Cincy Jungle: FanPosts

Bengals Fantasy Depth Chart

NYCowboy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:27:48 -0000

Carson Palmer is still an elite quarterback and leads a team with several top tier fantasy options. See how we rank them in this fantasy depth chart summary.

CINCINNATI BENGALS FANTASY DEPTH CHART

Key:

PTR = Position Tier Rank. This is the tier level where the player should be slotted in drafts.

1 = Elite Player.

2 = Solid Performer

3 = Backend starter/Bench fill-in

4 = Roster filler or long-term prospect

0 = No value

ITR = In The Rotation

PB = Position Battle

S = Starter

QB                                       PTR
Carson Palmer – S               1
Ryan Fitzpatrick                   4
Jeff Rowe                              4
Summary: Palmer is still an elite performer. He has plenty of offensive weapons, including a solid running game and two top flight wide receivers. The Bengals defense is still sub par, so the offense will be expected to bail them out of trouble. Palmer should be one of the first five quarterbacks drafted and expect him to throw between 28-32 TDs.

RB                                        PTR
Rudi Johnson – S                 2
Kenny Watson - ITR           3
Kenny Irons                          4
Dede Dorsey                         4
Summary: The Bengals have a good one-two punch in their running game. Rudi Johnson is still the starter, and Kenny Watson proved last season that he can handle the load if Johnson goes down with another injury. The Bengals should score plenty of points which should lead to plenty of touchdown opportunities in the running game. Johnson has been adept at producing short yardage scores.

Read the full Bengals Depth Chart summary article here at The Fantasy Sports Forum

Bengals 2008 Success Based On Addition by Subtraction

Timzilla — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:24:28 -0000

Training Camp Eve always brings out the win-loss predictors. From what I can gather the Bengals’ tallies range anywhere from 4-12 to 12-4, depending on a particular prognosticator’s football knowledge or homer quotient. Me, personally, I’m not a numbers guy. I don’t predict actual digits; way too many variables ... way too many factors. Plus, there are much better numbers guys than me here and at other blogs who can crunch numbers, do all the math—and make since of players added via the Draft, free agency or trade. But sometimes you gotta look beneath the surface. That’s why Bengals success in ’08 won’t come from what’s been added; it’ll instead come from what’s been subtracted—basically addition by subtraction.

Here’s how I see it: The 2008 Bengals are considerably better because we can ...

Subtract the ‘In Marvin We Trust’ Days. While it’s not quite a Michael Jackson-type plummet, you have to admit Lewis’ star has either totally faded, or at least its fizzle has a high motor. But now it’s more than fans questioning his ability, it’s the NFL Establishment, too. No doubt Saint Marvin, once foolishly mentioned as a successor to Parcels in Dallas, sees his NFL future tanking, just like his teams in late season. If there’s ever a pull-out-all-stops, Hail Mary, go-for-broke of a coaching effort job in his future, it’s now. In fact, the NOW t-shirts speak more to his needed career boost than team success. One more Lewis-like year and Saint Marvin will at best be back on the Coordinator’s junk pile. Look, Lewis does not want to be tagged by the NFL powers for ChadGate, HenryGate, ThurmanGate, ArrestGate, Locker-Room-In-ChaosGate and Sucking DefensesGate. So, this year we’ll see the absolute best Lewis has to offer—not because he wants to bring home a Super Bowl to good ol’ Cincinnati—because he HAS to salvage his post-Bengals career. Prior to last season’s lackluster coaching effort, Saint Marvin could probably have back-peddled into to a decent Defensive Coordinator’s job. But after five straight bottom-feeder defenses, who’d hire him now?

Subtract the ‘Chad Walks on Water’ Days. In two short years we’ve gone from ‘In Marvin We Trust’ to ‘In Chad We Disgust’. And I for one couldn’t be happier. My Jedi instincts say there’s at least 3 huddles-full of Bengals’ players sick of The Chad. Nauseated by The Chad. And have been for years. But like Lewis, the beloved Chad for a time was untouchable. No more. Seeing Moutho Cinco criticized for everything from selfish antics and dropped passes, to running wrong routes and his ‘yawns after catch’ act will inspire team spirit like we haven’t seen in years. Chad exposing Chad has been good for the team.

Subtract the “High Expectations” Days. The test of a real winner is: can you win when people expect you to win—even when they’re all gunning for you? Well, this generation of Bengals has proven they’re not close to that metric. Now, with the expected-to-win monkey off the their backs, the likelihood for success goes up, at least marginally. As strange as it sounds, a team with this many pro-bowlers and potential Hall of Famers can actually sneak up on people in ’08.

Subtract the ‘Bengals Veteran’s Act’ Days. Lewis got one thing right last year—this team got stale (One key part he left out was, it’s his job to ensure that doesn’t happen. But I digress). Let’s be honest, this team’s batch of veterans have not gotten the job done. Bottom line, the Lewis, Palmer, Willie, Chad, T.J., Levi, Rudi, J. Johnson Show hasn’t worked ... so far. Time for some new blood. My Jedi instincts say a few rookies and first- and second-year players will begin supplanting some veterans in both performance and publicity. Also, count on a rook’ to emerge; not a Cris Collinsworth-type burst on the scene craze, but one who’ll have a big-impact season. And look for The Chad’s star and stupid end zone show to further wane, too.

Subtract the ‘Middle Man’ Days. Finally the poorly rated ‘Ahmad in the Middle’ program gets cancelled. Brooks is no middle linebacker. Beast-like physical abilities, yes. Knowledge, football instincts and discipline, no. As much brawn as those great Baltimore defenses have, it’s brains that make it work. Brooks will never get ticketed for brains and instincts. And he’ll never pass a walk-a-straight-line-to-the-ball-carrier test, either.

Subtract ‘High Crimes and Misdemeanors’ and ‘Thug Twins’ Days. Carrying the Thug Twins—Henry and Thurman—for the past 2-3 years was an ill-advised, unnecessary weight on the team. Finally jettisoning the twins will be like a smoker’s lung rejuvenating itself back to health. And if for nothing else, lopping off of those two infected limbs shows the serious players that Brown-Lewis do have their team-disruption limits. Now we can all—including local under-aged girls and innocent by-standers—breathe a little easier. So, despite countless reasons this team could easily land face down in ’08, I am surprisingly optimistic. Very optimistic. But it’s more for what’s not here than what is.

Henry Charges Dropped!

Galaxy CDS — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:18:35 -0000

Holy cow!

Henry Charges Dropped.

Wonder what happens next? Clearly the Bengals would seem to be done with him, but once he's reinstated, which you'd think might come soon, I'm sure someone will take a flyer on him. I'd love to see him back in orange and black if you could trust him, but I don't believe you can. Just hope we don't find him lined up somewhere else in the AFC North...

Unintentionally Funny

TarZander — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:54:44 -0000

I sat down to watch the NFL Replay of the 1992 Bengals-Packers game (mainly because I enjoy reliving painful moments in my life). This was actually said by Ahmad Rashad during the game, about a minute before Favre leads the Packers to victory.

"Dave Shula is an excellent head coach, a much better head coach than he was an assistant coach, because of his organizational facilities."

Wow - Shula must have been a REALLY bad assistant coach.

On a separate note, the Bengals had no business losing that game. Harold Green was a monster (though Rashad kept talking about how much he loved Derrick Fenner and Brian Brennan). It was also funny to see Carl Pickens before he became a team cancer and an announcer actually being serious when discussing "multi-milion dollar rookie David Klingler."

Imagine what would have been had the Bengals won this game. The announcers had already talked about how much Holmgren loved Ty Detmer. If Favre had lost (he had a bad game), could Detmer have gotten the nod? If the Bengals had won, would they have maintained momentum and had a good season (they were in a lot of close games in 1992)?

Oh well. If only Tim Krumrie had not hurt Don Majkowski.

Will ‘Bengals Law’ Lead To A Better NFL Mousetrap?

Timzilla — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 11:39:10 -0000

What next, a Character Combine? Did you hear the tackle from Cal scored a 900 on the Most-Likely-To-Knock-Over-A-Gas-Station drill? And What’s-His-Face from Michigan did pretty well on the Won’t-Slap-His-Girlfriend-Around course.

I guess recent buzz about Bengals rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley’s court case, and the pending (and repulsive) reinstatement of Pacman got me thinking— our beloved Bengals started all this. Yep, the boys in stripes, who brought an entirely new meaning to team “lineup,” and are the cause of It all.

Shaazam. Gomer, it’s Bengals Law.

Just as Jessica’s Law was passed in Florida to protect children from predators, similarly, Bengals Law was created in Ohio to protect the NFL’s brand image from criminal element called ‘players’. So, rather than being known as the birth place of the West Coast offense—or for the greatest left tackle in NFL history—we’re instead infamous for lawless, as well as winless, football teams.

Does winning at any cost really mean any cost? Literally any cost? Recent Bengals’ Draft years might suggest so. But that’s what happens when Organized Team Activities are replaced by Organized Crime Activities. I read other bloggers’ comments—hey, we shouldn’t expect players to be choir boys. I agree. But I think it’s a quantum leap from demanding choir boy status, to being accepting of drug users, women abusers, fire arms violators and general menaces to society.

But is the NFL at blame for products being sold by colleges? Are colleges at fault for products being sold by high schools? And so on, and so on.

Maybe all this character stuff is just a quality control issue? Look, General Motors buys brake products from a brake OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), right? And Dell buys computer processors from a processor OEMs. And the NFL, as a business, gets players from OEMs called families, communities, churches, schools and society in general. So, if the NFL is forced to purchase defective products, who’s to blame? Parents? Players? Teams? Society? Answers to these questions are way too deep and outside the scope of this blog post, but I don’t buy the notion this problem is caused by young people simply having too much money, too soon.

Yes, money can no doubt corrupt and distort a person’s reason. But too much moola doesn’t make a man beat his girlfriend, nor does it compel one to banish and point a loaded gun at others. And it certainly doesn’t justify a former Steelers’ LBs and 4 cohorts attacking a Bengals’ tackle in Las Vegas.

Sorry, that behavior somehow comes pre-programmed.

The NFL is a very powerful global brand, and it does research. Lots and lots of brand research. Goodell’s mission to purge the bad guys is not of his own making—it’s been foisted upon the League by its own brand research results, which no doubt indicates fans don’t like rooting for, or paying to see, gangsters. So, Chris Henry was not only a plague on this team, he’s part of an enormous PR oil spill the NFL brand is now trying to clean up.

Because Henry & Company are no different than tampered-with Tylenol bottles or massive auto recalls, the League has slowly moved into brand crisis gear, for which recent ‘good guy’ ads featuring Vince Young, Brady Quinn and Matt Hasselbeck are the painful result. In case you didn’t know, the NFL wants us to forget Jamal Lewis (cocaine trafficker), Ray Lewis (involved in, or has knowledge of, a double homicide) and Pacman Jones and Henry (one-man crime sprees). The list goes on and on.

Before the Bengals Gang Crime Wave hit, who’d ever heard of “character” being an NFL issue? But now the Drafting Good Character Guys industry is all about supply and demand—all things equal, teams would obviously prefer selecting the good guy over the bad guy. Duh, who wouldn’t? But are there enough good guys to go around? And is it easier (not mention wiser) to expend time and team resources excorercizing whatever demons occupy Henry and Thurman ... or smarter to, via better coaching, improving the skills of reliable, higher-character players (see blueprint for John Lynch)?

Take note NFL (and Bengals), today’s consumer wants it all—great performing cars with better gas mileage, too ... great tasting food that’s healthy, too ... a brighter, longer- burning light bulb that saves energy, too. And I think they want NFL teams that can post winning records, without loading up on players destine for prison records.

Bottom line, the NFL, as a business, has to make some ‘human product’ improvements—but when a Chad Johnson, in defense of his many childish antics, makes statements such as, “hey, at least I don’t get arrested” ... well, it’s a signal this ain’t going to be easy. Nor will it be easy for this organization to shake the ‘Bengals Law’ identity.

Thurman Release Stirs Memories, Questions

Timzilla — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:49:57 -0000

The Bengals are talking NOW. That’s GOOD. I HOPE it works. But what about THEN? The releasing of Odell Thurman back into the wild had blogsters resurrecting the Police Blotter Draft of 2005. But my faded Memory Lane doesn’t include that 11-3 start, Palmer's emergence as a top-tier QB or the promise of a young, versatile Chris Perry.

My rewind to '05 brings back Palmer's knee—and Marvin Lewis' eyes. The moment it was obvious Palmer was lost that day, Lewis sadly seemed to be, too. Yeah, okay, our QB is down ... but hello, we're still in a playoff game here, guys!

When leadership was most needed, it was then back-up QB John Kitna rallying the troops, full of fire—while the head coach stood stunned, as if his house was on fire. (Is it possible Kitna’s fiery leadership was more responsible than Lewis’ coaching for getting the team so quickly from 2-14 to 8-8?)

Lewis’ failed leadership then seemed obvious to me, and upon sharing that observation via blog posts, well, one would have thought I’d spat on Mother Teresa, or worse, had asked Obama a legitimate political question (those were the hardcore “In Marvin We Trust” days).

But this isn’t an anti-Lewis post. It’s a ‘who is the real Bengals’ leader today?’ post.

These Gen Y Bengals seem to be latch key kids with no one in charge. Okay, it can be argued Palmer fills that role and I’ll concede to a point, but he’s the quiet Gary Cooper type ... the “cool guy” ... the “real nice guy” ... “who’s laid back”. As players, Palmer is Hall of Fame talent while Kitna was Hall of Fire temperament, a quality still sorely missed on this team. Another obvious pick is Big Willie, but can an aging OT with eroding skills really be that guy?

So who is “the” team leader? Chad Johnson? No-cho. Not at all-cho. NFL rules state one must be emotionally older than age 10 to lead an NFL team. Chad’s leadership skills go about as far as his yards after catch—pretty much nowhere.

TJ? Maybe, but Houshmandzadeh too often complains publicly about front office moves, and when discussing the team speaks in “they” tense, not “us”. Hugely talented, but “the” leader? Plus, missing all the OTAs takes him out of running. Rudi? Too quiet. How about good guys John Thornton, Reggie Kelly and Kenny Watson? They’re all talented, high-character guys, but the on-field production doesn’t measure up to “the” leader status.

So, where’s our current-day Boomer? Anthony Munoz? Paul Brown? Forrest Gregg? Anyone recalling the 1988 Super Bowl team knows what I mean.

If there’s really such a thing as team chemistry, today’s Bengals are 53 different lab beakers—and no one seems to be mixing the brew. When Kitna moved north, the team’s heart and soul went south. But Lewis’ recent moves are encouraging. Jettisoning the Capone Bros—Chris Henry and Thurman—is a positive step; so after 5 years maybe Lewis is ready for a breakout coaching year, and dare say “the” leadership role.

The Bengals no doubt have enough physical talent, but until someone runs a 4.2 in leadership, the team risks wasting a QB with Hall of Fame skills. Question is, though, who’s the ‘fire’ to Palmer’s ‘ice’. We can only HOPE someone emerges. NOW.

THE BENGALS DRAFT PICKS

diehard fan — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:02:54 -0000

In past years we have had some terrible draft picks such as: -David Klingler -Akili Smith -Kijana Carter -Dan Wilkinson Need I say more? I feel that we have finally made some substantial draft picks this year. Everybody we picked in the first three rounds will play a lot this year. Keith Rivers will be a BEAST, Simpson has incredible talent and Caldwell is just as compleate footbal player as him. He has speed, toughness, and nice hands. The most important pick of this draft is DT Pat Sims. He is also another tough kid that played last season with a cast on his hand. I believe he could be the difference maker in the interior of the line that we have been looking for since Krumrie. Hopefully Zimmer and Lewis will take this talent and make us a playoff contender this year. WHODEY!

Kentucky Speedway sells to SMI!

Kirkendall — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:16:27 -0000

On Thursday afternoon, the biggest area sports news took place that may not be so big for most Cincinnatians/Kentuckians. Jerry Carroll and his partners choose to sell Kentucky Speedway to Speedway Motorsports Inc., all but assuring a Cup race by 2010 and as early as 2009.

Not that many people are likely excited about this in the football blogosphere, but me, I'm stoked. Watching a race on television is one thing. Watching it at the track is a totally different experience. The smell of tire smoke, the rumbling of engines, the beer and the speed are perfect combinations. Like some dreadful Neal McCoy song.

My 2008 Projected Lineups

patrick6h — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:12:16 -0000

Here are my 2008 projected lineups if you think of anything different just post a comment about it.

Offense

QB: Carson Palmer Backups: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jordan Palmer

HB: Rudi Johnson Backups: Chris Perry, Kenny Watson

FB: Jermi Johnson

WR1: Chad Johnson Backups: Andre Caldwell, Mario Urrutia

WR2: T.J. Houshmandzadeh Backups: Jerome Simpson, Antonio Chatman

TE: Ben Utecht Backups: Reggie Kelly Matt Shirley

LT: Levi Jones Backup:Anthony Collins

LG: Andrew Whitworth Backup: Justin Britt (really like him since he can also move over to center)

C: Eric Ghiaciuc Backup: Dan Santucci

RG: Bobbie Williams Backup: Stacy Andrews

RT: Willie Anderson Backup: Stacy Andrews

Defense

LE: Antwan Odom Backup: Frostee Rucker

DT: John Thornton, Pat Sims Backups: Domata Peko, Jason Shirley

RE: Robert Geathers Backup: Angelo Craig

SLB: Keith Rivers Backup: Rashad Jeanty Daryl Blackstock

MLB: Dhani Jones Backup: Dan Howell

WLB: Ahmad Brooks Backup: Brandon Johnson Erin Henderson

CB1: Johnathan Joseph Backups: Simeon Castille Blue Adams

SS: Marvin White Backup: Corey Lynch

FS: Dexter Jackson Backup: Chinedum Ndukwe

CB2: Leon Hall Backups: Deltha O'Neal

Special Teams

K: Shayne Graham

P: Kyle Larson

LS: Tim Bugg

KR: Andre Caldwell, Antonio Chatman

PR: Antonio Chatman

I no maybe all of our draft picks making the team might be unrealistic but I think they will develop for the future.

Damned if we do, Damned if we don't

goffchile — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:21:49 -0000

The recent Odell Thurman controversy demonstrates that the Bengals can't win in the public mind, or even with their own fans. If the Bengals hold on to Odell, it is proof that they coddle "thugs"--and God forbid if their had been another incident--proof that the Bengals are "out of control." Of course, when the Bengals released Thurman, it makes the Bengals look hard hearted because Thurman had been reinstated and was "back on track"—and, of course, his grandma died.

There is no doubt that the Bengals are partially responsible. The team has had its share of off the field problems (mainly Chris Henry). But other teams have had just as many problems and more severe ones---the difference is that they aren't blamed as an organization for the problem---where the Bengals typically are. The media has made the Bengals stand for everything that is wrong with professional football--we are the Barry Bonds of the NFL.

This seems to make Bengals fans hyper sensitive to so called "character concerns." I live in Pittsburgh, and you can imagine the kind of abuse I take, having to be the official Bengals spokesman, accounting for every piece of bad press. There has been a lot of criticism by Bengals fans about some of our draft picks and FA signings because these guys got in fights, had DUIs, etc. My attitude has become "So what?" Every team signs guys with problems, but its only the Bengals that catch hell, and only Bengals fans which seem to have a complex about it.

The bigger problem the Bengals have is not winning in the public mind, but winning on the field. A lot of Bengals fans are upset with the Thurman release because they had made Thurman the "feel good story of 2008-2009." Not only was he going to make the team, he was going to be back in 2005 form and be the savior of the defense. He was "hope."

Well, reality is a harsh mistress. If the Bengals had a winning season last year, I don't think anyone would really care all that much. But for a fan base desperate to grasp at anything, even if it is the unlikely prospect that Odell Thurman can make a comeback, his release seems much more devastating than it actually is.

We may never know exactly why he was released, but I suspect that he still hadn't learned to play by the rules and Lewis had had enough. Marvin Lewis said two years ago that Thurman "wasn't on the team" and I think he meant it. Last year, he also said that he only wanted players who wanted to play football. I don't think this was particularly targeted at Odell, but it suggests that there were guys in the lock room who didn't want to play football. In other words, if you don't play by the rules, you're gone. I am sure Odell knew this and he got burned.

A lot of this will go away if the Bengals simply put together a couple of winning seasons with a nice playoff run. But until then, they will be damned if they do, and damned if they don't.

Odell?

G54Eton — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:32:45 -0000

What is the back story with the cutting of Odell Thurman? I just don't get it.

After sticking with Odell Thurman through a two-year NFL suspension, the Bengals will announce by the end of business today that they are waiving the second-year linebacker.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called Safarrah Lawson, one of Thurman’s Atlanta-based representatives, and told him that the team has cut ties with Thurman, Lawson told The Enquirer this morning.

Thurman was in his native Monticello, Ga., last week to attend his grandmother’s funeral and take care of family matters, Lawson said. Thurman’s parents are dead, and the woman brought up Thurman, Lawson said Thurman missed three voluntary on-field practices. Lawson said Lewis told him that the Bengals needed Thurman in the building, that he wasn’t in the building and that they were going in a different direction.

“The support he got from the fans, from the people of Cincinnati, from Marvin Lewis and (team president) Mike Brown, this comes as a surprise,” Lawson told The Enquirer in a phone interview.

Thurman missed the past two seasons because of a league suspension for repeated violations of its substance abuse policy. He was suspended for all of the 2006 seasons following a September DUI arrest in the East End.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell then extended Thurman’s sentence to an entire season. The league then denied his application for reinstatement last July and said he could re-apply following the 2007 season. Thurman was allowed to begin working out with the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in January and was reinstated this spring.

The Bengals had no immediate comment on Thurman, public relations director Jack Brennan said.

The Bengals earlier this spring, on April 3, released wide receiver Chris Henry following his fifth arrest in 28 months.

Thurman led the Bengals with 148 total tackles as a rookie in 2005 and tied a franchise rookie record with five interceptions. He started 15 of 16 regular season games and the team's wildcard playoff loss to the Steelers -- which would be the last game he would play in a Bengals uniform."

Bengals Web Site?

emdrr — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:51:52 -0000

Why is there more GOOD info on this web site than the Bengals web? With OTA's in progress the Hobson Sloth has gone silent, again. Why no news? With all the players in town there must be someone how had breakfast. Ya think? He just retitles old stories from days ago. If he worked for me, he wouldn't! When was the last time you ever heard him ask a question that wasn't a 2 minute oratory?

THANKS CINCY JUNGLE, for being there/here!!!!

You have a BENGALFAN forever!!!

Geather's cousin in New Orleans

Kirkendall — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:49:41 -0000

You can call Jeremy Geathers by his name given to him at birth. But he can't escape the nickname acquired by his father, former New Orleans Saints defensive tackle James "Jumpy" Geathers. "I get 'Jumpy' all the time," Jeremy Geathers said. The moniker will undoubtedly stick with him now that he signed as an undrafted free agent with his father's former team. Jeremy Geathers even dons No. 97, his father's jersey while in New Orleans, without having to ask for the number.

Jumping from dad's shadow [Sun Herald]

Cool MMORPG footballgame

kardiackids2007 — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:44:24 -0000

Can't wait for fantasy fotball to start? Start early at

http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=7249193

This is a Role playing game. You can create players, own and General Manage teams, and win championships.Simmed games are played every other day. You can train to boost levels buy and make coustum equipment. Have fun!

I don't own the site. I just want to share this fun game with fellow football fans.

Alexander to the Bengals?

Jay Miles — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:41:50 -0000

There are rumors that the Bengals are interested in Shaun Alexander. They are already deep at the running back position, so if they do sign Shaun Alexander the risk would not be high or bad. If he can regain his MVP form, then it would be a good pickup for Cincy and it could come at a bargain price.

To view more news and rumors around the league check out our sections at progridironfootball.com

One from the invites...

IgnatiusJReilly — Sun, 04 May 2008 05:37:14 -0000

One of the guys trying out for the Bengals this weekend. Meet Alabama State grad, Jay Peck, RB, 5-11, 202, 4.6 40.

via farm4.static.flickr.com

12/21/07 - 2007 All-SWAC First-Team, SWAC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RB Jay Peck, Alabama State, 5-11 200 Sr., Columbus, Ohio, was selected All-Southwestern Athletic Conference First Team for the 2007 college football season. Peck was arguably the conference's top individual play this season. He led the league in rushes, rushing yards and 100 yard rushing games. The senior from Columbus, Ohio - who has already graduated with a degree in marketing - finished his career with 2,399 rushing yards, behind only Brad Baxter (3,732) and Rico White (3,470). "Jay has been named 1st team All-SWAC in back to back seasons, and not a lot of guys can say that," Barlow said. "He is not only a great football player, he's a great guy. "Jay just gets it", Barlow continued. "When we sat down as a staff and said what kind of characteristics we wanted in our players, we wrote them all down and then realized we were describing Jay Peck." - Alabama State Football

On film , the kid's got real good hands out of the backfield. Not breakaway speed but good field vision, utilizes his blockers well, and is not afraid of getting hit.

Keith Rivers

Paragon SC — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:17:15 -0000

Keith Rivers was the quiet man within the USC Linebacker corps. He follows in the great USC linebacker tradition made famous by guys like Junior Seau, Willie McGinest and Chris Claiborne.

From WeAreSC :

In 2007 Rivers started for his third season at weakside linebacker as a senior in 2007 and turned in an All-American season. Overall in 2007 while starting 12 games (he missed the Arizona State game with a sprained left ankle suffered at California), he had 78 tackles (second on USC), including 5 for losses of 15 yards, plus 4 deflections, a team-high 3 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble.

He was 1 of 10 semifinalists for the 2007 Butkus Award and 1 of 17 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy, as well as an SI.com All-American first team, Pro Football Weekly All-American first team, Walter Camp All-American second team, Phil Steele's All-American third team and Collegefootballnews.com All-American honorable mention pick. Rivers was named to the 2007 All-Pac-10 first team (for the second year in a row), ESPN.com All-Pac-10 first team, Collegefootballnews.com All-Pac-10 first team and Phil Steele's All-Pac-10 first team. He was a USC team captain. He won USC's Co-Lifter of the Year Award.

He was a Senior Bowl invitee. He was named to the 2007 Playboy Pre-Season All-American team. He had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle to remove bone spurs following 2007 spring practice.

Rivers' ability to play a variety of positions proved invaluable earlier in his career. In addition to excelling at weak-side linebacker, he was often used as a defensive end in pass rushing situations during his first two seasons with the Trojans.

Rivers is an excellent athlete that has great speed with a burst to close. He iquick and agile, has terrific range and makes plays sideline-to-sideline. Does a fantastic job in pursuit, motor runs non-stop and he is really activeand is great in coverage. A big hitter who can lay the lumber but also agile enough to be decent pass rusher and blitzer He is aggressive and plays with an attitude, so don’t let the calm demeanor fool you. He works through the trash and traffic well with good instincts and recognition.

He could stand to add some weight and he needs to get stronger. He is more of a finesse player and is not overly physical. He to work on shedding blockers. He is not stout and can be run at, he sometimes goes for the knockout rather than wrapping up.

You are getting a hard working stud of a linebaker. A outstanding all-around linebacker who shouldn't ever have to leave the field.
He is of solid character, he doesn't cause trouble and he is a quiet leader.

He will be able to play with the big boys. You will be pleased with is performance.

Buzz Bissinger is FIRED up.

Kirkendall — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:01:02 -0000

Over a week ago I wrote about my impression of blogs and why the mainstream media hates us so much. Heck, I was bored of Mock Drafts, no Chad Johnson news showed up, so what the heck. In long, they don't compare at all. They truly are separate mediums. But I also contend that blogs are growing exponentially popular because of the void left from an absent minded mainstream media that chooses their representation of news. I also pointed out that blogs are not news, they are op/ed sites that provide their own commentary. That distinction, by now, should be understood. And if it's not, then that's the fault of the reader.

The mainstream media is pissed about it. As is Buzz Bissinger on HBO's Costas NOW ambushing of Deadspin's Will Leitch. This is a blurb recorded and posted by Awful Announcing by way of Deadspin (hat tip to several Sports Blog Nation members).

I guess in the end the problem truly is understanding. If the MSM truly understood what Blogs are, who they represent, etc.. then they'd just let it go and let us do what we do best. Put them out of business. I kid, I kid.

No RB picks vs Defense

emdrr — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:11:09 -0000

Since our coaches feel good about our RB’s? Hopefully it means we go back to the clock eating ground cruncher’s of 2005. The good thing about clock eating is our Defense hits the turf a lot fresher throughout the game. Allowing those fast guy to remain fast and the D-line hogs more time for swill.

About RB's, I’m still waitng for the Pete Johnson clone to arrive.
The days of a P Johnson and L Kinnebrew with a James Brooks type were always fun to guess who would get the ball in a run play. I can remember Kinnebrew's thighs were so big he could hardly walk onto the field, but when it was time to run they seemed to disappear. Where did all the Big Fast RB Monsters go?

In this draft I was not a Keith Rivers fan. But now I see the fit and love the whole draft. Cant wait for those 5 thru 7 pix’s to show up in G-town camp.

Jason Shirley

emdrr — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:59:50 -0000

If this guy Stays Clean I would be willing to wager a Skyline 5way that he will be the best DT we've seen play for the Bengals in 20 years.

A good friend of mine in Fresno has seen Shirley play in every game. What little, he has played!!

Says he can Pile Drive O-linemen right off their feet. Amazing power to break through double team blocking. And he does it so fast, for a man his size. Thighs/Calves are HUGH! Refered to him as a young Sam Adams!

My fingers are crossed!