Meet the New Guys

First, I’d like to vent: What’s with the Colts? Why make everyone wait to see if they would match the Bengals’ offer to tight end Ben Utecht? Gamesmanship? Ridiculous. Why not just inform both Ben and the Bengals of your intentions when you finally decide what to do with him? Surely it wasn’t a decision which required an 11th hour meeting.

Ben Utecht is a waste of money; $9 million for three years. While I do think he’s a serviceable receiving tight end, the Bengals can draft a variety of tight ends from this year’s crop, and quickly develop that player to match the capabilities Utecht has shown us with the Colts.

In Marvin’s defense, there is something to be said about knowing what you’re getting in today’s NFL. We know Utecht is fast enough, has decent hands and isn’t an awful blocker. Peyton Manning used him well, particularly when Dallas Clark was out with an injury. In each of Utecht’s last two seasons playing as a backup, he caught over 30 passes and had over 300 yards receiving. Reggie Kelly’s best season was ‘06 when he caught 21 passes for 254 yards, as a starter. We need another threat on first and second down. A reliable pass-catching tight end would take pressure off of the running game and be effective in the red zone. He’s still pretty young, 26, and he’s been healthy. Utecht isn’t an outrageous purchase but there are plenty of Utechts in every draft.

As for Antwan Odom, I’m very pleased with his signing. Odom’s arrival scratches the promise of a 3-4 scheme next season, which is fine with our current personnel. He’s eerily similar to Robert Geathers, in that they both are speed rushers, both have long arms and were both drafted the same year out of the SEC. Nothing wrong with having two of those guys on either end.

It pleases me most that we went out and acquired a player that we think can give us sacks. Marv has correctly identified that pressure on the quarterback was lacking, promptly dismissed Justin Smith and brought in a different kind of pass rusher in Odom. We pursued defensive tackles that could have also paid immediate dividends, and could still end up with Robertson. Dare I say that Marv has cast out his stubbornness and is addressing our many needs with enthusiasm? I think it looks that way.

Blackstock is another quality addition. He’s an outside linebacker with pass-rushing ability as well. He should be featured on passing downs and in nickel formations. He’ll compete for a starting job with Jeanty and Dahani Jones. I think competition is the main reason he was brought in at all. His presence alerts the others that starting jobs are to be earned and not handed out.

We may still end up with Ethan Kelly (DT, Browns ), but don’t expect much else from the free agent pool this year.

It’s almost time we get serious about the draft. Sedrick Ellis is still the dream pick, but could realistically drop to No. 9. More on that later.

Mojokong - YYYYeeeeeeeeeesss!!!

Gigantic Bygones

Guest Blog by Hugo:

When I got a text from a friend telling me we traded for Shaun Rogers, I got happy. Like, shaking at my office desk happy. He's the 6'5" 340 lb guy we've all wanted. He would have something to prove after his work ethic and commitment to the game were questioned in Detroit. We would see less, or maybe none, of John Thornton, which we can all agree is a good thing. I have been a big supporter of Thornton up until this year, but his salary (~3.5 mil) could definitely be better used elsewhere.

Anyway, Rogers must have been popular enough with the Lions to get Jon Kitna's seal of approval, because you KNOW Carson got the scoop on Rogers from Kitna. Needless to say, I thought it was a good move.

As pleased as I was with the Rogers deal, I was left shaking my head in disbelief that Antwan Odom and Marlon McCree were already lined up for visits, and that there is interest in Calvin Pace. Finally, the Bengals stale philosophy of avoiding big time free agents (and their big time contracts) was being discarded in favor of "The Overhaul".

So, when news broke that the Rogers deal was off, I was naturally feeling pretty salty. I thought the Bengals got played like they did in the Warren Sapp sweepstakes in 2004. I was confused by it, concerned that maybe our "Bungles" residue hadn't completely washed off, deterring Rogers from committing. Maybe it was the off-field stuff that scared the Bengals off. Whatever the reason, I didn't like it. But as everything has become known about the situation, it essentially boils down to the fact that we got outbid. Props to Cleveland for coming strong.

Shaun Rogers was due a $1 million roster bonus on March 1, but the Bengals were already at the cap for last year. So they weren't able to pay the bonus. Detroit obviously didn't want to pay it either, which is why they were definitely trading him by 11:59 on the 29th. That technicality caused the league to reject the deal, and before anyone knew it, the Browns dangled Leigh Bodden, their best corner, and a 3rd rounder. I'm glad we didn't try to match it. I wanted him, but didn't want to sacrifice too much, which the Browns definitely did.

As talented as Rogers is, he's got 'big' issues keeping his weight down to 340. With our training staff, that's a concern if he gets hurt at all. Also, while Kitna did vouch for him, the Lions definitely wanted to move him, so he certainly has the potential to be disruptive chemistry-wise. That's not something we can absorb. I don't know, maybe I've been conditioned by the Bengals to rationalize a missed opportunity. Or maybe I'm just jaded. But I've moved on.

By next week, I want to welcome in DeWayne Robertson and Antwan Odom, and welcoming back the 4-3.

Hugo