Archive for May, 2010

ScoutsInc. takes a look at Gibril Wilson and doesn’t give a flattering review. Doesn’t matter to me. Wilson has big-game experience and is a better option than anything a rookie could provide. With a low price tag, this move makes a lot of sense. The Bengals need depth at safety given the injury history of their current starters.

The Bengals announced the signings of Pac Man Jones – whoops, Adam Jones – and Gibril Wilson today (we knew that was going to happen). But in my opinion, that news is trumped by Chick Ludwig’s prediction that this season will be Marvin Lewis’ last in Cincinnati. While it is a bit odd that Lewis’ contract has yet to be extended, I think most fans expect – and hope - to have Marvin back in 2011. According to a poll on Ludwig’s blog, 65-percent of the fans want Marvin back in 2011 (as of this writing).  While I do admit that [...]

ProFootballTalk passes along a report that suggests there may have been opposing viewpoints on the decision to sign Pac Man Jones. It makes sense. This same situation took place when the team reacquired Chris Henry. John Thornton gives his first impression of the Bengals rookies. Finally, heading into OTAs, here’s the first thing I will be lookinfg for in the 2010 Bengals. Is Antonio Bryant fully recovered and ready to play? Most Bengals fans expected a healthy and productive Laveranues Coles last season, but that guy never delivered. Bryant could give the team a huge boost in the passing game [...]

Geoff Hobson spotlights one of the more intriguing Bengals heading into the 2010 season. Michael Johnson not only is getting involved in some charity work, but he’s also preparing to take some snaps at SAM (strong-side) backer next week. Considering the Bengals have never really dabbled in the 3-4 defense, the team has drafted few of the hybrid defensive end-outside backer types that have become the rage in pro football. Johnson is one of them. If he can make the switch to outside backer on certain downs, it will allow the team to disguise a lot of its defensive looks [...]

The Bengals have reportedly agreed to terms with both Pac Man Jones and Gibril Wilson, according to the Bengals web site. Wilson agreed to a one-year deal, while Jones’ deal will cover two years. The moves bolster the Bengals depth in the secondary and give the team options behind the starters at both cornerback and safety. I’m much more excited about the pickup of Wilson, given the age and injury histories of starters Roy Williams and Chris Crocker.  Jones will join a crowded group of cornerbacks led by starters Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall and backups Morgan Trent, David Jones, and rookie Brandon Ghee. The [...]

In addition to Pac Man Jones (whose signing appears to be imminent), it appears as if the Bengals will also be adding Gibril Wilson to the secondary. Here’s the article from Geoff Hobson. Pac Man (Abba – Abba/sound effect) reportedly told former teammate Tank Johnson that he is joining the team and the same news was tweeted across the universe by the Ochocinco News Network. Wilson’s deal seems to be a little bit farther away. This quote from Wilson’s agent, Alvin Keels, comes courtesy of the copy-writing machine, “One Man Gang”  Hobson. “”He really hit it off up there and [...]

Well, I suppose I should be used to this. The Bengals didn’t listen when I wanted Samari Rolle instead of Artrell Hawkins back in 1998. They didn’t lesson when I thought Willie Anderson had another year left a few seasons ago. And they didn’t listen last year when I didn’t want Andre Smith in the first round (sorry big fella). So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Pac Man Jones is about to sign with the Bengals, just days after that I wrote that the team didn’t need him. Geoff Hobson  spoke with Jones’ agent, Worrick Robinson, earlier today and Robinson said [...]

Workhorse Joe Reedy had a nice chat with some observations from the rookie minicamp. In this corner, here are my blind-guess, best case scenarios for some of the notable rookies heading into the upcoming season. Jermaine Gresham – Gresham starts on Opening Day and becomes an immediate threat in the passing game. Forty to fifty catches would probably be a reasonable ceiling. I’m more interested in his ability to block. If he can do that, I’ll feel great about the first-round pick. Carlos Dunlap – Dunlap stays out of trouble and makes an impact on passing downs. Five sacks would [...]

Things have changed. The days when the Bengals were the NFL’s punchline are over. The days when their draft picks were puzzling and their on-field performances were wretched have passed. These Bengals are no longer a doormat. In fact, I would imagine most NFL “experts” would label them as AFC North favorites heading into the season. Baltimore may have bolstered its receiving corps and helped Ray Lewis get a few more tackles by drafting Terrence “Mega Moobs” Cody, but that secondary is still suspect. And I’m not buying all the Joe Flacco = Joe Montana hype (Joe Mantegna, maybe). Pittsburgh [...]

Jermaine Gresham just finished his first few practices as a Cincinnati Bengal and he has yet to take a single snap in a game that counts, but I will say this about the team’s No. 1 draft pick – he’s saying all the right things.  Consider this quote from Geoff Hobson’s Saturday update: “That’s compliments to my coaching. That’s Coach Hayes, running my ear to get that left hand down,” Gresham said. “That’s all coaching right there. He’s (in my ear) more than a little, but he’s a great coach and he’ll get me right. … I’m just accustomed to [...]