Loading ...
Linebackers at 9, Shaun Alexander to visit, Simpson to be a star??
The Bengals waived linebackers Anthony Schlegel and Roy Manning, leaving the team with nine linebackers on the roster, not including drafted Keith Rivers (he hasn’t been signed yet). That doesn’t bode well for fans looking for the Bengals to go to a 3-4 defense permanently. Rumor has it new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likes to employ a multi-look defense. Often he will show a 3-4 and 4-3 look within the same defensive series to confuse the quarterback and offensive line blocking schemes. With 10 linebackers (assuming Rivers will sign), a 3-4 defense with the Bengals history of injured LB’s would be risky.
Former NFL MVP (2005) RB Shaun Alexander is scheduled to visit his hometown team this coming Monday in what is being termed a “preliminary visit”. I’m not exactly sure what that means, but just the fact that he’s coming here shows the Bengals will continue to attempt to upgrade at every position. I would think alot of what may/may not happen with the Bengals is dependent on the health of his ankle/legs.
Second round selection Jerome Simpson says that he’s been reading what people say of him. He says people will be fans of his sooner than they think. What he DOESN’T yet know (and if he’s reading this, he knows now) it won’t take much for the Jerome Simpson jerseys to fly off the shelf. Here’s our advice to Mr. Simpson:
- Catch the ball when it’s thrown to you
- Run solid routes, and run the route you’re SUPPOSED to run on any given play
- Don’t be a grandstanding media whore, enjoy the game and celebrate the wins
- Don’t run your mouth to the media/fans about negativity
- STAY OUT OF TROUBLE OFF THE FIELD
If you follow the simple advice above, you WILL be a star, and very shortly Cincy fans will say Ocho who?
Recent Posts...
40-1 by David
All the Stuff in the Fridge Has Gone Bad... by David
The State of Stripe Hype by admin
Bengals Threaten StripeHype with a lawsuit by David
Ahmad Brooks in trouble.. by David
I love Alexander, he is only two years removed from being the MVP. C’mon whoever picks him up will be a steal. I think he is out to prove he still has it and can still run the ball. Only problem is Bengals do not have near the line the Hawks had in 05. Alexander is a great character guy, community guy, and well rounded Christian man that would bring something other than Ocho, Jail Time, beating women, waving guns, shall I go on?
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:27 amAbout the only back that could improve the Bengals’ running game might be Barry Sanders in his prime. Slow Rudi or underweight Rudi, when the O-Line consistently gets no push up front, it doesn’t make a damned bit of difference. I keep hearing Marvin talk about recommitting to the power running game but they haven’t done anything to address that woeful line. Don’t get me wrong, they’re decent to excellent passblockers but run blocking is a whole other ballgame.Alexander is over the hill and rumored to dog it on the field at times. He doesn’t block well and he’s not a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Plus, we don’t have Steve Hutchison and Walter Jones for him to run behind. One obsolete former superstar with local ties is enough for this town. Right, Junior?
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 pmWell, it’s now Monday, May 5th. They wined and dined Alexander downtown. Now, if they are wanting some type of insurance for Rudi (which is one of the reasons for the interest) they should handle him like Cleveland handled the situation with Jamal Anderson. Offer him a Million in order to come in and resurrect his career. Make and option for a 2nd year and see what happens. I don’t really understand where "not really a reliable receiver out of the backfield" came from, but since Alexander will want to know HOW he will be *used* ….that will be the interesting part of this whole thing.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:47 amAlexander will be out to prove himself, so will Rudi. A one two punch of guys that are trying to prove they are the man could be very interesting you have to admit Reilly! I do agree our line is not built for running but I think that will improve this year with Big Ghiaucci (sp?) having another year of experience under his belt. Plus I have only read great things about that Big Wall from Kansas. I see it working but I am just another desperate Bengals fan wishing they would do anything to give themselves a leg up!!
May 6th, 2008 at 5:23 amAnd I think Alexander can catch, you can’t count last year he played with a broken hand. And I think he would be nice to add to Rudi, Kenny, and Shaun! If Irons comes back you get a hard nosed young guy you can try to fit in. I like options and competition!
May 6th, 2008 at 5:24 amDoesn’t matter. O-Line can’t run block. Call Barry Sanders, he might be able to help.
May 6th, 2008 at 5:50 amIf the price is right I say bring him in to compete with Johnson (as Watson’s backup). Both are questionable backs (Rudi with his slow/undersized and Alexander with his age/injuries). See who works out best in preseason and let the other go.
All you going on about the line, remember that Dorsey had pretty gaudy stats in his limited role and Watson had a 4+ yd average for the year.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm