Archive for April, 2010

Geoff “One Man Gang” Hobson released a nice news nugget in his article on Cincinnati’s safety position and Mike Zimmer’s upcoming tweaks to the defense. Zimmer said that Michael Johnson is going to gets some work at outside backer during the team’s offseason activities. “We’ve got a pretty good idea he (Johnson) can play defensive end, so we’ll put him at linebacker in the OTAs and see if we might be able to work some packages with him in any way,” Zimmer said. “We’re trying to utilize everybody best we can. We’re just looking at different combinations. Maybe we have [...]

Joe Reedy is reporting that Ken Hamlin wasn’t the only veteran player visiting Cincy today. Former Giant C.C. Brown, a safety, and former Green Bay Packer DeShawn Wynn, a running back, were in town as well. The safety position warrants more attention because the Bengals still need another one. Chinedum Ndukwe can serve as an adequate backup strong safety, bu the struggles in pass coverage. Hamlin would be a nice addition because pass coverage is reportedly his strength. Here’s what ESPN’s Scouts Inc. Scouting Report has to say about Hamlin. “Hamlin was not as active in 2008 but remains a [...]

I’ve enlisted America’s most-famous rodeo monkey, Whiplash,  to help me with the last straggling bits of news in regard to the NFL Draft. Vic Carucci lists the Bengals as one of his five teams that will get immediate help from this draft class. -I agree. I’m not sure who will make the biggest contribution (Jermaine Gresham would be the favorite), but there is so much talent in this group of picks that someone will produce immediately. And if it’s Carlos Dunlap, this defense could be downright nasty. Fingers crossed. Bucky Brooks gives the Bengals draft a “B” (Hey, so did I. Pay [...]

We journalism types are really good at crucifying football players for crimes both real and alleged. And we all know many Bengals have went down the wrong path. It traces all the way from Carlos Dunlap to Odell Thurman back to Tremain Mack (remember him?) and Stanley Wilson. We remember them – and we blast them too – because they screwed up. (And don’t we all?) But it’s also important to point out when players are doing the right thing. So I’m bestowing my second highest Bengal award, the manly fist-pound, on Andrew Whitworth for his fund-raising this past weekend for the Big Whit [...]

Geoff Hobson believes the team will soon re-sign Reggie Kelly. As they should. Yes, Reggie Kelly is old. Yes, he is recovering from a season-ending injury last year. Yes, he is limited as a receiver. But there are a lot of players who can’t be measured by mere statistics and measurables. And Kelly is one of them. Quite frankly, I don’t care if Kelly plays a single snap this season. But having a guy like him in the locker room and on the practice field is well worth the veteran minimum investment (it shouldn’t take much more than that). Kelly [...]

The Bengals are getting pretty good reviews overall on their draft. It’s interesting to note that the team tried to trade up early in the second round to acquire USC safety Taylor Mays (according to Bengals.com). Getting Mays would have been nice, but not at the expense of any other pick. Carlos Dunlap could be an absolute steal and many people are comparing Jordan Shipley to Wes Welker (I hope they’re right). I’m anxious to see Shipley’s teammate Roddrick Muckelroy on the field. Any player who can lead Texas in tackles two years in a row (with a wealth of [...]

The unofficial 8th round of the 2010 NFL draft is underway as teams sort through the remaining undrafted free agents. At least seven have reportedly signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. According to various reports safeties Jeromy Miles (UMass) and Bryan Evans (Georgia), running backs Mikell Simpson (Virginia) and Cordera Eason (Mississippi), tight end Jeff Cottam (Tennessee), linebacker Vincent Rey (Duke) and long snapper Mike Windt (UC) have signed. Of these, the most intriguing is safety Jeromy Miles, who was rated as the No. 5 safety overall by the Sporting News’ War Room. SN’s Russ Lande subsequently listed him as the [...]

Mel Kiper   gives the Bengals draft a “C” even though he doesn’t mention any negative picks. You don’t want him as your kid’s teacher. The Bengals were ranked 7th out of 32 teams   in a new statistical formula that evaluates draft picks. ProFootballTalk’s Gregg Rosenthal thinks the Bengals gambled too much on boom-or-bust picks. A fair criticism perhaps. James Walker thinks there could be a surprise cut considering Cincinnati’s current abundance of receivers.

I promise an embargo on all tractor references after using two in the past day and a half. Instead, I’ll focus on glimpses of the Bengals draft picks in rounds four through seven and a final grade of the Bengals draft. First, the profiles: ESPN Analysis Geno Atkins – DT, Georgia - Pass rushing tackle who could be the eventual replacement for Tank Johnson. Roddrick Muckelroy – LB, Texas – Smart player with good instincts who led a talented team in tackles for two straight years. Great pick. Otis Hudson – OT, Eastern Illinois – College tackle who is being viewed [...]

I love this draft. Let others beyotch & moan, I think the Cincinnati Bengals nailed it. Here’s the final tally: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia Roddrick Muckelroy, LB, Texas Otis Hudson, OL, Eastern Illinois Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas Reggie Stephens, OL, Iowa State Odds & ends from around the innertubes on some of the lesser-known picks below the fold.