What say about Rey?

[mrcrockj]

I don't think Rey is a beast, so don't accuse me of being a homer because of my views.

He is at least average. I feel he does what we need him to do. When he was drafted, everyone was expecting the next Ray Lewis. It's not going to happen. How many teams out there have superb MLB's that run around making plays?

I think he is solid, and I think he'll be back. We have a top 10 Defense and have been shutting down the run like no other lately, If he was that week at MLB, that wouldn't happen. Our offense is what needs to improve.

[berserkerone88]

Originally Posted by mrcrockj

I don't think Rey is a beast, so don't accuse me of being a homer because of my views.

He is at least average. I feel he does what we need him to do. When he was drafted, everyone was expecting the next Ray Lewis. It's not going to happen. How many teams out there have superb MLB's that run around making plays?

I think he is solid, and I think he'll be back. We have a top 10 Defense and have been shutting down the run like no other lately, If he was that week at MLB, that wouldn't happen. Our offense is what needs to improve.

Currently, I can think of only a handful of "playmaking" middle linebackers.

[drawesome]

Originally Posted by berserkerone88

Currently, I can think of only a handful of "playmaking" middle linebackers.

and most i can think of are ILBs in a 3-4. last year i was hoping to get demeco ryans when the texans were shopping him. i think he is an upgrade, but still not the "playmaking" backer some might want

[cin_city4L]

The question is does Rey get another year starting in the middle to see if he can be what Marvin and Co. invisioned him to be or does he get benched in place of Burfict or some other acquisition via draft or FA?

Personally I want Burfict to be in the middle but I see Rey getting another year to show what he is truly capable of. If Manti Te'o is on the board when we pick come April do we take him and say goodbye to Rey? Burfict, Te'o, and Lamur/Lawson/Howard would be pretty solid.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Whoopty Freakin' Doo!

mlb is a thinking mans position as much as it is physical. Asking a samoan to makes quick decisions and call smart plays isnt exactly doable in most cases. Nothing against samaons, but they perform better when you fatten them up and plug them in the middle of the d line.

Wow. ...teetering on sort of a racist statement now isn't it? Are you implying that Samoans are not mentally capable of the role?

[NATI BENGALS]

People hear names like Urlacher, Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis, and Mayo and want that in the middle of our D. The problem is its not exactly easy finding guys like that.

Maualuga is probably going to be the best MLB to reach unrestricted free agency this year. I think it would be a mistake for him to leave. And from the sounds of it he wants to stay. I think it would set him back going to a new team, learning a new system, getting used to the players surrounding him, and plotting a new bar hoping route.

[Whoopty Freakin' Doo!]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

Wow. ...teetering on sort of a racist statement now isn't it? Are you implying that Samoans are not mentally capable of the role?

a perfect stinkin example of whats wrong with this country...you choose to leap straight to accussing me of being a racist instead of asking what i meant. What i meant is that samoans have always been far more successfull as linemen. Thats just the truth, nothing to do how smart they might be. They havent played in the qb, mlb type roles for the most part. So you can throw out the racist tag all ya want, i really dont give an eskimos fart what you think.

[NATI BENGALS]

Originally Posted by Whoopty Freakin' Doo!

a perfect stinkin example of whats wrong with this country...you choose to leap straight to accussing me of being a racist instead of asking what i meant. What i meant is that samoans have always been far more successfull as linemen. Thats just the truth, nothing to do how smart they might be. They havent played in the qb, mlb type roles for the most part. So you can throw out the racist tag all ya want, i really dont give an eskimos fart what you think.

Are you trying to say the Eskimo ate a baby seal to produce that fart???? Animal abuse...

[Derrick]

Originally Posted by THE PISTONS

I think all 3 of our LB's were like that. Howard would make a nice run stop here and there, but he got beat by TE's a lot.

Lawson really didn't pass rush like I expected him to.

Really, they had an above average season as a group, but nothing spectacular.

I agree with most posters that Rey needs to work on his strength, quickness and, __________.

I also agree that three LBs having an above average season is better than having one standout LB.

[Whoopty Freakin' Doo!]

Originally Posted by NATI BENGALS

Are you trying to say the Eskimo ate a baby seal to produce that fart???? Animal abuse...

eskimo farts smell like clam dip...true story!

[natiboysince88]

Why not move Burfict to MLB, people forget he played mlb in college and his problems were contained to on-the-field, instead of off.. just a suggestion. i would like to see burfict in middle, and maybe that alec ogletree outside or cj moseley, and howard/lawson/MOCH/lemur outside

[bfine32]

Originally Posted by natiboysince88

Why not move Burfict to MLB, people forget he played mlb in college and his problems were contained to on-the-field, instead of off.. just a suggestion. i would like to see burfict in middle, and maybe that alec ogletree outside or cj moseley, and howard/lawson/MOCH/lemur outside

Mosely has already said he's returning to school. I agree with the rest though. Would love to bring in Ogletree and let him and VB compete for MLB, the other goes to SAM.

Would not be against going LB in the 1st and 2nd. Ogletree followed by Greene, while showing Rey the door, would make me happy.

[bengalfan74]

Rey is at best, very heavy on the AT BEST average MLB. He's very middle of the road speed/athleticism wise. And he's at the very bottom leadership/instincts wise. If he stays as a backup that's fine, but I hope he isn't our starter at MLB next season.

[savagehenry54]

Originally Posted by berserkerone88

Currently, I can think of only a handful of "playmaking" middle linebackers.

I'll bet there are a ton who make more plays than Maul. He's not even solid really. He's a tomato can. Especially behind a top notch Dline, dude needs to perform better and I don't think he can. Why should we rationalize settling for a player like that at MLB?

[bfine32]

Originally Posted by berserkerone88

Currently, I can think of only a handful of "playmaking" middle linebackers.

I bet I know who isn't in that handful.

[09itsourtime]

Originally Posted by mrcrockj

I don't think Rey is a beast, so don't accuse me of being a homer because of my views.

He is at least average. I feel he does what we need him to do. When he was drafted, everyone was expecting the next Ray Lewis. It's not going to happen. How many teams out there have superb MLB's that run around making plays?

I think he is solid, and I think he'll be back. We have a top 10 Defense and have been shutting down the run like no other lately, If he was that week at MLB, that wouldn't happen. Our offense is what needs to improve.

You say he is at least average. I and many people say he is average at best. I gave rey every chance possible but hes not getting it done. I bet hed tell you the same like he does every single year. Theres always a big long article on bengals.com with an interview with rey about how he says he was scared or was trying to do too much and not he finally gets it. Every. single. year. He talks the talk but doesnt walk the walk. If he was at least average he wouldnt have had to have burfict moved to the middle with him and have 2 MLBs. This draft class isnt deep in middle linebackers. The only solution i can think of is put burfict in the middle and possibly re-sign rey as a backup or side lb. Hes not good enough to be a sole MLB. He has the talent but his mind kills him. And you're right he might be the best MLB to hit free agency this year. So what? people dont let go of good MLBs its just like safetys if you can find a good one you hold the hell on.

[savagehenry54]

Originally Posted by bfine32

I bet I know who isn't in that handful.

Bottom line is a decent MLB would make more noise behind a DLine like we have. This is what leads me to believe he's not even decent by NFL starter standards....He's just bad. He'd be a decent back up. Whenever Skuta plays I wanna puke.

[Shady]

Originally Posted by Whoopty Freakin' Doo!

a perfect stinkin example of whats wrong with this country...you choose to leap straight to accussing me of being a racist instead of asking what i meant. What i meant is that samoans have always been far more successfull as linemen. Thats just the truth, nothing to do how smart they might be. They havent played in the qb, mlb type roles for the most part. So you can throw out the racist tag all ya want, i really dont give an eskimos fart what you think.

That's pretty obvious.

Originally Posted by Whoopty Freakin' Doo!
mlb is a thinking mans position as much as it is physical. Asking a samoan to makes quick decisions and call smart plays isnt exactly doable in most cases. Nothing against samaons, but they perform better when you fatten them up and plug them in the middle of the d line.

How can you back away from that by saying

samoans have always been far more successfull as linemen. Thats just the truth, nothing to do how smart they might be.

This leads me to ask, if this were the 1970s, what would you have to say about black QBs?

Originally Posted by Whoopty Freakin' Doo!
mlb is a thinking mans position as much as it is physical. Asking a samoan to makes quick decisions and call smart plays isnt exactly doable in most cases. Nothing against samaons, but they perform better when you fatten them up and plug them in the middle of the d line.

Oh no, how could this POSSIBLY be taken as being anything against Samoans?

You just said that because they lack the mental capacity to make "quick decisions and call smart plays" we need to "fatten them up and plug them in the middle of the d line."

Let's ask Peko if he takes offense to that. Or Geno.

Oh I forgot, you "really dont give an eskimos fart" what anyone thinks.

I just LOVE the irony of your typo in this sentence.

Asking a samoan to makes quick decisions and call smart plays isnt exactly doable in most cases.

[WhoDeyZA]

I think Rey has a lot of heart and plays hard but I also believe he is incredibly overrated. I honestly think they need to draft an OLB and move Burfict to MLB.

I mean I like the guy but I just feel like we could find someone a lot better.