Cincinnati Bengals NFL Team Column

OTA Wrapping Up, Noted Absences Abound

With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, attention turns to Organized Team Activities (OTA) with mini-camp to follow in June. Training camp in 2008 should be near the dates of last year, when it ran from July 27 through August 15^th.

The Bengals used the draft to fill big holes in their roster, counting on a few to come in immediately and have a real chance to start on opening day. First rounder Keith Rivers (USC) is slated to start at weakside linebacker, although he played all three LB spots over his college career. Weakside linebackers line up on the side away from the tight end. Second round pick Jerome Simpson (Coastal Carolina) is expected to play the role of third receiver, vacated with the release of Chris Henry. Andre Caldwell, WR (3^rd Rd, Florida) may be more NFL-ready, having played four years in a top college program. The Bengals could evolve into a more run-first type offense, with Coach Marvin Lewis readily admitting the offense had grown stale last year, making the run offense a priority for 2008. The Bengals fell to 24^th in rushing, a paltry 97.3 yds/gm. The free agent acquisition of Ben Utecht from the Colts would indicate more two tight-end sets with a run/pass option, versus the three wide out lineup that has been prevalent in recent years.

In the third round, the Bengals took Pat Sims, defensive tackle (Auburn) and also expect him to come in and compete for a starting position immediately. Sims left the program in college for one year to deal with the unexpected death of his sister, but was welcomed back and could rotate early with starters Domata Peko and John Thorton, and sub Michael Myers. With Antwan Odom at right end, Robert Geathers returning to left end (shorthanded at linebacker with numerous injuries, Geathers started four games in 2007 at linebacker). Eric Henderson also returns to his accustomed position at defensive end, after his trial at linebacker was cut short last season when he went on IR early. The d- line should have a new and improved look, coupled with yet another starting linebacker corps, projected to be Rivers, Dhani Jones in the middle and Rashad Jeanty at strongside. Odell Thurman, briefly reinstated following two year suspension was released from the team. Talented but plagued by injuries, Ahmad Brooks will compete with Jeanty for a starting spot this fall.

Roster churn and change continues in the secondary, with promising 1^st year player Chinedum Nduke (Chin-ay-DOOM N-duke-WAY) expected to start at a safety spot, after Madieu Williams left for Minnesota. With Jonathan Joseph completely healthy after being banged up in 2007, he and Leon Hall will man the corner spots as two of the Bengals first round picks in the last three years. David Jones will compete for the nickel corner with veteran Deltha O’Neal among others, while Dexter Jackson and Marvin White and Ethan Kilmer compete for safety positions too.

On the offensive side, there were several missing starters, including four former Pro Bowlers for the past month’s OTA. Chad Johnson made good on his vow to sit out all things Bengals, but has been quiet since team made good on promise not to trade him over draft weekend or since. T.J. Houshmanzadeh has continued to work out in California on his own, in part to be closer to his wife and two daughters. He did the same in 2007, before leading the league in receptions for the season with 112 catches (tied with Wes Welker). Also absent were starting tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones, who are said to be healthy and hope to return to Pro Bowl form. Fourth rounder Anthony Collins (Kansas) lined up at left tackle with the first team for Jones, with Stacy Andrews in at right tackle for Anderson. Carson Palmer is entrenched as starting QB, but there is a chance he and his brother Jordan can make history as the first brothers to be on active roster as signal callers this fall (Ty and Koy Detmer were on the Philadelphia roster together as QBs, but Ty was on Injured Reserve for the season). 

Coaches are very encouraged by the return of Chris Perry to the practice fields, a first since November 2006 when he broke his leg against Cleveland. With Rudi Johnson bulked up around the 222-225 lb range, the team hopes to return the effective duo to their 2005 productivity, when Rudi hit 1,452 rushing yards and CP had 51 receptions and 600+ yards from scrimmage.

With the regular season still more than 3 months away, here are my projected starters heading into June mini-camp:

Reports to follow soon from mini-camps and training camp

By Brent Minnick

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2008 NFL Draft Update as of 12 Noon

In Round 1, the Bengals stayed put at # 9, even as the New Orleans Saints traded with the New England Patriots to jump up three spots, from ten to seven, and draft Sedrick Ellis (USC), widely regarded as the second best interior lineman. Jacksonville in to the # 8 slot, trading with the Baltimore Ravens, to take Quentin Groves (Florida). The Bengals then chose Keith Rivers, outside linebacker, team captain and three year starter from USC. Rivers is expected to come in and compete to start, perhaps at middle linebacker. The need was evident, with Ahmad Brooks and Odell Thurman combining for only thirty games experience, with Thurman returning after two year suspension and Brooks missing several games with injuries, ending the 2007 season on IR. Rivers has played all three linebacker spots and has run-stopping speed with the ability and range to drop into pass coverage as well.

With the 46^th pick of the second round, the Bengals surprised the masses and chose wide receiver Jerome Simpson (Coastal Carolina). With such top prospects as Limas Sweed, James Hardy, Malcom Kelly and DeSean Jackson still on the board, Cincinnati went offensive and plucked the small school standout who had 41 catches for 11 TDs in 2007. He finished his career with 44 TDs. A basketball and track star, Simpson set the high mark at the combine with a 44 inch vertical leap and an 11 foot long jump. His forte is leaping, acrobatic catches with 4.45 speed. Catch this Sport Center highlight clip on WR Jerome Simpson.

In the third round, at #77, the Bengals chose Pat Sims (Auburn), defensive tackle. Sims was rated among the top 6 DTs by scouts, and has the size (6’2, 310 lbs) the team is seeking for the physical style of the AFC North. He had 3.5 sacks last season, coupled with 8.5 stops for losses.

With their second pick of the third round, the Bengals went back to the SEC, choosing Andre Caldwell, Florida, younger brother of former Patriot, Rece Caldwell. Andre had 185 catches in college, starting on the 2007 National Champions. He also has kickoff return experience, an area the Bengals are looking to improve for their team.

In the fourth round, Cincinnati went for offensive line depth, with Anthony Collins, offensive tackle from Kansas.

Look for Cincinnati to address defensive secondary, running back and linebacker depth with their remaining five picks.  By Brent Minnick

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Cincinnati Bengals Draft Preview

Prior to the Jared Allen trade, the Bengals were tied for second highest number of picks, with 10, including compensatory picks as a result of losing Eric Steinbach among others in free agency during 2007. The Bengals will need every one of them to fill immediate needs and build depth along both lines.

It has been a busy, headline filled off-season for Cincinnati. Chad Johnson has been very vocal about demanding a trade to a playoff contender and the battle has reached new lows with Drew Rosenhaus issuing a video statement imploring the Bengals to trade the five time Pro-Bowler. The team has said repeatedly they will not trade Ocho Cinco. Troubled wide receiver Chris Henry recent arrest in March led to his immediate release from the team, ending the talented player’s spot as the team’s third receiver. Linebacker David Pollack has told Coach Marvin Lewis that he is leaning towards retirement, saying that although he has been medically cleared to play, he is not comfortable enough with his health to return to the active roster. Finally, the Bengals learned this past week that Odell Thurman has been reinstated by the NFL and will have every opportunity to earn a spot on the roster.

The following is a projected list of team needs, based on priority for this year’s draft.

Defensive Tackle: Choosing not to resign Bryan Robinson (free agent, Cardinals) leaves the Bengals with little depth behind started Domato Peko and John Thornton. Michael Myers will rotate in but the Bengals are looking for more after failing to acquire Dwayne Robertson and Shaun Rogers in free agency. The Bengals would love to see Sedrick Ellis available to them at the # 9 pick of the first round, widely regarded as the second best defensive tackle available. Other options could be Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina or Trevor Laws, Notre Dame.

Wide Receiver: With Chad Johnson’s status uncertain and T.J. Houshmanzadeh heading into the last year of his contract, what was once the Bengals deepest position is now lacking experience beyond their two Pro Bowlers. Doug Gabriel was recently signed, but he spent 2007 out of the NFL and Antonio Chatman has only been healthy for a handful of games since coming over from Green Bay in 2006. Glenn Holt made some nice plays last season but only totaled 16 receptions. The Bengals have shown interest in Oklahoma’s Malcom Kelly, hosting him for a visit. Other possible candidates include Indiana’s James Hardy, Donnie Avery of Houston, Early Doucet of LSU, and Andre Caldwell of Florida. The Bengals could draft up to three receivers, depending on how the draft unfolds.

Running Back: Rudi Johnson is reportedly health and ready to return to his pre-2007 form, when he posted back to back 1450+ yard seasons. Johnson missed five games last season with a hamstring injury. Kenny Watson performed well, rushing for over 700 yards with 52 catches out of the backfield. Chris Perry has been plagued by numerous injuries and has not played since November 2006, when he broke his leg against the Cleveland Browns. His rehabilitation is going well and he is expected back for training camp. The outlook for last year’s second rounder, Kenny Irons, who tore his ACL in the first preseason game, is not as bright and he may be facing a PUP designation later this year. DeDe Dorsey provided a great change of pace, averaging over 8 yards per carry on 21 rushes, adding five special teams tackles. Candidates the Bengals may consider include Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois), Jonathan Stewart (Oregon), Felix Jones (Oklahoma) and Tashard Choice (Georgia Tech). The Bengals have traditionally gone early for their bell-cow backs, so a move before Round 4 may be in the works. Bigger, between the tackles runners have been the traditional norm for the team. 

Linebacker: This position was particularly decimated by injuries last year, with several LBs ending up on IR. Dhani Jones was brought in September as a street free agent and emerged as a leading tackler for the unit, in addition to captaining the special teams. With the reinstatement of Thurman and return to health by Ahmad Brooks, there are some signs of potential in the unit. Rushing yards allowed dropped dramatically after Rashad Jeanty returned to the lineup, coupled with a consistent starting group in the second half of the season. Daryl Blackstock signed from Arizona as a free agent and will compete with Roy Manning, Anthony Schegel, Jim Maxwell and Corey Mays as backups and special teamers. Expect the Bengals to take a hard look at Keith Rivers (USC) if available in the first round, widely regarded as the most NFL ready linebacker. Additionally, keep an eye on Dan Connor (Penn State), Cliff Avril (Purdue) and Jerod Mayo (Tennessee).

Defensive End: Long time defensive line leader Justin Smith took the big money to go west for San Francisco, but Cincinnati countered by signing Antwan Odom from Tennessee. Odom had eight sacks last year, playing on a line anchored by Albert Haynesworth commanding double teams. On the other side, Robert Geathers returns to his natural left end position after starting at linebacker because of many season ending injuries among the corps in 2007. Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene are backups with limited game experience. Quentin Groves (Auburn), Derrick Harvey (Florida) and Phillip Merling (Clemson) are on the radar for Cincinnati, but the team is more likely to wait until later rounds to fill depth after addressing more pressing needs.

Offensive Line: All five starters return from last year, but the unit struggled early with injuries at both tackle positions and had ten different combinations to start the season. Levi Jones and Willie Anderson are said to be healthy and ready to go after missing several starts last year. Depth is needed in the interior, after the club franchised Stacey Andrews and expects him to compete for a starting position again this year. Possible candidates include Ryan Clady (Boise State), Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh), Chris Williams (Vandy) and Cody Wallace (Texas A&M).

By Brent Minnick

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The Bengals need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball.  They have a few young talented players but they only have one difference player on the defensive side of the ball and that is Robert Geathers.  They need to address this in free agency and the draft.

round 7: Hercules Satele-G-Hawaii- Add some offensive line depth.  Could eventually start when Bobby Williams retires.

By John Compton

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