Bengal Stripes — WHO DEY!

T.O. in stripes; starting to make sense

by The Stripe on March 10, 2010

It sounds funny to say, but Terrell Owens playing for Cincinnati seems to make a lot sense. More sense than Antonio Bryant or Brandon Marshall.

Cincinnati Enquirer Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy believes that Antonio Bryant is the team’s No. 1 option right now. However, it is T.O. who seems to be saying all the right things.

“I paid attention to some of the things that happened in the playoffs and leading up to the playoffs,” Owens told Reedy. “Chad and I both can alleviate a lot of pressure off each other and we can make Carson’s job a lot easier.

“I think the excitement speaks for itself. You think about it and what we both can do on the football field together, obviously defenses are going to have to go his way or my way.”

Owens also spoke highly of Palmer.

“I think Carson is one of those underrated quarterbacks. His body of work speaks for itself. Obviously I also relish the moment I can play with a quarterback with the capability and skill set of Carson’s. If this is it I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Also, T.O. may have matured last season in Buffalo, his quarterback out there (Ryan Fitzpatrick) thinks T.O. would be a good fit in Cincinnati.

“The Bengals and Terrell make a lot of sense,” Fitzpatrick said an interview with Bengals.com. “Carson is at his best when he’s throwing the long ball and they’ve had trouble lately getting Chad freed up because he’s always double covered. They don’t have a deep threat on the other side and Terrell can bring that because he can still run and make big plays. Just knowing Carson, I think they would work well together. I saw Carson’s quotes that he’s pretty much handled it all and seen it all when it comes to wide receivers and I think he’s right. Terrell wants to win. A great competitor and I think he and Chad would feed off each other. The guy was a good teammate.”

T.O. had dinner with the coaching staff last night and is believed to be checking out the Bengals’ facilities today.

Meanwhile, Bryant stayed in Cincinnati for an unusual amount of time during his visit yesterday. There seems to be a lot of interest from both sides. However, the WR seems to favor playing for Miami instead of Cincinnati. Unfortunately for him, Cincinnati wants him and Miami – not so much.

“The Dolphins have spoken with the agent for WR Antonio Bryant, according to a source. But team’s interest has been only lukewarm so far,” Miami Herald Sports Columnist Armando Salguero tweeted late last night.

In other news, Carlos “Big C” Holmes of the Dayton Daily News reported that the Bengals are close to deal with guard Bobbie Williams.

“According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Cincinnati Bengals are close to a deal with offensive guard Bobbie Williams.” – Big C

Four days prior to “Big C’s” breaking news story – the same story was written on the team’s official Web site. Not sure if “Big C” was breaking a story or making a safe assumption.

Anyways, the Bengals, as of right now (a full day after “Big C’s” story) still hadn’t re-signed Williams.

Speaking of Williams, Roy Williams, was said to be close to a deal by “Big C” five days ago – still no word on that.

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Tank, Bryant, Buchanon and T.O.

by The Stripe on March 8, 2010

Some quick updates.

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed defensive tackle Tank Johnson to a four-year deal according to ESPN.com. The Tank released the news on his twitter account.

“Cinci we got a deal! Very greatfull to The Browns and all the Who Dey Nation!!! I’m Baaaaaaaack!!!! Now let’s win some more,” Johnson tweeted.

According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, wide receiver Antonio Bryant will spend his 29th birthday on a visit to Cincinnati this Tuesday.

Reedy writes: “He (Bryant) would give the Bengals the deep threat they are looking desperately lacking. Carson Palmer said over the weekend that he has texted Bryant in a recruiting effort to get him to come to Cincinnati. And with Chad Ochocinco entering his 10th season and entering an option year in 2011, Bryant could eventually make a bid to possibly become the team’s top receiver.”

Bryant will have some company according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who tweeted that Terrell Owens will also be in town on Tuesday.

Last, in a less serious matter, the Bengals have been linked to cornerback Phillip Buchanon according to Pro Football Talk. Not sure if there is any real truth to the report as the site is not the most reliable of sources, however the site also has the CB linked to the Vikings. Buchanon would make a nice third cornerback option in Cincinnati, hopefully the front office is not trying to find a cheaper alternative than signing Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph to long-term deals.

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2010 NFL Bloggers Mock Draft

by The Stripe on March 8, 2010

While free agency continues to bore us in the real world, I figured it would be a good time to re-visit the 2010 NFL Blogger Mock Draft.

We left off after the No. 3 pick, since then we have had six more selections – the latest being the Buffalo Bills at No. 9.

Let’s take a look at what we missed.

With the fourth selection of the NFL Draft the Washington Redskins (represented by Curly R) select Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma.

Curly R: The Redskins have many needs this offseason, none more pressing that along the offensive line where Washington used seven different starting combinations and five different tackles, with no tackle starting more than eight consecutive games. To highlight how serious are the Redskins needs at tackle, consider this:

Ten year veteran and six time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels was forced to end his season early for the second consecutive season in 2009, this time due to a serious spinal stenosis condition that if aggravated again may have left Chris paralyzed or dead. Chris will announce his retirement formally from pro football this week.

Regular right tackle Stephon Heyer, undrafted four years ago, was forced to play two games at left tackle due to a lack of quality depth at the position. Designating your starting right tackle as the backup starting left tackle is pretty much the definition of closing the barn door after the horse done took off.

Season ending left tackle Levi Jones was on the street to start the 2009 season! The Redskins actually planned so poorly at the second most important position in the game that the guy they got to protect quarterback Jason Campbell’s blind side was not playing organized football in September.

With only one offensive line position player guaranteed to return in 2010, left guard Derrick Dockery, there is simply no other option for the Redskins than to pick the best tackle prospect on the board at number four.

Trent was already a first round prospect, widely considered the best blocker on one of the best if not the best offensive line in the nation at the University of Oklahoma. His draft value increased after he had a great combine and proved to everyone that he does not have chicken wing arm span.

With the fifth selection of the NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs selects Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa.

No Logo Needed:
Bulaga’s size and youth makes him an attractive commodity. Bulaga is 6-foot-6, 312 pounds and only 20 years old. His potential is sky high. The only problem is Bulaga’s arms measured 33 inches. For a dominating left tackle, that size is short.

Here is what Michael Erler of SFI wrote regarding his concerns of Bulaga.

I look at Bulaga though and I’m reminded of the Raiders Robert Gallery. His arms measured at just 33 inches, which are a bit short in my opinion for a dominating left tackle. Also, in the combine drills he didn’t look terribly explosive or athletic, especially in the lower body. Iowa linemen have a reputation for never improving in the pros past the level that Head Coach Kirk Ferentz got from them in college and I just have a feeling that Bulaga will just wind up being a solid NFL guard when it’s all said and done.

But, Bulaga’s positives include quick feet, strong run blocker and likes to move onto the next level to try and get blocks on linebackers.

With the sixth selection of the NFL Draft the Seattle Seahawks (represented by Dave Krieg’s Strike Board) select Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma.

Dave Krieg’s Strike Board): The Seattle Seahawks have had a strange history at the quarterback position. The best QBs in franchise history were a sixth-round pick (Matt Hasselbeck), and two undrafted free agents (Dave Krieg and Jim Zorn), while the team has had terrible fortune spending high draft picks on quarterbacks. Seattle has used a third-round pick or higher on a QB four times in franchise history, and they are a true procession of failures: Dan McGwire, Rick Mirer, Brock Huard and David Greene. Combined NFL record as starting QBs? 26-51.

However, history also tells us that every season Seattle has had made the playoffs with 10+ wins, they had a Pro Bowl QB under center (Krieg in ‘84, Hasselbeck in ‘03, ‘05 and ‘07). It’s a cliche at this point that the NFL is a “quarterback’s league,” but Seattle’s descent into the league’s bottom tier has coincided with the rapid deterioration of Hasselbeck’s performance over the last two seasons.

Unfortunately, the Twelve Army can’t just sit back and hope Mike Teel becomes the next Hasselbeck or Krieg. Given that new coach Pete Carroll wants his own personal Troy Aikman, taking the top QB in this draft class is the obviously right call. Bradford is a gamble based on his shoulder issues and need to adjust to taking snaps from under center, but is a great value pick at #6. Bradford would also get to sit back and learn from Hasselbeck in his rookie year (which is also the final year of Hasselbeck’s contract), unless Beck gets injured or fails to improve on his pathetic performance in 2009.

Of course, we might give up the 6th overall pick to land Brandon Marshall, rendering everything I just wrote moot.

With the seventh selection of the NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns (represented by draft host No Logo Needed) selects Eric Berry, S, Tennessee.

No Logo Needed): If the draft in April falls this way, there will be nobody happier than us here at No Logo Needed. Selecting a talent like Berry doesn’t come along very often. According to NFL Network’s Charlie Casserly, some teams have said Berry is the best player in the draft. So taking Berry is a no-brainer from a talent standpoint, but what makes this even better is that the Browns are in desperate need of a play making safety.

The best part about what Berry brings to the table is his versatility. Because of his talent, Berry can play man-to-man with wide receivers’s and that means when the Browns roll coverage over to account for a blitzing corner there is no drop off in coverage.

Berry started for three seasons at UT and made 245 tackles, 17 pass breakups and had 14 interceptions. In addition, he returned kicks. He is athletic, confident, driven and can be a leader on the Browns defense for years to come.

With the eighth selection of the NFL Draft the Oakland Raiders (represented by Just Blog Baby.com) selects Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland.

Just Blog Baby.com): The hope is that this Bruce Campbell will lead the Army of Darkness in Oakland by anchoring the woeful offensive line.

He has been called the “offensive line version of Vernon Davis”. Does that mean it will take Mike Singletary banishing him from the sideline mid-game to live up to his potential? Probably since Campbell is a raw talent who has major upside but is seen as a major gamble. Oh…almost forgot to mention his injury concerns as well.

What’s more Al Davis than that?

Too bad for Al that Singletary coaches that team on the other side of the Bay Bridge. I guess a Tom Cable jaw breaker will have to suffice for motivational tactics instead.

For the sake of the franchise this pick has to pay immediate dividends. With all the money being handed out in Oakland these days you’d assume this team has been wearing the AFC West crown and not the dunce cap for the last seven years.

Finally, and I promise not to get this far behind again, with the ninth overall selection in NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills (represented by BuffaloSportsNow.com) select Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame.

BuffaloSportsNow.com: Anthony Davis had a rough combine, running a poor 40 time and looking sluggish in position drills. More troubling was that the word is he performed poorly in team meetings adding fuel to the notion that he has motivational issues. That being said, he has as much upside as any Tackle outside of Okung in this draft.

Dan Williams is another intriguing option for the Bills who would could instantly help the Bills make the transition to the 3-4 a smooth one. He has rare power that would keep the linebackers clean and will stuff the run. He lacks the kind of big play ability you look for in a top 10 pick, but he is head and shoulders above the other NT prospects in relatively thin draft at NT.

Rolondo McClain is another option, but the needs along the lines and at QB out way the one at LB. He is the kind of leader you build around but after choosing to skip the 40 at the combine he’ll have to answer questions about his speed and athleticism at the next level.

Many teams will have Clausen on top of their board at QB, but I believe the Bills likely have Bradford rated higher by a slight margin. Bradford’s leadership intangibles, accuracy, athleticism and quick release will make him attractive to Gailey. If both Clausen and Bradford are both off the board, I believe the Bills love Tim Tebow’s intangibles, unfortunately his tangibles are the problem and he really should not be considered a 1st round pick. While Bradford is probably tops on the Bills draft board, Claussen would not be rated far behind. He comes into the league as NFL ready as any QB in several drafts. He went a long way towards answering questions about his leadership ability this year on the field by playing hurt at the highest possible level. Game after game, Claussen kept the Irish competitive despite their being over matched for much of the season, especially on defense.

Despite playing most of the season with tendon damage in his right toe that required post-season surgery, Clausen compiled one of the most prolific seasons any top prospect has produced in recent memory. Looking at his stats compared to the top first round choices the past few drafts shows his 68% completion percentage, only 4 interceptions and 9 yards per attempt is as good or better than Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford. His 28 TDs place him third behind only Sanchez and Ryan.

The bottom line is Jimmy Clausen would give the Bills a true young franchise QB to build around for the next 15 years. Although they have needs at Tackle, NT, LB, WR and elsewhere, if you are a team without a true franchise QB behind center or in development, you are a lost franchise. By most indications Clausen has proven he has matured both on and off the field and is ready to take the next step. His experience under Charlie Weis in a true pro-style offense means he will be ready to step in sooner rather than later to lead this Bills team.

1. St. Louis Rams: Joe Sports Fan Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh
2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung
4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R Oklahoma OT Trent Williams
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga
6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford
7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed Tennessee S Eric Berry
8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby Maryland OT Bruce Campbell
9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen
10. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal
12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports
13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
14. Denver Broncos: Bronco Talk
15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
17. Carolina Panthers: Cat Scratch Reader
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
19. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
20. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied

Note from Bengalstripes.com We would like to thank Don Delco of No Logo Needed for putting this mock draft together again. For past two offseasons, Bengalstripes.com has been honored to participate in the bloggers mock draft.

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On Bengals radar: Brandon Marshall

by The Stripe on March 7, 2010

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Cincinnati is seriously considering making a move to acquire wide receiver Brandon Marshall. It is likely that the Bengals would have to give up their first-round pick in return for Marshall, who is a restricted free agent.

Schefter reports: “While Denver’s restricted free-agent WR Brandon Marshall spent Sunday in Seattle, his name and future were being discussed in Cincinnati.”

More to come…also, the 2010 Bloggers NFL Mock Draft continues to take place. Bengalstripes.com will re-visit the selections this week, the latest selection was turned in Sunday evening by the Cleveland Browns (No. 7 overall – I left off with the No. 3 overall selection, so we have some catching up to do – however, the Bengals at No. 21 have some time and if the Bengals acquire Marshall then I may not have to worry about it).

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Tahi, T.O. and Bryant

by The Stripe on March 7, 2010

According to the Star Tribune, the Cincinnati Bengals are once again interested in Minnesota Vikings fullback Naufahu Tahi. Last March, Cincinnati signed Tahi to a one-year $1.4 million deal. However, like this March, Tahi is a restricted free agent (Vikings decided to match last year). That being said, whatever the Bengals offer, the Vikings will be able to match.

The paper says: “People with knowledge of the situation say the Bengals again have inquired about Tahi. The tender the Vikings gave Tahi this time calls for him to make $1.2 million in 2010.”

Terrell Owens: I am starting to grow tired of writing about him and unfortunately it is not going to stop anytime soon according to Pro Football Talk. The site is implying that Cincinnati is only team out there that is interested in the veteran wide receiver. While that is exactly what Cincinnati whats, Owens’ agent Drew Rosenhaus and Katie Blackburn will likely play a long game of high-low.

Meanwhile, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer responded favorably about Owens via text to Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson.

“I’d love to,” texted Palmer when asked about the possibility of throwing to Owens. “His past doesn’t bother me at all. If any qb can deal with extravagant wrs, it’s me.”

Antonio Bryant: While Palmer wouldn’t mind having Owens, he may prefer to have the services of wide receiver Antonio Bryant.

“I would say he has some interest in Cincinnati; that’s how I would characterize it,” Bryant’s agent Lamont Smith told Bengals.com. “He and Carson have exchanged some texts and that’s always a positive when the quarterback gets involved.”

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Bengals are interested in its own, T.O. and Pitts

by The Stripe on March 6, 2010

NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus has confirmed that the Cincinnati Bengals have contacted him and his client, Terrell Owens.

“Right now I would say that everyone knows that the Cincinnati Bengals have expressed some interest in Terrell and they have spoken with him and myself,” Rosenhaus said last night during a Sirius NFL Radio appearance. “Where we go from here I’m not sure but I think it’s at least a positive dialogue. And we represent another great receiver on Cincinnati in Chad Ochocinco who would love to have number 81 as his teammate. And we’ll just see how that plays out. But certainly that’s something that is a possibility. I guess that’s about the most I can say right now.”

It appears that while the Bengals are entertaining the idea of bringing in Owens for a visit, they are going to take their time doing that.

First, it is important to see if the Bengals are the only bidders. If so, Cincinnati could try to sign Owens to an inexpensive one-year deal.

WR Antonio Bryant: Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson believes that the Bengals are also interested in wide receiver Antonio Bryant. Bryant will be 29 next season, which is much younger than Owens, who will be 37. Bryant’s chances of landing in Cincinnati could be slim, however, according to the Miami Herald –

“Bryant is interested in joining the Dolphins, a source said Friday night. Now, if Miami wants him, it will be up to the team to reciprocate.”

OG Chester Pitts: According to the National Football Post, the Bengals are also interested in offensive lineman Chester Pitts. Pitts is currently receiving interest from the Houston Texans, the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions. If acquired, Pitts would be penciled in as a starter at left guard, possibly right guard if the team doesn’t re-sign OG Bobbie Williams.

OG Bobbie Williams, Tank Johnson and Roy Williams: Bengals.com is also reporting that the Bengals “have had more intense talks with Bobbie Williams.” The team has also been in talks with defensive tackle Tank Johnson and safety Roy Williams. However, according to the site “the closest” to signing “looked to be Bobbie Williams.” On other note, Drew Rosenhaus tweeted that Tank Johnson “will make visits to other teams next week.”

Big story: There have been numerous reports and write-ups of “Big” Ben Roesthlisberger’s latest rape charge. Here is the best I found – good story from the AJC.

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Chris Baker to visit Cincinnati

by The Stripe on March 5, 2010

According to Bengals beat reporter Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, tight end Chris Baker is going to visit the Cincinnati Bengals next week. Reedy announced the news on his twitter account.

Baker, who caught 14 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns last season for the New England Patriots, is known as a block-first tight end and secondary as a pass catcher. Prior to playing in New England, Baker played seven seasons for the New York Jets. His most-productive season as pass catcher was in 2007 when he caught 41 passes 409 yards and three touchdowns.

Walter re-signs elsewhere and Bolden is traded to Baltimore: The Baltimore Ravens acquired wide receiver Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals. Bolden signed a four-year $28 million contract upon the completion of the trade. The Ravens gave up a third and fourth-round picks for Bolden and a fifth-round selection.

Meanwhile, after Bolden joined Baltimore, the Kevin Walter rumors began. Walter did sign with a former team, but it wasn’t Cincinnati. He ended up re-signing with the Houston Texans.

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Bengals close to re-signing Roy Williams

by The Stripe on March 5, 2010

According to Carlos “Big C” Holmes of the Dayton Daily News, the Cincinnati Bengals continue to talk contract with representatives for free agent strong safety Roy Williams.

Holmes writes, “Williams’ agent, Jordan Woy, said today that the two sides are talking in an effort to get a deal done that would bring the former Pro Bowl safety back to Cincinnati.”

Ironically, the Bengals re-signed a safety (Chris Cocker) as its first move during free agency last March.

Injuries sidelined Williams for the majority of the season in 2009. He played in four games, had 28 total tackles and defended two passes. When healthy, Williams was the Bengals best option at strong safety.

T.O. Watch: Meanwhile, Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer is opening up to the idea of the Bengals going after T.O.

Reedy writes: “Should (Kevin) Walter and (Antonio) Bryant go off the market, and that should happen in the next day or two, Owens would be the top unrestricted free agent out there. Yes, he’s 36 but he also still has the ability to beat teams deep with at least seven receptions of 25 yards or more (the Bengals as a team had only 12 last year). Others out there include Derrick Mason (whose also 36), Chris Chambers and Torry Holt. Chambers might still be a bargain, but of the four, T.O. would be the best option.”

Meanwhile, Laveranues Coles told The Star Ledger that he wasn’t ever comfortable in Cincinnati.

“I didn’t fit into the offense at all,” Coles told the paper. “(Quarterback) Carson (Palmer) wasn’t comfortable with me. He likes tall receivers. He told the coaches he wasn’t comfortable throwing to me.”

According to the same publication, Coles’ first call will be to the New York Jets to “see if they’re interested.”

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Bengals interested in T.O.?

by The Stripe on March 5, 2010

What type of T.O. are the Bengals going to take this free agency? A time out or Terrell Owens?

Well, according to ProFootballTalk.com, a league source has confirmed that the ageless Terrell Owens is getting interest from two teams.

One has to be the Baltimore Ravens, who has already admitted interest in Owens. The other, could be Cincinnati or it could be another team?

The Owens debate has heated up due to his relationship with Chad Ochocinco. During a Super Bowl party this February, Owens said that he would change his name to Ochouno if he were to sign with the Bengals.

To be honest, I am reaching here, there is nothing to talk about on day one of free agency. Other players are signing throughout the league, but things are quiet thus far in Cincinnati.

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