With less than month until the 2008 NFL Draft, the Internet is overflowing with mock drafts.
Personally, I find it rather humorous that thousands of people, some paid and some not, are able to determine what 32 NFL franchises are going to do in the NFL Draft.
As a Bengal fan, I have no clue what my favorite team is going to do on April 26th. I might think that I do. However, one thing that I do know is that it’s impossible to predict what every team is going to do.
That all being said, I feel the best way to breakdown the NFL Draft would be by discussing it by position.
Today, the topic is defensive tackle.
DT is a huge need for the Bengals.
If you were paying attention during free agency you would know that the Bengals almost acquired Shaun Rogers and after that fell through they supposedly traded for Dewayne Robertson.
Obviously the team wants a DT, whether it be for the 4-3 or the 3-4 defense, it is surely a need.
According to Pro Football Weekly, DT is the team’s second biggest need. The publication grades the DT class as a C- and states the obvious, “this class features some exceptional talent at the top of the class, and teams in need of defensive linemen will have a very difficult time finding one on the second day.”
It might be difficult finding one on the second day, however I don’t know if the magazine realizes that this year’s first day will only cover the first two rounds instead of the normal first three rounds.
I believe that a team can draft a quality DT in rounds one through four. If Cincinnati doesn’t pull the trigger by its fourth-round pick, it will be in trouble. (click on prospects names for scouting reports)
ROUND ONE - Bengals would love to have - LSU DT Glenn Dorsey - Two weeks ago, I complied 11 mock drafts and 45.5 percent of them had the Bengals selecting Dorsey. It is funny how that prediction has changed (Dorsey did have his pro day on Tuesday, but his stock rose somehow without doing anything prior to that) as most mock drafters have Dorsey being long gone before the Bengals pick at No. 9 overall. USC DT Sedrick Ellis - This week, many mock drafters have Ellis falling to the Bengals at No. 9. Personally I don’t care how it happens, if Cincinnati could acquire Ellis or Dorsey in the first round, it would be huge. Both have the talent to be potential pro bowlers.
- What if the Bengals trade down -
Right when you think you know something, the Bengals do something else. I remember in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Bengals were sitting pretty when Steven Jackson fell to them at No. 24 overall. I watched the TV in excitement, cheering for Cincinnati to pick him, right when the team traded down to acquire Chris Perry. Personally, I’m not a Michigan fan, so I didn’t take it that well. However, with the trade the Bengals acquired a fourth-round pick used on the team’s current franchise-tagged player, Stacy Andrews. So, that being said, try to be patient if the team trades down to draft UNC DT Kentwan Balmer.
ROUND TWO - Bengals would love to have - UNC DT Kentwan Balmer - My personal belief is that Balmer will be gone by the Bengals second round pick. Balmer is projected to be a a first-round pick by nfldraftcountdown.com and is projected to go in the first or second round by Pro Football Weekly.
- Possible picks in rounds two through four (my personal favorites) - Texas A&M DT Red Bryant - According to nfldraftcountdown.com, Bryant is projected as a second or third rounder. Pro Football Weekly has Bryant projected as a third or fourth rounder. Despite the mid-round value, I believe that Bryant is a great prospect. Honestly, he reminds me of Dorsey, except bigger (6-foot-4, 328 lbs.). Like Dorsey, Bryant is an emotional leader that plays hard on every snap.
Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws - Projected to be a second and third rounder by Pro Football Weekly and reminds me of Domata Peko. However, he might be better. Laws proved to be very athletic for his position at the combine. He is another player that is a great tackler that has what the scouts call “a non-stop motor.”
Other possible picks in rounds two through four Arkansas DT Marcus Harrison (projected to be a second and third rounder by Pro Football Weekly), FSU DT Letroy Gunion (projected to be a second and third rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Auburn DT Pat Sims (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), N.C. State DT DeMario Pressley (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Maryland DT Dre Moore (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Iowa State DT Ahtyba Rubin (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Texas DT Frank Okam (projected to be a fourth or fifth rounder by Pro Football Weekly) and FSU DT Andre Fluellen (projected to be a fourth or fifth rounder by Pro Football Weekly).
Current DTs
John Thornton (Age: 31) - Thornton is in the last year of a six-year deal. While he has been a solid player for the Bengals, he hasn’t been an elite DT. His starting days could be numbered.
Michael Myers (Age: 32) - Myers was adequate in his role as the main backup at defensive tackle. Like Thornton, Myers is in the last year in his deal. Myers might not be back after this season and has never been an elite DT.
Domata Peko (Age: 23) - Peko has two years left in his contract and figures to be in the team’s long-term plans at defensive tackle. After emerging as a rookie in 2006, Peko failed to improve in 2007. At times it seemed as if he couldn’t break free from one-on-one blocking. In his defense, he could benefit by being paired up with a dominant DT, i.e. Dorsey or Ellis.
Titus Adams (Age: 25) - Adams was on the team’s practice squad the last two games of the 2007 season. The former seventh-round pick (NY Jets) has never see the field during a regular season game. It will be interesting to see him perform in the preseason.
Jonathan Fanene (Age: 26) - Fanene is more of defensive end, but can slide into the middle at DT in the 4-3 defense. He is the prototypical defensive end in a 3-4 and signed a three-year deal worth $4.4 million this offseason. The Bengals obviously have a lot of confidence in a player that has only 12 total tackles in three seasons.
Overview
You have to figure that only Peko has a long-term future at DT in Cincinnati. Fanene could be on the team for awhile, but isn’t the long-term option in the middle. Personally I think DT is the biggest need that has to be addressed in the upcoming draft. If a quality DT is not chosen - I grant you permission to panic.
Recently I have noticed an increase in hits from people outside of Cincinnati.
Many Bengal fans will agree that they would rather not see Chad Johnson in orange and black this upcoming season.
The rest of the NFL fan base is hoping that Johnson will be traded to their favorite team.
If you went by which fans are the most interested in Johnson, judging by my numbers I would to rank the top three teams as the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears.
Obviously this doesn’t mean that those team’s front offices are interested in Johnson, however those front offices have to realize that their fan bases would be extremely happy if they made a move for the wide receiver.
While other cities can’t seem to get enough about Chad Johnson trade rumors, I just want to stop writing about it.
So here it is - I will not write about Johnson until he is traded. If he remains on the team I will still write about him, I mean I have to, however it will be brief and I will not use his name. So from now on, Chad Johnson will be known as “the wide receiver.”
His name must never be said on Bengalstripes, however I will keep his name listed under the categories menu (on left) so you can read about the wide receiver.
Oh, the Bengals started their offseason strength and conditioning program today. The media asked questions about the wide receiver.
Head coach Marvin Lewis said that he talked to the wide receiver, “a few times. I don’t need to weigh in on what my conversations are with Chad. My conversations with Chad this year have been no different than they were a year ago.”
According to the wide receiver, he hasn’t talked to Lewis all offseason, so somebody is lying.
Video tribute of the wide receiver: done by an Eagle fan or at least I think so
Chad Johnson is on his media tour publicizing himself.
On Tuesday he appeared on ESPN2’s First Take, later that night he was on NFL Network’s Total Access and then he appeared on Wednesday he appeared on Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show, Period.
Every interview he begins by saying that he doesn’t want to talk about his situation with the Cincinnati Bengals. Then he ends each one by saying how perfect it would be to play for another team.
On First Take he said that he was “undecided” if he could win a playoff game or Super Bowl in Cincinnati.
On Total Access he said that, “if you don’t like me, then there is something wrong with you.”
On Best Damn Sports’ Show Period he said, “if I end up in Dallas, I just look at which finger I’m going to put it on. That’s it. Ain’t no ifs, ands or buts.”
Alright, I have decided that I don’t like Chad Johnson and that he can use that finger to hitch a ride out of Cincinnati.
On Total Access, Johnson almost drove himself to tears as he said “if I don’t stand up for Chad right now, I’m through, I’m done.” then he looked into the camera and said, “man look in my eyes, man I’m not playing about I’m about to tear up, but cha y’all ain’t going to make fun of me. Change! Sometimes they say the grass ain’t greener on the other side, but I’ll tell you what, if I leave, I got my water hose and I got my seeds, I’m going to make it green. Y’all ain’t feeling me, geez.”
I’m feeling that you are a drama queen and you need to be traded as soon as possible.
Since Johnson brought it up (in the video above), I have to show him crying about going 4-1.
In a world where fantasy football owners root just as hard for their fake teams as they do for their favorite NFL teams, is it wrong to fantasize about being the general manager (GM) of the your favorite team.
Currently, I act as the GM for the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFFL. The AFFL is a league that allows the fan to be their favorite team’s GM.
I decided that I was going to eat his guaranteed money and move on.
So, I placed Chad Johnson on the trading block at 1:03 p.m. ET.
I immediately received offers. The Miami Dolphins offered a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick or wide receiver Matt Jones. The Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams and Green Bay Packers were all discussing deals within 20 minutes of the trade rumor.
Then 45 minutes after I put Ocho Cinco on the block, I was able to trade him to Green Bay for running back Edgerrin James, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (traded away last season for defensive help) and a third-round pick (San Francisco) in the 2008 NFL Draft.
I’m not saying Cincinnati would be able to get all that in return (in real life), but I would think that they would be able to get something. Hell, I would take a bag a chips for Chad Johnson right now.
In fact, in the fantasy league, the New York Giants offered a roll of duct-tape.
I say the Bengals should take it.
Real Bengal News: Stacy Andrews signs one-year tender
Bengal fans were shocked that the team would name backup offensive lineman Stacy Andrews as its franchise player, however to no one’s surprise Andrews decided to sign his one-year tender today. The deal is for one year and is worth $7.5 million
With injuries and aging concerns at tackle, the Bengals are looking to sign their OT (Andrews) of the future to a long-term deal. Cincinnati would have to sign him long-term by July 15th to lessen the salary cap hit in 2008.
I know it sounds crazy to give Andrews that much money, but let’s take a look at that fake league again for an example of how Andrews would do on the open market - right now we are in the middle of our free-agency period and Andrews is one of the hottest unrestricted free agents in the league right now.
I didn’t offer him the franchise tag, instead I offered it to Robert Geathers, who didn’t get that extension he got in real life until after I became the GM.
Anyways, the highest bid on Andrews is a five-year deal (again this is in the fantasy world) with the Dallas Cowboys worth $35 million ($6 million a year and a $5 million signing bonus). However, that amount is expected to increase as the Baltimore Ravens seem ready to offer any amount of money to acquire him. In this fake world, the Bengals figure to be out of the Andrews sweepstakes.
All that being said, let’s hope the real Bengals can lock up Andrews for the long term and get rid of Chad Johnson.
Chad Johnson followed up his ESPN2 interview with a NFL Network appearance - Does anyone else hate this spoiled brat?
Everybody’s favorite disgruntled wide receiver, Chad Johnson, appeared on ESPN2’s late-morning show (First Take) on Tuesday.
He was asked if he wanted to play for the Bengals, he answered, “I want to continue my career where ever I have an opportunity at winning a playoff game and getting to a Super Bowl.”
Asked if he could do that with the Bengals, he answered, “I’m undecided.”
I’m not sure if Bengal fans have decided if they want Ocho Cinco on their team anymore.
Most fans would be lying if they said that they didn’t think this was ever going to happen - when Chad Johnson (lovable and funny) turns into Terrell Owens (hated and arrogant) -
That day has arrived!
In the past, why did the media describe Johnson’s endzone celebrations as wholesome fun and Owens’ dances as classless displays of unsportsmanship?
The main reason was because Johnson accepted most interviews with the media, while Owens just used the media when he wanted to.
The tables have turned, Johnson is now alienating the media and Owens is opening up to anyone who will listen.
Personally, the main reason Chad Johnson makes me so upset is because I bought all into his antics and media’s generous view of him.
I loved the fact that he played for the Bengals and didn’t complain. In fact, when he joined the team he expressed that he wasn’t disappointed that the lowly Bengals drafted him, yet he was excited to be a key part in turning the team into a winner.
Currently, the Bengals are in decent shape to be a winner and could be a few moves away from being a Super Bowl contender.
It doesn’t make sense that Ocho Cinco wants to say hasta luego to Cincinnati.
I say Cincinnati should grant Johnson’s wish. Send him to Detroit.
Have fun winning a Super Bowl there.
Maybe we could get a stronger, possibly more talented, receiver for him in Roy Williams.
Honestly I didn’t want to write about this - the interview on ESPN2 was meaningless, but everyone freaks out when Chad Johnson acts like a jerk on television, so if you want to watch it click here.
However, it may be more entertaining to watch Sportscenter’s Top 10 Unsportsmanship Plays, which is below. I dedicate this video to our former favorite NFL player: CHAD JOHNSON
Note: It should be interesting if Chad Johnson shows up to the team’s offseason strength and conditioning program at Paul Brown Stadium, which starts on Monday. The program isn’t mandatory, but Johnson has been regular for Cincinnati and could earn $250,000 as a workout bonus by participating, according to Mark Curnutte of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Cincinnati fans won’t lose any sleep knowing that wide receiver Tab Perry won’t be back this season.
Last year, Perry was expected to emerge as the No. 3 receiver while Chris Henry served his eight-game suspension.
That didn’t work as Perry spent most his career with the Bengals trying to recover from injuries.
Even when healthy, Perry and quarterback Carson Palmer were not on the same page at all.
Perry was a great kick returner for Cincinnati his rookie season in 2005, but the team opted not to tender its restricted free agent and now he is gone.
Jets could keep Robertson
According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the New York Jets might keep defensive lineman Dewayne Robertson. The team would like Robertson to move from tacke to end, but he “would have to rework his contract.” Robertson is due to make $9.8 million this year and is owed a $3 million roster bonus in June.
Due to the team’s spending spree this free-agency period, it is hard to believe that Jets would keep Robertson.
According to a number of sources, the Denver Broncos are in talks with the Jets in regards to a trade for Robertson. Other sources are saying that the Jets are getting pretty desperate. Rich Cimini of the NY Daily News wrote, “GM Mike Tannenbaum must feel like he’s trying to peddle a knock-off Rolex to street-corner salesmen. It’s hard to hustle hustlers.”
The Jets also signed tight end Bubba Franks to a one-year deal after Ben Utecht signed an offer sheet with Cincinnati.
Bengals are close to signing another linebacker
According to Bengals.com, the team is close to signing Arizona Cardinals linebacker Brandon Johnson.
Johnson didn’t receive any playing time in Arizona. He did wear No. 59, which is the same jersey that was worn by former Bengals linebacker Landon Johnson.
Utecht’s contract
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer the offer sheet that Ben Utecht signed with the Cincinnati Bengals was worth $9 million for three seasons.
The price tag seems a little bit high, but give credit to the Bengals for going out and doing what it takes to sign him.
I doubt the Colts can afford to give Utecht $3 million a season.
However, Utecht is a restricted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts, which means that the Colts has seven days to match the offer.
According to Bengals.com, Indy has until midnight on Friday to match.
If the Colts don’t match, the Bengals would possibly have something that they haven’t had since the days of Rodney Holman - a true receiving threat at the tight end position.
You can argue that Tony “Stone Hands” McGee was the last receiving threat at tight end, but with his nickname (I didn’t make it up, it was commonly known and said over Bengal radio broadcasts in the 90s) I believe that Utecht would be an upgrade over McGee.
Utecht is a 6-foot-6 251-pound tight end that has 68 catches for 741 yards in the last two seasons. At Indianapolis, Utecht had to battle for touches with receivers Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stockley/Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark. In Cincinnati, Utecht would be No. 1 receiving option at tight end and could provide a nice complement to Reggie Kelly, who is known as a blocking tight end.
The Colts are not expected to match the Bengals offer.
Indianapolis could have gave Utecht a $1.4 million tender offer, which would have required a second-round pick as compensation - meaning Cincinnati would have to offer more than $1.4 million and give up its second-round pick to the Colts to acquire Utecht. Instead the Colts offered only $927,000, which allows them to match any offer.
Personally, I love this move - that is if it happens.
Last year at this time, fans of the Cincinnati Bengals were confident that their team was good enough to make a run at the Super Bowl.
It is amazing on how drastically things have changed.
The offensive line didn’t open holes, Rudi Johnson looked slow, Odell Thurman wasn’t reinstated, Chad Johnson feuded with Carson Palmer and the defense couldn’t stop anyone.
Now, the Bengals have the ninth overall pick in the NFL Draft and need to do something to get their fans believing in Super Bowl aspirations once again.
I decided to take eleven of the most recent mock drafts I could find and use them to find out what the Bengals might do.
Before I breakdown the top nine picks, let’s see which players are being predicted as the Bengals No. 9 pick. (In order of probability)
- 18% - 2t) OSU DE Vernon Gholston Fans of the Cincinnati Bengals would love this pick as well. After his amazing performance in the combine, some mock drafts have Gholston going as high as No. 2 overall. The Bengals would jump at the opportunity to draft Gholston, but he probably won’t be there when they pick at No. 9. These two mock drafts have Cincinnati taking Ghoston - Draft King, mynfldraft.com.
- 18% - 2t) Clemson DE Phillip Merling - If the draft was today and Cincinnati selected Merling, many fans would get on google to find out who in the world they were drafting. However, Merling is the prototypical big defensive end. Scouts describe Merling as a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense because of his size. These are the sites predicting Merling - NFL Draft Countdown, CBSSports.com.
- 9% - 4t) Miami FS Kenny Phillips The Bengals could use a safety and Phillips could be a good one, but they could trade down and still get Phillips. This site newnfldraft.com has Cincinnati taking Phillips.
- 9% - 4t) USC OLB Keith Rivers Cincinnati desperatly needs linebacking help. According to most mock drafts, Rivers would be available later on in the draft. However, this mock draft nfldraftdog.com has Cincinnati taking him.
- Let’s break it down pick by pick (# out of 11 mock drafts)
No. 1 Miami Dolphins - Jake Long (2), Chris Long (8), Matt Ryan (1) No. 2 St. Louis Rams - Chris Long (3), Glenn Dorsey (2), Jake Long (3), Vernon Gholston (3) No. 3 Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan (8), Sedrick Ellis (1), Jake Long (2) No. 4 Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden (6), Sedrick Ellis (1), Glenn Dorsey (2), Jake Long (2) No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long (2), Ryan Clady (4), Glenn Dorsey (1), Sedrick Ellis (4) No. 6 New York Jets - Vernon Gholston (3), Darren McFadden (5), Sedrick Ellis (1), Mike Jenkins (1), Leodis McKevin (1) No. 7 New England Patriots - Mike Jenkins (1), Vernon Gholston (3), Ryan Clady (1), Leodis McKelvin (5), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (1) No. 8 Baltimore Ravens - Sedrick Ellis (2), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (1), Matt Ryan (2), Brian Brohm (2), Leodis McKelvin (1), Mike Jenkins (1), Aqib Taib (2)
NO. 9 CINCINNATI BENGALS
Who is the selection? Like last year it will be the player that falls to them, but there is a good chance that Gholston, Ellis and Dorsey will be gone by the time the Bengals pick. However, one of those three should be there at No. 7. New England should be willing to trade down unless the Patriots really want that player.
Other News - Bengals get a LB
If the Bengals had drafted Virginia linebacker Darryl Blackstock (left) in the third round of the NFL Draft, I would have gave a good ole Tiger Woods fist pump.
At the time of the ‘05 NFL Draft, I was updating a sports talk radio station’s Web page with mock drafts and articles about possible players that the Bengals could draft. Blackstock was definitely one of those players.
After a junior season where he led all linebackers on the level of play formerely called Division I-A, Blackstock decided to forgo his senior season. Like his college teammate and now NFL teammate Ahmad Brooks, Blackstock (6′ 3″ 245 lbs.) is a young linebacker with size.
Personally, I really liked this player in college and I’m excited to see him play in the preseason. According to sources, Blackstock agreed to a one-year deal, so he will be playing with something to prove.
Other news - Falcons sign Alex Stepanovich
Stepanovich started four games and saw action in 12 games at center last season with the Bengals.
Many Bengal supporters are still not sold on Eric Ghiaciuc. Dan Santucci looked solid during the preseason, but he might be better suited to play guard. The Bengals could be looking at centers in the draft or on the free agent market.
I know Ghiaciuc is young, but he doesn’t seem like the answer at center. He would make a quality backup, but it would be nice for Cincinnati to get a starter. Some of the familiar names in the free-agent market are Todd Steussie, John Wade and Casey Wiegmann. There doesn’t seem to be a high profile center in this year’s draft.
The best option could be moving guard Bobbie Williams to center and to start tackle Stacy Andrews at right guard.
Rumor: Shaun Alexander coming back home?
ESPN.com put a rumor about Shaun Alexander on its “Rumor Central” page.
The title reads, “Bengals, Alexander might be a match” - to read the rumor one would have to sign up for ESPN Insider. The rumor doesn’t have much truth to it, ESPN.com obviously made it up so Bengal fans would sign up for its service.
This is what it says -
With deals to acquire T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones in the backfield, the Seahawks will have to do something with Alexander, John Clayton reports.
Cutting or trading him doesn’t have much of an impact on the cap. They would lose $150,000 of cap room by trading him. If they put the June 1 cut on him, they would save $4.475 million of cap room.
One interesting option for Alexander could be the Cincinnati Bengals. Alexander grew up in Florence, Ky., and is popular around Cincinnati. For years, there were plenty of rumors that the Bengals might try to acquire him in a trade.
Do we want Alexander? Any thoughts on Blackstock? Who would you like to see the Bengals draft?
At first I thought the Bengals didn’t want to sign linebacker Landon Johnson because he was going to receive an outrageous deal similar to Madieu Williams’ in Minnesota or Justin Smith’s in San Francisco.
However, Johnson left for a three-year deal worth only $10 million to play for the Carolina Panthers.
Johnson’s departure creates a giant void at linebacker.
The linebacking core consists of Dhani Jones, Ahmad Brooks, Odell Thurman, Eric Henderson and Rashad Jeanty, who is still unsigned. Not including Jones, every one of those linebackers has injury concerns.
Brooks has never been healthy, Thurman hasn’t played in almost two seasons, Henderson (defensive end in college) was injured before he could even learn how to play the position and Jeanty (DE in Canadian Football League) is still learning.
Even with that mess at linebacker everyone in Cincinnati is discussing the possibility of a 3-4 defense.
The whole idea of talking about the 3-4 defense makes my head spin.
Even though the Bengals techinically run a 4-3 defense, that doesn’t mean that they lineup the same way everytime. In a 3-4 defense, teams lineup linebackers on the line and defensive lineman occasionally drop back in short pass coverage. The same thing happens when a team runs the 4-3 defense.
Every team runs variations of both defenses, so if the Bengals sign a middle linebacker don’t get all excited about the possibility of a 3-4 defense. I also want everyone to remember those couple times last season when the Bengals had only two linebackers healthy. Safety Chinedum Ndukwe had to play linebacker.
Cincinnati needs a linebacker, which brings me to the next question, what will David Pollack do?
Recently he has been cleared to play by his specialist in Los Angeles, but should he play?
Is it worth it?
Despite how thin Cincinnati is at linebacker, most Bengal fans don’t want to see Pollack come back. Not because he wouldn’t help, but because it would be tough to watch him play in fear that he might injury himself.
Personally I agree. I want the Bengals to win, but I would rather not see Pollack in a wheel chair.
Right when you want to start talking defense in Cincinnati, the topic quickly turns to Chad Johnson trade rumors.
I know, according to Marvin Lewis, Ocho Cinco won’t be traded.
However, to get the best value in return, Lewis wouldn’t say that his team’s all-time leading receiver is on the block.
A post on yardbarker.com rumors that the Bengals are entertaining offers for Chad Johnson.
The post doesn’t link sources, which doesn’t bother me because Chad Johnson has been refusing to talk to the media. He won’t talk to the Cincinnati media because he feels that they have turned the fan base against him and he won’t talk to ESPN because they were speculating too much on a possible trade.
However, the post bothers me because it says, “now that the Eagles have signed CB Asante Samuel a deal could be in the works.”
Basically that destroys any creditability that this post could possibly have, because it implies that the Bengals sat on their hands and watched the Eagles sign Samuel so they could trade for him.
If you are interested in knowing it says “teams who have been asking most about Chad are Tampa Bay, Washington and the Eagles.”
We all know that the Washington Redskins are interested. Another team that could be interested are the Oakland Raiders, according to the Marin Independent Journal.
The article discusses that the possibility of trading the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft for Chad Johnson.
According to the article, Oakland needs “an experienced deep threat to take advantage of rookie JaMarcus Russell’s big arm and keep opposing defenses from loading up against the Oakland running game.”
Because there is a weak wide receiver class in the draft and with practically all of the best free agents at that position already signed, does team president Al Davis give the Bengals a call?
It doesn’t seem that far fetched.
As bengal fans, would we toss out Chad Johnson’s record breaking career with the team (all-time leader in receptions - 559 - and yards - 8,365) and jump at the opportunity to have the No. 4 overall pick?
If Cincinnati would be able to keep the No. 9 pick and acquire the No. 4, the deal would be impossible to pass up. Right?
Nonetheless, trading Chad Johnson would cost the Bengals more money than paying him to play this season. According Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bengals beat writer Mark Curnutte, “The Bengals would have about $8 million in dead money on their salary cap in 2008 if they traded or released wide receiver Chad Johnson.”
That being said a deal isn’t likely, but is still fun to talk about.
Another deal that won’t likely happen:
I have heard from quite a few people in Cincinnati lately that the Bengals could trade for Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
The idea being the Bengals package a deal with Deltha O’Neal or Dexter Jackson with a pair of draft picks.
Personally, I don’t think the deal makes any sense. Especially since the Bengals have used first-round picks in back-to-back seasons on cornerbacks.
It would also be nearly impossible to afford the cornerback. Not only would Cincinnati have to get rid of O’Neal and Jackson, the team would probably have to cut other players to afford a player that doesn’t fulfill any drastic need.
However, having DeAngelo “Fall” might make Ocho Cinco happy.
The most popular rumor concerning Hall has the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback going to the New York Giants.
Rumors that may happen:
- Bengals getting Big Rob -
Call me crazy, but I still think the Bengals will land defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.
Cincinnati obviously likes Robertson. Marvin Lewis was one of the many coaches blown away by the UK standout prior to the 2003 NFL Draft. I think Cincy went with the right pick in quarterback Carson Palmer that year, but with Robertson going No. 4 overall to the New York Jets the Bengals looked at him as well.
When the Bengals cut their list to two prospects that year, one was Palmer and the other wasn’t Robertson. The other prospect that Cincinnati really wanted was cornerback Terrence Newman.
Anyways, the New York Jets can’t afford Robertson and the Bengals seem to be the only team really interested in acquiring the tackle.
I have been following the Robertson ordeal on Rich Cimini’s Jets blog titled The Jets Stream. Cimini writes for the The New York Daily News. This is by far the best source I can find.
Just prior to the NFL combine, the rumor was that Arkansas running back Darren McFadden’s stock was falling in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Well, McFadden blew everybody away when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds.
It is safe to say his stock is back up.
However, now the rumor is that Glenn Dorsey’s stock is falling.
Dorsey showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine and took tests, but didn’t work out. According to one source, which got its information from the wire - “An NFL team doctor said there are serious concerns over the lingering effects of a stress fracture in the right tibia, an injury Dorsey suffered in 2006. Dorsey also had nagging hamstring, knee and lower back injuries in 2007.”
Even if Dorsey can’t play this season, which I bet he will since he played through last season, he would be a smart pick at No. 9.
The Bengals could miss out this season, but be getting one of the league’s premier defensive tackles.
I leave you with this video:
Oh Chad if you want to talk to someone that will treat you fair in the media - shoot me an email - I will get your story online, on television or in print - I will make it happen
As a Bengal fan, I have no clue what my favorite team is going to do on April 26th. I might think that I do. However, one thing that I do know is that it’s impossible to predict what every team is going to do.
or third rounder. Pro Football Weekly has Bryant projected as a third or fourth rounder. Despite the mid-round value, I believe that Bryant is a great prospect. Honestly, he reminds me of Dorsey, except bigger (6-foot-4, 328 lbs.). Like Dorsey, Bryant is an emotional leader that plays hard on every snap.
Obviously this doesn’t mean that those team’s front offices are interested in Johnson, however those front offices have to realize that their fan bases would be extremely happy if they made a move for the wide receiver.
Currently, I act as the GM for the 
Bengal fans were shocked that the team would name backup offensive lineman Stacy Andrews as its franchise player, however to no one’s surprise Andrews decided to sign his one-year tender today. The deal is for one year and is worth $7.5 million 
He was asked if he wanted to play for the Bengals, he answered, “I want to continue my career where ever I have an opportunity at winning a playoff game and getting to a Super Bowl.”
I loved the fact that he played for the Bengals and didn’t complain. In fact, when he joined the team he expressed that he wasn’t disappointed that the lowly Bengals drafted him, yet he was excited to be a key part in turning the team into a winner.
Last year, Perry was expected to emerge as the No. 3 receiver while Chris Henry served his eight-game suspension.
Other 
The offensive line didn’t open holes, Rudi Johnson looked slow, Odell Thurman wasn’t reinstated, Chad Johnson feuded with Carson Palmer and the defense couldn’t stop anyone.
Other News - Bengals get a LB
With deals to acquire T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones in the backfield, the Seahawks will have to do something with Alexander, John Clayton reports. 
However, Johnson left for a three-year deal worth only $10 million to play for the Carolina Panthers.
Cincinnati needs a linebacker, which brings me to the next question, what will David Pollack do?
I know, according to Marvin Lewis, Ocho Cinco won’t be traded. 
Call me crazy, but I still think the Bengals will land defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.