UnluckyforSome

The best is when we make JAGs into All Pros, and then are consumed with disappointment and anger when they inevitably flop and can't possibly live up to the expectations.

You are fighting the good fight on this, but I think it is all for naught. Some of these proposals are ridiculous.

I would be shocked if they took trash and scraps for him. They've already said at some point he is just going to have to be happy with that they offer up. His asking price is not 20 million or that ballpark per year either. That kind of gets to the heart of the matter anyway. Bengals have been trying to sign him to a prove-it kind of deal, short term, lower money but a slight bump from his salary now, and he feels, rightfully, that he has proven it already.

At some point the only thing you can do is laugh. There comes a point when you really just have to accept that it's not going to work out. Not in the cards. Not in the stars. I love football. I played it, and I have been employed in the sport. The shitty Panthers that find ways to lose over and over are not going to ruin it for me, try as they might. Mike Brown gets a bunch of flak for how the Bengals are ran, and deservedly so maybe. I think we are at that level. Every once in a while there will be a good year. The 2005 team is my favorite Panthers team. They almost got to it. But for the most part, every year is the same old poo over and over. This year will be no different. There isn't going to be a remarkable playoff run. There isn't going to be a magical trip to the big game. There isn't going to be an MVP season. They might win 4 games. Maybe 6 or 7 if they catch some breaks. What can you do? Except shrug, laugh, wait until next year.

We've all been full of angst about never having back-to-back winning seasons, but look on the bright side. After this season, we will have had 8 straight losing seasons, and that puts us right on the precipice of a decade of straight losing seasons. Quite the lowly accomplishment.

As John Fox was fond of declaring, "It is what it is." We don't draft well, we don't scout well, we don't hire well, and the mascot is a back cat. Hey, we've been to 2 Superbowls and lost both of them, and nearly made a 3rd.

It's ok. These games don't count. Practice? We're talking about practice! We haven't been eliminated from the playoffs yet. We just need to get on a run. Get a couple of bounces to go our way. Superbowl is still possible.

No plan B, and there shouldn't be. The worst thing in the world is to somehow wrangle out a mediocre record.

Yeah, I agree that the rb ranking doesn't make much sense. I expected that to be higher.

Not a whole bunch of good news overall. Interior d-line is the highest ranking position group, and makes it into the top half. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45908900/2025-nfl-season-positional-group-best-worst-quarterbacks-cornerbacks-receivers

In how many games? Zing!

Quality backups are absolutely important. This franchise has been plagued with depth problems. That said, there is a little bit of dismay that Mays can't beat out a 1-legged man, and all the talk going into the off-season was how BC would certainly be gone since he had position versatility. In the end, it doesn't matter too awfully much, as I would be shocked to no end if Corbett makes it through the season. We know what we have in reserve, and that should surely be better than trying to sign random fat guys mid season to try and take over.

The best center we have ever had was a 2nd rounder. There are always options later in the draft, but then it is more of a question of effective scouting, and that, for whatever reason, has never been a strong point for us. Personally, I think we have Moton's replacement already on the roster, but we have been playing him at left tackle instead. So not sure if there is a future center on the roster, maybe it's Mayes, but I am of the opinion that you draft for oline every year and always have someone in the pipeline. We do not do that really.

100%. It's a little bit of splitting hairs on what position is most important though, and there is some nuance as the roles are different.

Centers are usually easier to find than left tackles, as there is a difference in the necessary physical skill. Centers don't need to be dancing bears to be considered the best at their position. They do need to be stout enough to be an obstacle in the A gap, and they need to be smart enough to call out coverages.

I think he will be the most impactful of our FA signings. All of the signings on D are role players/2nd tier players. We might have just rearranged deck chairs on the Titanic.

The current coach has not been known for operating a run heavy offense either.

Nah, losing to the Falcons at home during their Petrino "I quit" season is worse. Not by much though.

A lot of that I think is the hope of talking it into existence. Barring a collapse from Tampa, we aren't in for a break-thru year. Maybe the offense will be a notch better, or more consistent, but it better be capable of averaging 30+ points a game, because I have a sinking feeling that the defense sure will.

I don't think it's the worst thing ever either. Of course, he doesn't use those hands to actually catch footballs, but it's good to see him being productive at least.

Well, it sure looks like the playoff drought will be extended another year. Maybe they will turn it on when the real games start.

You're very right. It could've been much, much worse.

Add it to the list, unfortunately.

On the bright side, 5 straight punts is giving the special teams some extra work they desperately needed.

The risk in making statements such as no qb could have flourished with those skill players, is what will be the reason now if there are struggles? Honestly, given the assumed state of the division, we should sweep the Saints and at minimum split with Falcons and Bucs. A 4-2 division record should be very much an expectation. At the very least. We should be improved to that point. But there is a reason why they play the games, footballs bounce funny, and rookies have a way of hitting a wall, and sophomore slumps do exist.