After some combine stats

[NATI BENGALS]

I want some things to happen, and I know they could be accomplished. This is made hoping Justin is back or we signed a FA DE such as Bobby McCray or Odom.

I would still be happy giving our 9th pick to Detroit in exchange for Shaun Rogers and the 15th overall pick. Allowing them to move up into the top 10 is comparable to the 3rd rd pick that is rumored to be the cost for Rogers.

15th- Quentin Groves DE/OLB Maybe Derrick Harvey but he looks to be more of a 4-3 end while Groves will be a 3-4 OLB. If we can get him later search for more options to trade back again and get more picks.
46th -Trevor Laws DT/DE
3rd- Kevin Smith HB - I think this guy will be the best out of the entire class, he has the vision and showed the speed, he is big enough to be a bell cow at 6' 1" 217. Im really high on this guy. (450 carries last year though, so ease him in slow or he may break, nobody does too good the year after 400+ carries)
3rd- Owen Schmitt FB- The finishing touch on new dangerous backfield.
4th- Brad Cottam TE/ Really dont know, I love his measurable and hope he can transfer those into the NFL.
4th- Frank Okam.---Trade our 5th 6th and 7th if we have to in order to grab one of the top rated big body guys. Maybe Zimmer gets this guy locked on and he stays motivated.

McCray could be our 4-3 insurance policy if the 3-4 falls through. He would get plenty of snaps in our 4-3 variations.

DE-Fanane, Rucker
DT-Rogers, Okam
DE-Peko, Laws ------------------I like great big giant 3-4 D-lines, like the Patriots.

OLB- Groves, Jeanty, Pollack
MLB- Brooks, Schlegel
MLB- Thurman, Jim Maxwell
OLB- Geathers, Henderson

Throw any 3 big boys in front of that starting set of 3-4 backers and there will be havoc. Especially if we had Rogers in the middle. If Groves, Brooks, Thurman, and Geathers were are starting LB's are D would have the attitude we have all been looking for. Lets hope Pollack does make it back and our abundance of pass rushers would remind me of somebody, the Giants, and didnt they just win something? Seriously though, if we could get a set of 3-4 backers like that we would do a 180 on D and head right to the top of the rankings.

With the new offensive weapons our O would also see a boost. Schmitt blocks just as good as Jeremi, but he is more versatile. I dont see a problem going into camp with an abundance of backs, injuries usually hit a couple of these guys, and Irons could start on the PUP. A Watson, Rudi, Smith, 3D combo could get it done. Hopefully Rudi starts off the year blowing up and we can move him when his value is high, handing the job over to Smith, Watson, 3D, Irons. I want Perry back but I just dont think he will be the same ever again. HB really wasnt of any concern to me, but the coaches say we will address it and I dont want to pick a HB any earlier than the 3rd rd, and I think Smith would be a steal in the 3rd. This is the year to grab yourself a HB with the depth this class provides.

I'm not completely sold on Cottam, but I also like the potential Coates has, so I dont want to grab a TE too early. Cottam in the 4th could be the steal of the draft with Carson throwing him the ball. I really didnt expect this guy to run so fast with his size, hopefully Brat can fully utilize his potential and he ends up with 10 TD's his rookie year. Talk about a safety valve, Cottam's giant butt going across the middle would be like telling Carson he had to hit the side of a barn.

I am all about resigning TJ, trading TJ, or grooming his eventual replacement, but that isnt on my mind now. I would rather win now, so if we dont reach a deal and he leaves at the end of the year, at least we know were we will be looking early in the draft next year.

summary of additions

Shaun Rogers DT/NT
Bobby McCray DE
Quentin Groves OLB/DE
Trevor Laws DE/DT
Kevin Smith HB
Owen Schmitt FB/H-back
Brad Cottam TE
Frank Okam DT/NT

we would be good.

[rkellydugan20]

I like it. Do you think we should part ways with Jeremi? I like Owen Schmidt but we are allready paying Jeremi quite a bit.

Also I do like your front three in Fanene, Rogers and Peko for a 3-4.

I just hope we can somehow land Shaun Rogers.

[Ali]

I want some things to happen, and I know they could be accomplished. This is made hoping Justin is back or we signed a FA DE such as Bobby McCray or Odom.

I would still be happy giving our 9th pick to Detroit in exchange for Shaun Rogers and the 15th overall pick. Allowing them to move up into the top 10 is comparable to the 3rd rd pick that is rumored to be the cost for Rogers.

15th- Quentin Groves DE/OLB Maybe Derrick Harvey but he looks to be more of a 4-3 end while Groves will be a 3-4 OLB. If we can get him later search for more options to trade back again and get more picks.
46th -Trevor Laws DT/DE
3rd- Kevin Smith HB - I think this guy will be the best out of the entire class, he has the vision and showed the speed, he is big enough to be a bell cow at 6' 1" 217. Im really high on this guy. (450 carries last year though, so ease him in slow or he may break, nobody does too good the year after 400+ carries)
3rd- Owen Schmitt FB- The finishing touch on new dangerous backfield.
4th- Brad Cottam TE/ Really dont know, I love his measurable and hope he can transfer those into the NFL.
4th- Frank Okam.---Trade our 5th 6th and 7th if we have to in order to grab one of the top rated big body guys. Maybe Zimmer gets this guy locked on and he stays motivated.

McCray could be our 4-3 insurance policy if the 3-4 falls through. He would get plenty of snaps in our 4-3 variations.

DE-Fanane, Rucker
DT-Rogers, Okam
DE-Peko, Laws ------------------I like great big giant 3-4 D-lines, like the Patriots.

OLB- Groves, Jeanty, Pollack
MLB- Brooks, Schlegel
MLB- Thurman, Jim Maxwell
OLB- Geathers, Henderson

Throw any 3 big boys in front of that starting set of 3-4 backers and there will be havoc. Especially if we had Rogers in the middle. If Groves, Brooks, Thurman, and Geathers were are starting LB's are D would have the attitude we have all been looking for. Lets hope Pollack does make it back and our abundance of pass rushers would remind me of somebody, the Giants, and didnt they just win something? Seriously though, if we could get a set of 3-4 backers like that we would do a 180 on D and head right to the top of the rankings.

With the new offensive weapons our O would also see a boost. Schmitt blocks just as good as Jeremi, but he is more versatile. I dont see a problem going into camp with an abundance of backs, injuries usually hit a couple of these guys, and Irons could start on the PUP. A Watson, Rudi, Smith, 3D combo could get it done. Hopefully Rudi starts off the year blowing up and we can move him when his value is high, handing the job over to Smith, Watson, 3D, Irons. I want Perry back but I just dont think he will be the same ever again. HB really wasnt of any concern to me, but the coaches say we will address it and I dont want to pick a HB any earlier than the 3rd rd, and I think Smith would be a steal in the 3rd. This is the year to grab yourself a HB with the depth this class provides.

I'm not completely sold on Cottam, but I also like the potential Coates has, so I dont want to grab a TE too early. Cottam in the 4th could be the steal of the draft with Carson throwing him the ball. I really didnt expect this guy to run so fast with his size, hopefully Brat can fully utilize his potential and he ends up with 10 TD's his rookie year. Talk about a safety valve, Cottam's giant butt going across the middle would be like telling Carson he had to hit the side of a barn.

I am all about resigning TJ, trading TJ, or grooming his eventual replacement, but that isnt on my mind now. I would rather win now, so if we dont reach a deal and he leaves at the end of the year, at least we know were we will be looking early in the draft next year.

summary of additions

Shaun Rogers DT/NT
Bobby McCray DE
Quentin Groves OLB/DE
Trevor Laws DE/DT
Kevin Smith HB
Owen Schmitt FB/H-back
Brad Cottam TE
Frank Okam DT/NT

we would be good.

That trade and first round draft choice would be rather interesting, but I think we could also end up nabbing a 4th rounder with that draft choice if Rogers is wanted for a 3rd round draft choice.

The only draft choice I have a complaint about is Schmitt because we have a rather formidable FB in Jeremi Johnson (who is essentially just anotehr OL in the backfield). Instead of that, how about Mr. Wesley Woodyard, the "undersized" but still very powerful, fast and, most of all, instinctive OLB from Kentucky. If Cincy is at all smart, they will pick him up in the 3rd round and take the biggest steal of the draft, a two-time all SEC LB who finished with the most tackles in 2007 and second most to only Patrick willis in 2006.

But, if you're wanting to find a new Houshmandzadeh type of player...How about another Kentucky product who is projected as a 7th rounder in Steve Johnson? He catches everything thrown his way and is a possesion receiver. With those additions, you'd have a high octane O with a young, quick D.

Just like the Colts.

[Jom112]

Pretty good draft. Instantly improves our defense and adds some good pieces to our offense.

The only thing is I would be a little hesitant to give up our late round picks, which we seem to very well with. Also we have other holes (KR/PR, Center) that we still need to address. So maybe keep those picks and draft a guy like Dexter Jackson late to fill the ST hole...

[DennyG2]

Simply put.....I like your thinking, good job:thumbsup:

[NATI BENGALS]

I like it. Do you think we should part ways with Jeremi? I like Owen Schmidt but we are allready paying Jeremi quite a bit.

Also I do like your front three in Fanene, Rogers and Peko for a 3-4.

I just hope we can somehow land Shaun Rogers.
I just wrote a nice long explanation for wanting to get rid of Jeremi, and the web page closed and I lost it all. I ticked so I am gonna make it short and sweet for the sake of sleep.

Schmitt is more versatile than Jeremi and Jeremi contributes greatly to the staleness that struck our offense. I like Coates and Kelly is one of the best blocking TE's in the league. We are going to add a pass catching TE. Kelly has lined up as a FB before and can move all over the backfield. I want to get our pass catching TE on the field and still keep Kelly's blocking on the field. Using Kelly and Schmitt to replace the role Jeremi played as a FB would not only save money, but it would also offer more versatility and confusion for opposing D's. I see no reason to not do it. This is what addition by subtraction is all about.The more offensive weapons on the field the better. Jeremi is the FB for crying out loud and when do we ever trust this guy to get us the tough inches? I bet if we lined Kelly and Schmitt up in the backfield together they could get those inches damn near every time.

bedtime

[SouthernStripes]

I just wrote a nice long explanation for wanting to get rid of Jeremi, and the web page closed and I lost it all. I ticked so I am gonna make it short and sweet for the sake of sleep.

Schmitt is more versatile than Jeremi and Jeremi contributes greatly to the staleness that struck our offense. I like Coates and Kelly is one of the best blocking TE's in the league. We are going to add a pass catching TE. Kelly has lined up as a FB before and can move all over the backfield. I want to get our pass catching TE on the field and still keep Kelly's blocking on the field. Using Kelly and Schmitt to replace the role Jeremi played as a FB would not only save money, but it would also offer more versatility and confusion for opposing D's. I see no reason to not do it. This is what addition by subtraction is all about.The more offensive weapons on the field the better. Jeremi is the FB for crying out loud and when do we ever trust this guy to get us the tough inches? I bet if we lined Kelly and Schmitt up in the backfield together they could get those inches damn near every time.

bedtime
I have always liked what Jeremi did for us.
But cutting ties with him frees up $$$ and allows us to take Owen.

I am all for us taking this guy with our first 3rd Rd.

He adds a new dimension to the run game AND he can play TE.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/owen-schmitt?id=312

Compares To: LARRY CSONKA-ex-Miami...No, Schmitt is not just a blocking back, even though he will make a nice living doing just that. He proved early in his career that he is capable of getting the tough yardage up the middle of the field and is a runaway truck once he clears the line of scrimmage. He is a decent safety valve coming out of the backfield in the short-area passing game and, much like Csonka and former Bengals' RB Pete Johnson, he is a load to bring down with the ball in his hands. To use him strictly as a blocker is to get great value, but you will then be wasting his other talent. A definite throwback to the Csonka/Jim Taylor (Green Bay) era, Schmitt is the best fullback available for the 2008 draft.

Has a thick frame with broad shoulders, good chest definition, good arm length and very thick thighs and calves and, while he's listed at 260 pounds, he could carry more weight without having it impact his quickness...Not explosive out of his stance, but has valid foot speed to get past the second level...Versatile athlete who can carry the ball at tailback, block at fullback, line up in motion as a tight end and also handle "pooch" punting duties...Has excellent durability and toughness, is the type that will play through pain (see 2007 Cincinnati game)...Shows above-average balance and strength in his running stride, with good acceleration and burst...Hard inside runner whose strength easily allows him to move the pile...Runs behind his pads well and is a devastating blocker...One of the hardest workers on the team in practices and the weight room (has won school training awards)...Has a good grasp of the playbook and is quick to pick up schemes on the field...Makes solid game adjustments and is very instinctive moving without the ball in his hands (always looks for targets to attack)...Team-first player who takes well to hard coaching and will excel at whatever task is asked of him (first-to-arrive, last-to-leave type)...Fires out low from his stance to generate better quickness (slower when he gets too narrow in his stance)...Gains advantage by his quickness through the rush lane, keeping his shoulders square to widen and sustain the holes...Not explosive, but does have a valid burst...Is more of a one-cut runner and lacks ideal shake, but he will work to the cutback lanes in the open...Has excellent field vision, easily spotting the seam, using his leg drive to break arm tackles...Now runs at a low pad level, generating better balance and strength while always giving second effort and shows good forward body lean to push the pile...Plays with a loose base, which helps his balance getting through small areas...Has that mentality and power to simply run over defenders, driving hard with his legs churning to fall forward for extra yardage after initial contact...Has strong, large hands and is very conscious of ball security (no fumbles)...Not used much in the passing game, but is quick to get into the short-area patterns and is best used on screens, check-unders, flats and swings)...Has functional agility in his cuts and enough quickness in and out of his break point...Will drift some on longer routes...Does a good job of extending and adjusting to off-target throws or when the ball is behind him...Catches the ball cleanly with his hands instead of his body...Punishing in-line blocker who is alert to stunts and blitzes, doing a nice job also when asked to stalk second level defenders...Best when executing the lead block, showing good adjustment skills picking up moving targets, especially when blocking in space...Consistently strikes his target and works hard to sustain...Will assert himself and face up when taking on pocket pressure...Maintains leverage with his shoulders squared and driving hard with his legs...Plays on all the special teams units and shows a decent kicking leg, doing a nice job of angling his pooch punts.

[Joe from Florence]

If we take a FB with our 3rd round pick then i'm seriously going to ask for a psychiatric examination for the brown family

OMG i can't even believe we are discussing this....to waste a 3rd round pick on a FB????? thats something a good team would do, a team that doesn't have a lot of holes to fill, this team is so bad right now that they can't afford to waste a first day pick on a position that isn't a need for us.

i'm still scratching my head just thinking about the idea of picking a FB in the 3rd round......maybe we should draft a kicker in the 1st round :thumbsup:

[mrcrockj]

I am with Joe here. There are going to be other 3rd round picks that will help our team much better than Schmitt. A TE, or pass rusher would be much better.

We have Jeremi who has great hands, and we don't run the FB but rarely anyway.

Plus in the NFL FB's rarely get long runs because the players are simply better and bigger than in college. Schmitt will not be as much as a stand out as he was in the big east.

[HR24]

I like the trade and the draft with the exception of picking Schmitt and Cottam. I don't really see the need for a FB, especially in a 3rd slot. Use it on an ILB if we go 3-4, or another big bodied DL. Also, Cottam just screams Kyle Brady to me for some reason. I think we should look at Tamme or Rucker in the other 3rd slot or 4th slot. We need an H-Back in the mold of Dallas Clark, not another big bodied TE. I want a TE who can create mismatches with NCB's and LB's (i.e., one who can outmuscle the nickel corner if needed and run circles around LB's).

[cincyneohio]

I am not sold of Frank Okam..at the combine he came in at 347 lbs and ran a slow time of 5.32 in the 40. I know that this guy isn't as tall, but what is everyone's thoughts on Trevor Laws out of Notre Dame? He is a "leaner" 304 lbs. ran a 5.08 in the 40, did 35 reps in lifting, and had a 30.5 vertical in the combine. Sounds pretty athletic and quick to me!:tiger:

[Stewy]

I am not sold of Frank Okam..at the combine he came in at 347 lbs and ran a slow time of 5.32 in the 40. I know that this guy isn't as tall, but what is everyone's thoughts on Trevor Laws out of Notre Dame? He is a "leaner" 304 lbs. ran a 5.08 in the 40, did 35 reps in lifting, and had a 30.5 vertical in the combine. Sounds pretty athletic and quick to me!:tiger:

Yeah but Laws won't make it to the 4th round.

[SouthernStripes]

Yeah but Laws won't make it to the 4th round.
He might not even make it out of the 1st after his combine performance.

[NATI BENGALS]

If we take a FB with our 3rd round pick then i'm seriously going to ask for a psychiatric examination for the brown family

OMG i can't even believe we are discussing this....to waste a 3rd round pick on a FB????? thats something a good team would do, a team that doesn't have a lot of holes to fill, this team is so bad right now that they can't afford to waste a first day pick on a position that isn't a need for us.

i'm still scratching my head just thinking about the idea of picking a FB in the 3rd round......maybe we should draft a kicker in the 1st round :thumbsup:
There is just something about solid all around 100% effort athletes that I like. I know you dont because you dont like the hardest working most dedicated athlete on our team, Justin Smith.

I think this guy screams AFC North, he is a hard nosed bruiser. As far as I'm concerned the major holes on this team is our D-line. That is why I added 3 of them. I am hoping we can just get the athletes already on our roster who play LB back and I think we will be set there, especially if we add Groves. Other than that I dont see glaring holes. I think our secondary can hold up just fine, what is the point of adding new talent if you aint gonna use it? Let White, Ndukwe, and Hebert take a shot and if they cant cut it there are two more superb athletes behind them in Kilmer and H-D Jones.

I still dont see a good reason for us to not draft Schmitt. If you love Jeremi and think he does his job wonderfully and hate Justin Smith, then I guess we just dont think in the same manner.

Oh and I think the Bengals are a good team, contrary to popular belief having all your LB's injured except 2 will probably make your teams record not look so good. I know that is an excuse but it is a good one.

[NATI BENGALS]

He might not even make it out of the 1st after his combine performance.
That is what I was thinking. Getting him in the second would be great.

[crazyjdawg]

I want some things to happen, and I know they could be accomplished. This is made hoping Justin is back or we signed a FA DE such as Bobby McCray or Odom.

I would still be happy giving our 9th pick to Detroit in exchange for Shaun Rogers and the 15th overall pick. Allowing them to move up into the top 10 is comparable to the 3rd rd pick that is rumored to be the cost for Rogers.

15th- Quentin Groves DE/OLB Maybe Derrick Harvey but he looks to be more of a 4-3 end while Groves will be a 3-4 OLB. If we can get him later search for more options to trade back again and get more picks.
46th -Trevor Laws DT/DE
3rd- Kevin Smith HB - I think this guy will be the best out of the entire class, he has the vision and showed the speed, he is big enough to be a bell cow at 6' 1" 217. Im really high on this guy. (450 carries last year though, so ease him in slow or he may break, nobody does too good the year after 400+ carries)
3rd- Owen Schmitt FB- The finishing touch on new dangerous backfield.
4th- Brad Cottam TE/ Really dont know, I love his measurable and hope he can transfer those into the NFL.
4th- Frank Okam.---Trade our 5th 6th and 7th if we have to in order to grab one of the top rated big body guys. Maybe Zimmer gets this guy locked on and he stays motivated.

McCray could be our 4-3 insurance policy if the 3-4 falls through. He would get plenty of snaps in our 4-3 variations.

DE-Fanane, Rucker
DT-Rogers, Okam
DE-Peko, Laws ------------------I like great big giant 3-4 D-lines, like the Patriots.

OLB- Groves, Jeanty, Pollack
MLB- Brooks, Schlegel
MLB- Thurman, Jim Maxwell
OLB- Geathers, Henderson

Throw any 3 big boys in front of that starting set of 3-4 backers and there will be havoc. Especially if we had Rogers in the middle. If Groves, Brooks, Thurman, and Geathers were are starting LB's are D would have the attitude we have all been looking for. Lets hope Pollack does make it back and our abundance of pass rushers would remind me of somebody, the Giants, and didnt they just win something? Seriously though, if we could get a set of 3-4 backers like that we would do a 180 on D and head right to the top of the rankings.

With the new offensive weapons our O would also see a boost. Schmitt blocks just as good as Jeremi, but he is more versatile. I dont see a problem going into camp with an abundance of backs, injuries usually hit a couple of these guys, and Irons could start on the PUP. A Watson, Rudi, Smith, 3D combo could get it done. Hopefully Rudi starts off the year blowing up and we can move him when his value is high, handing the job over to Smith, Watson, 3D, Irons. I want Perry back but I just dont think he will be the same ever again. HB really wasnt of any concern to me, but the coaches say we will address it and I dont want to pick a HB any earlier than the 3rd rd, and I think Smith would be a steal in the 3rd. This is the year to grab yourself a HB with the depth this class provides.

I'm not completely sold on Cottam, but I also like the potential Coates has, so I dont want to grab a TE too early. Cottam in the 4th could be the steal of the draft with Carson throwing him the ball. I really didnt expect this guy to run so fast with his size, hopefully Brat can fully utilize his potential and he ends up with 10 TD's his rookie year. Talk about a safety valve, Cottam's giant butt going across the middle would be like telling Carson he had to hit the side of a barn.

I am all about resigning TJ, trading TJ, or grooming his eventual replacement, but that isnt on my mind now. I would rather win now, so if we dont reach a deal and he leaves at the end of the year, at least we know were we will be looking early in the draft next year.

summary of additions

Shaun Rogers DT/NT
Bobby McCray DE
Quentin Groves OLB/DE
Trevor Laws DE/DT
Kevin Smith HB
Owen Schmitt FB/H-back
Brad Cottam TE
Frank Okam DT/NT

we would be good.

I like your thinking and I wouldn't be mad about this draft at all but I just don't think we can afford the luxury of drafting two backs that early. We still need DT/DE in the first day besides Trevor Laws.

[cinc4ever1]

If we take a FB with our 3rd round pick then i'm seriously going to ask for a psychiatric examination for the brown family

OMG i can't even believe we are discussing this....to waste a 3rd round pick on a FB????? thats something a good team would do, a team that doesn't have a lot of holes to fill, this team is so bad right now that they can't afford to waste a first day pick on a position that isn't a need for us.

i'm still scratching my head just thinking about the idea of picking a FB in the 3rd round......maybe we should draft a kicker in the 1st round :thumbsup:

I agree with Joe on this,and as much as some of us might want him we just can't afford to waste a 1st day pick on a FB.