help...I'd try to get one somehow...whether it was a solid FA pickup or identifying a good one in the draft.

 

5. I'm not going to speculate on where the Bengals finish...I only gave them the #1 pick in this case so there wouldn't be any question of who you'd draft. You can have whoever you want. There's no way I'd look at anything but offensive and defensive lines in the first round with the Bengals roster. A good RB can be picked up in round 2 or 3 (even later than that sometimes)...

This could be a fun thread. Let's say you're in charge in Cincy as of now...how do you re-build the team? (Note: You're in complete charge. Mike Brown does not exist...either that or you bought the team from him. :lol:)

 

1. Coaching change? Hire a GM?

2. Do you blow the team up completely, meaning anyone is tradeable or do you build around a handful of young talent?

3. Who gets sent packing (particularly among the marquee names)?

4. What is your strategy to build the roster? Will you focus more on the draft or free agency?

5. 2009 draft strategy...let's assume for arguments sake the Bengals have the #1 pick, so you can have whoever you want.

6. Anything else you want to mention that I left out?

 

 

If you're the owner, you hire a GM who knows football and let him do his job.

 

That being said, if you're the GM...here's what I would do.

 

1. Carson, TJ and even Chad go nowhere. (Despite his antics he's too good of a talent to let go.)

 

2. Hire a coach and/or offensive coordinator who will build their offense around these three...but will be diverse enough to not become one dimensional. But, don't outsmart yourself. If someone's got a hot hand during a game...go to them more often, even if it's outside your original game plan.

 

3. If you end up running a 3-4 defense, you absolutely have to have a stud in the middle up front. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Whether you get one via free agency or the draft...get one.

 

4. Get the owner to spend some money. More likely in free agency than with the draft. Rookies are unproven at this level. I'd rather give the extra cash to someone that has shown what they can do here.

 

5. Pray that you don't have the same luck at Matt Millen.

If you're the owner, you hire a GM who knows football and let him do his job.

 

That being said, if you're the GM...here's what I would do.

 

1. Carson, TJ and even Chad go nowhere. (Despite his antics he's too good of a talent to let go.)

 

2. Hire a coach and/or offensive coordinator who will build their offense around these three...but will be diverse enough to not become one dimensional. But, don't outsmart yourself. If someone's got a hot hand during a game...go to them more often, even if it's outside your original game plan.

 

3. If you end up running a 3-4 defense, you absolutely have to have a stud in the middle up front. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Whether you get one via free agency or the draft...get one.

 

4. Get the owner to spend some money. More likely in free agency than with the draft. Rookies are unproven at this level. I'd rather give the extra cash to someone that has shown what they can do here.

 

5. Pray that you don't have the same luck at Matt Millen.

 

Has #4 ever resulted in a Super Bowl? You can buy a playoff berth by overpaying for free agents, but usually the fall is not far behind.

 

If I'm taking control in Cincinnati, I'm not necessarily worried about making the playoffs this year or next as much as I want to get the right system in place of focusing on getting the right players for the system and building the roster through the draft. My goal would be to get a system in place where the team could absorb injuries and free agent losses and stay competitive by always having young, home-grown players that can step in and perform when the time comes. Free agency is a great tool to add a missing piece here and there, but you can't build a consistent winner by relying on that. One of the problems with it is that you never know how a guy will perform in a different system surrounded by different players...there aren't a ton of players that are so talented they excel in any situation, and those types of guys aren't typically available.

Here's what I would do...I'd use my DVR to rewind back to a week before the 2008 draft and I'd trade Chad Johnson to the Redskins for 2 draft picks.

 

I'd go back a little farther than that. Eric Steinbach and Steven Jackson would be on my current squad.

Has #4 ever resulted in a Super Bowl? You can buy a playoff berth by overpaying for free agents, but usually the fall is not far behind.

 

I'm not saying you deliberately go out and overpay on the market. But, you can't expect a low-ball bid to get high-caliber talent to come here to play for the Bengals. (Maybe to the Cowboys or Patriots, maybe)

 

As to whether getting a key free agent can get you to the Super Bowl, I look at Randy Moss and Plaxico Burress from last year, Rodney Harrison and Mike Vrabel (also with the Pats), Shannon Sharpe for the Ravens, just to name a few of the "stars". But, I'd be surprised that if you went through the starting offensive and defensive lines from the past 5 Super Bowls, that every single person was drafted by those clubs. So, yes, spending some money to get a free agent can get you to the Super Bowl. Will it do all the time...no. And when it does work for you, will it automatically be the next year...again, not necessarily.