It is times like these that makes having an NFL blog pretty boring. I apologize there is not much going on around here. I can tell from the traffic logs that people are still popping in to see what nuggets of wisdom have been passed along. However, there really is not much going on. Some people have visited, the pre season schedule is out. Josh over at CincyJungle.com and Dave at StripeHype.com can fill you in on the details. We are focusing on the draft and the Reds right now.

I did decide to renew my tickets (even though the wife is pissed)
I miss the good old tailgate bus, we will need to get her out soon.

I am going to ask Thumper if he can flex his paint shop skills and grace us with some images to fill the void. I will keep you posted.




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About Big C's NFL Blitz - Dayton Daily News

Bengals to host Mizzou star wideout Maclin - Oxford Press

Time capsule ready for 2109 - Cincinnati.com

Cincinnati not on BJ Raji's itinerary - Cincy Jungle

49ers wearing thin in secondary - RealFootball365.com

Bearcats impressive at Pro Day - The News Record

Are changes right for NFL? - Carroll County Times

When knowing that Chad Johnson wants to be traded; not needing ... - Cincy Jungle

Remembering the AFL - Bleacher Report

The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville, Gene Frenette column: NFL ... - Trading Markets (press release)




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Chiefs sign up lineman Mike Goff - Boston Herald

Bengals don't need to look far to fill hole at center - Springfield News Sun

Nonsupport warrant out for former Bengals player - KFVS

Coach optimistic on Winfield contract - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Bengals Targeting Andre Smith? - The Stripe Hype

Old Faces in New Places - Pro Fantasy Sport

Saints release Kaesviharn - ESPN


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The NFL instated a rule that will make hits Hines Ward is famous for illegal. Now I am all for big hits in the NFL (Like the hit Cedric Benson knocked Polamalu stupid on or the hit Crocker laid on Holmes. Both of which were the actual play and involved the ball carrier and were not blind sides)

But Hines Ward deliberately positions himself to the blind side of defenders then launches his body into a players head from the blind side. He usually follows with a grin and some taunting. Now Hines will have to find another way to get on ESPN as his 8 yard routes will not be enough to make that happen.


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No Primetime for Bengals in Week 1 - The Stripe Hype

Cincinnati Bengals Show Interest in Chris Wells: Good Fit? - Bleacher Report

Assault charge dismissed against former Bengals linebacker accused ... - Cleveland News - Fox 8

BTSC 2009 Community Mock Draft - Pick #6 by the Cincinnati Bengals ... - Behind the Steel Curtain

About Big C's NFL Blitz - Dayton Daily News

Odell Thurman Clear, For Now - News/Talk 750 WSB

Old Faces in New Places - Houshmandzadeh - Sports Network

Vikings sign pair of free agents - ESPN STAR Sports

Is Matt Stafford too 'smart' for his own good? - Los Angeles Times

Patriots, Bills air it out in Monday Night Football opener - Boston Herald




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Bengals Tried to Keep Holt - The Stripe Hype

Cincinnati Bengals sign Minnesota Vikings' Naufahu Tahi to offer sheet - Pioneer Press

With the 6th pick in the 2009 NFL draft the Cincinnati Bengals ... - Bleeding Green Nation

NFL Draft/Free Agency Insider Blog - Bills Report

NFL News: New York Jets, 10 teams called about Cutler trade - So Hood

Vikings give cornerback Griffin an extension - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Patriots Continue To Scout Vrabel Clone - Bills Report

Philadelphia Eagles beat out Minnesota Vikings for Leonard Weaver - Pioneer Press


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Word on the street is Roy Williams former safety for the Dallas Cowboys is coming to Cincinnati for a visit. Roy is known for two things, huge hits on sports center and for the 15yd personal foul. (Also for getting fined by the league)

I for one think that the Bengals secondary is fine. Unless Roy is planning on bulking up and making a switch to center, I would pass on him. He reminds me of Hines Ward, he likes to throw big hits when the victim is not looking. (I would like to see him hit Hines though)

Roy, thanks for stopping by.


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Bengals to consider Beanie Wells with No. 6 pick - Springfield News Sun

Bengals Work Out DE Hamm - The Stripe Hype

Dhani Jones' Youtube Channel Gains 11000 Viewers Overnight - Marketing Shift.com

Quizzing the prophesies; seven-round mock drafts or the existance ... - Cincy Jungle

Hall vote warms Esiason - Bengals.com

Ravens' Anderson has something to prove - Baltimore Sun


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I am going to check out the Travel Channel tonight at 9:00 to watch the new show Dhani travels the globe. This is a show starring Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones and follows him across the globe where he learns about other cultures and participates in athletic events with the native people.

In Cincinnati Bengal football news it looks like Levi Jones has probably played his last game as a Bengal. Word around the web is that he is being shopped for a trade and may eventually be released. This is not surprising news, Levi Jones is no longer a good football player. This news makes me excited because it forces the Bengals to focus on drafting a left tackle in the draft and there are several players (J.Smith, E.Monroe, M.Oher) who I would be happy to see in stripes.

I also have read reports that the Bengals are looking at WR Jeremy Maclin. This is an outstanding receiver who will be a first round pick. This guy should not be a Bengal (not because of the talent, but because a first round pick on a receiver this year would be insane.) Same goes for Knowshon Moreno.

In my after combine mock draft care of Http://www.nextseasonsports.com I have once again selected Michael Oher. Monroe and Smith were both gone and I think he is the next in line as far as left tackles in this years draft.


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Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones hosts Travel Channel show - The Canadian Press

Bengals made no offer for full back Naufahu Tahi - Cincy Jungle

About Big C's NFL Blitz - Springfield News Sun

Sure beats lifting weights - Denver Post

Thurman's Case Goes to US, Saints join Bengals in practice, Kenny ... - Cincy Jungle

Levi Jones on Trade Block - The Stripe Hype

Liberty RB Rashad Jennings good fit for Bengals - Springfield News Sun

Following the money in free agency - Boston Globe

Exploring the options at tackle if St. Clair signs elsewhere - Chicago Sun-Times

2009 NFL Free Agent Signings List - Washington Post


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The most important part of an NFL offense is the offensive line. These are the players that are never drafted in an NFL fantasy league and the players who when they do their job well, you never hear about. The Bengals of 2005 had an incredible line, it is no surprise they also made the playoffs that season.

What makes a great line? Obviously skill at the individual positions, but also time. The longer a group of guys play together on the line, the better they get. Each lineman learns how to play next to the guy next to him and is aware of what they need to do. The Bengals had that in 2005, the Colts had it all through the early 2000's, The Kansas City Chiefs had it when they were dominating on offense. The Bengals need to find that again.

Stacey Andrews may or may not be a good offensive lineman. However for the Bengals he never did much and was not on the field for a lot of last year. Center Eric Ghiaciuc at times last year played well, overall though he was not someone I would want back snapping the ball. However, it is probable the Bengals will be drafting and starting a new left tackle this season. I am not so sure I also want a rookie center starting at the same time. A great left tackle found in the draft can learn fairly quickly to adapt to the pro's. A Center has a lot more to learn and while I think the Bengals definitely need to think about the future center and bring someone in, maybe it is not such a bad idea to bring back someone with experience.

I am for the Bengals bringing back their 2008 center to try and bring some stability to the center of the line. Maybe just maybe with another year under his belt, we get the Eric that gets up field and springs Benson for the longest play from scrimmage and not the Eric that gets bull rushed back into the quarterback.

WhoDey


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Ex-New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles gets paid in ... - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

AFC North: Steelers, Ravens, Bengals and Browns free agency update - JOCKlife Sports

When Celebration Becomes More Than Celebration: When Does It Go ... - Bleacher Report

Hawks: TJ chat wrap - Seattle Post Intelligencer

2009 NFL Free Agent Signings List - The Associated Press

NFL Outsider Mock Draft: Cincy Selects Monroe - The Queensberry Rules

Voters tap '88 - Bengals.com

AFC North teams staying busy in offseason - Dayton Daily News


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I know it is a few days late but I thought I would post the Coles press conference here. I am pumped he is here.






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NFL News and Opinions - CBSSports.com

Bengals and Browns share interest in TE Jared Cook - Middletown Journal

Bengals sign QB O'Sullivan as backup - Hillsboro Times Gazette

About Big C's NFL Blitz - Dayton Daily News

Norwood reunites with US NCAA teammate at Rain or Shine - GMA news.tv

Nathan Brown and Marquez Branson are hoping to hear their names ... - UCA Sports

Six Reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Win the AFC North - Bleacher Report

Leafs game price tag out of the park for baseball players - London Free Press

Wooing NFL players can be more than a zero-sum proposition - Sun-Sentinel.com




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Re-setting the Bengals offense, did they improve, get worse or ... - Cincy Jungle

Bengals Mock Draft Big Board 3/7 - The Stripe Hype

NFL: Bills haul in Owens - Newsday

Free Agent RB Signings: Fantasy Football Breakdown - Bleacher Report

Fitzpatrick surprising choice at QB - Bills Report

Wooing NFL players can be more than a zero-sum proposition - Los Angeles Times

2009 NFL Mock Draft: No-Offseason.com - KFFL

Week in Review - Cincinnati.com


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NFL: Bengals sign QB O'Sullivan - Philadelphia Inquirer

Bengals release S Jackson, three others - Sports Network

Bills let someone else pay, play Coles - RealFootball365.com

Bengals acquire QB O'Sullivan - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Day 8 NFL free-agency blog - FOXSports.com

Pro Bowl to return to Hawaii in 2011 - San Francisco Chronicle

Red-carpet touch - Bengals.com

AFCN Watch: Free Agency Snapshot - The Stripe Hype


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Receiver Laveranues Coles was Bengals' backup plan all along - The Canadian Press

Bengals add free agent QB O'Sullivan - Sports Network

Red-carpet touch - Bengals.com

Cincinnati: We're manly. So why are we so sad? - Mansfield News Journal

Seahawks' Burleson welcomes receiver help - Seattle Post Intelligencer

AP source: Bengals close to signing O'Sullivan - International Herald Tribune

Troubled wide receiver Terrell Owens out in Dallas, can forget ... - New York Daily News

Impact Analysis: TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks - KFFL

One week into free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have taken a step ... - Pioneer Press

The Football Expert: 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 4 Rounds - The Football Expert




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After losing one wide out with a terrible to spell name, the Bengals follow it up with a second with a terrible to spell name. However, I could not be happier.

Welcome Laveranues Coles

For all of those who are still bitching about free agency it is time to simmer down. I am very happy with this free agency and the Bengals have bought some hope from me going into the draft.

My dreams can still be smashed by drafting a running back in the first round of the draft over some O line help but for now, I am happy.

I think Coles is an upgrade from TJ. i can't wait to see what he can do when teams are no longer planning for him. To have the trio of Coles, Johnson and Henry on the field at the same time is absolutely awesome.

WhoDey


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Cedric Benson has signed back on to be the Bengals running back. I never thought he was serious about playing a backup role in Texas and was fairly certain that Derrik Ward being here was a ploy to get the RB signed.

How long until we get the "Cincinnati took a chance on me so I am returning the favor" speech? It always has and always will be about getting paid.

Terms of the deal by Joe Reedy from the enquirer state 2 years 7 million dollars. Not a bad price, and a huge savings over paying Knowsean or Beanie 1st round money.


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Aaron over at NextSeasonSports.com asked me to do a little write up on the newest Seahawk for his site. Check out my thoughts on TJ leaving over there.

I am not as upset as others about losing TJ. There is no doubt that he is a great wide receiver, however, I do think he has benefited from being on the field with Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer. His contract would not be as big if he was catching passes from Kitna or Fitzpatrick.

The good news is the Bengals are looking to possibly fill his shoes quickly. Laveranues Coles is heading to town for a visit and I would be excited to have him as a Bengal. This is someone who could step in and fill TJ's shoes immediately. Lets hope the Bengals can get him in stripes.

Derrick Ward has signed with Tampa Bay. in my opinion this makes signing Benson a priority. You still can't break the bank with a contract, but it is the biggest need that can still be addressed in free agency.

I still think the priority in the draft is our offensive line. A good left tackle would be a great choice. Then in the second round maybe a center or a DE / LB.

MIKE BROWN, DO NOT DRAFT A RB IN THE FIRST ROUND!


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