Will Cincinnati Bengals Use Cap Space on Veteran in Free Agency? | Offseason Mailbag

Will the Cincinnati Bengals add a veteran in free agency? Is Austin McNamara poised to beat out Brad Robbins at punter? Which rookies will make the biggest impact?
James Rapien and Jake Liscow answer those questions and so much more!
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[@NathanDean79]

Jermaine Burton is a dam good WR. I was watching some of his tape last night and OMG he is fast. He plays much faster than his 4.45 40 time. His 10 yard split is elite at 1.53. Jamar Chases 10 yard split is 1.58!! Burton is great at making Hands Catches. He had really strong hands and he doesn’t drop Passes. In 4 years of playing he has 3 drops. And 0 drops last year. He like Tyler Boyd has terrific hands. But Burton is way way faster than Tyler Boyd ever was. Burton looks like A gazelle when he is at full speed. And his starting stopping speed is elite. He is smart too. He uses his eyes to fake out CBs and safety’s very well. He is just an all around good WR whose play speed looks so much faster than 4.45. He is almost identical in size as Jamar Chase. They are both 6’ a little bit over 6’ 1/4’’ to be exact. Burton is 195 and. Phase is 200-205 lbs.

[@jermainenorman2914]

I just hope we go undefeated cause I know we can period i want them to shut everyone that doesn't like them the hell up lets take what belongs to us back you feel me

[@fredbetts3514]

Jermaine Burton will be the #3 WR but we all know they will rotate in TI, Jones & Yoshi.

[@bobfield4692]

James, please stop being a jerk to Jake. Lower the sarcasm.

[@robfriend3978]

Since there's no contextual information with this statement I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

[@bobfield4692]

@@robfriend3978 Not being sarcastic- am a daily listener who enjoys these guys, just seeing a trend & want James to turn it down.

[@chrisbevington9178]

Agree. The level of disrespect shown is unreal.

[@robfriend3978]

I'm a daily listener as well. Everything feels rather scripted like they plan for those interactions, in my opinion. It's kind of like their character dynamics with each other. I may be wrong, but that's how I always interpreted it. Hence, why I thought you may have been sarcastic.

[@KrekIIofficial]

James has always been annoying af but it's still the only podcast worth a listen for Bengals talk

[@NathanDean79]

Matt Lee had a better Vertical and broad jump than Jason Kelce did. So his explosion number are very high. And during testing Lee outweighed Kelce by 21 pounds. Their arm length and hand size is almost identical. Kelces arms are 1/8 inch longer than Lees. His hands are 1/8 bigger than Lees.

[@justinsmith1541]

cincy has added old veteran depth before. its been a long time ago but the last one i clearly remember was in 2009 when they added Terrell Owens. so they have before so its not that strange if they add veteran depth

[@chrisbevington9178]

A veteran CB, and a versatile OL who can b/u center and play both guard spots would be ideal.

[@NathanDean79]

Kris Jenkins is going to surprise some people this year with his pass rush abilities. He only had 2.5 sacks his last year with Michigan but that doesn’t mean he won’t have more in the pros. Example- last year the Rams drafted Kobie Turner DT from Wake Forest in round 3. At Wake he played NT. He is a smaller NT strong 290-295 lbs. he was known as a good run defender and was t known for his pass rush. He only had 3 sacks his last year at Wake. Turner in his first year in the NFL had 9 sacks. He should have won defensive rookie of the year. Now some of that may have been as a result of him playing beside Aron Donald or he may have gotten all those sacks regardless of who was before him. We will find that out this year. But the point is people get better and improve. Players get better and learn new things when they encounter new teachers. I believe Marion Hobbi will teach Jenkins to be a better pass rusher. And despite what some people think when the Bengals were on the clock at 97 I was praying that they pick McKinnly Jackson! I was actually praying for him. Yes I would have like to get him in the 4th round too but trust me he wasn’t going to be there in the 4th. He is a dam good player. I’ve watched some of his tape. He is good against the run and he has some pass rush moves too. He can and does push the pocket and create pressures. Sounds like DJ Reader doesn’t it. Jackson is faster than Reader is. He is t quite as strong in the upper body but right now he has adequate strength. Once he gets in a NFL weight room and gets with the dietician his strength will increase. He was a team Captain just like Jenkins was and both Jenkins and Jackson are both only 22 years old. They were both true seniors. One of them turns 23 in December and the other turns 23 in November. They will both still be 22 for the majority of the season. This is really important I. My opinion. Last year when the Rams drafted Turner he was 24. He is 25 now. Thats 2 whole years of his prime gone before he even takes a snap in the NFL.

[@uog293]

You said the same.shit about myles murphy during the draft and all last year it may be time to take off the orange and black colored glasses and see the reality

[@RyThaFlyGuy23Games]

Everything ok James

[@TimoTarantino]

Napoleon complex

[@heathswinson6506]

Lol he reading all the comments of people saying he's annoying and arrogant lol. They telling him to lay off Jake with the sarcasm.

[@stefanieg4889]

I would think they’d try and sign a guard for depth

[@NathanDean79]

In 2025 the Bengals starting WRs will be WR1 Jamar Chase, WR2 Jermaine Burton, WR3 Andrei Iosivas, WR4/ Return Specialist Charlie Jones, WR5 Trenton Irwin, WR6 Shedrick Jackson. At least that how I think it will be. I think Burrow main targets this year will be Chase, Higgins, Gieseki, Burton. I still do t know who will be WR3 in 2025 whether it will be Iosivas or Charlie Jones. I know Jones is the starting punt returner and I woukd probably use him on kickoffs too. I could see Jones or Iosivas being either WR2 or WR3. They are both fast and explosive. I think Burton will be the 3 this year and 2 in 2025.

[@jeffbradley9201]

Would’ve Jenkins turned into it a warren sapp type of player. 🔥

[@williamhouse8602]

I really do like Robbins stash 😉

[@CookDaddy29]

James just nailed what hadn't crossed my mind in a while punter needs to hold. Backup Qb's use to do it also, it makes more sense to have a kicker do it to me.

[@newfoundmoralclarity]

Keep Burrow upright and give him some time and ho boy... he's got a whole bunch of dudes to throw to now

[@josephcampisi3716]

Hello you guys, love ur show. I live in Louisiana and of course follow Joe B...I have something to tell you; all the Bengals need is the biggest and baddest glass eaters on the front line to protect Joe. When and if that happens you will win a Super Bowl!! I cannot understand why they don't understand this?? And they don't even need high priced receivers to do it! They would have won their first Superbowl if he had time to see Jamarr open on the sideline! I am flabbergasted the coaches don't get this!!!

[@brooksterabb]

did they record before the news of Joe Burrow throwing?

[@dannyschoe4874]

Clearly. Pretty sure that's the show tomorrow

[@stevenhead7593]

The bottom line is to protect Joe. We can’t get enough offensive lineman!

[@johnhitz1185]

A strong defense and running game protects your QB too. We got Mims and I think Lee can play guard if we need him to. Excellent pass blocker.

[@stevenhead7593]

We had a defense and running game in the Super Bowl, I think we can blame that one on the OL. To win the SB let’s agree you have to be strong everywhere 😀

[@johnhitz1185]

​​@@stevenhead7593 I agree. And you need a plan to improve your weaker areas, whether on offense or defense. The 3rd day picks were solid because we added blocking and receiving TEs. Joe has a history of taking too many coverage sacks. 🐯

[@NathanDean79]

Matt Lees playing weight is 295 lbs. at the combine or his pro day wherever he worked out he weighed in at 301. Do you know why I said he can play at 295? Because one of the best center who has ever lived played at 295. Jason Kelce weighs and plays at 295. At his pro day he weighed 280 lbs. Former Titans center who now plays for the Dolphins Aron Brewer. He played Center for the Titans the last 3 years and went to the Dolphins in Free agency. Guess how much this NFL starting center weighs? 275 lbs. that’s what he plays at. He is 6’1’’ 275. That’s what he weighed at his pro day. His listed weight in the NFL is 265. I said 275 because that’s what he weighed at his pro day. If you showed me this guys measurements and asked me what position he played the last thing I would say Is offensive line. 265-275 and he was the STARTING center for the Titans a primarily run first team for the last 6 years.

[@villain68]

I hate the fact that Cleveland Browns drafted Zach Zinter. I was hoping the Bengals would. 😕

[@ShinefortheCam]

Me too. He's gonna be good

[@NathanDean79]

Mims won’t start Trent Brown will because they are going to ease Mims into this. Chances are he will start some this year because Trent is often injured.

[@benjaminjohnson8431]

Thanks for the great content! Whats with the hood?

[@heathswinson6506]

Either sign an interior offensive lineman or let the cap roll over

[@UKSportsFan]

Is trading not an option for the Bengals? Seems like they have guys entering the final deal of their rookie contract (i.e. - Assai, Carmen) at positions where they are deep at that they could trade for a player in the final deal of their rookie deal (i.e. - Khalil Herbert, RB - Chicago) where they are really deep at. Is something like that not an option?

[@NDnf84]

Can you explain in a video how roll overs work for cap space and how they might be able to use that for free agents next year? I've read into it but t's not exactly straightforward and I'd like it explained to me like child.

[@DaveCompton5150]

Cap space rollover is simple. If you finish the year with say 20 million in unused cap space, you can tell the league at the end of the season that you want to roll all or part into the next year. Your salary cap the next year will then be the league cap number + 20 million.

[@danmaher2425]

🐅

[@kevinsmith3818]

Bengals lose the AFC Championship partly bc of a bad punt, still looking for a decent punter, yet sitting $20+mm under the cap when they could’ve signed an established vet this offseason for about $3.5mm.

[@carlbenson6412]

For me, the Bengals should use that access $ to sign a quality cb.

[@tomjones7729]

Dalton Risner is available see what he wants maybe tey and poach perine back also what happened to the justin jefferson trade everyone was talking about

[@no2_justin]

A JJ trade was never going to happen. I don’t believe that came from anyone with any inside knowledge. It came from fans, and just wouldn’t go away. It’s a pipe dream. We all need to let it go already. If we’re questioning whether it’s feasible or responsible to pay Tee what he’s worth, they definitely can’t afford Jefferson, the best in the league right now.

[@Autumnsoutdooradventues]

Need a veteran running back.

[@adamhellman9373]

Id love to see Max Sharping return

[@ShinefortheCam]

Why he's trash

[@johngray7297]

The Bengals are waiting for the post June 1 cuts before they sign any more Free Agents. Who gets cut after June 1? Usually high salary guys who have a history of success in the league who now can be acquired for a cheap price.

[@user-qp5to9ct7g]

Agree. Bengals are one of the better trolling teams. Quite patient.

[@jonmorgan1493]

Please do a way too early depth chart prediction 🙏

[@LockedOnBengals]

We didn’t do that lol

[@ca9495]

Re-Sign Tyler Boyd, because you know that one (if not 2) of the Big 3 (Chase, Higgins, and Burton) will get hurt during the season. Its inevitable. It would be nice to have some insurance. Just sayin........

[@KuRizMaivL]

WHO DEY 🐅

[@AnubisLAW]

Hoody James vs Hoody Melo, take my money

[@sasser8487]

I REALLY hope McNamara beats Robbins for Punter, Robbins KILLED us last year!

[@user-qp5to9ct7g]

I kinda agree. At the very least it will be a competition. Robbins was a surprising disappointment.

[@bengal_godgaming7500]

We hy does James give me palpatine vibes

[@adamsmith5904]

Jake n James beefn?

[@nana-kb4gr]

Compare *avon baker 😮

[@ca9495]

Jimmy, please stop using the word "bullish".

[@robfriend3978]

Jake has ten fingers? That means he has 6 digits on each hand?

[@TheSokodelic]

Huh?..

[@Strngr--]

​@@TheSokodelicmost of us have 8 fingers and 2 thumbs

[@johnhitz1185]

I still can't believe we nailed the draft, but we did. I would have taken Newton , an OT at 49, and Payton Wilson where we took McKinney Jackson because we don't have enough speed in our front seven. But there were concerns about Newton's foot injury, and Wilson has been injury-prone, so all things considered the Bengals aced the draft.

[@wyattbrown5916]

James do be kind of a bully

[@user-ly7ll3fo4b]

If it's a good guard for cheap why not better safe then sorry and they need to use WR Lassiter & rb Chris evans

[@ShinefortheCam]

Evans trash

[@justmythoughts2786]

NO THEY WONT Cincinnati always goes into the season with tons of extra cap. Space they’re too cheap to spend it all.

[@michaelvest1775]

Thats not true at all maybe in the past

[@duanewright1412]

There's a fine line to being too cheap and financially smart. Back in the day, they were cheap and usually unwilling to give, but a few positions/players top dollar.....I believe now it's more strategic financing due to not being able to pay everyone. Unfortunately, when you have a BETTER than average team, you need to be financially smart and can't keep everybody. Time will tell. CHEERS

[@petez4608]

I agree, they don’t like getting too close to the cap. They used to have tons of space and now it’s a lot less. I’m ok with them being responsible, but also think that They are still only partly “all in”.

[@devanwuebker7549]

They wanna save a lot of that for Chase. He will get probably $35+ just by how the market is going for top receivers. I think they need a veteran corner and an interior offensive lineman. Some that can play both guard spots.

[@noahivey9495]

I always felt James Rapien was full of himself. His jokes are annoying and his jesters are so childish and cringe. Plus that damn laugh. His always giving Jake a hard time. If it wasnt for Jake I wouldn’t listen. I think Jake Liscow and Joe Goodberry together would run James's annoying ass outta town

[@zacharybailey977]

You guys being more concerned with offensive line depth than d line depth or even corner depth is perplexing. Carmen is a solid backup, Cody Ford I’m comfortable with too and Scharping played well in the playoffs plus drafted a tackle. We have 3 realistic interior defensive linemen in rotation for the year, that’s not gonna done. We have basically an entire backup o line right now. Our run defense was a large reason why the defense felt poor last year

[@no2_justin]

Scharping isn’t currently on the roster. He is a free agent, so it’s very possible they bring him back.

[@HealedBySpirit]

Never forget that one BIG reason the Bengals beat the Chiefs before was Lou A's DEFENSE SHUTTING THE CHIEFS DOWN. Add a corner please!

[@BobbyValentino513]

James you are really starting to become annoying and dislikable in these videos

[@randysteelesr4228]

This narrative of Cincy being cheap and holding onto cap space has grown wearisome. Do you not understand the facts? Look at Every teams position. Other than the irresponsible ones. Cincy pays it players and consistently honors their contracts. Read for yourself rather than just believing some I’ll advised commentary that pushes a narrative that just isn’t true.

[@bobfield4692]

Bengals are a football family, don't have the wealth that Cowboys, Browns and most others have. They remain conservative by nature- won't eat a cheeseburger today and pay for it tomorrow...

[@randysteelesr4228]

Study the facts. Your wrong

[@jermainenorman2914]

Shit let Ochocinco come back for a year or two you ain't got nothing to lose