The Bengals have another soldier on the sidelines. Lapham talks Mixon. The NFL is listening to its players and having some fun.
The last thing Bengals fans need to hear about is another injury. With Giovani Bernard and Tyler Eifert on the sidelines, there’s no room for another starter. But, the game of football is a fickle thing and the chances of injury are always lingering. Bengals’ cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has been added to the list of walking wounded, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. Hopefully, the list will remain small during the OTAs.
Kirkpatrick has had trouble staying healthy as a member of the Bengals defense. Last year the fifth-year corner started the campaign with a shoulder injury but eventually ended with a solid performance. His play on the field was good enough to merit a five-year contract from the franchise.
It’s unnerving to see Kirkpatrick standing on the sidelines with his hand wrapped. But, he says it won’t keep him from getting into the flow of OTAs and camp. He says it was a “freak accident” that happened off the field.
Dre Kirkpatrick says he has a small fracture in his right hand. Said it's nothing too serious. Will be on field next week. Full go by camp.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) May 23, 2017
The Bengals have a slew of corners to step in and compete while Dre is recovering. William Jackson III will be expected to pick up the pace. It’s time to see how nasty Mr. Jackson can be.
Elementary, My Dear Watson
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Even if some unforgiving fans refuse to believe it, the Bengals didn’t just select Joe Mixon. Before the NFL Draft, there was extensive research done on the young man. Per The Andy Furman Podcast, Dave Lapham gave the skinny on how Cincy did a Sherlock Holmes.
"“They did extensive research on him,” Lapham stated. “That means coaches, teammates, students in the student body, trainers, equipment guys, professors, and found out about him and also brought him to Cincinnati to vet him even further. And long-term they feel he may be a safer prospect than Dalvin Cook from Florida State.”"
So, all you hardcore Bengals fans who wanted to see Dalvin in stripes….Let that sink in for a minute. Mixon’s research led them “away” from Cook and straight to Joe. I’m not one for laughing in the face of irony but that seems incredibly backward. Fans are looking at Mixon like a potential criminal but Cook rated lower on the Bengals’ list. Wow. Life never fails to amuse.
Kissing The Baby Again
The NFL is an ever-changing wonderland of unpredictable permutations. Okay, no more Mr. Spock impersonations. The bottom line is simple. Once again there will be fun in the end zone. Well, at least a little. Roger Goodell has loosened his tie and is allowing the TD celebrations back into the league.
Personally, I don’t understand why they were taken away. No video game representation of the NFL is complete, without some insane end zone antics by the players.
Marvin Lewis isn’t onboard with the plan. But, the players will have a chance to express themselves without drawing a quick flag. Bengals’ tackle and NFLPA president, Eric Winston, likes the relaxed feel.
Next: The No Fun League Relaxes
"“I do think there is a fine line,” Winston said. “I have a son that every time we go watch a baseball game he wants to emulate exactly what he’s just seen. So obviously there is a fine line there, but like I said, I think you’re supposed to let your personality show. I think you’re supposed to be able to let who you are show, and you want to celebrate, you want to do something quickly, I don’t think you should be fined or penalized, so I’m glad to see that changed.”"
Chad Johnson should come back to Cincy and become a celebrations coach.