Free Agency Day 1: Good Times

So far, so good.

It was relieving to see Stacy Andrews join his brother, Shawn, in the City of Brotherly Love, mostly because that means the Bengals no longer will feel pressured to turn this ‘project’ into a player. Another potentially happy side-effect could be that Stacy can assist with Shawn’s bouts of depression which kept him out of training camp last season. If so, Stacy may become known as Zoloft Andrews.

The Eagles must think that Stacy still hasn’t reached his potential and that it will all just click one day. The Bengals proved that making him a starter and paying him starter’s money is a mistake, but with Philly’s former tackle Jon Runyan ruined by injury, the Eagles had to make a move like this. Good riddance.

Ryan Fitzpatrick found himself a cozy spot in Buffalo backing up second-rate starter, Trent Edwards. Fitzy may crack that starting spot by Week 4 after Edwards has thrown eight interceptions; he may even dazzle Bills fans in preseason games by scrambling for big chunks of yardage against fourth-string defenses, and, in turn, demand consideration to start Week 1. I stand by the opinion that Fitzpatrick was not main problem with our offense last season; the offensive line was. Even with an average running game – which, in Buffalo is in limbo after Bills Pro-Bowler, Marshawn Lynch, was recently arrested on felonious weapons charges – Fitzpatrick would be far more productive as a “game manager”. Good luck.

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer got his wish by resigning safety Chris Crocker. Zimmer coached Crocker in Atlanta, and used him well once he landed in Paul Brown Stadium following his release from the Dolphins.

“I'm still shocked Miami cut me,” Crocker told Cincinnati media yesterday.

Crocker will likely start at the free safety spot next year, relegating Marvin White as a backup. It doesn’t hurt having depth in the secondary and, as a backup, White will be relied on more on special teams; a logical role for a natural hitter with speed. Good thinking.

The most surprising news from yesterday was that running back Derrick Ward is scheduled to visit Cincinnati over the weekend. Ward averaged a gaudy 5.6 yards per carry last year on the best running team in the NFL: the Giants. He was able to rack up over 1,000 yards even having to share the load with both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Ward will likely cost around the $6 million a year mark, and is 29 years old – not that young by NFL running back standards. We also don’t know how effective he can be running behind a rebuilding, and often times, struggling offensive line like that of the Bengals. In theory, he would be an upgrade from Cedric Benson, but I urge fans to curb their enthusiasm of Ward until we can see it work for ourselves. Good clinical practice.

Not as surprising is that Cedric Benson has not appeared to have garnered much attention from the rest of the league. I’ve read nothing of interested teams, nothing of scheduled visits. Other fairly average running backs have already signed with new teams (Maurice Morris to the Lions, Correll Buckhalter to the Broncos). Face it, Ced, the NFL just isn’t that into you. If Ward does end up signing with the Bengals, Benson may end up back in Texas, unemployed. Good grief.

Housh is out and about, shopping himself around and conducting what seems like thousands of interviews. Carson has lobbied for him to stay and it seemed to have some impact on T.J., prompting the Bengals to offer him a contract, but it wasn’t enough to lock him up and now he’s gone astray. I certainly hope he finds what’s best for him, because, perhaps more than any other player in the NFL, T.J. has paid his dues and deserves the big check that’s coming to him. Good effort.

Mojokong – good night.

Get Up!

Imagine a boxer laid out, face first on the canvas. He’s tired and swollen, but an inkling of fight rouses his head from the ground. He rises to a knee and takes a few deep, painful breaths. He’s ready to stand.

We know this boxer well, and can feel every pang of his aches and pains. We have collectively been clubbed to the ground with him, but, as goes the mantra of our persistent, unchanging leader, Marvin Lewis, we’re moving forward.

Free agency in the NFL only serves to whet the appetite. Once all of the pressers and meet-and-greets, all of the forced smiles and flash bulbs, all of the demonstrating of the jersey with the team emblem wall-papered in the back ground has finally worked itself out, the football nation will greedily turn their attention to the draft, hungry for more. Much more.

With the sixth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Bengals have only a couple of logical decisions.

“If they don't take an offensive tackle, I won't understand it,” said Jerry Jones, author of the annual NFL Draft guide The Drugstore List. “Levi Jones has injury concerns. Stacy Andrews does too and he gave up a lot of sacks last year. Anthony Collins is a good player, but they need a left tackle and this draft has a lot of those.”

The highest rated tackle on most draft expert’s list, including Jones’, is Baylor’s Jason Smith. Smith moved up the charts after Alabama tackle Andre Smith, once considered the best at his position, mysteriously left the NFL Scouting Combine, leaving the sports world perplexed by such an unusual decision; one that will likely cost him a lesser contract.

“Andre Smith has dropped to later in the first round because he left the combine,” said Jones.

Other highly touted offensive tackles in this year’s draft include Virginia’s Eugene Monroe and Mississippi’s Michael Oher – considered by Jones and others as the most athletic of the bunch. Oher’s stock has dropped from a poor performance at the combine, and some worry about inconsistencies with his pass protection.

While I would be completely satisfied with an offensive tackle, I would encourage Mike Brown, Marvin and the staff – consisting of mostly Brown’s immediate family members – to consider the unconventional player with this pick. A player like linebacker Ray Maualuga will make an immediate impact on whichever team drafts him. Marvin has told the media that he wants that kind of player. Another outside-the-box pick could be defensive tackle B.J. Raji from Boston College.

“He's a brick wall. Immovable. Huge,” Jones said. “ Peko is a fine player but you want more in the rotation because defensive tackles wear down.”

A major concern many Bengals’ fans fear is that Mike Brown will take a running back with their first pick. Based on the lack of highly rated prospects at that position, it seems unlikely and illogical to reach for Beanie Wells just to fill a need, but one mustn’t overestimate the ineptitude of Lord Protector Brown’s decision-making ability.

“I hope they don’t take a running back,” said Jones. Me neither, Jerry.

Another necessary upgrade that needs addressed is that of a new center; one that doesn’t get mauled by the man-eating bears that play defensive tackle in the AFC North. According to Jones, there are three or four good centers in this year’s draft and a second-round pick of one of these prospects is very much in question.

“Taking a center in the second round is quite possible. Ghaiciuc has taken a lot of heat; I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. They've been looking for a center for a while now,” Jones said.

The top-three centers expected to be taken are California’s Alex Mack, Oregon’s Max Unger and Eric Wood from Louisville. Another center that has gained attention among scouts is Arkansas’ Jonathan Luigs.

Adding more beef on either line makes the most sense. More than anything else, the Bengals as a team looked physically soft last season and providing more girth will help.

There are still needs at the skill positions and some fine prospects to be taken in the mid-rounds to fill those holes. Penn State receiver Derrick Williams plummeted on draft boards everywhere after attempting to participate in the Combine while ill. His numbers suffered and, in turn, could be huge for a team like the Bengals in the third round. Not the most polished receiver in the draft, Williams can return kicks with the best of them and could be utilized in trick plays and wildcat formations, should the Bengals actually experiment with what the rest of the league has proven to be successful.

Another nice fit in the mid-rounds could be Virginia running back Cedric Peerman, who showed speed at the combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. Peerman could become that change-of-pace back that has proven to be vital in today’s NFL. He can catch (44 receptions last year) and can also be a dangerous return-man.

For the later picks, an upgrade at punter seems sensible, and why not take the home-grown Kevin Huber? Jerry Jones considers the two-time first-team All-American from the University of Cincinnati as the best punter in the draft. Kyle “Beth” Larson is utterly useless and the acquired free-agent punter formerly of the Redskins, Ryan Plackemeier, has worse numbers than Larson. For a team with little offensive firepower like the Bengals, a talented punter really can win games. Cincinnati’s special teams is unimpressive in every way and improvement to the unit through the draft should be emphasized.

So as the boxer makes it to his feet and stumbles around the ring, concerned onlookers wonder how long he can last. With a smart approach to free agency and the draft, this fighter could pull it together for a few more rounds, but let his guard down for a second and he’s back on the mat. How long can he last?

Mojokong – Thanks goes out to Jerry Jones and to Faisal Khatri for their contributions on this piece.

The Golden Calf

In 2008, the wheels came off of the Bengals’ bandwagon and crashed. The survivors of that tragedy have regrouped and are viewing the organization’s attempt at 2009 with binoculars; safely out of reach from another meltdown, but still keeping a close eye on things just in case something does work.

The first run through the gauntlet is that annual NFL Golden Calf: free agency. As a fan it’s hard to not get excited with all the big-named players flying around the free-agent universe. Every casual fan that knows their way around a roster begins to conceive, not just the correct course of action, but the only one. “Why wouldn’t management make that decision?” you ask the empty room around you. “It makes such perfect sense.” Then, when realities like former injuries and salary cap difficulties begin to poke gaping holes in your GM logic, you sit down flustered and start to question your team’s direction.

But not this year. Thanks to the ignored public outcry of Bengal fans over the lack of scouts and general management, expectations of failure and ineptitude on Mike Brown’s behalf are now the commonplace attitude toward the team’s future. Brown never pays a lot for that muffler, and has had some noticeable mishaps when negotiating with free agents – Warren Sapp, Sean Rodgers and Lorenzo Neal come to mind (the Bengals refused to pay Neal $1 million. He went on to play many more quality years with other teams). Yet with this year’s free agent class, Brown would be smarter to do what he does best: keep his money in his pocket.

I admit, Albert Haynesworth would be superb, Ray Lewis would be cool and Matt Birk would help, but these veterans would likely select more adept organizations in places where they could finish their careers. Even Houshmandzedah – sadly – is moving on without us. Cincinnati just isn’t turning heads these days.

The team already made one questionable move by slapping the franchise tag on kicker Shane Graham. Graham is money inside 47 yards, and he’s a champion in the community. His drawbacks, however, are that his kick-offs are short, he can’t reach 50 yards or longer and he’s missed the two biggest kicks of his career (2006 Week 16 at Denver, Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh). If we’re going to pay him as a top-5 kicker in the league – that which the franchise tag entails – then he must meet the criteria of an elite kicker.

The next decision is based around Cedric Benson. He’s said publicly that he’d like to remain in stripes and sign a long-term contract here, but the more he talks, the more he says words like open market and fair value. If this man thinks he’s in demand, than he’s drinking his agent’s Kool-Aid. Quick, think of a team that needs Benson more than the Bengals. If you’ve managed to come up with an answer, would that team need to outbid the Bengals to get him? I doubt it.

Benson appeared serviceable, even explosive at times last season, but I wouldn’t dare murmur the phrase “feature back” within earshot of him. If he does return, the Bengals will certainly need to compliment him with the appropriate speed-back in order to keep up with necessary NFL trends. Let’s not forget that Benson failed to average even four yards a carry last year. If he holds out for a big payday, then happy trails, because the most replaceable position in today’s league is the running back.

Whether it be in the form of running back or wide receiver, special teams coach Darren Simmons needs a kick-returner to help make him look good. Glen Holt is absolutely not the answer. In fact, no one on the team can return kicks, and this too, has become a trendy point of emphasis among the successful franchises in the league. The best part is that the Bengals can fill two needs with a player like this: They can either get the speedy running back who can catch (Derrick Ward sounds pricey, Maurice Morris sounds shaky), or the smallish slot-receiver who can be a deep threat as well (Devery Henderson sounds nice). One of these two concerns need met, might as well get a return guy to boot out of the deal.

(Actually, both of these concerns need met – that’s why they’re concerns – but this is the kind of attitude that us Bengal folk have cultivated through our rapid decline of enthusiasm.)

The Bengals could also use a new fullback, backup quarterback and a busload of offensive lineman, but some of these needs will be filled in the draft, which will be discussed in the near future.

Defensively, it seems that we’re always on the lookout for more fat guys; can’t get enough giant stomachs. With the departure of John Thornton, the unit could use another wide load to shuffle between Peko and the emerging Pat Sims. Outside of Haynesworth, there are no quality free agent defensive tackles, so Mike Brown might as well throw a house full of cash at him and hope for the best.

There is a decent pool of linebackers in this year’s market, headlined by the visceral Ray Lewis. Ray’s primal explosiveness mixed with his spiritual leadership make him priceless to any team. Our only glimmer of hope, our reason to dream, is that Marvin Lewis was his coordinator in Baltimore and helped Ray become the X-Men character we see him as today. He will command serious money on the open market and I doubt he ends up in Cincinnati.

Other linebackers of intrigue include Angelo Crowell, Jonathan Vilma, Bart Scott and Channing Crowder. A possible gem could be Kevin Barnett who played under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in Dallas and would probably come with an affordable price tag.

Free safety Chris Crocker – who joined the Bengals mid-season last year – played well enough to be re-signed and compete with Marvin White for the starting spot next training camp. Outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty is a bit slow for the ways Zimmer uses him, but if re-signed would add depth to an injury-prone position.

One need not to be a wise man to know great teams are built through the draft. Free agents are available for good reason, and it’s up to Mike Brown and his people to see through the bright packaging and fancy displays. If you want to spend money in free agency this year, Mr. Brown, give lump sums to the few head-liners that are available. If these players refuse your offers, use that money to purchase more player personnel and succeed through the draft for years to come.

Mojokong – ask Daniel Snyder if championships are made through free agency.

Ashes to Ashes

He is the Phoenix.

On game days, T.J. Houshmandzedah burns with a wild intensity which consumes him regardless of the outcome, but each week he is reborn and prepared to sacrifice himself again. His powers are calculated but annihilating, and he’s wise with the expenditure of this terrific and devouring force he possesses.

Considering such a unique and complex person, it’s difficult not to swell up with conflicting emotions when one thinks of his future.

On one hand, he has been a loyal, mostly supportive member of the Bengals, who’s leadership has helped stabilize the culture of the team. He has maintained the highest level of professionalism throughout the past six years and is an example of the dividends one can gain from sheer work ethic. His football intellect is unrivaled, often articulating the nuances of the game more effectively than could any coach or analyst. He’s an honest person who is aware of the consequences the truth can incur, yet he carries on explaining the flat reality of situations rather than walk a company line or speak out in code; a decision some of his teammates have made in the past. Housh would make a tremendous coach (a more cunning Herm Edwards comes to mind if pressed for a comparison), but he’s still a pro-bowl caliber player and can provide a team with both mind and body: Who wouldn’t want a guy like that?

That said, he shouldn’t be subjected to more rebuilding and more losing. He’s paid his dues; Mike Brown deserves to give him a chance at the post-season promised land in a place where he may actually achieve such a thing. It’s not gonna happen here for another five years, at least, and T.J.’s not getting younger. Concussions are a hell of a thing and aren’t recommended as a collector’s item – anybody whose heard Riddick Bowe speak knows the real dangers of repeated blows to the head. A person can’t run routes across the middle forever, ya know.

Housh is the only Bengal who could fit into any other offense immediately. His skills-set allows him to work his craft without worrying about being fast or being tall or being big. Quarterbacks like the guys who run nice routes and catch the ball; GM’s and fans like the guys who run fast, and are big and strong. If he made his way to Philly as the rumor mill has grumbled recently, it would be like giving McNabb the bicycle he’d always wanted for Christmas. They would become bosom buddies, two pees in a pod, throwing and catching and throwing and catching, all Sunday long. Housh could be happy there.

Alas, that is not the way of the Phoenix and it only makes sense that he’ll be franchise-tagged, report to training camp and rise again from the ashes of losing. A more fitting destiny for such a mythical beast simply is not possible.

Mojokong – “while the phoenix outlives nine ravens”, Hesiod c. 700 BCE

Sports Journalism at its Worst: In Three Acts -- Vol. 2

Today’s sportswriters seem awfully important — to themselves, that is. I’ll wait for a journalist’s autobiography when I’m interested in learning about their personal life, but as for a column, I’d like an informed opinion on an interesting topic. Using one’s own experiences as the presentation of their subject matter is both tired and egotistical. The rock-star journalists, who apparently lead such interesting lives that they must inject us into their daily narrative, have three-hour talk shows on the radio where toothless first-time callers yet long-time listeners blabber on about their disgust for today’s greedy, flamboyant and self-serving athlete. These people are the most bored amongst men; the one’s stuck in traffic, or on long road-trips, but either way in their cars. While it’s shuddering to imagine that there are still yet a handful of these types who listen to and call these programs from their work, it’s worse to think of them doing so from home – and for fun at that. These people have a burning need to voice whatever sage and well thought-out piece of opinion they’ve laboriously hauled around with them since its conception. “Others must know. I must be heard!”

The online comments after the articles on various news web-sites are not dissimilar from the truckers calling in the radio shows. It’s a bit more refined (mostly), but the same bandwagon voice sings out from these ‘comments’ sections. The same grumpy, dissatisfied on-line character stalks these web-pages eager to defend the writer and to further vilify the column’s complaints – and they’re almost always complaints. In it’s purest nature, this is a liberty that shouldn’t be discouraged, ever. My complaint to their complaining is that such an easily appeased fan-base of an established columnist does not demand a broader variety of subjects and angles. Why write anything other than what the readers have demonstrated their agreement toward? Where I'm from, that's called job security.

But it’s the readers who disappoint me the most in the equation. They have power over the journalist, but they forget and walk the party line. They begin to look for the columnist to remove the responsibility of forming an opinion of their own — one less task in a busy American agenda. Soon, the power shifts into the wrong hands: the newspaper’s. Not overnight, yet not in an ice age, the same five or six columns, recycling the same opinions, satisfy the general readership; first locally, then nationally as the mighty octopus of the modern media mogul stretches out to the cosmos. The sensational and the speculative in sports are talked silly, while actual analysis and insight to events which transpire on the playing-field are lost to the scouts and quietly keen observers.

It’s time that you, the readers, take a stand on what has become the mighty cliche that is the sports-media empire. You must tell them you want something more, something you can sink your teeth into. Remind them that when an athlete does something newsworthy outside the hash-marks, that person becomes a public figure, not an athlete, and that its corresponding coverage should be found in the “Celebrity Watch” section and not in Sports. Has it not occurred to anyone in charge of these things that the magnified coverage of young, rich men acting out in public has inspired so many others, and even more yet to surface, to do the same?

Having branded myself a writer, I cannot join your side of that fight; I can only attempt to produce work which speaks for my priorities and interests.

This late-night ramble appears to have turned into a call-to-arms which was not my intention but has shown itself necessary to be written and hopefully discussed. I ask the gentle reader to be just that when noticing the loaded hypocrisy contained within these paragraphs. Until next time,

Mojokong — the battered and fried piece of worn delicacy.