Archive for April, 2010

For NFL fans, the draft is the closest thing we get to Christmas. Unfortunately, we Bengals fans have gotten a lot of duds over the years. Reinard Wilson. Akili Smith. David Klingler. And so on. Let’s hope this year brings less pink bunny suits and more Red Ryder BB Guns.  With less than 24 hours to the kickoff of the draft (and a few more until the Bengals pick), I did a quick survey of Bengals fans. Here are the wish lists of three fans in three different states (targeting only players who could be available when the Bengals pick). [...]

The NFL Schedule was released today and Cincinnati is facing three regular-season primetime games and an uphill road to the playoffs. The Bengals open at New England, play four of their first six games on the road, and four of their last six games against playoff teams from last year. It’s a scary schedule that will have the team battle-tested if they can survive it and still make the playoffs. Their prime-time games include a Thanksgiving game at the Jets, a home Monday nighter against Pittsburgh, and a home Dec. 26th Sunday nighter with San Diego. My knee-jerk reaction has [...]

Todd McShay’s latest mock tabs Dez Bryant for the Bengals in what is becoming a rather plausible scenario. I think a lot of teams might be a bit gun-shy in regard to character issues considering the whole Big Ben/Little Elephant scandal in Georgia. That could leave Bryant in the Bengals lap. In his second scenario, McShay gives the Bengals Jermaine Gresham, prompting the soon-to-be infamous ham sandwich bet. Allow me to explain. It seems that almost every draft “expert” is giving the Bengals Gresham. I think they are all wrong. I have no rational reason to believe this, no inside [...]

Well, here it is. Knee-jerk reaction? No West Coast trips is nice. The furthest west Cincinnati goes is Indianapolis. Only one set of back-to-back road games in weeks 3 and 4. Opening the season against the Patriots in New England? Ouch. But we get San Diego and New Orleans at home. Monday night against the Steelers, then off to Indy. Again, ouch. Bengals do get extra time to prep for the Saints, but a short week to prepare for the now-hated Jets. Front end looks marginally friendlier than the back end. Cincinnati needs to run up some wins early. Hobson [...]

Sergio Kindle ESPN Profile Position:  Outside Linebacker College:  Texas Size:  6’2″ – 25o pounds I like:  Kindle could start as a situational edge rusher now and morph into an outside backer of the future. Once Rey Maualuga takes over as the middle backer, there will be an opening on the outside. A linebacking corps of Rey-Rey, Rivers, and Kindle would be pretty exciting for the Bengals defense. The Bengals have the Saints, Colts, Chargers and Patriots on the schedule next year, so the team could use more firepower in the pass rush. I don’t like:  Kindle played predominantly as a [...]

The FanSided.com bloggers just finished a mock draft  for CBS Sports and I selected Brandon Graham for the Bengals. The second round will follow. Meanwhile, the ESPN bloggers  mocked it up on their site and James Walker picked Jermaine Gresham for the Bengals. Finally, Pat Kirwan  conducted a three-round mock for NFL.com and gave the Bengals and gave the Stripes Gresham, Cal defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, Vanderbilt safety/corner Myron Lewis, and Minnesota wideout Eric Decker. I don’t put much stock in these things, but it’s interesting to note the safeties who are available in Round Three. In Kirwan’s mock, LSU’s [...]

Dates of Cincinnati’s 2010 games won’t be released until Tuesday, but the teams and locations have already been established. The Bengals have the fourth-toughest schedule (based on last year’s win/loss record, I believe), and should have a few prime-time games this year after last year’s AFC North Championship. Here’s a schedule snapshot  provided by NFL.com.

It’s a great question. I say yes at No. 21. The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Corey Chavous take a look.

Maurkice Pouncey ESPN Profile Position:  Center/Guard College:  Florida Size:  6’4″ – 304 pounds I like:  Pouncey has started since his freshman year in arguably the country’s best football conference. Plus, he has experience at both center and guard so he would immediately become a quality backup at three positions on the offensive line. He’s nowhere near as big as fellow prospect Mike Iupati, but he’s a bit more athletic and has more experience and accolades (2009 Rimington Award Winner, 2nd Team All-America). I don’t like:  There are some concerns about Pouncey’s bulk and AFC North nose tackles are notoriously mammoth [...]

Mike Iupati ESPN Profile Position:  Offensive Guard College:  Idaho Size:  6’5″ – 331 pounds I like:  Iupati has great size and supposedly possesses the mean streak you would want in an offensive lineman. Furthermore, drafting a guard gives the Bengals a backup in case of injury and ensures that the offensive line is a strength for years to come (assuming Andre Smith pans out).  Plus, Carson Palmer has taken a lot of hits the last few years, so surrounding him with quality offensive lineman should be a clear priority. I don’t like:  The offensive line actually has a good bit of depth already. [...]