Bengals clear way for Huber to be their punter - The Associated Press

Bengals agree to terms with WR Cosby - The Associated Press

Milacron wants out of Bengals lease - Bizjournals.com

Bengals Drop Offensive Tackle Jones, Tailback Perry - AHN

Bengals Spend Draft Weekend Hoping Their Risk Equals Reward - NFL GridIron Gab

Bengals commit grant to local schools - Bengals.com

Bengals Announce Schedule Change For Steelers Game - WCPO

GVSU ROUNDUP — Three Lakers sign with NFL teams - HollandSentinel.com

Bengals give OSU's Boeckman a shot - Dayton Daily News

Cincinnati Bengals considered for Hard Knocks - Cincy Jungle




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1st round pick: Awesome, I know there are some questions but I don't know why. The guy was the best offensive lineman in the best conference in college football. I don't care if he got a little heavy.

2nd round pick: Awesome, not a great score on the wonderlic and may not know who Joe Biden is. Again, I don't care. I bet if Joe decided to suit up for the Steelers next year this guy would know all his tendencies.

There are local Bengal "Fan" sites that love to lay it on thick. Everything the Bengals do is wrong and they find fault in every pick. Those people and sites suck. I can agree on Mike Brown making arrogant and terrible decisions but after that you are on your own. After this draft I can say I am glad I renewed my tickets.

Let the locals complain, here is what a few national writers have to say about the Bengals draft:

Don Banks:

"For a team known through the years for their penchant of making some dubious choices early in the draft -- see Frostee Rucker, Odell Thurman, and Chris Perry -- I'm loving the Bengals' work in 2009. Offensive tackle Andre Smith in the first round, middle linebacker Rey Maualuga in the second round, and defensive end Michael Johnson in the third round strike me as great value in just the right draft slots."

John Clayton:

"What's going on with the Bengals? Cincinnati's Day 2 drafting was as solid as its Day 1 selections. There were no reaches, no controversies and even a nice story. The Bengals earned good grades for first-day selections Andre Smith and Rey Maualuga. On the second day, they left themselves without much criticism after taking defensive end Michael Johnson, tight end Chase Coffman and center Jonathan Luigs, who might start. The good story was taking University of Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber, who learned of the selection while golfing. The secret to the success was the Senior Bowl, as the Bengals coached four of their draft choices in that game."

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While we still may be a little weak at center, the Bengals continue to make very good draft picks.  Here in the bottom of the third round the Bengals finally get a true pass catching tight end in Chase Coffman.  Check out the highlites below:

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In the third round the Bengals take Michael Johnson DE from Georgia Tech.  This is another kid who is a freak athletically.  Experts were saying with more consistent on the field play this guy could have been a first round consideration.  So the Bengals don't reach and take a guy that with a little coaching (in steps Zimmer) can be a stud.  I love it.  Check out some Johnson highlites below:

Draft Preview: Michael Johnson

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20, 16, 18....  These are just some of the picks in the mock drafts on the web where Rey Maualuga was choosen.  All mid first round.  The Bengals were able to land an incredible linebacker with the 6th pick in the second round (38th overall).  Here is what was written about him on NFL.com:

"The three-year starter was called by the coaching staff the "most menacing" linebacker of the Pete Carroll era. By the time he finished playing for USC, Maualuga was the most decorated linebacker to wear a Trojans uniform since Junior Seau roamed the fields for Southern California in the late 1980s. In each of his three seasons as a starter, Maualuga garnered All-American and All-Pac 10 Conference recognition."
Here is a YouTube highlite film, enjoy.

WhoDey

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Even though I have been guessing the Bengals would take LT Michael Oher, I am pumped to get Andre Smith on the line.  You don't win the Outland trophy for putting up the best numbers in the NFL combine, you ger ir for kicking ass on the field.  This is another solid pick by the Bengals in the likes of Levi Jones, Keith Rivers and Carson Palmer.  A player that can quickly make an impact and improve your team.

 

WhoDey

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Bengals think big, take Smith - Louisville Courier-Journal

Here comes the losing - The Associated Press

Bengals to work out sleeper safety prospect - Dayton Daily News

Rey Maualuga Conference Call Transcript - Bengals.com

Live from Halas Hall: Should the Bears think safety now? - Chicago Sun-Times

Bengals sign FB Johnson - National Post

Andre Smith Conference Call Transcript - Bengals.com

Sunday Special: Perry, OSU grad Barton signs with Lions - Canton Repository

Bengals Land Rey-Rey in Second Round - The Stripe Hype

NFL Player Reveals 'Tremendous' Talent on Debut Christian Album - Christian Post




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Originally posted at CincyFan.com

Taking a page out of the wall street playbook, apparently the Cincinnati Bengals (aka Mike Brown) like to pay people for incompetent work.

According to this story from Cincinnati.com Mike Brown has seen fit to pay himself an annual bonus of greater than 1 million dollars for his general manager duties. Although this is not officially listed as a position in the Bengals front office he believes that the work he has done in the last 18 years has earned him more than 20 million dollars.

All this as my seat prices have steadily gone up every year.

Mike, take a page out of some of the heroes on Wall Street and refuse this "Bonus/Salary" until you can prove to the fans that you do indeed know how to take your head out of your ass* and can put a decent team together like a real GM.

*Before I am threatened once again, please know that this is a figure of speech and no one here at CincyFan.com (or WhoDeyFans.com) believes Mike or anyone can actually place their own head in their own ass.

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Originally posted at CincyFan.com

Apparently Jeremi Johnson has been signed as the Bengals fullback. You may remember Jeremi as the fullback who comes into camp every year and has to be put on special workouts to control his weight. Last year I believe this contributed to his knee injury that lost him for the season.

Don't get me wrong, when healthy (and in shape) Jeremi is an excellent fullback and greatly helped Rudy and the running game. I just will not be surprised if when camp rolls around this guys weight is again a question mark. I mean, he is probably spending that signing bonus right now at the Ming Dynasty buffet.

Put the egg roll down Jeremi.

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AFC North outlook: On the clock with the Bengals - Baltimore Sun

NFL's patience for draft or free-agent 'projects' is dwindling - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Judging On The Spread - AZCardinals.com

Bucks made the Akili Smith Mistake last June - The Queensberry Rules

Lewis says Chad is staying - TestisteroneSports.com

NFL Draft: Highs, Lows and Those Likely to Not Show - Minaret

Newkirk Keeping Options Open as NFL Draft Looms - WEAU-TV 13

Dhani back to familiar sport - Cincinnati.com

Go back to Draft Extras Summary: - Pro Football Weekly

Draft preview: AFC North - Tennessee Journalist




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Andre Smith

or
Eugene Monroe?

Every recent mock draft that I've read has the Bengals taking one of these two guys. So who's it going to be? Well, fortunately for the Bengals front office, the decision will be made for them. According to "experts", we will get one or the other depending on who the Seattle Seahawks pick with the 4th pick.

It's likely that the Seahawks will go one of two ways. They could take Virginia's left tackle Eugene Monroe with the 4th pick (assuming that Jason Smith is gone). That would leave Alabama left tackle Andre Smith for the Bengals sitting at 6. However, it is also possible for the Seahawks to draft Mark Sanchez, the lordly Latin quarterback out of USC.

Why go for Sanchez when you have Hasselbeck? I'm glad you asked. Hasselbeck is getting old. He's not ready to retire yet but Sanchez would be a good pick this year to learn the ropes under Hasselbeck.

It could go either way though. Who really knows. Seattle could take Monroe this year and draft a quarterback like Bradford from Oklahoma or Tebow from Florida next year. We won't know until Saturday.

What I do know is that Eugene Monroe would be a gift at the 6th pick.


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Originally posted at CincyFan.com

On Friday the Bengals added much needed depth at the running back position. Gary Russell has to be absolutely pumped to be able to play in the NFL and no longer have to wear the ugliest uniforms of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I can see Russell becoming a nice 3rd down and power back that would compliment Cedric Benson. Here is a guy with super bowl experience (scored a TD in the last championship game) and knows the division. He also played as a kick returner for the Steelers in the 3 season he was in Pitt.

Assuming Russell makes the roster, this puts Chris Perry on the outs with the Bengals. Perry had his opportunity to own the starting job and failed miserably when he played. I think the Bengals have to keep the scrappy change of pace back Kenny Watson and they usually don't keep more than three running backs.

Good pickup by the Bengals.

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Bengals' Utecht going pro again - Pioneer Press

War Games: Is moving to draft Andre Smith feasible? - Buffalo Rumblings

2009 NFL Free Agent Signings List - Washington Post

Talking more about the draft; Ben Utecht's upcoming album; Tank ... - Cincy Jungle

10 numbers that matter to Oakland in '09 - RealFootball365.com

Ladysmith's Newkirk Keeps NFL Draft Hopes Alive - WEAU-TV 13

First Down - Washington Times

7 Points: Don't overlook OSU's Laurinaitis - FOXSports.com

BYU's Bright tops local prospects - Deseret News

Inside The Ravens With Aaron Wilson - Baltimore Ravens




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Collinsworth finally gets lead NBC opportunity with Madden gone - USA Today

Breaking down NFL schedules - Parkersburg News

NFL notebook - Connecticut Post

Don't Fall for Weis' Pity Party - FanHouse

Fun with Chiefs' legal woes - Pitch Weekly

Bengals play host to Super Bowl champs in September - SportingNews.com

Draft Picks of the Marvin Lewis Era - Cincy Jungle

Week 1 lines for NFL stir interest - Las Vegas Review - Journal

NFL NOTEBOOK Browns GM avoids makeover questions - San Francisco Chronicle

Carucci lists five top trades to watch; one of them is Chad Johnson - Cincy Jungle




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I was asked to participate in the FanIQ.com mock draft.... Below is my pick. You can see it on their site here along with all the other picks:


Here are the picks so far:

1. Detroit Lions - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
2. St Louis Rams - Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
3. Kansas City Chiefs - Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
4. Seattle Seahawks - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
5. Cleveland Browns - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Over the past several years the Cincinnati Bengals have had a pretty formidable offense. Really shining in 2005 Carson Palmer and the boys took to the air and could score at will on their opponents. Since that season (and the loss of some key offensive lineman) the offense has still been good but not great. Last year, due to some horrible protection by the offensive line, the offense was close to last in the league in most categories. This screams that the Bengals will need to draft an offensive lineman with their first pick in the draft.

Other than OLine, the Bengals have also not had much of a running game in the past couple years. I think some time has to be spent considering one of the top running backs in the draft. Either Chris “Beanie” Wells (Ohio State) or Knowshon Moreno (Georgia). I think both of these backs will have great NFL careers but may be a reach at number 6. Also in the mix is the wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (Missouri). With TJ gone and the possibility of Chad being traded or half assing it again this year it is always a good idea to have many options for Carson Palmer.

Ultimately I go for a guy that I feel will be a great asset to any offensive line in Michael Oher (Mississippi). He has shown in college to be a great pass blocker as well as opening the running game to rack up over 2400 yds. He also has been very durable in his career and has not battled injury. A guy like this could shore up the left side of the line for Carson Palmer for many years.


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The Bengals open up their season at Paul Brown Stadium this year against the Denver Broncos. I can't help but notice some similarities between this game and last years regular season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, the Bengals faced a rookie head coach in John Harbaugh much like they will face this year in Broncos new coach (and quarterback feeling hurter) Josh McDaniels. The Bengals defense also faced the new and unproven quarterback Joe Bert Flacco.

This year, the Bengals defense will open their season against the not necessarily new but definitely unproven Kyle Neckbeard Orton (probably) who was acquired from Chicago along with some draft picks in exchange for Jay Cutler. There was an endless slew of pictures of Orton for me to choose from, each with him holding a large bottle of liquor and a girl of indeterminate age sitting on his lap. I decided to go with this one though.

The good thing is Orton will probably be too drunk to play good enough to beat the Bengals emerging defense.


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Posted at http://www.whodeyfans.com

No primetime games for the Bengals again this year. However I can't wait to watch all of the NFC East teams in primetime at least 3 times each. Hey at least the Cowboys have more primetime games than the defending Super Bowl champions....

At least the analysis was spot on. The 3 key moments in our season according to the geniuses over there in the NFL network is the opener against the Broncos, the game against the Bears and then the season finally against the Jets*. Yeah, those are the games that will define our season. Not the 3 game stretch where we play the Steelers at home then the Browns and Ravens on the road back to back. Or the fact that later we play the Ravens and Steelers back to back. Or that 3 different times in the season there are back to back road games that make it hard on a team.

Nope, the DBags in the NFL network are worried about the hot stories, Cutler and Plaxico. Way to earn those paychecks fellas.

Terrible.

Oh Well, here is the schedule:


*Thanks for the catch


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ROTB Community Mock Draft: With the 38th Overall Pick, the ... - Revenge of the Birds

Kentucky receivers still trying to catch on - KFVS

Potential UDFA among visitors - Packer Report

NFL's Jones tackles Muay Thai - SI.com

Johnson pleased to join Bengals - RotoTimes.com

The state at 1:30 pm - The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com

Diner News: What is Ocho's trade value? - CBSSports.com

Wikipedia Says the Redskins Are Unique - Washington Post Blogs

Sports: 2009 NFL Mock Draft: April 12 - StateHornet.com

Around FCS: Sidbury, Barden move to head of FCS draft class - Sports Network




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Tomorrow the Bengals welcome safety Mike Mitchell to town to visit before the draft. This is cool for two reasons.

1. Mike played his high school ball in Ft. Mitchell KY and one could probably guess he has a soft spot in his heart for his hometown team. He also has been working out in Covington preparing for the draft.

2. Mike played his college ball at Ohio University which is my old stomping grounds.

Here is what Carlos Holmes had to say about him:


Good luck Mike.


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Bengals Cornerback Pleads Not Guilty To DUI Charge - WCPO

Carson Palmer Might be the Toughest Quarterback That Nobody Talks ... - Bleacher Report

Cal Fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou to visit Cincinnati - Cincy Jungle

Time with Tank - Bengals.com

Egenes: How to prevent the Adenhart tragedy -- pick up the phone - Bloomington Pantagraph

Gout in elbow causes Pirates' Russell to have surgery - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick #38 - Mocking the Draft

Bengals' Leon Hall Pleads Not Guilty to OVI Charge - kypost.com

Mock Draft Version 2.0 - WVBR

Mock Draft 4.0: Sintim the Superhero - Atlanta Journal Constitution




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The new hot rumor involving Chad Ocho Cinco is a possible trade to to the Philadelphia Eagles, possibly for one of the Eagles' two first round draft picks. If this goes down (and I for one hope it does), the Bengals draft projections would completely change. With two first round picks, it might be possible for the Bengals to get their cake and eat it too. With the sixth pick, the Bengals could take a game changing wide receiver such as Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree or Missouri's Jeremy Macklin. Then, with the acquired pick from the Eagles, the Bengals would still have a chance to get the best of the remaining offensive tackles such as Alabama's Andre Smith or Ole Miss's Michael Oher. Or it could be done in reverse. With the sixth pick, the Bengals could pick the best offensive tackle such as Baylor's Jason Smith or Virginia's Eugene Monroe (even though it is likely that both of them will be gone by the time the 6th pick rolls around) and with the pick from Philly, the Bengals could select the best undrafted wide receiver; Florida's Percy Harvin and Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey come to mind. It's no secret that Philly is in need of a good wide receiver so this trade rumor might actually have relevance, but then again maybe it's just another rumor.


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Not yet... However, the decisions Mike Brown has made so far this off-season have impressed me. The re-signing of Chris Crocker and Cedric Benson were great and much needed moves (besides, anybody who knocks the crap out of a Steeler is aces in my book). Then Brown impressed me even more when he signed Laveranues Coles to make up for the loss of TJ. And now the recent addition of Tank Johnson to help shore up the defensive line makes me think that Brown might actually draft an offensive tackle in the first round. So far I don't want to strangle him like I usually do.... I hope he doesn't let me down.


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Bengals add a Tank on defense - San Francisco Chronicle

Update on the latest in sports: - Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck

Carson Palmer - Dayton Daily News

Third & Short - Bryan College Station Eagle

Ravens schedules visit for hybrid linebacker - Carroll County Times

Interview Conducted David A. Mitchell - Urban Network

Tuesday Links and Notes: Foster signs with Lions - Cincy Jungle

Breaking: Bengals Sign Tank Johnson - The Stripe Hype

Football transactions - The Canadian Press

Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin announces he will make himself ... - Los Angeles Times




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Tank Johnson has found a home where most in the league say he belongs, with the Cincinnati Bengals. I can hear the jokes already....

Hey Bengals players get arrested and stuff...

Another felon for the men in stripes.....

Yeah, live it up. I for one would encourage the signing of Rod Blagojevich if I thought he could improve the interior of the defensive line.

I think Tank fits in Mike Zimmer's system well and will have more success as a tackle in a 4-3 then a nose in a 3-4. I think this guy will double the production of every body's favorite big motor guy Justin Smith.

Cheers to the Bengals who continue to improve the team this off season.


WhoDey


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Trade rumors concerning Ocho Cinco are never ending. This year as I'm in line waiting to get my $1 beer at the last Cyclones game of the season Joe the Plumber turns around and asks if I've heard the news. He told me that Chad Johnson was traded for Reggie Bush and a 1st round pick.

That information was obviously wrong. So I scour the internet for the real rumor. Michael Bush and a 2nd round pick was the actual rumor. By April 4th when the trade was reported as done and no official sources had information on it, it should be obvious that the rumor had no legs to stand on.

What I'm curious about is why we are so heels over head crazy about Ocho Cinco trade rumors. Last year we had rumors from Dallas and Washington. Is this going to become a Bengals tradition?



Only Professor Ocho Cinco knows.


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Chris Johnson to run away from fast food lines - Knoxville News Sentinel

Nicks visits; July 27, July 29 set for training camp reporting dates - Baltimore Ravens

Top 5 Chiefs draft busts in the last 10 years. - ChiefsCrowd.com

Bolts Draft Buzz: Moore, Johnson and Peerman - Silver & Black Illustrated

Draft Buzz: Bull's-Eye on RB Rashad Jennings? - Silver & Black Illustrated


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I had to comment on the current drama in the NFL. I think it is really funny the value that is being put on a Quarterback with a decent year of stats but enough mistakes to make it an 8 and 8 season. According to one of the prominent Denver Bronco blogs they feel that Jay Cutler is worth:


So 2 first round picks, a second round pick, a fourth round pick and a defensive starter. For an average QB? I had no idea that Cutler was worth so much in Denver. This is the golden boy of the Rockies.

I like Jay Cutler and have nothing against the Broncos (until Cincinnati busts them up this season) but that is a little ridiculous asking price wouldn't you say Jay?


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Texans Looking For Versatility - JagNation.com

Seat-License Prices Post First Decline at Online Marketplace - Bloomberg

Smokin' Some Jay - The Stripe Hype

With Jay Cutler Close To Trade, Some QB Dramas To Hold Us Over ... - Bleacher Report

Reds top Bengals in survey - Cincinnati.com

Hobson's Choice: Out with reach - Bengals.com

Beechwood Sports Night Out On Tap - kypost.com

Rams' preseason schedule announced - St. Louis American

Prep Pride - San Bernardino Sun

New York Giants' Options To Address Current WR Situation - Bleacher Report




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