Archive for April, 2010

Joe Reedy reports that the Bengals and Broncos haven’t talked about Tony Scheffler. He also takes a look at the drafting of a defensive lineman. Looking ahead:  This next week is shaping up to be a doozy, with the NFL schedule being released Tuesday and the draft two days later. Rest up this weekend because football is coming back. Finally.

Marvin Lewis mentioned in his draft conference that there could be movement on the tight end position before the draft even starts. What that means exactly, is unclear. Joe Reedy wonders if solid Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler could be headed for the Queen City. There’s also a possibility that J.P. Foschi or Reggie Kelly could be re-signed. I’d prefer Scheffler. He may not be a dynamite blocker, but he has legitimate receiving skills and the Bengals’ bookends (tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith) shouldn’t need much help in pass blocking. I love Kelly’s leadership, but his age and health [...]

Dave Lapham joins the Jermaine Gresham parade in his mock draft for NFL.com. Call me crazy, but I’m going against all the analysts. I think the Bengals will go somewhere else in the first round. Joe Reedy offers some good analysis on the Bengals’ needs heading into next week’s draft. Mel Kiper  gives the Bengals some nice talent in a four-round mockstimate (mock+estimate). Mock drafts are always fun, but it’s hard to predict one pick, let alone four. Don’t put too much stock in them.

ESPN Profile Dez Bryant Position:  Wide Receiver College:  Oklahoma State Size:  6’2″ – 225 pounds The Brandon Marshall trade could push Dez Bryant into the neighborhood of the Bengals, if the Broncos decide to pass on him. It would create an interesting dilemma in Cincinnati’s war room and I’ll attempt to replicate it here. I like:  Bryant has ideal NFL size and runs a solid 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. Pair him with Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant and the Bengals offense suddenly becomes explosive again, both now and in the future. Many people believe Bryant is a top-10 talent, [...]

Our FanSided.com draft made it to the second round today and I selected LSU Safety Chad Jones for the Bengals. Jones has good size (6’2″, 221) and would provide some nice depth at the safety position behind Chris Crocker and Roy Williams. Jones also has some value as a kick returner, which is a bonus. Here’s my explanation of the pick: “Jones is a tremendous athlete who turned down a career in baseball for a chance at football. The Bengals like safeties with cover skills and Jones fits the mold. He will provide depth in the secondary and could even [...]

The folks at Fansided.com have been conducting a mock draft and I selected Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham for the Bengals. It hurt quite a bit to put another Wolverine  – Go Bucks! - in orange and black, but I think the Bengals might like what Graham could bring to the team. Here’s my justification for the pick: 21. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Brandon Graham, Michigan Many pundits are projecting Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham to the Bengals, but I believe that is unlikely given the presence of tight end Chase Coffman, a third-rounder last year. With current ends Antwan Odom [...]

ESPN Profile Position: Safety College:  USC Size:  6’3″, 203 pounds I like:  Mays is big for a safety and has outstanding speed. He was a track star in high school and played at a top-tier program at USC. He would seem to be a good fit in the AFC North, where smashmouth football still reigns. He would give the Bengals perhaps their own version of Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu on the back end. I don’t like:  There are concerns about Mays’ ability to cover, tackle, and make plays. Cincinnati faces a slew of premier passers next year, so any [...]

Here’s another feature I’ll be rolling out in advance of next week’s NFL Draft. I’ll shine a spotlight on a few prospects who might become the Bengals’ first-round pick, followed by some pros and cons. First up is Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham, who is the early favorite according to most experts. Gresham’s ESPN profile Size:  6’5″, 261 pounds I like:  Ever since TJ Houshmanzadeh left town, the Bengals have been looking for a consistent threat in the middle of the field. Gresham has the size and speed to be a big-time tight end and could lure safeties away from Chad [...]

I’ll be installing a new feature at StripeHype called “Link and Think.” I provide the link and give my opinion, then you tell me what you think. Dare I say it, it’s almost idiot-proof. Go ahead Mike Brown, try it. Today’s link comes from NFL.com’s Charles Davis. In his latest mock draft, he gives the Bengals Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham. I say Davis – and everyone else puting Gresham in stripes – is wrong. I don’t want another pass-catching tight end and I think (I hope?) the Bengals are smart enough to avoid that move as well. I think [...]

Lead blogger Dave, a solid writer and a graduate of America’s finest learning institution (Ohio University), has left StripeHype in my hands for the immediate future. I accept the new responsibility with a smirk and a sarcastic streak befitting of any geunine Bengals fan. My next order of business will be some blitzkrieg coverage leading up to the NFL Draft on April 22. Vaya con dios Dave, and stop back anytime.