Bering Sea Bengal's assessment is that releasing Willie Anderson and Rudi Johnson was for health reasons. Marvin Lewis said as much. I disagree with this, which C Trent points out saying "Anderson practiced more this preseason than he has in the past."

The team needed reasons to cut both players that helped them save money under the cap, as well as a few millions in the pocket; since neither were projected starters, the Bengals didn't want to pay them as much. In truth, it's a reasonable business decision; but so is putting together a successful product with parts that help you to those ends.

However, it's difficult to find anyone write that the Bengals are a better team after Anderson's release; though mostly everyone does a good job pointing out that he's not young, has suffered injuries in recent seasons, and is a bit costly. Of which, two out of three actually apply to this season.

In the case of our running backs, releasing Rudi Johnson doesn't hurt the team with Chris Perry coming on and Kenny Watson proving his worth last season. On the other hand, I don't see releasing Anderson, promoting Scott Kooistra and Todd Collins as the team's primary backup tackles, as something that makes the team better. I see it as hurting the team's depth. However, Kyle Cook got a roster spot, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

Paul Daugherty is arguing the business side of things, saying that "when your time is up, you better be moving toward the door, so you don't get shoved that way."

Fans react.

Scott Priestile concludes the same way most others are after cutting Anderson, Rudi Johnson and veteran Deltha O'Neal, "While Lewis's logic is questionable, the team's direction is indisputable. The Bengals are younger, cheaper and healthier today than they were last week."

But are they better? Nearly everything I've read consciously avoids answering that question using the same talking points that Priestile has. The Bengals are younger. So what? Some of the league's best players are "older". They're definitely cheaper, but aren't magically healthier this season. Just look at our wide receivers and safeties. Are they "healthy"?

Chick Ludwig wasn't impressed with Lewis during the press conference that announced the cuts. "Some coaches would’ve began their news conferences with filibusters full of praise in tribute to their fallen warriors. Not Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. I had to “pry” some praise for Willie Anderson out of him. Is Marvin callous or compassionate? Judge for yourself."

Anyway, enough about all that.

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A player the Bengals deemed a project, with tons of potential ruined by injuries, was Eric Henderson. Going from defensive end to linebacker, to hybrid pass rushing DE/LB, seemed like a hell of a proposition. While with Georgia Tech, Henderson recorded 25 career sacks, and 59.5 tackles for loss. A three-time all-ACC player, Henderson finished his college career with 176 tackles, seven forced fumbles and eight pass breakups. Against Auburn in 2003, Henderson recorded three sacks and four tackles for losses.

Unlike Anderson's history of healthy problems, Henderson has struggled to even make the field. Releasing him doesn't hurt the team's depth (the difference in argument between Henderson and Anderson).

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Releasing Ahmad Brooks, to me, isn't that big of a deal -- in terms of the team's production this season. Let's be honest with Brooks; he was all potential with beastly physical attributes. Instead, his release is the team's most recent draft pick failure; used as a third-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft (he was a 2006 supplemental draft pick). After suffering an injury early in 2007, Brooks' impression with the team and coaching staff dimmed, especially from this offseason through training camp. It would have been neat to see his potential fulfilled, but that's not the case. Instead his potential will likely attach to another team.

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A funny musing. In the past week, Chad Johnson became Chad Ocho Cinco. Rudi Johnson was released and James Johnson was waived. That leaves Brandon Johnson and Jeremi Johnson as the remaining Johnsons on this team.

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By now, you're made the connection. Two Auburn players were released Saturday. In truth, that makes three after the Bengals let Kenny Irons go. Pat Sims is the last Auburn player on the team, and Lewis says of Sims: "Pat’s not been able to work. We’re probably still a couple weeks away from seeing him, and making a determination on him."

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Matt Bowen discusses the cover 4 scheme.

Andrew Brandt talks about one of the toughest days of the year for coaches, and players hoping to catch on with a team.

Bleacher Report says the Bengals are in an absolute mess (now that we dumped Anderson, we should be better now).

The Los Angeles Times predicts the Bengals will finish third in the AFC North -- not that we care what the LA Times predicts.

In Cincinnati, Marvin Lewis is on his third defensive coordinator. Can Mike Zimmer draw up the right schemes to start putting heat on opposing quarterbacks, who were sacked a league-low 22 times last season? A lot of that depends on the reliability of cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. The Bengals expect a lot from the two first-round picks.

Pro Trade argues that no NFL team will claim Rudi Johnson. I seriously doubt that. Some teams are liberal enough to give a player a look, no matter how degraded they appear to be.

Maurice Purify is not a free agent, as this article presents. By rule, a player with less than four accrued seasons is put on the waiver -- more than that, they are simply released making them an unrestricted free agent. Purify was waived, allowing 31 other teams to claim him, and sign him to their club. If he's not claimed, then the Bengals can (and likely will), sign the former Nebraska receiver to the practice squad.

The Pro Football Talk guys say that negotiations between Keith Rivers and the Cincinnati Bengals are close. Apparently it has something to do with ingenuity -- which means the report isn't very likely, knowing the Brown family. Hobson, on the other hand, sees no evidence of that and reminds us that what they're saying is merely "speculation".

Ahmad Brooks is failing at the high expectations given to him after the depth chart placed him third behind Rashad Jeanty and Darryl Blackstock. He was even "chased" off of the kickoff team and replaced by Tyler Whaley. Other notables on the depth chart include (which doesn't mean any changes were made):

• Jeff Rowe over Jordan Palmer as the third QB.
• Kenny Watson is over Chris Perry as the backup running back while DeDe Dorsey is ahead James Johnson for the fourth spot.
• Daniel Coats is the first fullback; Jeremi Johnson is fourth.
• Brandon Johnson is the starting WILL backed up by Jim Maxwell and then Keith Rivers.
• Punt returning duties have Deltha O'Neal, Antonio Chatman and T.J. Houshmandzadeh -- all experienced returners.
• Glenn Holt and Andre Caldwell are the leading kickoff return candidates.

Executive Vice President, Katie Blackburn on Keith Rivers: "I keep saying he'll be here any second. I was optimistic two weeks ago."

Five questions with Chinedum Ndukwe.

Chad Johnson is back, but he's being worked in slow.

Kenny Irons was waived off injured reserve, completely severing his ties with the Cincinnati Bengals. Irons is entitled to $275,000 (rather than his salary $370,000 due this year).

Andrew Whitworth is taking snaps at center preparing for "emergency situation". It has nothing to do with Eric Ghiaciuc sporting a mohawk haircut.

The Bengals Monday Night pre-season opener will kickoff this Monday against the Green Bay Packers. Who/what do you expect to get the most coverage?

Willie Anderson on taking days off. "It's great to go home and sleep in your own bed, but you end up getting back here and realizing how sore you are."

When Bobbie Williams takes snaps at center, Paul Alexander calls it "the Jurassic Line". Also in that story, Chick Ludwig writes that Frostee Rucker was pulled after jumping offsides twice -- replaced by Jonathan Fanene.

The Ravens won't have their starting offensive tackles, a wideout and Willis McGahee when they take the field for their first pre-season game Thursday night. Terrell Suggs hasn't been seen for the entire camp.

For those of you that rip the Bengals for not signing Rivers, always, always, consider that it's the agent that has self-loathing interests for himself and agency over his client. This one isn't on the Bengals. This one isn't on Rivers.

With Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh out this weekend, the Bengals will get a peak into what their future looks like at wide receiver. Apparently, it's not going so well.

Odell Thurman pleads not guilty in assault case.

Kenny Irons is having some fun at a Kentucky Hooters.

Bengals rookie free agent full back Bradley Glatthaar adjusting to life in the NFL.

Poll

If you feel the need to blame someone, who do you blame for Keith Rivers holding out?

• His agent
• Keith Rivers
• The Bengals

  117 votes | Results

I finished the third season of The Wire. So far, it's a really good show with quality character development and good story-line progressions. If you get time, I highly recommend buying or renting the first season box set.

Antwan Odom won't miss kickoff weekend after it was determined he suffered a sprained left foot. "They're saying to take it day-to-day." No time table has been set for his return.

Rudi Johnson gained 18 pounds since last year's training camp -- and appears to be as good as ever.

Kenny Irons cleared waivers and now is placed on IR (not technically, but he's not playing this year).

Chad Johnson is inching closer with the strength staff.

Willie Anderson is providing the Enquirer with a "daily journal" of sorts called "What Willie Says..." In his first edition, Anderson talked about his age and body, accepting that Stacy Andrews is the future, and Anderson is the mentor. "I'm not competing for a starting job; that's Stacy's job. My job is to support and be there for the offensive line."

Willie continued speaking, very modestly, "Guys are more concerned about me being a backup than I am" finishing Tuesday's entry very humbly.

After playing so many consecutive games (116 games started in a row), that was the whole pride issue. I've since let that pride go. The loyalty to me is (Bengals president) Mike Brown giving me three contracts. There's nothing for me to complain about or question anybody. I'm not going to fight the system. I feel comfortable right now. My thing is, hopefully, they'll keep me on a good routine to where, physically, I'm able to stay in this camp and come out of training camp and be ready to do whatever in September. I have been fortunate enough to play 13 years of football. I feel very fortunate. I feel very blessed to be able to play this long, and be healthy. If I can get through camp, be healthy and feeling good, I'll be happy.

Jeremi Johnson coming to camp so overweight that the team denied clearing him for practice, makes you wonder if he truly knows the jeopardy he runs losing his job.

In a somewhat unexpected move, the Bengals waived Kenny Irons after failing his physical on Friday in an effort to get the club's roster down to the maximum allowed 80 players. Irons hasn't taken a regular season snap this year and it's obvious that Irons' injury is so bad that the Bengals figured to let him go

I'm going to try to keep Chad Johnson updates to a minimum (LOL... yea, right!). I wanted to quickly examine a few things that are coming out. First, running backs. Kenny Irons, right now, is in camp, but mainly just stretched with the team. Hobson says that Irons didn't take part in drills.

While no other source is confirming it, Bengals running back DeDe Dorsey was carted off the field this morning. Obviously whatever injury this is, it has to be somewhat concerning if a cart is needed. Before the season finale against Miami, the Bengals put Dorsey on the Injured Reserve list after suffering a high ankle sprain against Cleveland. Depending on this latest, one has to wonder if Dorsey is injury prone.

Chick Ludwig wrote that he believes that Perry is only 80% healthy.

That leaves the Bengals with Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson, at this moment, as their only healthy backs. Let me be real clear, we don't know yet the extent of Dorsey's injury either. Rookies James Johnson and Bradley Glatthaar round out the team's roster.

Glatthaar's best season came in 2005 with the Cincinnati Bearcats rushing for 620 yards on 139 carries (4.5 y/c) and seven touchdowns. His best 40-time through all workouts was a slow 4.64 -- ran a 4.74 during Pro Day. His best game came against Connecticut with a career-high 123 yard, two touchdowns and a career-long 72-yard attempt.

James Johnson, Kansas State, finished 2007 with 1,106 yards rushing on 174 attempts (6.4) and 12 touchdowns. Johnson earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last season.

If I were a betting man, I'd believe that the Bengals will see if what they have on roster works for them before going out and looking for an available free agent running back.

Hobson writes that Jason Shirley is on the field while his pending court appearances in Fresno continue Friday -- though we're not sure if he's required to be there to determine if they can postpone the case until after the NFL season. It's a bit surprising, but when you add together the case's status right now, then I don't think anyone sees why he couldn't be there.

But it's Kenny Irons on the field that's drawing the collective gasps of surprise. Not even the team expected him on the field at this point. After suffering a major knee injury last season, Kenny Irons has been all but written off this season. If he's ready to play this year, that will put a major wrench into Chris Perry's future.

Also, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Levi Jones and Deltha O'Neal (players that missed voluntaries) are on the field.

UPDATE: On the long-running, single-piece, updating camp, Hobson made the following note about Irons: "Irons stretched with the team prior (to) practice but did not take part in drills with the running backs."

CincyJungle made an upgrade. Read this first to get acquired to the site (like obtaining your old usernames).

In Geoff Hobson's latest, he makes the point that the Bengals are very likely going after a running back and (not "or", and) wide receiver in the top-three rounds after the possibly of drafting Leodis McKelvin if Sedrick Ellis is gone. It's safe to say that the Bengals are unlikely to use their first pick for their #3 wide receiver. Not because their picking ninth, rather the strength of the wide receiver class is considered down, by some. Scouts.com ranks Malcolm Kelly as the highest rated wide receiver at 16. And after his "I'm really fast if I run on really fast surface" episode, his stock started slipping. It's realistic that he could drop to the Bengals second pick. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if he's already gone. I'd be surprised if he's around and the Bengals pass on him after Bob Bratkowski checked out the Oklahoma wide receiver during a two-man workout at Oklahoma earlier this month.

So we can assume the following. That the Bengals will draft either Ellis or McKelvin in the first round -- just because those names appear most often. In the second round, if he's available, the Bengals will help their wide receiver spot with Kelly -- or another WR at least. I don't have any inside information on that, just that it seems marked that way.

But running back in the third?

It's honestly not a bad idea, but something has to give. It's a foregone conclusion -- well, it should be -- that Chris Perry would be axed first. He's got talent, but his health is simply not dependable. Nor is Rudi Johnson's return to 03-05 form, nor is the recovery of Kenny Irons after shredding his knee last pre-season. Kenny Watson is really the only "sure thing" returning while DeDe Dorsey has little room for leverage.

So this topic is, if the Bengals draft a running back (anywhere in the first three rounds), should they and who? (other than Chris Johnson).