FatNate

What’s the issue with the schedule? Both scrimmages will be a challenge. I don’t know much about Indian Hills but I expect it to be competitive. Cov Cath is a great program and rival. The district schedule is awful and filled with running clocks (which I hate but you have to play those games). DH, SK, and Campbell are all big schools and very beatable. What changes would you like to see made with the schedule?

I don’t love this idea. Volker has a lot to gain from a successful season, in my opinion. I would have about the same level of concern with Coach Rash coming on as interim and how ‘committed’ he would be vs the current situation.

Isn’t this time of year a hard time to hire a coach? Just seems late in the cycle, which would worry me about getting the best applicant pool possible.

Yes. I feel bad for the kids.

I don’t feel like there is any drama and I understand the personal decision he made. With that said I also feel like this might be his last year with BW. He is an Ohio guy and he is losing some incredible talent after this season. I think he might move on after this season. BW is never really down but they could take a small step back leading into 27/28 season. Seems like the writing is on the wall to me.

Confirmed. Does appear he will be staying on as the football coach.

What are the rules on contact for football practice? I have watched several middle school practices over the last few years. They NEVER hit fully or tackle to the ground. It has to be challenging to teach proper techniques (blocking and tackle), the whistle is blown so quickly. How do high school teams handle contact in practice?

Everywhere you look the experts are ranking the Bengals draft highly. Howell over Rodriguez, I personally don’t like, but most experts really like Howell. Worst pick is the WR to me (and to me it was straight up a bad pick). I am not sure what other options were available but I assume the plan for him to be the future replacement as the 3rd WR in a year or two. I really like the O linemen the team drafted. Originally was turned off by the injury report but with a little digging I don’t think it’s going to be problem. They just need to be back up good this season with an eye on the future. We needed O line depth and these guys provide the flexibility to help this season. Much better 2026 off season than last year. Maybe not perfect, but more aggressive addressing needs this year. The leadership group needs to keep working. Team needs to get an extension done with DJ Turner and find a veteran LB. No idea about what is money available, but the LB is a must. The Turner move would be another step towards the leadership team being more aggressive and potentially more creative with the contract.

Both Yates and Kiper had Rodriguez ahead of Howell. At the very least I consider them as a dead heat and my tiebreaker would have been position of greatest need — LB.

CBS also gave Ravens a B+, Cleveland an A, and the Steelers a B+.

CBS snap grade for 2026 draft:

I saw he was ahead of schedule with his rehab.

I have read several stories connecting this guy to the Bengals. Glad they didn’t reach and still got him. I like it.

Agreed. Parker seems perfect. Immediate interior depth. Future center prospect. Nice pick in the 6th.

Come on, is that true about the first C they drafted? Yeah, with a quick google search to confirm. This leadership group just can’t be trusted with the draft. I am disappointed with the draft. Makes me even more happy that they traded away the 10th pick.

What is a realistic improvement goal from the current LBs? Maybe that position just isn’t important in today’s game. Have to save some money somewhere. I am just concerned even if they improve by 15-spots on the PFF list they will still rank in the bottom of 25%. Improved defense all around them should help. Just very concerned with the position.

Fact. Their actions have told us that all off season.

Not a fan of the WR pick. Make no mistake our 3rd WR isn’t very good. I just would have preferred Bowery for O line depth and possible swing tackle as he develops.

I don’t trust the Bengals board. Most of the rating I saw scored the LBs higher. Also, most sites like the Howell pick. I am just sharing my opinion and I may be in the minority.

I like it too. I haven’t loved the off season. However, I do like they are trying some different approaches than ever before.

I don’t know enough about the options in the third round. But, in the second round I would have taken the best LB available. Bengals signed Mafe and need to give Stewart an opportunity to play, as well as, another year of an improved Miles. Howell will be a rotational piece. Rodriguez, Allen. or Golday makes the team better immediately. LB draft pick feels more like a win now pick than Howell.

Not what I was expecting but the initial reactions from CBS and USA Today are very positive with the pick of Howell.

Heard the radio mention some concern about the other knee. Again, only a quick blurb from the local guys. Not sure how factual it is.

If the knee is truly that bad, needing more surgery, then I also not sure I am willing to risk it. It also makes me wonder how much better his 4.38 forty time, plus that 38-in vertical and 10’7” broad jump, would be if he was actually healthy? Those were his numbers from his pro day at the end of March.

Was really nice waking up this morning and not finding the Bengals on any of these lists: Biggest Head Scratcher Picks Top Five Surprise Picks As we all know these lists are attempts by the media to say the team pick was horrible without saying the pick was horrible. Even better was not having to hear and read about the need to develop the first round pick — again.