Who Dey notes: Bengals’ Mixon hot topic, ESPN grade
By Emile Pierce
Joe Mixon is still the topic of choice for most writers and publications. ESPN slapped the Bengals with a shocking grade.
Has there been a Bengals player with more media coverage than Joe Mixon? In all my years watching the Orange and Black, this has to be the ultimate in overkill. Outside of putting him in a photoshopped men’s romper, how much more can be said about the former Sooner? There’s talk about the Bengals culture being the wrong atmosphere for the young man. Can we just stick to the football aspect of his career and move on? He’s certainly a hot issue. But, it’s starting to wear thin.
Here’s a quick hitter that should help clear the air. As long as Mixon has positive role models around him, he should be good. He’s no more likely to get crazy than the next rookie. If anything, he has more to prove than the average Joe (yes, pun intended). Marvin Lewis and Co. took a risk that will probably yield high dividends in the immediate future.
How fast? Offensive coordinator Ken Zampese is ready to get the season started now. He’s anxious to see the Bengals’ newest weapon in action.
"“I’m so excited, I can hardly stand myself,” Zampese said with glee, via Dayton Daily News. “This guy can flat go — very, very good football player — strong, explosive, change of direction, feel and instincts, catches the ball. (We) can move him around in different places of the field. (He) interviewed football IQ-wise very well, protections, explained his offense well. I think he has a very, very bright future.”"
Wasn’t that easy? Nothing about his past. It should always be about football. September 10 should tell the story.
Go Sit In The Corner
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The no love clause continued for the Cincinnati Bengals at ESPN. The four letter gurus recently graded the offseason transactions of the AFC North. Well, there’s really no need to guess who got the short end of things. The Bengals ended the grading session with a C+. Essentially, that’s a nice way of saying, “Why, yes. You almost had a D. But, since you aren’t the Browns, we’ll give you a C.”
The good? Re-signing Dre Kirkpatrick and picking up John Ross in the draft. The bad? Not addressing the weakness of the offensive line.
Truthfully, the Bengals have been aware of the situation for years. It’s time for Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi to shine. But, how can the lack of uber-talented linemen in the draft cause the Bengals to grade out with a C+? Sometimes, you have to wonder about the criteria for the grades. Seems like everyone in the division got the curve except the Bengals. Cincinnati will have an explosive offense. But, no one will believe it until…Minneapolis.