Bleav in Cincy

On this episode: The Bengals greatly bolstered their quarterback situation recently. Dugger and Taylor will provide a lot of defensive and special teams assistance. What do multiple defensive back signings in free agency mean for the Bengals’ draft plans? What is the state of the Bengals’ roster in the wake of their free agency signings? Zac Taylor’s comments at the recent owner’s meetings. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NFL Draft is nearly upon us! The Bengals may not have checked every box in free agency, but they checked enough boxes to give them the flexibility to draft the best available player with the 10th overall pick, rather than trying to fill a need. So who will it be? Could it be Sonny Styles? A moment ago, you were probably curing me saying that they haven't done enough in free agency and the word "Linebacker" surely came into your mind. Well, Zac Taylor repeated at the NFL owners meeting coaches' breakfast what he and Al Golden have said countless times before. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter were in a tough situation as a starting tandem of linebackers and they kept getting better. You can believe that or not, but whether or not it is true, I Zac Taylor thinks it's true, and that is all that really matters. It wasn't coach speak. They genuinely think those guys can get it done. This is backed up by their approach to free agency. They spent big on a safety and an edge, then added an interior pass rusher. There may have been some interest in adding a linebacker, but we know they were never in on the top of the market guys. The weren't going to put Bryan Cook or Boye Mafe money into a linebacker. Why? Because they like the guys they have. So why Sonny Styles? Because he is a dude, that's why. Of course, it has felt all along like it will be a cornerback. Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy each put up crazy performances at their respective pro days. Matt and Willie talk about this duo and which one of them in the best fit in Cincinnati. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Some final thoughts on Trey Hendrickson and how the Ravens handled that situation. Any truth to the Maxx Crosby trade rumors linking the Bengals? How do we feel about the Allen signing and Brown’s extension? What may be next for the team in free agency A little bit about draft buzz with workouts underway. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It was a slow start to free agency for the Bengals, but noon turned into afternoon, the Bengals made their moves Seriously, they made both of their moves, and it's been radio silence for two days. I mean what is that about? But I digress. The team made two pick signings. They signed Bryan Cook who was widely seen as the top safety in free agency. Finally, they did something to solidify that position in a meaningful way. The former Cincinnati Bearcat comes home. Tears in his eyes, I suppose. This was a great move for the Bengals, but it was not enough. Should we do one more? Let's do one more. Okay, one more it is. People have asked, "Who is this year's Trey Hendrikson." Well, it might just be Boye Mafe. They gave the young edge rusher a huge contract betting more on his future than his past. Like Hendrickson he might be right on the fringe of his breakout The excitement from these moves slowly decreased then to turned largely into rage as we got into Wednesday night and there was still no third move. It's coming. I'm telling you, it's coming. They have the money. The Bengals were also involved in the John Franklin-Myers sweepstake, but despite an initial report from a phony Twitter account, Ed McMahon did not come knocking on their door. Logan Hall was the other name to consider in this unimpressive lineup of interior rushers, but he went to Houston on the cheap, so it appears the Bengals were not in on that deal. Which is wired because it would have made a lot of sense. I am not totally confident in Hall, but he has the versatility to play the run on the edge, which would at least give them some value if he didn't pan out as an interior rusher. Speaking of making sense, let's talk Leo Chenel. He would have made a lot of sense for this defense. He is a linebacker who has some crazy athletic traits, is young, and has that oh so important ability to line up on the edge. He would have been an excellent complement to Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, but alas, it was not meant to be. He wound up in Washington on a very reasonable deal. There was lots of talk from the fan base about Devin Lloyd, but apparently they were never involved even though everybody and their brother has been reporting that they have been interested in him. Perhaps it is Ezekiel Elliott all over again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: -The Bengals brought Bryan Cook back home to Cincinnati and he fills a major defensive need. -Cincinnati also agreed to terms to defensive lineman Boye Mafe from the Seahawks. -Which players may be next on the docket for them? -A few former Bengals signed elsewhere on Monday, as well. -And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: At last, some finality with the Trey Hendrickson situation. Dalton Risner is back with the Bengals and it's an early, positive key to the team's free agency period. What are the biggest needs for the Bengals heading into free agency at the draft? Who are the players we'd most want in free agency at defensive line, linebacker and safety? Our Pre-Combine Three-Round mock draft! And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: -Dissecting the recent quotes from Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor, Al Golden and Dan Pitcher. -Who are the known prospects with whom the Bengals have had visits thus far? -What's the latest Combine buzz around certain players? -Sonny Styles is a dynamic linebacker and could be in play for Cincinnati at No. 10. -And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.