Notes From Training Camp 2025

[jj22]

I still question if Hudson would have a job if not for the Bengals. He isn't some up and coming player.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(Yesterday, 08:59 AM)pally Wrote: Last night, Tanner Hudson guaranteed himself a job in the NFL for the upcoming season.  It still may not be with the Bengals, I could easily see the Dolphins or Saints picking him up if he doesn't make the 53.  He can catch as he showed us last night.  The challenge he faces is that, as a pure receiving TE, he is third behind Gesicki and Fant.  Then you have the blocking duo of Sample and Gandy.  The reality, though for the coaches, is that Hudson won't make it to the PS, and I suspect Gandy would.  McLachlin is still the odd man out.  He is PS or bust.
So for now, my TE room prediction is Gesicki, Fant, Sample, and Hudson.  Gandy to the PS.  McLachlan heads to the CFL

Entirely reasonable. 

But I still think we keep 5. Fant, Gesicki, Sample, Hudson, and Grandy. 

The only guys on the fringes who really impressed were Giles-Harris and maybe Brightwell. Maybe Heyward? My attention wandered a bit at the end. 

[Sled21]

(Yesterday, 09:42 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Entirely reasonable. 

But I still think we keep 5. Fant, Gesicki, Sample, Hudson, and Grandy. 

The only guys on the fringes who really impressed were Giles-Harris and maybe Brightwell. Maybe Heyward? My attention wandered a bit at the end. 

Didn't Grandy have a costly hold on a return? Stuff like that is likely going to play into the equation.

[Essex Johnson]

(Yesterday, 09:34 AM)jj22 Wrote: I still question if Hudson would have a job if not for the Bengals. He isn't some up and coming player.

Well we forget also that when you are a backup you also need to be able to be productive on STs, which Hudson has shown, plus what he has shown on the field puts him in a position to catch on to another team but I think after last nite, and with his improved blocking, STs player and  how he played when he got the opportunity in 2023 season he makes the team as the 4th TE, right now Grandy and Mclachlin seem the odd men out if they go with 4 TEs. 

[Sled21]

(Yesterday, 10:23 AM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Well we forget also that when you are a backup you also need to be able to be productive on STs, which Hudson has shown, plus what he has shown on the field puts him in a position to catch on to another team but I think after last nite, and with his improved blocking, STs player and  how he played when he got the opportunity in 2023 season he makes the team as the 4th TE, right now Grandy and Mclachlin seem the odd men out if they go with 4 TEs. 

Not to mention Hudson has Burrow's trust, which the other two have yet to secure.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 10:23 AM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Well we forget also that when you are a backup you also need to be able to be productive on STs, which Hudson has shown, plus what he has shown on the field puts him in a position to catch on to another team but I think after last nite, and with his improved blocking, STs player and  how he played when he got the opportunity in 2023 season he makes the team as the 4th TE, right now Grandy and Mclachlin seem the odd men out if they go with 4 TEs. 

I think Hudson won TE4 hands down last night. Sample and Fant can do what Grandy can. Hudson can do what Gesicki does (jus not as well, but why he is a back up). Now, if. team wants to trade us a starting RG for Hudson, i would listen if i am the Bengals FO.

Hudson looked great last night and made hs case to make the 53.

[*rfaulk34*]

(Yesterday, 09:34 AM)jj22 Wrote: I still question if Hudson would have a job if not for the Bengals. He isn't some up and coming player.

Doesn't matter. He fits this system well and has a very good chemistry with Burrow.

[jj22]

(10 hours ago)rfaulk34 Wrote: Doesn't matter. He fits this system well and has a very good chemistry with Burrow.

He does fit the system. But we also have 3 other receiving/receiver type TE's.....  Seems like overkill to have so many of the same typecast TE's in the room. 

[*rfaulk34*]

(10 hours ago)jj22 Wrote: He does fit the system. But we also have 3 other receiving/receiver type TE's.....  

Hudson is the perfect backup to Gesicki. They play the same role. I expect Fant and Sample to fill the same role and since Fant is a much better receiver, he should get the most snaps between them by the end of the year. 

Fant is the most versatile but i stll see them in those defined roles. 

[jj22]

I see Grady as more of Samples backup. I lump Ges, Hud, and Fant all together.

[*PhilHos*]

(10 hours ago)jj22 Wrote: I see Grady as more of Samples backup. I lump Ges, Hud, and Fant all together.

According to the Locked On guys this morning, Grandy is a better blocker than Sample. If that's the case, cut Sample, keep Grandy, unless he can't catch for shit.

[Sled21]

(10 hours ago)PhilHos Wrote: According to the Locked On guys this morning, Grandy is a better blocker than Sample. If that's the case, cut Sample, keep Grandy, unless he can't catch for shit.

I call BS on the locked up guys.

[*rfaulk34*]

(10 hours ago)PhilHos Wrote: According to the Locked On guys this morning, Grandy is a better blocker than Sample. If that's the case, cut Sample, keep Grandy, unless he can't catch for shit.

I'm still not a fan of PFFs grading...wts, Grandy was head and shoulders better than them all blocking. 75.4 on 4 pblk. 74.0 on 9 rblk. 

As a quick side note: According to them, Fairchild absolutely balled out. 

Other TEs.
Tanner 0 pblk or rblk snaps
Sample 72.3 (3) and 56.7 (5)
McLach 69.8 (4) and 51.0 (9)

[*rfaulk34*]

(10 hours ago)Sled21 Wrote: I call BS on the locked up guys.

Freudian slip, detective?

[Sled21]

(9 hours ago)rfaulk34 Wrote: Freudian slip, detective?

Naw, that's what I call them because of some of their takes. 

[Nicomo Cosca]

(10 hours ago)Sled21 Wrote: I call BS on the locked up guys.

Rapien literally watches every single practice. Not sure why him calling Grandy the better blocker is some controversial statement. I swear, some of you really overrate Sample when it comes to his blocking.

[Sled21]

(9 hours ago)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Rapien literally watches every single practice. Not sure why him calling Grandy the better blocker is some controversial statement. I swear, some of you really overrate Sample when it comes to his blocking.

And I sometimes agree with Rapien and sometimes disagree with him. In this case, I think he is incorrect. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(10 hours ago)rfaulk34 Wrote: Hudson is the perfect backup to Gesicki. They play the same role. I expect Fant and Sample to fill the same role and since Fant is a much better receiver, he should get the most snaps between them by the end of the year. 

Fant is the most versatile but i stll see them in those defined roles. 

Nailed it.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(Yesterday, 10:19 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Didn't Grandy have a costly hold on a return? Stuff like that is likely going to play into the equation.

He most certainly did. But he is the backup to Sample's role. Gesicki & Hudson are big receivers. Fantcis the all-around guy, though receiving is his stronger suit.

In goal line or 2 TE heavy packages, it will be Sample & Grandy in there together. 

McLachlan is the only other TE in the 90. He seems more of a receiver type. Burrow trusts Hudson. 

I think we keep 5 again.