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!!!