Thomas Howard says "I'm Right on Track"

[Archer]

Originally Posted by Shake n Blake

Howard was a WLB. Harrison (if signed) will play SLB.

I'm hoping we sign Harrison and Howard so we can move Burfict to MLB, with Maualuga backing up at MLB and SLB.

That would be perfect IMO. I liked Howard's coverage skills.

As long as Maualuga isn't handed the starting job I like that scenario.

[bludgeon]

Originally Posted by Archer

As long as Maualuga isn't handed the starting job I like that scenario.

And if Maualuga IS handed the starting spot, here's how I'll feel.

[thefinalcut813]

Harrison/Burfict/Howard(healthly)..would be awesome.

[Shady]

We haven't re-signed Howard yet. I don't think the Harrison signing changes our need to do so. It will be interesting to see, if we do re-sign Howard, to ponder our starting 3 LBs. It will be a clear sign that they really aren't as committed to leaving Burfict at WILL and Rey at Mike as Marvin says. Thoughts?

[Storer50]

Would love to have Howard back. He will still be there after the draft. I think it all depends on who we draft. With the possible addition of Harrison, a believe an interior linebacker becomes more important than outside.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Shady

We haven't re-signed Howard yet. I don't think the Harrison signing changes our need to do so. It will be interesting to see, if we do re-sign Howard, to ponder our starting 3 LBs. It will be a clear sign that they really aren't as committed to leaving Burfict at WILL and Rey at Mike as Marvin says. Thoughts?

I would like to see Howard back simply because he is a quality player.

You know Zimmer has not been bashful in supporting Rey at MLB it is not just Marvin.

[Shady]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

I would like to see Howard back simply because he is a quality player.

You know Zimmer has not been bashful in supporting Rey at MLB it is not just Marvin.

I'm not buying it. Sorry. Nobody's that damn blind. If Rey improves and deserves to start, so be it. Based on past performance, however, he's a better than average backup.

[THE PISTONS]

Originally Posted by Shady

I'm not buying it. Sorry. Nobody's that damn blind. If Rey improves and deserves to start, so be it. Based on past performance, however, he's a better than average backup.

The problem is we have no one better. We could have signed Dansby but he likely wants more than Rey. We would have still needed an olb too. Harrison likely costs less than KD too and I suspect wants a much shorter contract.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by TheLeonardLeap

Lamur played SAM last year, regardless of what the Bengals depth chart says. Lewis doesn't like changing his depth chart mid-season. Hence why Dunlap is listed as a starter even though he only started 1 game.

Lemur came in on passing downs for Burfict.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Shady

I'm not buying it. Sorry. Nobody's that damn blind. If Rey improves and deserves to start, so be it. Based on past performance, however, he's a better than average backup.

Zimmer hasnt failed us yet.... But rey has had some health problems here and there especially that ankle.

hopefully hes better this year. Bengals have a plan maybe zimmer tweeks his D to help rey.

[Luvnit2]

Originally Posted by XenoMorph

Zimmer hasnt failed us yet.... But rey has had some health problems here and there especially that ankle.

hopefully hes better this year. Bengals have a plan maybe zimmer tweeks his D to help rey.

Rey was hurt in pre season a year ago, yet came back and played thorugh the injury.

Yes, he struggled in coverage. Yes, he took some bad angles and missed some tackles.

Yes, he lost some weight and improved as the year went on.

Why do people go right to cut the guy or get rid of him versus, I hope Rey improves in 2013 and becomes a force.

I just don't understand people'e need to be correct in their opinion is more important than them being wrong and our defense with a healthy Rey M. becomes dominating.

We have a very good defense, but we are not a dominating shut down defense that turns teams over. Our defense has a long way to go and I don't care who steps up, I just want them to be dominant. The only reason I defend Rey is because right now according ot our HC and DC he is our starting MIKE.

If someone beats him out and makes this defense better, that is awesome. Why do others feel they only want the defense to improve with Rey removed from the scenario.

Serioulsy, why would anyone want one of our current starters to fail thus making us worse?

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Luvnit2

Rey was hurt in pre season a year ago, yet came back and played thorugh the injury.

Yes, he struggled in coverage. Yes, he took some bad angles and missed some tackles.

Yes, he lost some weight and improved as the year went on.

Why do people go right to cut the guy or get rid of him versus, I hope Rey improves in 2013 and becomes a force.

I just don't understand people'e need to be correct in their opinion is more important than them being wrong and our defense with a healthy Rey M. becomes dominating.

We have a very good defense, but we are not a dominating shut down defense that turns teams over. Our defense has a long way to go and I don't care who steps up, I just want them to be dominant. The only reason I defend Rey is because right now according ot our HC and DC he is our starting MIKE.

If someone beats him out and makes this defense better, that is awesome. Why do others feel they only want the defense to improve with Rey removed from teh scenario.

Serioulsy, why do you want one of our current starters to fail thus making us worse?

I dont know but im with you... Ive learned theres no point to fighting the FO moves because i have no power or say on those... But i can support the moves and see how they go. We wont know if it was a good signing or not till we see how he produces this year.

Last year he started hurt the year before he was hurt and still played thru it. And hes still fast on a bad ankle. He needs to play more instinctively though last year he was too reactive and a little late on many plays...

I have never understood on in one post someone can praise zimmer then come to a rey thread and say OMG are the coaches blind cause they resigned him?

IDK personally i thought rey had a down year last year. But the entire first half of the season the entire D was a let down.

But i also know i dont get paid millions to evaluate and coach players. So i leave that part to the professionals and i root for my team.

[Luvnit2]

Originally Posted by XenoMorph

I dont know but im with you... Ive learned theres no point to fighting the FO moves because i have no power or say on those... But i can support the moves and see how they go. We wont know if it was a good signing or not till we see how he produces this year.

Last year he started hurt the year before he was hurt and still played thru it. And hes still fast on a bad ankle. He needs to play more instinctively though last year he was too reactive and a little late on many plays...

I have never understood on in one post someone can praise zimmer then come to a rey thread and say OMG are the coaches blind cause they resigned him?

IDK personally i thought rey had a down year last year. But the entire first half of the season the entire D was a let down.

But i also know i dont get paid millions to evaluate and coach players. So i leave that part to the professionals and i root for my team.

I break down the season on 2 parts, first 8 games and last 8 games.

First half of the season I thought Rey was without a doubt one of the worst LBers in the league.

The second half of the year I thought he was overall good.

The playoff game he was not good and the Texans definitely game planned against him. But, every player (defense) has a weakness the offense is trying to exploit. But, in the end, the Texans offense did not score points at will.

I would argue we had players on both sides of the ball that did not play well. Our DL and OL was dominated by a very good Texans line (OL and DL) and that happens in football. It is tough to win a game when you are losing the LOS on both sides of the ball, but that is the encouraging part to me, we almost did take the lead and lost by less than a score in the end on the road in a very tough environment.

[yellowxdiscipline]

Why hasnt this happened yet? He hasnt even visited any other teams, makes me think that something is still wrong with his knee. I figured resigning Howard would come a lot quicker.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by yellowxdiscipline

Why hasnt this happened yet? He hasnt even visited any other teams, makes me think that something is still wrong with his knee. I figured resigning Howard would come a lot quicker.

The right on track comment means hes where he should be in his recovery.. Not that hes recovered...

Same reason Bradshaw isnt getting any offers he cant pass the test yet.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by Luvnit2

I break down the season on 2 parts, first 8 games and last 8 games.

First half of the season I thought Rey was without a doubt one of the worst LBers in the league.

The second half of the year I thought he was overall good.

The playoff game he was not good and the Texans definitely game planned against him. But, every player (defense) has a weakness the offense is trying to exploit. But, in the end, the Texans offense did not score points at will.

I would argue we had players on both sides of the ball that did not play well. Our DL and OL was dominated by a very good Texans line (OL and DL) and that happens in football. It is tough to win a game when you are losing the LOS on both sides of the ball, but that is the encouraging part to me, we almost did take the lead and lost by less than a score in the end on the road in a very tough environment.

It was definately a tale of two halfs... Of the season and the team..

First 8 games.. D is banged up and recovering from injuries...
Offense is healthy but young manages to get a few stunning games together.

Second 8 games. Offense starts to lose weapons struggles down the stretch...
Defense is fully loaded and healthy with sims returns.. goes into Shut down mode.

Wild Card Game... Lost a close one do to misques and lack of execution on some receiving plays. (ball was there guy didnt catch) But a young and hungry team lost to a team whos much more experienced and sees a fast closing window... (one they might not crack open again..)

[bambino5130]

Originally Posted by XenoMorph

I'd rather spend some money to juice up that offense with at least a WR maybe a TE

And drafting some replacements on D for the older guys. Newman / Clements / Allen / Geathers /

While a WR/TE would be nice, I think a C, RB, & maybe a RT should take higher priority for the Offense.

I think a two year Howard deal along with Harrison, Burfict, and a draft pick could kick Rey off the field barring injuries..... & that wouldn't be a bad thing now should it?

[OchoCincos]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

The problem is we have no one better. We could have signed Dansby but he likely wants more than Rey. We would have still needed an olb too. Harrison likely costs less than KD too and I suspect wants a much shorter contract.

Then cut Maualuga and bring in Dansby. Dansby has proven to be able to play nearly all LB positions with above average skill. Maualuga has shown to play no LB positions with above average skill.

But we won't ever be so lucky to see Maualuga get cut. This team's playbook must be EXTREMELY difficult to grasp since the coaches seem to value knowledge of the playbook much higher than actual performance on the field.

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by bambino5130

While a WR/TE would be nice, I think a C, RB, & maybe a RT should take higher priority for the Offense.

I think a two year Howard deal along with Harrison, Burfict, and a draft pick could kick Rey off the field barring injuries..... & that wouldn't be a bad thing now should it?

May the best players play... If thats rey so be it.

[Strongsville City Schools]

The problem with Howard through his entire career he hasn't been able to stay consistently healthy

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Strongsville City Schools

The problem with Howard through his entire career he hasn't been able to stay consistently healthy

Really!?!

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/.../thomas-howard

In Howard's 7 year NFL career, he has played in 16 games in 5 of those years.

In 2010, Howard played in 12 games of 16.
In 2012, Howard played in 1 game of 16.

I wouldn't say that Howard's problem has been staying healthy.

[eliminate08]

Sign him to a 1 year contract and draft a WILL. Dude has experience and can tackle and
cover when healthy. I think we are just waiting till he is 100% before we bring him back
which is a smart move IMO.

Some of us get a little too impatient on here, myself included.