Matt Cilley - AP
5 months ago: Nevada's Richard Matthews, right, goes up for a reception against the defense of Boise State's George Iloka (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 30-10. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)
We're knee-deep into the NFL Draft scouting process and Saturday's Senior Bowl is one of the most crucial events in draft preparations. It's debatable if the actual game is more important than the previous week's practices, but for some players who may have had a rough week, the game is where they can redeem themselves.
Good thing for us, this game is loaded with talent at running back, corner back and offensive line. It would be a safe bet to say one of these players will be in stripes next season. Here's a few players on the North squad to keep your eyes on.
NORTH TEAM
Running Backs
Doug Martin - Boise state - 5'9" 223 lbs
Chris Polk - Washington - 5'10" 224 lbs (Full Scouting Report - )
Isaiah Pead - Cincinnati - 5'10" 193 lbs
"Boom" Herron - Ohio state - 5'10" 198 lbs
All four players are draftable and two of them are considered top players at their positions. Martin and Polk headline this talent group. Martin is the short, squatty, quick type that is built like a bowling ball. Martin stole the show in practices this week.
Polk is your typical bell cow RB with a new aged twist. Polk is actually a very good receiving RB. Polk was said to have a disappointing week of practices bit I fully expect him to look better in the game in full pads. He's my pick for MVP.
Pead and Herron were both surprises for me this week. Pead was quick, agile and showed he can also return punts. Herron ran hard, tough and pressed the hole. Both guys are complimentary backs in the NFL so they'll need to show their worth in the passing game as weapons and pass blockers.
Offensive Line (Interior)
Kevin Zietler - Wisconsin - 6'4" 315 lbs
Kelechi Osemele - Iowa state - 6'5" 334 lbs
Senio Kelemente - Washington - 6'3" 300 lbs
Zietler and Osemele are two different types but again, two of the top players at their positions. Zietler is more of the technician and all around solid player. Osemele, the converted OT, is a huge man. Raw power and unlimited potential. Both will be coveted on draft day and should be 2nd round picks. Senio Kelemente is more of a sleeper that will probably be a mid-round pick (4-6). I'm interested to see how he matches up with the South's pass rushers.
Others to watch: Mitch Schwartz - Cal, Johnnie Troutman - Penn state, Rishaw Johnson - California (PA)
Defensive Backs
Jamell Fleming - CB - Oklahoma - 5'10" 202 lbs
Leonard Johnson - CB - Iowa State - 5'10" 198 lbs
Josh Norman - CB - Coastal Carolina - 6'0" 200 lbs
Asa Jackson - CB - Cal Poly - 5'10" 193 lbs
The first three CBs are ranked in my top 10 at the position. Fleming and Johnson are similar. Scrappy, tough players who will get in a WRs face. They can press, run and can tackle. They look like 2nd round picks. Norman and Jackson are small school players with all the talent needed to be starters in the NFL. Watching them against the best seniors in the country will show how high they can climb draft boards. Currently Norman looks like a 2nd - 3rd round pick while Jackson is a 3rd or 4th.
George Iloka - S - Boise State - 6'3" 222 lbs
Harrison Smith - S - Notre Dame - 6'1" 212 lbs
Trenton Robinson - S - Michigan State - 5'9" 193 lbs
Iloka and Smith are strong safety types that can cover TEs. Iloka is long and leggy which hurts his change of direction ability, but he's a good tackler and has some balls skills to offer. He's a guy that teams will value in the 3rd round.
Harrison Smith is a guy I like. He's well-built, strong, and aggressive towards the run. He's a smart and instinctive player and I think he'd be a good fit for the Bengals. Possible 2nd - 3rd round pick. These big, new-age safeties need to cover the TE and both of these guys can.
0 recs | 115 comments
Brooks- Miami(oh) playing in game?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
He was in the East-West shrine game
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
How was his performance?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
You're a real fan of him. Have you gone and watched him play?
messjunk - January 27, 2012
watched him play couple games this year
Pretty much was solid and athletic to go along with a massive frame.
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Stick with him. I saw him play om\nly once during season and thought he was OK
messjunk - January 27, 2012
He dominated in one of games I seen.
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Then IMO he's a better prospect than Cordy Glenn
messjunk - January 27, 2012
Glenn held his own this week
Don’t know bout that one
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I'll be very disapointed if we draft him
To me he’s similar player to Andre. I watched him plenty of times and he’s played ordinary at best
messjunk - January 27, 2012
Andre is who I compare Glenn to a lot. And it’s also exactly why he’ll be a better guard than tackle.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
He had a really good week. Solidified himself as that 3rd tier of guards that will get selected mid-rounds.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Joe
In my mock we get a CB and RB in the first, then I have us getting Zeitler in the second but would like Osemele better. I think Osemele could go as early as late first but do you think Zeitler could fall to us or will he more likely be gone at the top or mid second?
Bigcatdaddy - January 27, 2012 via Android app
I think we could see 5 Guards go in round 2. So Zietler could easily be there. It will depend on what teams go for Guards and what they’re looking for. Guys like Glenn & Osemele can be really big run blockers. Incredible upside. So they’d be coveted first. Then I have Zietler, Brandon Washington (Mia) and Amini Silatolu (M’Western). Guys like Peter Konz and Ben Jones are centers who could play guard also.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Is glenn better than boling?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Yes and every way except technique. Glenn looks really ugly when you watch him play, but he gets it done. Compared to Boling, who is more of a technician, Glenn is a road grading power guard. Strength isn’t Boeing’s strength. But I did give Boling a grade as a potential starter. He just needed time in the weight room for upper body strength and general awareness/experience (playbook & system).
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
You think we’ll start basically two rookies on our line if we take guard early? I think signing stud guard and re sign Williams would be best decision. Grab a guard in 4-5 and let him and Boling learn together.
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
That’s why I’m not sure they take a Guard high like most are asking them to. Of course they take DeCastro (if available), but Boling and Bobbie Williams (or another mid-tier Free Agent) could easily be the starters next year.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
I agree
I wouldn’t mind lb or wr in 1st
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
LB
I think Sam LB is a real possibility. Courtney Upshaw or Melvin Ingram would intrigue Marvin Lewis as his David Pollack he’s never been able to replace as an extra pass rusher.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Ingram a be gone by time we select. What about Hightower?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Agree, both will probably be gone. Hightower is interesting. He could play MLB or SLB. But I think he’s more of a late 1st to mid 2nd
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
i think u can throw value and grades out window
With new cba if a player fits ur system and u like him u gotta take him whenever u have chance. The rookie scale helps us big time this year.
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
completely disagree
Throw grades out the window? You scout a player and assign him a grade. That grade determines his value. Nothing to do what position he plays. I say Hightower is a Late 1st – 2nd round pick based on his grade. Teams aren’t going to go nuts because of a rookie wage scale. They still have a system to follow.
Now I can agree that some teams may be more willing to draft a non-premiere position such as Guard higher, but that doesn’t mean they will abandon any attempt to get the most value possible for each pick.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
OF course
You still go with ur grading scale but for example Polk and Pead still on board in 2nd. Do u go with who had better overall grade or guy who better fits system?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
You’ll grade players based on your system. Each team does. But in this specific example: Polk grades over Pead on every team’s board. I joke… but not really. Polk over Pead.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
polk slow
If we draft him, I promise I’ll rather us up grade line and let Benson run wild. Pead to me is gonna be special.
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I refuse to get into this again. We have different opinions.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
how do you pass on the next Walter Payton!!!
We should trade with the colts to 1st overall and take Pead!!!
JCompton41 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
+100 loljk
TR could be, but I doubt an undersized Pead will be the next sweetness.
keithster - January 28, 2012
ive seen someone make that compairson
JCompton41 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
yep, that was me
and I do believe it, could be wrong but I stand by what I wrote. time will tell.
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
i dont think any running back can be thrown in with names like
Sweetness, or Barry sanders, let alone a 3rd round prospect. And I like Pead as a good complement back.
JCompton41 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
I understand your point JC
we all have our own opinions, like I stated I could be wrong, only time will tell, but, I stick with what I posted.
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
WR
I personally would take a WR, but will/should they? Would they, in 4-5 years, pay AJ Green and another really good WR top dollar? They didn’t do it when they drafted Joseph & Hall back-to-back. That would scare me away from drafting a WR round one.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
4-5 yrs
That’s a long time from now. And actually that’s a problem I rather have then Jerome situation with have on our hands now. If you perform well then you deserve to get paid. We can take a huge risk on a player this year if any in draft because we have two picks. Wright to me is best wr available. He should be there at 21.
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
If you’re not planning on keeping a first round pick for their entire career, you’re doing it wrong.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
true
But what if u go to 3-4 championship games and win couple sb in that window, was it worth it? How many of our 1st rd picks on our team now?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
of course but maybe this is just me, but I want to win the next 4 championships after that and that would include re-signing that other WR. But now we’re getting too crazy.
————-My original point was about the ability to build the franchise. If you don’t/can’t re-sign your first round picks, you’ll spend the next 5-8 years trying to replace your Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes and Jonathan Joseph. Ya know?
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Right
Pro bowlers
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I believe we gave up 2nd for Brooks didn’t we?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Ahmad Brooks?
supplemental 3rd, which translates to losing the 3rd for the following year
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
Seems to me with all this CB in first round talk that;s exactly what we're doing
messjunk - January 27, 2012
replacing Joseph?
Yeah, that’s what they’re trying to do. Easier said than done. Obviously they haven’t replaced Smith or Spikes.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
I’ll rather have Dunlap over Smith. Smith was always better suited for 3-4
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
First-Round Guards are generally a bad value.
I’ve always thought Boling was better suited to the left side, and I feel like we set him up for failure when he started in place of Williams during his suspension.
Like you said, he is more of a technician, and quick on his feet. An off-season in the weight room could turn him into a starting quality LG.
Maybe Bobbie has one good year left, maybe he doesn’t…RG needs to be a priority. Wouldn’t mind seeing what Andre Smith can do at RG, but he’s going to be an injury-prone underachiever no matter what position he plays.
shibacle - January 27, 2012
*As for Andre playing RG? It wont happen here. He’s going to have a Leonard Davis type career. Drafted high to play OT. Leaves in free agency and has a few Pro Bowl seasons as a Guard for somebody else.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
If he leaves in FA and we loose Collins
we’ll be at this point looking for Oline again next year
messjunk - January 27, 2012
I like Collins and I think he could be a long-term answer at RT
We need to give him extended starting reps alongside a Bobbie/Hakeem Nicks type guard, let him develop.
Collins was considerd one of the biggest steals of the draft when we got him in round 3…he’s still that same guy.
Like I said before, our coaching staff (cough,cough, Alexander, cough) has a habit of setting players up for failure.
shibacle - January 27, 2012
The right side of the line would be awesome with those two there
messjunk - January 27, 2012
Over the last few years we've also made some trades
I know it’s doubtful but I wouldn’t mind if they signed Collins to a long term deal at right tackle and traded Andre Smith (he had a pretty good year and has the name reconigtion) to a team in need of a tackle for another position of need.
biggie22 - January 27, 2012
sigh
hard not to grumble about this, fear the same thing as you do. past couple of seasons the misuse of our o-line depth vs starters has driven me to edge of the alexander needs to go line.
wish i knew for a fact who makes the call about our starters on the o-line, assuming alexander, i don’t know that to be fact though.
whoever is making that call, needs to be shown the door. evan mathis, anthony collins, and andre smith. a royal mess that could have have easily been one of the best o-lines in the nfl.
palewook - January 27, 2012
Yep
If they’re on your team and you’re already paying them, swallow your pride and arrange them so the O-line as a whole is at its best.
dqniel - January 27, 2012
i agree
If any assistant ain’t picking his own starters he need to shown the door. U work with them u pick em to play. If u don’t pick ur own starters ur not a good coach!!!
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Andre Smith
If that is the case, why not move him to RG and let him make those Pro Bowls for the Bengals? Then re-sign Collins at a decent price to start at RT. Sign Nicks to play LG and you have a top 10 offensive line.
EPK1979 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
They won’t because they won’t pay Guards that much money. That’s why they wont even call Carl Nicks. They’ve never drafted a Guard in round 1, they didn’t pay Stienbach. Smith will play RT for the Bengals. Some teams are old school, you don’t value Guard.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
I agree Joe, the Bengals won't move him
wish they would, been screaming it since pre-season, but he’s only making 1-2 million, isn’t that guard money?
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
He could make up to $7 million next year I believe.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
It is my understanding, and I could be wrong
when they decided to not pick up his option years, it made his salary much less, the 1-2 million range with him becoming a free agent after 2012
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
I never heard the pay cut portion. To my knowledge it was a simple option. Pick it up or drop it. They draped it after 2012. I don’t think it changes his salary. I don’t know why an Agent would agree to that.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
pretty sure
it was one of those deals that if they picked up the option it would be x amount and if they declined the option it would be y amount, not sure about the amounts though, cause I don’t pay alot of attention to those kinds of details. found this on rotoworld.
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
based on those numbers he’s only made 4-5 million. He’s guaranteed 21. So the Bengals are still on the hook for about 15-16 million. I don’t know how much comes off the voided years, but if he was getting guaranteed 3.5 a year. He’s still due about 8-9 million this year.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
isn't the gauranteed portion
paid up front?
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
No. That’s a bonus. Guaranteed means even if he’s cut one day later, he’s guaranteed $21m. The 40-something million is the max he can make on the deal. Think of it as a floor of 21 and max of 46 (or whatever his deal was.)
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
ok
love following in the off season, I just don’t get into the technicalities of contracts, thanks for the help Joe
joeb69 - January 28, 2012
Your probably right
But it makes me sick to think that the right side of the line could be fixed in house. The guard positions were glaring weaknesses and actually showing emphasis for those positions could put the Bengals over the top,in my mind.
EPK1979 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
Teams aren’t going to go O-Line crazy when the Giants, Packers, Cardinals and Steelers make the SB in last few years with average lines. Which the Bengals have.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
Off topic
But Broncos hired Jack Del Rio as their DC
Oregonbengalsfan - January 27, 2012
I never linked Polk's complete Scouting Report
Link Here: http://mobile.cincyjungle.com/2012/1/20/2721783/bengals-draft-2012-chris-polk-scouting-report
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
I saw Polk play earlier in the season and he was awesome
Against Arizona he cut cut them to ribbons. Seems he lost his way after that game
messjunk - January 27, 2012
I think he’s had a great season as a whole. A bunch of standout games. He’s a guy I really like.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
i like his size. short, stout, with hands.
doesn’t need to be a burner. he’s going to run nasty for anderson. could see him turned into a chip on the shoulder back that hits defenders rather than letting defenders tackle him.
palewook - January 27, 2012
and a highlight video to go along with the dreaming/discussion of polk as a bengal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEafHF0IwqU
palewook - January 27, 2012
No highlights on my posts!
Find full videos, please.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Haha!
Polk vs Stanford 2011
Polk vs Nebraska 2011
Oregonbengalsfan - January 27, 2012
He looks like a guy who depends on his blocks
He might have trouble here…
Mexal - January 28, 2012
Some call that patience, natural RB, vision and experienced.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
some call that
knocking the crap out of guys. The guy is a bowling ball, though I’m not sure he could do that at the NFL level
The Dealio - January 28, 2012
DB's
Josh Norman DB
Asa “Ace” Jackson DB
i think those guys are going to be steals!!
Touhue Cha - January 27, 2012
Agree. I think both are going higher than you think they are based on your Mocks I’ve seen.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Bentley,db and Rainey, rb/wr go be steals also
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Harrison Smith
I watched a lot of game tape on him and when i mentioned him on these boards I got laughed at. I said he would be a 2nd round pick and people have scratched their heads. Tape dont lie and this kid will be a great player. Mark my words!
EPK1979 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
seen a time on him which left me less than thrilled: 4.56 40 yard
anything can happen. the bengals have drafted from notre dame before (Ndukwe).
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=71840&draftyear=2012&genpos=ss
palewook - January 27, 2012
4.56
is more than good enough. What do you think Barron, Markelle Martin or George Iloka will run? 4.5 is average.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
i know safties tend to be in 4.4 - 4.6 range
even ed reed was a 4.57, but if the bengals are spending an early pick on a safety, i’d like him to be the full package, something special, not just a player we settled for. there are years where you have safeties in the sub 4.5 range with skills (Troy Polamalu 4.33 for example).
not against the bengals drafting harrison smith, rather, against drafting him early.
palewook - January 28, 2012
I agree with you. He’s a guy a lot of teams will like.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
If you want a strong safety
That runs a 4.4, low 4.5 your will have to wait til next year. 4.5 is more than adequate for the position. Smith looks faster than that because he is a smart, fundamentally sound player.
EPK1979 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
depends on when he's taken
if the bengals can land harrison smith in the 4th, i’m happy.
palewook - January 28, 2012
Barron will probably run a 4.6
And a lot of people want him in the first round. Im just saying Smith with the 2nd or 3rd round pick is a better value than Barron with a first rounder. And if Smith plays well in the Senior Bowl, whos to say he would be a reach in the 2nd?
EPK1979 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
i dont like barron at 17 either
and only moderately happy with him at 24. if the bengals can land barron in the 2nd round, i’m happy. won’t happen though. still believe our 1st 3 picks have to address G, CB, and RB. the order of which other teams drafting before us will dictate.
palewook - January 28, 2012
Here's a few players I've watched and have been impressed with
North
Demario Davis & TJ Graham
South
Casey Hayward & Emmanuel Acho
messjunk - January 27, 2012
South post will be tomorrow morning.
Joe Goodberry - January 27, 2012 via Android app
Who u guys think will be MVP’s tomorrow?
pray4gm11 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Off topic
That “Delocated” ad is disturbing…
Oregonbengalsfan - January 27, 2012
yes it is
palewook - January 28, 2012
Chat Room
Why is there no chat room so people can hold a constant conversation with having to wait on the page to reload. A chat room would also help make the open treads easier to talk.
Masonr - January 27, 2012
The CBs mentioned above is why I really want the Bengals to stay away from Dennard
He seems to have peaked and doesn’t make plays. I remember many times this year where Clements, Hall and particularly Jones were right there and just didn’t make the play on the ball. Jones used to have great ball skills but he looked really rusty this year. I think the Bengals need someone to make plays in the secondary. Norman can be as good as Dennard and doesn’t cost a 1st round pick, allowing the Bengals to grab a guy like DeCastro or someone with a much higher grade at a position of need.
If the Bengals resign Adam Jones and draft a top CB I think they can focus on other areas. Then if Hall comes back healthy the Bengals can look to transition Clements to safety and lengthen his career by a couple of years. Clements is strong against the run and can still cover. His problem is against faster WRs b/c of his age. You can negate some of that by putting him at SS and letting him match up with TEs and Shipley-type WRs.
WOOD98 - January 28, 2012
You hit the nail on the head with Clements
I actually think he is better suited for safety at this point in his career.
EPK1979 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
moving nate to safety is an idea
that continues to have fans on CJ, now if we could only get the coaches to consider it..
palewook - January 28, 2012
Unless we picked up at least two more quality starting CBs I would advise against it.
It’s an idea that sounds good until you realize that you might have to start Kelly Jennings to begin the year, and that’s just not something anybody should feel comfortable with.
I would much rather they give Mays or Sands a shot than move our #2 CB to a new position.
Animal_Like_Football - January 28, 2012
If Clements our #2 cb
It’s going to be long season. And Clements can’t hit hard enough for ss, we need a Roy Williams type back there.
pray4gm11 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
Nelson plays as much SS as he does DS. The Bengals could draft/sign either.
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
FS*
Joe Goodberry - January 28, 2012 via Android app
thats only if we draft a corner
I don’t think anyone would suggest moving nate unless we drafted a corner early.
JCompton41 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
It would take more than drafting one CB in the draft to make this work.
As Palewook points out below Jennings and Jones aren’t under contract. Hall might not be 100% next year and may not even start the season. They are dangerously think at CB. Even if they still had JJo, I wouldn’t feel comfortable moving him.
Animal_Like_Football - January 28, 2012
i would as long as
Leon hall is healthy and 2nd corner, new corner is the number 1, pacman nickle, and kept Jennings or another decent player for 4th and depth.
JCompton41 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
I think if that's how the scenario played out it would be reasonable to move him.
Lots of “if’s” though.
Animal_Like_Football - January 28, 2012
not really
Biggest is hall healthy. The rest should be done.
JCompton41 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
hard to imagine 10 weeks ago
jennings being brought back as the #4 cb appears to be a wise move for the bengals. he started out so bad in cincy. his play got stronger as the season went on.
palewook - January 28, 2012
And if the team is able draft a new corner who can be a #1 CB in the NFL
No guarantees there, especially when the top 2 or 3 CBs will already be off the board by the time they pick.
Animal_Like_Football - January 28, 2012
jennings is a FA as is Jones
we’re have to draft or resign multiple CBs. hall isn’t a lock to be ready for week 1 with his injury. moving nate to ss and resigning nelson as FS would still require the bengals to come up with a minimum of 4 fa/draft moves at CB.
palewook - January 28, 2012
I would guess (and hope)
that we will resign both of them. Jones I’m sure will be more on his game when he has an offseason to work and a full season to play rather than getting thrown in as a starting #2 CB after sitting on the bench for a year. He still has talent and I think he just needs to get in the swing of things and he will show up and play well.
As for Jennings he obviously looked atrocious early in the season but he got a lot better by the end. I think he is another guy who has all the talent necessary but needs to be coached up more like he was this year some. You notice if you watch him throughout the season that he almost always was right with the receiver other than a couple plays that there were I guess communication issues and busted coverages, but towards the end of the year he was actually getting his head around and locating the ball. I think Jennings can actually be a really good corner if he can keep progressing with the coaches’ help. We will see! In Zim we trust!
Luke - January 28, 2012
Hopefully the next DBs coach can fill Coyles shoes.
Animal_Like_Football - January 28, 2012
little worried about that too
now that we’ve lost coyle, which i didn’t see coming, considering how cincy denied the eagles interview request last season. coyle did a hellva job getting nelson’s head unscrewed from all those bad adjustments he learned to make in jacksonville.
we still have taylor mays in the project stage, finding the right DB coach appears to be a huge need all of a sudden for the bengals.
palewook - January 28, 2012
I guess that is all part of my point with regards to Clements.
1. I see Jones being more his usual #1 CB self this year. He will have shaken off the rust and been able to participate in a full offseason. That’s why I think the Bengals should sign him.
2. This CB class appears to be pretty deep. Claiborne is clearly the #1 and depending on interviews Kirkpatrick is probably a clear #2; however, after that there are about 5 guys who could make immediate impacts as starters (and I don’t think that includes Dennard). It is possible, if the Bengals sign a FA OG that they could get their starting RB and 2 solid starting CB’s in the first 3 rounds.
3. Jennings did show a lot of improvement, which was amazing considering how bad he was to start. The Bengals should re-sign him to see if that improvement continues. If not he is cut.
4. The Bengals also have Ghee who is in a position where its either be healthy and make an impact or pack your bags. There is always that hope he makes an impact.
A combination of all of this allows you to potentially move Clements into a safety role. (I think my post also stems from the fact that I am not sold on spending a high pick on Barron.)
WOOD98 - January 29, 2012
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