Let's get AJ Green

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

11 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

He's publicly stated that he wants to remain with the Bengals. Whether or not the team feels the same way is another story. That said, he'll be 32 at the start of the 2020 season and he's played a total of 35 games in the last four years combined...that's 35 out of a possible 64. He's getting old and brittle and people are intrigued because of his name. The production, or lack thereof, does not warrant the investment. No thanks.

 

Report: Bengals ready to franchise tag A.J. Green if necessary

Chris Roling

 

December 17, 2019 10:25 pm ET

In a not-so-shocking turn, the Cincinnati Bengals will exercise the franchise tag on star wideout A.J. Green if it means keeping him from free agency this offseason.

So says a new report from Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/17/aj-green-contract-bengals-franchise-tag-free-agency/

 

 

 

 

 

[John from Riverside]

7 hours ago, buffalo2218 said:

Only difficult catch I saw that he didn't make was the throw to the end zone, not sure what game you were watching, but he made a couple of good catches for first downs when he was blanketed. His hands are more than adequate for an NFL receiver

I agree with this but now we are past the season and it is time to think about how we want to formulate this now concending playoff team.....

 

Keep Duke but add one just like him with the ability to separate

[Cheektowaga Chad]

51 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

I would bet a fair amount of money he was healthy enough by about week 10 and made a business decision to shut it down. I'm guessing that was fine with the Bengals because they were after the #1 overall pick. 

Thats actually my thinking as well especially since he appears to have no motivation to re sign with them

[Spiderweb]

11 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Interesting theory and fertile grounds for discussion...

 

Should we be worried about his injury history?

I certainly would be given that he wants a lot of $$$.

[Franco_92]

5 hours ago, Codyny13 said:

When he was linked to the Bills earlier this year he said he’d love to play in front of the Bills fans.

I'm almost positive that whole thing was shown to be fake 

[Matt_In_NH]

Do we need a 20 million dollar paper weight?

[BADOLBILZ]

6 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I think watching Josh target Duke 10 times on Sat. and be willing to just throw it up to him downfield (accurately) shows that investment in a WR like this would be a good idea. I don’t like his injury history but I think that is the kind of thing that will keep his market price down a bit. Even if he’s only available 1/2 or 3/4 of the season I’d take it. I think you get a vet WR like this and draft a stud in the 1st two rounds as well. 

adding this element and a fast RB to pair with Motor ( Matt Breida? Kenyon Drake?) will take this offense to the next level. 

 

 

Agreed.    

 

Also what people need to understand with Daboll's offense is that since he added Brown and Beasley he's made it complicated enough that you can't expect a rookie to come in and be a WR1.   That's what killed Robert Foster this year........he couldn't identify coverages and make the complicated route adjustments so he was a liability.   The complexity benefits Brown and Beasley by giving them more open looks.

 

And they NEED a WR1.   Case in point a play like the one where Smoke couldn't keep his feet in on the ball at the 4 yard line.   An elite deep ball tracker doesn't have to jump for that he extends and drags.    When you have a guy like that that play doesn't even seem that difficult for them.    Allen was a touch late on that throw but that's where having a WR1 covers mistakes.      

 

Adding a veteran stud like Green would allow Daboll to continue on the trajectory he's been going..........for better or worse.    

[The Firebaugh Kid]

12 hours ago, Do The Reich Thing said:

AJ - 1

Smoke - 2

Beasley - 3 (slot)

Duke -4 

Rookie - 5/6

McKenzie - 5/6

 

I'm here for this all day.

Throw Laviska in that 5/6 spot to learn and to run gadget plays. 

[BADOLBILZ]

4 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

I think some folks would be surprised to learn how close he came to becoming a Bill in October 

 

 

 

Yeah @eMoulds thought it was happening...........and he's had some very privileged information in the past.

 

[Sherlock Holmes]

12 hours ago, 2020 Our Year For Sure said:

Scheduled to hit free agency. Wonder if he'd be open to Buffalo? I'll bet he'll be a man on a mission in 2020.

 

John Brown is nice but he's not enough on his own-- let's give Josh the confidence in knowing the guys around him can win matchups and make plays for him.

Nah, I rather trade for Kupp

[thebandit27]

1 minute ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Yeah @eMoulds thought it was happening...........and he's had some very privileged information in the past.

 

I was told separately (well after the fact) that it would’ve gone down if not for Mike Brown being a cantankerous boob.

[NoSaint]

12 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Agreed.    

 

Also what people need to understand with Daboll's offense is that since he added Brown and Beasley he's made it complicated enough that you can't expect a rookie to come in and be a WR1.   That's what killed Robert Foster this year........he couldn't identify coverages and make the complicated route adjustments so he was a liability.   The complexity benefits Brown and Beasley by giving them more open looks.

 

And they NEED a WR1.   Case in point a play like the one where Smoke couldn't keep his feet in on the ball at the 4 yard line.   An elite deep ball tracker doesn't have to jump for that he extends and drags.    When you have a guy like that that play doesn't even seem that difficult for them.    Allen was a touch late on that throw but that's where having a WR1 covers mistakes.      

 

Adding a veteran stud like Green would allow Daboll to continue on the trajectory he's been going..........for better or worse.    

yup- and you can toss a young guy in to grow in the system. Heaven forbid we end up with 4 solid guys.

[dave mcbride]

9 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

I was told separately (well after the fact) that it would’ve gone down if not for Mike Brown being a cantankerous boob.

Green is saying he's boycotting OTAs and training camp if he's tagged. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/12/19/21028691/bengals-a-j-green-injury-news-contract-nfl-franchise-tag . That said, they could work out a long-term deal. 

Edited January 6, 2020 by dave mcbride

[GunnerBill]

14 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Agreed.    

 

Also what people need to understand with Daboll's offense is that since he added Brown and Beasley he's made it complicated enough that you can't expect a rookie to come in and be a WR1.   That's what killed Robert Foster this year........he couldn't identify coverages and make the complicated route adjustments so he was a liability.   The complexity benefits Brown and Beasley by giving them more open looks.

 

And they NEED a WR1.   Case in point a play like the one where Smoke couldn't keep his feet in on the ball at the 4 yard line.   An elite deep ball tracker doesn't have to jump for that he extends and drags.    When you have a guy like that that play doesn't even seem that difficult for them.    Allen was a touch late on that throw but that's where having a WR1 covers mistakes.      

 

Adding a veteran stud like Green would allow Daboll to continue on the trajectory he's been going..........for better or worse.    

 

I agree with all of the above. However I remain very wary of how much good football is left in AJ Green. I think it is a fairly large risk. I am however at the point where I think the regime has to start pushing its chips into the middle of the table. They have to know by then end of next season what they have in Josh. To do that they have to make sure they surround him with as much talent as possible and that might mean taking risks in free agency or overpaying some people. If you get AJ Green, you draft a guy and you get Brian Bulaga to man right tackle.... I still think an upgrade at tight end would help too. I wonder what sort of draft pick you'd have to flick at Pittsburgh for Vance McDonald? I suppose might depend whether Ben is coming back. That would be three vets who probably don't have a lot of tread left on the tires long term but who might remove some of the excuses for the offense in 2020.

[buffalo2218]

47 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I agree with this but now we are past the season and it is time to think about how we want to formulate this now concending playoff team.....

 

Keep Duke but add one just like him with the ability to separate

Agreed, if anything, Duke’s earned more time in OTAs and TC at the very least

[BADOLBILZ]

7 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

I was told separately (well after the fact) that it would’ve gone down if not for Mike Brown being a cantankerous boob.

 

 

That's certainly not surprising.......Green is probably not going to be available for a reasonable price.

 

And frankly if I am them I tag him too...........Burrow is the pick and the formula for elevating young QB's is what they have with that WR corps if Green is healthy.

 

Not a good year to be shopping for a WR1 in FA and if you are a GM it's going to be hard to pull the trigger on sending a high pick for one with like 20 guys that could go in the top 3 rounds in some drafts available in this one.  

 

Bills problem is that they aren't young-WR friendly as currently coordinated.

4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I agree with all of the above. However I remain very wary of how much good football is left in AJ Green. I think it is a fairly large risk. I am however at the point where I think the regime has to start pushing its chips into the middle of the table. They have to know by then end of next season what they have in Josh. To do that they have to make sure they surround him with as much talent as possible and that might mean taking risks in free agency or overpaying some people. If you get AJ Green, you draft a guy and you get Brian Bulaga to man right tackle.... I still think an upgrade at tight end would help too. I wonder what sort of draft pick you'd have to flick at Pittsburgh for Vance McDonald? I suppose might depend whether Ben is coming back. That would be three vets who probably don't have a lot of tread left on the tires long term but who might remove some of the excuses for the offense in 2020.

 

 

I'm worried about Green too.    He was recently out in Wisconsin at a foot specialist getting something checked so it certainly doesn't appear he is all the way back.   Speculation was that he may be angling to end up in GB this offseason so it gave the Packers a chance to get a look at where he stood.

[BringBackOrton]

3 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

Once year that could grow to say 15M.  tie that growth if the contract based on availability.  Then the Club Option can also carry some guaranteed money if he hits performance triggers.  With his Injury History I am making him earn his guaranteed triggers.

He ain’t coming here for that. 

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

That's certainly not surprising.......Green is probably not going to be available for a reasonable price.

 

And frankly if I am them I tag him too...........Burrow is the pick and the formula for elevating young QB's is what they have with that WR corps if Green is healthy.

 

Not a good year to be shopping for a WR1 in FA and if you are a GM it's going to be hard to pull the trigger on sending a high pick for one with like 20 guys that could go in the top 3 rounds in some drafts available in this one.  

 

Bills problem is that they aren't young-WR friendly as currently coordinated.

 

 

I'm worried about Green too.    He was recently out in Wisconsin at a foot specialist getting something checked so it certainly doesn't appear he is all the way back.   Speculation was that he may be angling to end up in GB this offseason so it gave the Packers a chance to get a look at where he stood.

 

I have read a few things about his injuries. I certainly don't think he will be the player he was. I expect he will have lost a fair bit of the explosion that made him elite. That doesn't mean he can't still contribute for a year or 2 as a vet in the room and a reliable route runner and ball catcher. You may recall before Demaryious Thomas was traded to Houston I thought he might be able to come here and serve in that role. You were not going to get peak Thomas and I doubt you get peak Green but there may well still be a value.

[Solomon Grundy]

3 hours ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

I would guess that if Arizona has to choose between Drake and Johnson, they will keep Drake.

I'll take Johnson then

[Solomon Grundy]

5 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

This throw ?

 

 

AJ Green, in his sleep

[Scott7975]

Lets not.  He is old and often injured now.  I would have taken him this season but he would feel like signing Frank Gore next season or Boldin.

[MAJBobby]

1 hour ago, BringBackOrton said:

He ain’t coming here for that. 

then no loss. I am not giving an old oft INJ WR guaranteed Money. He like Alshon Jeffery a couple years ago better be ready to accept a prove it deal. 

1 hour ago, the skycap said:

AJ Green, in his sleep

not this year. 

[H2o]

1 hour ago, the skycap said:

AJ Green, in his sleep

Yes, but can he make it from the blue tent?

[BringBackOrton]

37 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

then no loss. I am not giving an old oft INJ WR guaranteed Money. He like Alshon Jeffery a couple years ago better be ready to accept a prove it deal. 

not this year. 

I mean the loss would be AJ Green sized. If it’s no loss, why sign him at all?

[MAJBobby]

Just now, BringBackOrton said:

I mean the loss would be AJ Green sized. If it’s no loss, why sign him at all?

Have the parameters a Prove it deal

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

....if this is one of the most lucrative WR draft classes in years (I depend a ton on TBD college ball analysts), and we have $90+mil to spend, why the hell chase AJ?......hell, he's more banged up than the Allstate Mayhem Guy.....

[Figster]

26 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

....if this is one of the most lucrative WR draft classes in years (I depend a ton on TBD college ball analysts), and we have $90+mil to spend, why the hell chase AJ?......hell, he's more banged up than the Allstate Mayhem Guy.....

Same old argument, plain and simple, because the success rate drafting high for a WR is bad. They seldom pan out. We just traded a higher round drafted WR to the Raiders for peanuts. We traded Sammy Watkins for peanuts compared to what he cost. 

 

What do we tell Allen when another high round pick doesn't pan out, wait until next years draft and we'll get you some help.

 

I agree, absolutey you address the WR position in the draft/ crap shoot.

 

I also agree on exploring other optiions...

[djp14150]

Only on an incentive based short 1-2 yr contract.

 

 

[Magox]

11 hours ago, buffalo2218 said:

Only difficult catch I saw that he didn't make was the throw to the end zone, not sure what game you were watching, but he made a couple of good catches for first downs when he was blanketed. His hands are more than adequate for an NFL receiver

 

I hardly saw any "drops" from Duke.  I know there was the endzone one but he only got one hand on that and would have been an incredible catch.  There was another on the sideline but the defender made a heck of a play on it.

 

I thought he showed really good strong hands on some of those catches, that one that was called for a penalty where Josh made that ridiculous sideline throw was a fantastic catch by Duke.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

3 hours ago, thebandit27 said:

I was told separately (well after the fact) that it would’ve gone down if not for Mike Brown being a cantankerous boob.

Well, between the interest in AJ Green and Antonio Brown we can say that Beane is well aware of the usefulness of a top wr, even if it's for a short period of time. I doubt he will let this offseason end without adding someone who can fill that role. And he may overpay, so everyone get prepared for that now. However you have to.

[appoo]

Robby Anderson would be my top target. 

 

#1 - Robby Anderson

#2 - Smoke

#3 - Beasley

#4 - 1st Round pick (prototye as an X)

#5 - McKenzie

#6 - Duke or Foster

 

I would like to see the Bills have the ability to go with 4 legit WRs, and that means you need 2 different X WRs. You need guys that can win battles on the outside, forcing safeties to respect them. That's a big thing missing from this offense. 

[BringBackOrton]

1 hour ago, MAJBobby said:

Have the parameters a Prove it deal

He’s going to get that offer from a bunch of teams in the nfl.

[BillsFan4]

I would love to see the Bills go after AJ Green, and it doesn’t sound like such a sure thing that he will finish his career as a Bengal anymore (at least from what I’ve read. I guess there’s some hard feelings on both sides about this past season). 

 

I’ve wanted him for years. He would fit McDermott's culture perfectly. I can’t think of another veteran #1 WR (who might be available) that would fit in the locker room better than Green would.

 

The Bills have the cap space. I know his injury history but still think it would be worth the risk. He’s a true game changer when he’s on the field. I feel like he could really open up this offense. 

[TroutDog]

For the Love of God when will AJ Green threads stop? A permanently injured, once really good WR who is over the hill. How about this: Scout some great CFB receivers who are coming out and give us thoughts on them?
 

Just a thought. 

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

....if this is one of the most lucrative WR draft classes in years (I depend a ton on TBD college ball analysts), and we have $90+mil to spend, why the hell chase AJ?......hell, he's more banged up than the Allstate Mayhem Guy.....

Why is everyone saying AJ Green is banged up? Didn’t he injure his ankle? And he had turf toe. Josh Allen needs a receiver who knows the league not trying to learn it. Like others said, have his contract be incentive laden. His signing makes too much sense. You still draft a receiver 

[Buffalo03]

For a one year deal at a couple mil a year. Fully on board

[Just Joshin']

16 hours ago, 2020 Our Year For Sure said:

Scheduled to hit free agency. Wonder if he'd be open to Buffalo? I'll bet he'll be a man on a mission in 2020.

 

John Brown is nice but he's not enough on his own-- let's give Josh the confidence in knowing the guys around him can win matchups and make plays for him.

Interesting question but needs context to discuss.  How much per year?  How much guaranteed?  Length of contract? 

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

It seems to me the same people that say no to AJ Green are the same that said no to DK Metcalf. All Metcalf can do is run go routes. AJ Green is oft injured. Can we give talent a try? Or do you wanna keep trotting out Lee Smith and Patrick Dimarco?

[MAJBobby]

24 minutes ago, BringBackOrton said:

He’s going to get that offer from a bunch of teams in the nfl.

because at this point of his career that is ALL he is worth. Btw he isn’t leaving Cincy and will be tagged 

4 minutes ago, the skycap said:

It seems to me the same people that say no to AJ Green are the same that said no to DK Metcalf. All Metcalf can do is run go routes. AJ Green is oft injured. Can we give talent a try? Or do you wanna keep trotting out Lee Smith and Patrick Dimarco?

I still say no for AJ Green and I loved DK Metalf. Just like I love Laviska Shenault. 

[Solomon Grundy]

3 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

because at this point of his career that is ALL he is worth. Btw he isn’t leaving Cincy and will be tagged 

I still say no for AJ Green and I loved DK Metalf. Just like I love Laviska Shenault. 

Shenault has been oft injured at Colorado. And honestly, I don’t see Cincy wanting that smoke by tagging him

Edited January 6, 2020 by the skycap