Branch off the rader, from Curnutte

[mjm47]

In his blog, Curnutte says that Branch is off the team's radar.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/benga...rring-trade.asp

I can imagine Marvin thinking poorly enough of Curnutte to deliberately feed him misinformation - otherwise, it really seems like there must be something going on with his health or his behavior to which we're not privy.

[NJ29]

Good. Smells of bust to me, not sure what it is.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Curnutte predicts Michael Griffin? Uh, ok. You can't tell me the Bengals' don't have any defensive players rated higher than him?

Just take the absolute best defensive player at #18 and be done with it. Then take the best o-lineman in the 2nd.

[duus]

Just take the absolute best defensive player at #18 and be done with it. Then take the best o-lineman in the 2nd.

After weeks of hearing about scenarios, holes to fill, reasons for this, speculation about that ... well ... I agree with Shula. At this point I couldn't care less what position ... just the very best defensive player when it is our turn in the first round, and then the very best offensive lineman when it is our turn in the second. Then go from there. No third rounder ... fourth round goes back to best defensive player. After that, fill the holes.

Then again, this is why I do software for a living and leave the NFL draft to MLewis.

[chrishcovga]

I actually like Branch. Hard to find a top tier defensive tackle that weighs 324 lbs, stands 6'6 and can break dance !

- football tapes don't lie. The guy can play football. He was surrounded by talented players and still stood out. Plus he'll do for us what Adams and Thornton can't do, take up double teams that allow our middle linebacker to be aggressive against the run, with lanes to plug through.

[mjm47]

I'd be for taking Branch unless either (1) there are more serious health concerns then we're aware of; or (2) there's some sort of character flag that hasn't been widely published.

If the only concern is his inconsistency (as has been reported) I'd rather take a chance on a guy that was a consensus top-ten pick two weeks ago.

My guess is that he's slipping for a reason - a reason that we don't know anything about.

[JoePong]

Take the best player available period -offense or defense.

[Kazkal]

f the only concern is his inconsistency (as has been reported) I'd rather take a chance on a guy that was a consensus top-ten pick two weeks ago.

Same knock that Ngata had,People forget it's easier for 280 lb to give it his all longer then a 330.

f the only concern is his inconsistency (as has been reported) I'd rather take a chance on a guy that was a consensus top-ten pick two weeks ago.

Same knock that Ngata had,People forget it's easier for 280 lb to give it his all longer then a 330.

Take the best player available period -offense or defense.

TEDD GINN & QUINN!