Tomorrow's blog series continues with Andy "Bull" Barch's take on the world of football. You can browse through our previous blog entries here. Coming up next week on the Podcast we'll be previewing the Pac-10 Conference as well as those lowly non-BCS schools and Independents (ahem Notre Dame).
By Nick Seuberling
seubs@pigskinpodcast.com
Last week, I mentioned in my post that I shouldn't even bother writing about the Bengals until there is something worth writing about. I honestly still believe they are not worth devoting such precious web space to, but I have a pretty dramatic admission: I think I drank the Ocho Cinco Kool-Aid.
By Nick Seuberling
seubs@pigskinpodcast.com
Last week, I mentioned in my post that I shouldn't even bother writing about the Bengals until there is something worth writing about. I honestly still believe they are not worth devoting such precious web space to, but I have a pretty dramatic admission: I think I drank the Ocho Cinco Kool-Aid.
On the podcast I've been openly critical of Chad Johnson and how he has handled the offseason. From the trade demands to showing up for organized team activities with a "bad" ankle, it's been a train wreck from the get-go. But after seeing his interview this week with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, I must say that I agree with Johnson.
Yes, I'm as stunned as you are.
Every offseason is the same story in Cincinnati. The Bengals' players all talk a big game but continue to get pummeled on the field. Johnson mentions in his interview that he's tired of hearing the same speech at training camp about winning the big prize; in order to do that, the players must commit. I am in 100% agreement with that statement. We all know that the players make sacrifices and must make a commitment to each other in order to reach their goals. At what point does the Bengals' ownership and the coaching staff now show their commitment?
Exhibit A:
2005 NFL Draft
First round, No. 17 - David Pollack played in only one season as a Bengal and was forced to retire due to a broken neck sustained early in 2006.
Second round, No. 48 - Odell Thurman played only one season -- 2005 -- for the Bengals, and was the team's leading tackler as a rookie. He was suspended from the league indefinitely in 2006 and in 2007. He was briefly reinstated in 2008 and then released by the team only to be later suspended indefinitely a month later.
Third round, No. 83 - Chris Henry was suspended for eight games in 2007, and was released by the team after arrest No. 5 in 2008. The NFL has since suspended Henry indefinitely for the 2008 season.
Fourth round, No. 119 - Eric Ghiaciuc is currently the team's starting center, but lacks consistency and is often injured. The running game has fallen off with the retirement of former center Rich Braham.
Fifth round, No. 153 - Adam Kieft never played a down for the team due to an injury sustained in his first training camp. Kieft was not tendered an offer as a restricted free agent in 2008.
Sixth round, No. 190 - Tab Perry led the special teams in 2005 as a kick returner. He injured his hip early in 2006 and required season-ending surgery. Perry was not re-signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2008.
Seventh round, No. 233 - Jonathan Fanene was re-signed to a three-year contract in 2008. Not much to add here because Fanene really hasn't done a whole lot as a Bengal. So why re-sign him?
Now THAT is a stellar draft class. I know you're saying to yourself that teams can't be perfect in drafting players. Yes, teams do have SOME misses. But the Bengals missed on five of the seven draft picks in 2005, four out of seven if you want to be generous and give them a free pass on the Kieft injury. I've got to believe that this is due to the smallest scouting department in the league; Bengals owner Mike Brown needs to show his commitment and hire more scouts.
When the season is over, the current Bengals coaches are required to immediately go out and scout talent. Maybe I'm crazy, but doesn't this take away from their duties as playcallers? They should be using that time to figure out how to stop the run, or better yet, get Johnson the ball he so covets. They shouldn't be in Conway, S.C. timing Jerome Simpson in the 40.
Exhibit B:
The Bengals' defense was absolutely horrendous in 2007. How did they respond to that? By sitting back and watching the New Orleans Saints move up one pick ahead of them in the draft to take the player everyone knew they wanted in USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. They still managed to get Ellis's teammate, linebacker Keith Rivers, but Ellis would have made this team better immediately.
Memo to Marvin Lewis: Since when did 8-8 become acceptable in the NFL? I realize that before you came to Cincinnati, 8-8 was like winning the Super Bowl. You have weapons in Carson Palmer, Johnson, T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Rudi Johnson and a very good offensive line.
This team is underachieving despite the porous defense. So yes, Chad, I finally see your point. Where is the commitment from management?
But now that you've called out management Chad, I expect more from you. I probably shouldn't, but I do. Show us your commitment. Show us that you can run block (for once). Show us that you can make the easy catches and continue to make the impossible ones.
The biggest thing, Chad? Show us that you can get in the damn end zone. I agree with you completely that Bengals management needs to show their commitment, but you also need to show yours to management and the fans.
Yes, I'm as stunned as you are.
Every offseason is the same story in Cincinnati. The Bengals' players all talk a big game but continue to get pummeled on the field. Johnson mentions in his interview that he's tired of hearing the same speech at training camp about winning the big prize; in order to do that, the players must commit. I am in 100% agreement with that statement. We all know that the players make sacrifices and must make a commitment to each other in order to reach their goals. At what point does the Bengals' ownership and the coaching staff now show their commitment?
Exhibit A:
2005 NFL Draft
First round, No. 17 - David Pollack played in only one season as a Bengal and was forced to retire due to a broken neck sustained early in 2006.
Second round, No. 48 - Odell Thurman played only one season -- 2005 -- for the Bengals, and was the team's leading tackler as a rookie. He was suspended from the league indefinitely in 2006 and in 2007. He was briefly reinstated in 2008 and then released by the team only to be later suspended indefinitely a month later.
Third round, No. 83 - Chris Henry was suspended for eight games in 2007, and was released by the team after arrest No. 5 in 2008. The NFL has since suspended Henry indefinitely for the 2008 season.
Fourth round, No. 119 - Eric Ghiaciuc is currently the team's starting center, but lacks consistency and is often injured. The running game has fallen off with the retirement of former center Rich Braham.
Fifth round, No. 153 - Adam Kieft never played a down for the team due to an injury sustained in his first training camp. Kieft was not tendered an offer as a restricted free agent in 2008.
Sixth round, No. 190 - Tab Perry led the special teams in 2005 as a kick returner. He injured his hip early in 2006 and required season-ending surgery. Perry was not re-signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2008.
Seventh round, No. 233 - Jonathan Fanene was re-signed to a three-year contract in 2008. Not much to add here because Fanene really hasn't done a whole lot as a Bengal. So why re-sign him?
Now THAT is a stellar draft class. I know you're saying to yourself that teams can't be perfect in drafting players. Yes, teams do have SOME misses. But the Bengals missed on five of the seven draft picks in 2005, four out of seven if you want to be generous and give them a free pass on the Kieft injury. I've got to believe that this is due to the smallest scouting department in the league; Bengals owner Mike Brown needs to show his commitment and hire more scouts.
When the season is over, the current Bengals coaches are required to immediately go out and scout talent. Maybe I'm crazy, but doesn't this take away from their duties as playcallers? They should be using that time to figure out how to stop the run, or better yet, get Johnson the ball he so covets. They shouldn't be in Conway, S.C. timing Jerome Simpson in the 40.
Exhibit B:
The Bengals' defense was absolutely horrendous in 2007. How did they respond to that? By sitting back and watching the New Orleans Saints move up one pick ahead of them in the draft to take the player everyone knew they wanted in USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. They still managed to get Ellis's teammate, linebacker Keith Rivers, but Ellis would have made this team better immediately.
Memo to Marvin Lewis: Since when did 8-8 become acceptable in the NFL? I realize that before you came to Cincinnati, 8-8 was like winning the Super Bowl. You have weapons in Carson Palmer, Johnson, T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Rudi Johnson and a very good offensive line.
This team is underachieving despite the porous defense. So yes, Chad, I finally see your point. Where is the commitment from management?
But now that you've called out management Chad, I expect more from you. I probably shouldn't, but I do. Show us your commitment. Show us that you can run block (for once). Show us that you can make the easy catches and continue to make the impossible ones.
The biggest thing, Chad? Show us that you can get in the damn end zone. I agree with you completely that Bengals management needs to show their commitment, but you also need to show yours to management and the fans.
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