I am pimpin` McNeal

[GapControl]

Just took a quick glance at the Bengals roster over at Hype Hobson`s spinzone.

I noticed that Skyler Green and Glen Holt had a combined 192 catches, 1810 and 15 TDs receiving in their COLLEGE CAREER. If you take a look at their respective bios it might change your mind about giving them a roster spot. Especially Glen Holt. The guy had one 49 catch year at Kentucky and people want to crown him heir apparent to TJ who caught 48 passes for 730 yards with seven TDs on the season in 1 year.

For Green, his case is more compelling since he is a quality special teams player in returns. His college numbers are amazing but he hasn`t brought it to the pros... yet.

Why pass up McNeal when he can offer so much offensively as WR, HB, ST, and possibly replace Doug Johnson!!!! Next year, he could be the 3rd String QB while Rowe slides in to second.

Take a look for yourself.

Skyler Green:

COLLEGE: Played 40 games over four seasons (?02-05) at LSU, and finished career with school-record four TDs on punt returns ... Compiled 986 career yards on 69 punt returns (14.3 average), and also had 663 yards on 31 kickoff returns (21.3) ... Had 104 career receptions for 1072 yards (10.1) and nine TDs ... Added 22 rushes for 211 yards (9.6) with one TD ... Top season for scrimmage yards was ?03 sophomore year, when he played 14 games for team that won BCS national title and was 48-for-519 receiving with five TDs and 8-for-90 rushing with one TD ... Scored LSU?s first TD in national title game vs. Oklahoma on 24-yard run.

Glen Holt

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS: Never missed a game in his four-year Kentucky career (2002-05), appearing in 46 contests with 24 starts ? Had 88 career receptions for 810 yards and six TDs, including 49-for-415 with three scores in 2004, when he was chosen by UK coaches as the team?s Outstanding Offensive Player ? Had eight total career TDs, as he scored twice rushing ? Started eight of the 11 games last year as a senior, catching 21-for-200 ? Started all 11 games as a junior and ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in catches per game (4.45) ? In 2004 vs. Vanderbilt, caught nine for career-high 87 yards, and scored both Wildcats TDs in a 14-13 comeback win, both scores coming in fourth quarter ? Also had 117 rushing yards on 13 carries as a junior, leading team in yards from scrimmage (532).

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I'm not all that interested in college, at this point. Lots of guys look like studs in college but don't make it in the pros; lots of other guys play in crappy systems (like UK) and make good pros.

I'd say they'll look more at the NFL tape they have on these guys over college.

[CantStop85]

By your logic, I guess the Steelers should cut Willie Parker too. He only had 1,172 rushing yards in 4 years at UNC.

Who cares what they did in college? Troy Smith won the heisman in college, but he's not gonna do crap in the NFL. It's all about what you do in training camp and preseason.

[HoosierCat]

Chad, TJ and Tab (who is clearly the preferred No. 3 at this point) are locks. I think the other three end up being (in no particular order) Holt (valuable as a return guy), Chatman (has experience, needs to get on field) and Brazell (Marvin loves speed). McNeal has all sorts of skills, but the only time his name has been mentioned is in connection with Odell's DUI and a doctored cigarette. He may still make it in the NFL but I don't think it'll be here. (Personally, I think his "natural position" is Arena League QB.)

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I don't think they're ready to give up on McNeal yet - or even expose him to waivers. At 6'2" with his speed and moves he has more upside than anyone outside of TJ/CJ and Henry. Plus he can play ST's.

From what I can tell the guy runs good routes and CAN catch if given more than one or two chances a week.

You can't just take a QB out of college and expect him to be a #3 in one season. It took guys like Ward and Randel El a few years to become valuable (if not great) for Pissburgh - the same with McNeal I'm sure.

Brazelle is simply too one dimensional for my tastes, fraile and can't do anything else other than run straight down the field and try to catch the ball - don't think he makes it this year. Chatman may get cut because he just can't stay healthy and when he has been healthy, really hasn't shown much.

Other than that, I like McNeal too much as a prospect who's starting to look more like a natural WR, to give up on him for schleps like Holt, Chatman or Brazelle (although I realize Holt may make it regardless).

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Brazelle is simply too one dimensional for my tastes, fraile and can't do anything else other than run straight down the field and try to catch the ball - don't think he makes it this year. Chatman may get cut because he just can't stay healthy and when he has been healthy, really hasn't shown much.

Yeah, I thought the league gave up on that after Al Davis failed in his attempt to convert stonehanded burners into WRs in the 80s.

[Bobcat Bengal]

Reggie McNeal QB/WR Texas A&M

Strengths

Reggie has one of the strongest arms in this draft. He is an excellent athlete and shows some leadership skills. He moves well in the pocket and out of the pocket and can make the big play in the blink of an eye. When Reggie gets into a zone, he is a pleasure to watch play the game of football and can be one of the most exciting players on the field.

Needs to Improve

Reggie is an extremely erratic football player. He lacks consistency in every facet of his game. He is very fast and has good hands. In fact, he should be moved now –- this minute -- before I finish this profile to the WR position.

Bottom Line

When you watch this kid play, he sends chills down your spin one minute and gives you a great big headache the next. The first time I saw him, I just watched him and drooled at his potential to be a QB at the next level. The more I watched him play, the more I realized he has to be moved as quickly as possible to the WR position. He is way too erratic at the college level and that means there is no way he will be successful at the NFL level. The QB position is too much for him to handle mentally. He must be moved right away because with his athletic talent, he should be an outstanding WR. He will take some time, but he looks like he has the work ethic to do it. Reggie will impact at the next level faster as a WR and that’s a fact. Now, before you A & M fans get all over me about how great Reggie is and how I must be as blind as a bat if I can’t see how great he is, remember it’s about the next level. It is not how good Reggie is at the college level. If Reggie stays a QB, you'll never hear about him again. If he is moved to the WR position, you'll be seeing him in the Pro Bowl. It is as simple as that.

I think it would be hasty to cut him after two seasons.

He offers a little more diversity for us on offense.

Chad didn't start to turn it on until his 2nd and 3rd season, so give him time.

I'm a fan of the guy, personally.

[HoosierCat]

Look for McNeal to start the season on the practice squad (I believe he's still eligible since he only had 6 games on the active list last season). He should clear waivers, just like he did last year.

[Kazkal]

Holt has been solid special team player who ever we keep chatmans future isn't looking great.

[JoePong]

McNeal makes the team. I like Brazelle and Chatman but they cannot stay healthy. Holt should be an after-thought.

Right now it should be Chad, TJ, Perry, Green, and McNeal as locks. The rest of the they guys are fighting for the last spot or two.

[Stripes]

I thought Holt was a fine contributor last season, and I expect him to make the team despite a quiet camp this year.

Chad

TJ

Tab

Green

Holt

McNeal and/or Chatman

Benny to the PS.

[membengal]

The Bengals receiving corp without Henry continues to frighten me.

[GapControl]

I see the WR as:

Chad

Touraj

Perry

Green

McNeal

Green

Holt

Brazelle to the PS. Chatman cut bc of constant injury, or put to IR.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I see the WR as:

Chad

Touraj

Perry

Green

McNeal

Green

Holt

Brazelle to the PS. Chatman cut bc of constant injury, or put to IR.

Bring back the squirrel!!!!!!

...yes I'm kidding.

[redsbengalsbucks]

If the squirell was still here we would have a #3 WR at least.

[Jet23]

I see the WR as:

Chad

Touraj

Perry

Green

McNeal

Green

Holt

Brazelle to the PS. Chatman cut bc of constant injury, or put to IR.

Bring back the squirrel!!!!!!

...yes I'm kidding.

I'm not. He could at least make a third down catch. I believe he is fighting for the final wr spot in New England. I'd cut Holt, Chatman and McNeal today in exchange for Washington for 8 games.

[Walrus]

I see the WR as:

Chad

Touraj

Perry

Green

McNeal

Green

Holt

Brazelle to the PS. Chatman cut bc of constant injury, or put to IR.

Bring back the squirrel!!!!!!

...yes I'm kidding.

I'm not. He could at least make a third down catch. I believe he is fighting for the final wr spot in New England. I'd cut Holt, Chatman and McNeal today in exchange for Washington for 8 games.

I would disagree with cutting three ST guys for a guy who won't play teams. Obviously it's not gonna happen anyways, but I just thought I'd point that out for those of us who miss the halcyon days of Kelley "barely sees the field" Washington.

[BengalByTheBay]

I don't think that we're going to add anybody at WR at this point. I anticipate they're going with this crew and whether it's Holt, McNeal or Benny the fragile that gets cut, IMO it's around the margins anyway. I don't think Perry played that poorly last week and, despite his drop on 3rd down last night, I still think he's going to start the season at #3. I just don't see anybody making a strong push to get over him, despite his lack of production thus far. I am hopeful that Green will be returning punts rather than Rat (if he even makes the team). I'm not sure I want to see Perry retuning KO's, but I suppose I'm okay with it (just wince verytime he takes a shot to that hip). I also have a completely unsupportable suscpicion that Green can somehow show up in some WR sets -- he just looks like a slot receiver. At any rate, I continue to be so concerned by the defense that things like 3rd WR are pretty far down on my list. If McNeal sticks, I suppose it will be as a project, but I would more than likely expect to see him on the PS (at least after Henry comes back).

[Kazkal]

I see the WR as:

Chad

Touraj

Perry

Green

McNeal

Green

Holt

Brazelle to the PS. Chatman cut bc of constant injury, or put to IR.

Bring back the squirrel!!!!!!

...yes I'm kidding.

I'm not. He could at least make a third down catch. I believe he is fighting for the final wr spot in New England. I'd cut Holt, Chatman and McNeal today in exchange for Washington for 8 games.

I would disagree with cutting three ST guys for a guy who won't play teams. Obviously it's not gonna happen anyways, but I just thought I'd point that out for those of us who miss the halcyon days of Kelley "barely sees the field" Washington.

It wasn't that Kelly wouldn't play special teams,it was they just didn't think he was that good at it his final year he did.

[HoosierCat]

Interesting note from Schefter via PFT...

POSTED 8:32 p.m. EDT, August 28, 2007

PASS-CATCHERS AVAILABLE FOR PEANUTS

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that a trio of Florida receivers are available to any interested takers.

Specifically Reggie Williams of the Jaguars, Michael Clayton of the Bucs, and Chris Chambers of the Dolphins are on the block.

But Schefter says that no serious talks have occurred regarding any of the three, which means that all three of them are in danger of being released on or before Saturday. Chambers, a second-round pick in 2001, has been the best of the three. Clayton and Williams were first-round picks in 2004. Williams was the No. 9 overall pick; Clayton was No. 15.

[membengal]

Would. take. Chris. Chambers. in. one. second. maybe. less.

[HairOnFire]

Would. take. Chris. Chambers. in. one. second. maybe. less.

Won't happen. Schefter went into more detail on Total Access by stating that Chambers is being dangled as very EXPENSIVE trade bait. So expensive that no team has shown any interest. ...further speculating that none will. Williams and Clayton were also mentioned as possible trade bait, but presumably costing MUCH less. Last, Schefter included Kelly Washington in the mix, but I think it's a solid bet that the Patriots won't be able to trade K-Dub, and will have to release him soon. He knows the playbook, which is a huge plus, but he has to know as well that he's not going to get much of a chance to play in Cincy.

[ArmyBengal]

I finnally got the 1st two games sent to me and had time to watch them both and one of my points I was going to make was, McNeal blows goat balls !!! Tentative is an understatement for this guy. His route running capability looked confused at best. He never put himself in a great position to catch the ball and call me unimpressed with his return skills (Run straight until I get tackled) with no cuts. If the the WR's were healthy and Henry wasn't going to be gone, McNeal would be an afterthought. Not to mention he always has that confused look on his face. It was painful to watch him.

WHODEY !!!

[GapControl]

I would take any of those three if we could sign them once released. Chambers would be the nicest one to get. Why are they letting him go? Salary Cap?

[HoosierCat]

I would take any of those three if we could sign them once released. Chambers would be the nicest one to get. Why are they letting him go? Salary Cap?

The fins claim Schefter's report was wrong and they aren't shopping Chambers. But yeah the key thing is $$. I think I read that Chambers is making something like $5m this year and has something like a $7m cap hit.