(01-30-2022, 08:42 PM)Bullseye Wrote:

(01-30-2022, 08:24 PM)JagsFansince1995 Wrote: We do need playmakers and a more solid D overall.  Imo, the Bengals showed that the chiefs aren't as dominant and unbeatable as previously foreseen, when they took over the league under Mahomes a couple years ago.

Solid Defense and 2022 standard top 10ish scoring offense and anything is possible.  This isn't a Brady Era takeover which makes me happy to see.  The AFC is winnable and bills and Bengals were close games with our garbage scheming majority of the year.  HIGH HOPES!

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I'm glad you mentioned this.

Every year, the endless debate of building through the trenches vs. building with playmakers continues.

The Bengals illustrate the building with playmakers philosophy at work.

Dating back to 2016-six years to this season-of twelve (12) possible first and second round picks the Bengals had, exactlly three (3) of them were spent on offensive linemen:

2021 2md round pick Jackson Carman OL Clemson
2019 1st round pick Jonah Williams, T, Alabama
2018 1st round pick Billy Price, C, Ohio State

The remaining nine, conversely, were spent on skill position players.

2021 1st round pick Jamarr Chase, WR, LSU
2020 1st round pick Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2020 2nd round pick Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
2019 2nd round pick Drew Sample, TE, Washington
2018 2nd round pick Jessie Bates, S, Wake Forest
2017 1st round pick John Ross, WR, Washington
2017 2nd round pick Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma
2016 1st round pick William Jackson, CB, Houston
2016 2nd round pick Tyler boyd, WR, Pittsburgh

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/t.../draft.htm

Yes, we need to improve the lines, especially on offense.

But we also need the skill position players.

The biggest reason for the Bengals turnaround was that after years of failing and being the laughingstock of the NFL, Mike Brown turned over almost all of his duties running the team to his daughter, Katie Blackburn. She is very smart and began building the team the way it needed to be built. What you see now, is her creation. Someone needs to tell Shad that it is time to turn over the keys to Tony.

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