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Bengals claim Dave Ragone off waiver per Bengals.com


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It's a good move IMO. Maybe he takes Doug Johnson's roster spot.

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5268

In their continuing quest to find backups for Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer, the Bengals claimed former Texans quarterback Dave Ragone off waivers Wednesday.

Since Ragone comes to camp far behind Anthony Wright and Doug Johnson, the move could be more of an audition for next year. But Ragone, who turns 27 this upcoming season, arrives with a one-year deal.

The 6-3, 220-pound Ragone, who hasn’t thrown a pass since his rookie year of 2003, was cut by the Texans last week in an offseason they opted to sign Sage Rosenfels as a backup to David Carr.

Ragone, a three-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, set a record in NFL Europe with 174 straight passes without an interception. The lefty’s 97.5 passer rating led to his selection as the league’s top offensive player.

After the Texans drafted him in the third round in 2003, Ragone made his first and only two NFL starts on the road against rugged defenses when backup Tony Banks broke his throwing hand and Carr hurt his shoulder. Houston lost, 27-0, at Jacksonville, and 16-3 at Tampa Bay, and Ragone finished 20-of-40 for 135 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception.

With head coach Marvin Lewis planning to take four quarterbacks to camp, one of the five quarterbacks figures to be released. Rookie free agent Erik Meyer hasn’t been at the recent coaching sessions because of school commitments.

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More competition for camp is always good. I do think he is capable of ousting Doug Johnson, but I'd take Wright over him. He'd be a very good short term 3rd stringer.

See, i had it the other way. I'll take Ragone over Dougie Fresh, and Wright over both.

Assuming there is some miscommunication here, I think we have the same opinion. :sure:

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Yeah, this kid was pretty good at UofL, very underrated in my opinion. I wouldn't hold your breath, but I can see us going through the June mini-camp and possibly a good part of training camp with all five guys (assuming that Carson is not cleared for full-go by July 29) so that the coaches have a real chance to evaluate, unless someone is just not up to snuff.

My bet after this year is on Ragone #2 and Meyer #3 behind Carson. Meyer will be on the PS this season.

:cheers:

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Ragone is an interesting guy. I've never been a big fan of him...or any college QB who predominately plays out of the shotgun, but I've argued often for the Bengals to add a young QB who can be developed as a dedicated long term backup, and Ragone could be that guy. He's got a reasonably strong arm, and he was pretty accurate at Lousiville before falling off his senior year. He's got better than average tools, but you've got to wonder why Houston is giving up on him in favor of Sage Rosenfels. In fact, I watched one of the two games he started for Houston and he was flat out horrible. Far worse than his numbers.

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Ragone looked real sharp last year in NFLE FWIW. He throws darts when he's got time and should get the shot to be a longer term backup. Maybe not the most able to avoid a sack but he did well in college tucking it in and taking off when he had to. Kubiak's idea of mobility probably has more to do with escaping a non-existent pocket as soon as the ball's snapped behind the Texans crap O-line. Carr hasn't done real well there either and it's doubtful any QB would.

The signing makes for good comp at the position to see who they like best. The Bengals could've put Bramlett on the practice squad last year but didn't. Doubtful they put Meyer there this year unless they like him a whole lot, think he won't get plucked and maybe plan to play him in Europe. Seems like only about 4 or 5 teams IIRC put QBs on the PS last year so it's still likelier Meyer will have to make the team outright and it could end up Palmer, Ragone and Meyer even though Wright instead of Meyer looks more likely.

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Good God, I'm geeked about this signing, although it's got to be hilarious to sign a kid who probably grew up a clown fan. He's a solid NFL backup, and part of the UofL homer in me wishes he'd gotten signed by someone with a more questionable starting QB. :D

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"Yeah, this kid was pretty good at UofL, very underrated in my opinion. I wouldn't hold your breath, but I can see us going through the June mini-camp and possibly a good part of training camp with all five guys (assuming that Carson is not cleared for full-go by July 29) so that the coaches have a real chance to evaluate, unless someone is just not up to snuff.

My bet after this year is on Ragone #2 and Meyer #3 behind Carson. Meyer will be on the PS this season."

....

July 29th? Full Go? I drink the cool aid too but I think you are asking a little much there....

Good pick up though.. I agree with you on your bet! :cheers:

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Good God, I'm geeked about this signing, although it's got to be hilarious to sign a kid who probably grew up a clown fan. He's a solid NFL backup, and part of the UofL homer in me wishes he'd gotten signed by someone with a more questionable starting QB. :D

I was at UofL when Redman was tearing up the gridiron. I was hoping Cincy ended up with him somehow, someway. Now, I am eating my words which then shouted him to be the next coming of Peyton Manning. I was always impressed with Redman in college and hoped for him to steal a #1 job somehere in the NFL. I believe he was a superior quarterback to Ragone. If Redman can`t cut it in Baltimore, why should Ragone cut it in Cincinnati? I do like Ragone over Johnson for potenial`s sake; I am not convinced he can beat out Wright for the backup job.

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Ragone looked real sharp last year in NFLE FWIW. He throws darts when he's got time and should get the shot to be a longer term backup. Maybe not the most able to avoid a sack but he did well in college tucking it in and taking off when he had to. Kubiak's idea of mobility probably has more to do with escaping a non-existent pocket as soon as the ball's snapped behind the Texans crap O-line. Carr hasn't done real well there either and it's doubtful any QB would.

Houston's poor O-line almost certainly was a factor in their decision to cut Ragone loose, but it's just as true to say that Ragone's poor mobility, speed, and lousy throwing ability on the run make a bad problem even worse. With him under center you're ability to use a moving pocket evaporates so a defense always knows where to find him.

That said I agree that Ragone should get a shot at the long term backup role. He may or may not have the passing skills needed to develope into an NFL starter at some point, but that's beside the point since nobody in their right mind still considers that an option. His future is limited to backup duty, and in that role he brings more experience than Meyer. Ragone has plenty of college starting experience, has attended as many NFL training camps as Palmer, and the time he spent playing in Europe is a big plus. Besides, even if Meyer fits into the Bengals plans his 1-AA background make him unsuited for action anytime soon.

Last, the NFL Network reported that Indy also claimed Ragone, but he was awarded to the Bengals based upon their poorer won/loss record. I found that interesting for two reasons. The Colts, like Cincy, do a very good job of protecting their QB's. And finally, the Colts are very nterested in adding a backup QB but have had as much trouble finding a young QB willing to play behind Manning as the Bengals have in finding an understudy for Palmer. Yet the Colts showed more interest in Ragone than Tim Couch, who they just worked out.

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I continue to believe that the Bengals would have been far better off to have kept Bramlett last year. Although they still would've had to sign a vet like Wright, they could've just stopped there. The continued stockpiling of QB's is increasingly uninteresting to me at this point. Ragone? Okay, whatever. I would've been happier with Wright - Bramlett - Meyer, and we wouldn't have had to sign every cast-off QB not currently in a knee brace in the meantime.

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I agree with most of the replies here...I think Johnson will be axed with Wright coming close. I think Ragone will make a decent back up to Carson. But he is no Garcia...that is another story for another day!

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Forget about Ragone just competing for a backup spot. I predict that he will start the season as our starting QB, start 4-0, and never let Carson Palmer start another game for the Bengals in his career. Ragone will go on to lead us to three Super Bowl titles, and will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. :blink:

Or maybe not. :sure:

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actully In a huge play Carson palmer drops back to pass. Kimo will parachute in and snap his arm. then the shock will snap doug and anothey wrights hips. So then we will sign Ryan Leaf to a 30 year contract. and he will lead us to 19 superbowls. and he will win a nobel prize for peace.

In my WILDEST DREAM!!!!!!!!!!! with help of drugs lots and lots of drugs!

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