Where Are All Our FAs?

By Ken Paxson

Posted: Apr 29 2008 1:51 pm

Permalink: http://www.bigcprofootball.com/blog/index.php?aid=2&bid=40

Reading the paper this morning I saw a LONG list of college free agents signed by numerous NFL teams. Then here sit the Bengals nearly 48 hours after the draft with two no-name fullbacks.

Why is it taking so freaking long to ink some FAs? I have to wonder if our notoriously small scouting department comes into play here. C'mon Marvin and crew -- get some guys signed before it's too late! I keep seeing guys come across the wire that sound like pretty good players who didn't get drafted and undrafted FAs (ie. new Bengal TE Ben Utecht) turn out to be good pros all the time.

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Bengals Draft Grade: B+

By Ken Paxson

Posted: Apr 28 2008 12:36 pm

Permalink: http://www.bigcprofootball.com/blog/index.php?aid=2&bid=39

Nationally i'm seeing mostly C-level grades for the Bengals draft. Chick Ludwig gives Cincy a B- on his blog:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/chickludwig/entries/2008/04/28/draft_analysis_bengals_earn_a.html

I'm going one step further and coming in just short of an A.

The Bengals get a B+, which would be an A if they hadn't drafted/reached for Jermoe Simpson in with their first pick in Round 2. If he turns out to be the playmaker Bratkowski and Lewis say he is, then the draft is a solid A-.

It seems to me we addressed every area of need. Rivers comes in and leads the captain-less defense and allows Brooks and Thurman to think less and react more from their OLB positions. The Bengals could go from having one of the weakest linebacking corps in the NFL to one of the strongest.

The D-Line will get a lot of help from Sims and Shirley (let's just pray Shirley's tainted past really is behind him because if so he's exactly the type of gigantic run-stuffer we need for the middle of that line.)

The Bengals added depth and immediate help everywhere it was needed. Now let's deal with the Chad situation one way or another before training camp.

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Bengals Sign OSU Fullback

By Ken Paxson

Posted: Apr 28 2008 12:25 pm

Permalink: http://www.bigcprofootball.com/blog/index.php?aid=2&bid=38

ESPN is reporting that the Bengals have signed the first of what will be many undrafted free agents in former Ohio State fullback Tyler Whaley. According to OSU's Web site, Whaley played in 13 games for the Buckeyes in 2007, but must have served mainly as a blocking back because he has very few yardage stats.

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Change Of Heart - Get CJ Out!

By Ken Paxson

Posted: Apr 23 2008 3:58 pm

Permalink: http://www.bigcprofootball.com/blog/index.php?aid=2&bid=20

I've had a change of heart regarding the Chad Johnson fiasco. At first I thought -- make him sit and suffer if he doesn't want to be here. Plus, taking an 8$M salary cap hit didn't sound like something that would be good for the team.

After chatting with DDN Bengals beat writer Chick Ludwig and hearing ESPN's Chris Mortenson weigh in, I'm convinced the Bengals can handle the cap hit and get good trade value for CJ.

As of now, the best deal was a first rounder and conditional pick from Washington, which the Bengals turned down. Sources tell me the Bengals may just be setting the bar and if someone blows them away with an offer they'll take it.

 Let's hope so. It's just hard to imagine Chad coming back at this point and now I can't believe anyone would want him back. It's Carl Pickens all over again. He could come back and say all the right things and play his butt off on the field, but he's burning more bridges every day.

 Here's hoping on draft day that someone, anyone comes calling with an offer good enough to get "Chadly" (as Chick likes to call him) out of here!

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Chad's At It Again

By Ken Paxson

Posted: Apr 02 2008 11:25 am

Permalink: http://www.bigcprofootball.com/blog/index.php?aid=2&bid=16

I heard about this on ESPN Radio this morning. Will this CJ nonsense ever end?

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday that disgruntled wideout Chad Johnson has two choices — retire or play for Cincinnati, according to ESPN and the team's Web site.
"We've been dealing with this inside for over a year and we'll be prepared to move on," Lewis told reporters, according to the team's Web site. "He has a contract through 2011. If he plays NFL football it will be in Cincinnati, or he has to do what he says and that's retire. That would be a shame. We'll do everything we can to help him out of this and try to restore his image."
The coach left the door open for Johnson to return to the team and made it clear once again that the Bengals have no plans to seek a trade.
"It's unfortunate that Chad has put himself in that situation because a lot of people who really had affection for him now see him in a different light," Lewis said, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
"Hopefully some of the things he said, he's going to have to face one way or another. If he shows and does things, and does [them] the right way, I'm willing to take the bullets for him again and allow him to come back the right way."

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