AJ Nicholson

[El Tigere]

Marvin had nothing but good things to say a bout this guy being worked out at middle LB! If he was to start in the middle then Odell Thurman would be moved to Brian SImmons spot and we could let him go and save some extra cash if not this year then next year for sure.

Just a thought!

[Kazkal]

Hell no! Odell is little ray

Only way I think AJ is a starter is if we move to 3-4 which I'd rather not happen like ray said about it,takes away from what he can do and would take away from what odell will be able to do for us.....

I'd rather have Landon replace Bsimmons which I think he will be or even jeanty or naives if they proove worthwhile mybe even caleb but not odell he stays MLB

[Stripes]

Odell has become the centerpiece of this defense, literally and figuratively. Nicholson will be a backup if he makes the team. If he does develop into a good player, then he'll probably be the one going outside, and not Odell.

[Kazkal]

Aye his best chance of a job is weakside but how can you be rdy replace odell when guy had 1 day of practice without pads...But isen't he kinda slow for weakside?

[UK Bengal]

Odell is starting MLB for his career with the bengals there is no doubt about that. Nicholson is an OLB they are working him at MLB because what is the primary thing that mavin likes

Interchangable players!!

[ArmyBengal]

Nicholson will not be the starting linebacker this season OR any season Odell is in stripes. You could go so far as to say Landon Johnson would be the better pick to start at Mike if not Odell as he has already started there for a season and lead the team in tackles that year, if I remember correctly...

WHODEY !!!

[Spor_tees]

in a 3-4 don't you have to have TWO Middle LB's? Well if Odell and Landon are the starters, then maybe they are grooming AJ to be the first guy to sub in. Then you would have Jeanty, Simmons, Pollack, and Miller rotating on the outside. Sounds like what they are doing if you look at the fact they are moving the tweeners into practicing at LB.

[HoosierCat]

I wouldn't read anything more into AJ playing MLB in rookie camp than, "someone has to play the position." Heck, unless I've missed someone, the only other LB in rookie camp is UDFA Wyatt Gayer, so unless they're practicing with a 5-2 someone else is playing out of position, too.

[schweinhart]

Nicholson should knock Hannibal Navies off the roster and replace him when the Bengals use their 4-4-3, which isn't too often. But there might be more opps for him to play strongside when teams put it up in the air a lot if the Bengals want to kick Pollack inside to end to improve the pass rush. Can't see Nicholson playing MLB outright or inside in a 3-4 since the Bengals don't look like they'll use that base, but there might be a shot for him to get in a nickel package where he stays in the middle to cover dump off receivers with Odell dropping back into deeper coverage. Plus, he'd be prime for short yardage at his size. Not too hard to imagine that Nicholson might actually play defense more than any of the other rooks drafted for the 1st half of the season until Joseph is ready to take over at CB.

[cincy9275]

i telling all of you right now do not underestimate aj nicholson he is no joke . i am not saying he will replace Odell in the middle. but he is a very very good linebacker and i believe he will be a starter(maybe not this season) and as long as he keeps his nose clean. he can play outside too that's what he played in college. i really believe he will be a steal where he was drafted

[walshfan]

One mini practice and the kid has made the team and possibly starting over Odell or at the OLB spot....

I thought the reason for these camps was to evaluate who might just make the team ...

He hasnt done squat yet aside from a few rah rah's out there...

Lets wait a little longer before we crown him the next starting backer.

[cincy9275]

One mini practice and the kid has made the team and possibly starting over Odell or at the OLB spot....

I thought the reason for these camps was to evaluate who might just make the team ...

He hasnt done squat yet aside from a few rah rah's out there...

Lets wait a little longer before we crown him the next starting backer.

did you pay any attention to college football this past season up untill he got acussed of sexual assult he was consider by many to be as good as aj hawk and a first rd pick . so yes there is reason to be a little excited over the fact that he is a bengal. and is impressing the coaches

[Spain]

Were going to the 3-4, The real ? is does Simmons fit the scheme.

[kingwilly]

If we stay 4-3, mr. legal fees will not unseat Odell.

IF we move to a 3-4, Landon, Caleb, Navies, etc have quite a bit more time than he in this scheme.

Mr. LF is far too slow to play outside. He is slower than Simmons...that is saying something.

I am not convinced we are going to a full-time 3-4..it is going to be a hybrid due to all the versatile players and a scheme that runs disguises to take advantage of such personell.

Mr. Legal Fees biggest chance to contribute will be on ST...

[ShulaSteakhouse]

AJ has the upside to be an above average NFL LB, in this sceheme on the outside or the inside - at some point - as a starter.

Landon and Caleb got plenty of PT their rookie years. for various reasons - AJ is more highly thought of than either of those two coming out of college.

I don't exactly consider guys like Bruschi and Porter to be blazing fast LB's either, and they do just fine on the outside. Porter ran a 4.65-4.7 back in his rookie days 5 years ago.

Porter was also a 3rd round pick with the same make-up as AJ (size, value, character issues to an extent).

If AJ can work hard and keep his nose clean and be coached - he could make this draft along with Joseph and a guy like McNeal.

[John Stofa]

Obviously AJ isn't going to come in and take Odell's spot. But the book on AJ was "first round talent, with character issues". If he has first round talent, and it looked that way the few times I saw him play for FSU, then he could easily become a starter for the Bengals, either on the outside or in the middle if we play 3-4. It's not like he will have a strong and deep group of linebackers to compete against, other than Odell. Nicholson will be a factor, and probably fairly soon.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Were going to the 3-4, The real ? is does Simmons fit the scheme.

SPAIN, GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!! WE are NOT going to the 3-4 as a base defense. We do not have a nose tackle, and to run the 3-4 you need TWO nose tackles, a starter and a backup.

The real ? is why can you not see the obvious?

Obviously AJ isn't going to come in and take Odell's spot. But the book on AJ was "first round talent, with character issues". If he has first round talent, and it looked that way the few times I saw him play for FSU, then he could easily become a starter for the Bengals, either on the outside or in the middle if we play 3-4. It's not like he will have a strong and deep group of linebackers to compete against, other than Odell. Nicholson will be a factor, and probably fairly soon.

It's not like he is competing against a strong and deep group of linebackers? Been smoking with Spain I see!

Landon Johnson, Brian Simmons, David Pollack, and Odell Thurman. That's four starters for three positions already. AJ will be lucky to see the field at all, yet alone take Odell's spot.

[ArmyBengal]

I can see trying to make the argument of using him in a 3-4 set or maybe on the outside for Simmons, but I still have to think Landon (Who has already produced at the NFL level) still has the inside track to a starters position on the outside with all his speed. I know speed does not make you, but it sure doesn't hurt when your team has no pass rush to speak of to start with. Training camp should be fun with the competitions at some positions !!!

WHODEY !!!

[turningpoint]

LMFAO AJ Hawk will have a hard time starting up in GB at MLB and people think a 5th round pick will?

[derekshank]

I haven't really read through this whole thread, because the title is so ridiculous. Thurman was great last year... got better every game, and now has a year under his belt to become one of the better MLB's in football (especially with improved DT play).

Nicholson was a 5th round pick, who is an OLB and is slow. Why in the world would we want him to start over Odell, based on a first day workout he had without pads? Nicholson will be a special teamer.

[turningpoint]

I haven't really read through this whole thread, because the title is so ridiculous. Thurman was great last year... got better every game, and now has a year under his belt to become one of the better MLB's in football (especially with improved DT play).

Nicholson was a 5th round pick, who is an OLB and is slow. Why in the world would we want him to start over Odell, based on a first day workout he had without pads? Nicholson will be a special teamer.

But we could cut brian simmons!

[TippCityRick]

I agree with the posts who say we may have a steal in the 5th. However we may have a washout also. Who knows? Certainly a risky pick but we can afford it because we're looking for depth not starters.

Everything I read and saw this past college season had Nickolson as a first or second rounder because he makes plays. Yes he's had some legal trouble and had an injury to his foot which slowed him at the combine. But if he keeps his nose clean he will be a contributor to this team.

However there is NO WAY (barring the I word) that he starts over Pollack, Thurman, or Simmons/Johnson. I'd plug him in as the primary backup to Pollack and secondary backup to Thurman. As also stated he brings depth to the 4-4-3 defense that we'll continue to run from time to time.

This pick allows the Bengals to possibly cut Miller who can't stay healthy and possibly move on from Simmons due to his age. He's lost a step although his brain allows him to make up for it most of the time.

For my money a good pick.

[turningpoint]

IMO he's jsut a backup for Odell.

and is a special teamer.

he doesn't have the speed to play outside.

If we need to ever run a 4-4 or 3-4 then I'd fill him in as the MLB next to Odell, and then plug Pollack and Simmons on the outside.

I've said many times and i'll say it again Simmons is a pimp and IMO will have a shot at the probowl this year with some meat finally up front to allow him to play his position properly.

He's a solid vet that will help lead this team to a superbowl in the next few years.

[Stripes]

I've said many times and i'll say it again Simmons is a pimp and IMO will have a shot at the probowl this year with some meat finally up front to allow him to play his position properly.

I'd have agreed with this a couple of years ago. Simmons certainly seemed to show syptoms of losing a step at times last season, and I think it'll be more of the same this season. Having a deeper line in front of him will certainly help, but I'm not sure how much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Simmons hater at all... He spent a few years as the best player on this defense. He and Tory are experiencing the same phenomenon, called age, and I think Nicholson should be considered a potential replacement (among many others) for him down the road.

[HoosierCat]

Simmons is unquestionably on the downside, but if anyone moves into the WSLB slot it will be Landon Johnson, not AJ. That said, I need convincing that (one) LJ can handle a full-time starting role, and (two) that he would be an upgrade vs. Brian, who IMHO ain't quite done yet.

AJ has had four practices with his fellow rookies and a bunch of minicamp tackling dummies. What position he was playing, how he looked -- how any of this year's draft picks looked -- is the next best thing to meaningless right now.