John Thornton claims he is no longer a Bengal!

[BengalszoneBilly]

Video from his new blog site!

...oh, I almost forgot...HURRAY!! :excitedgroup: :excitedgroup:

[Kazkal]

JT Thanks for the years of service and been a good leader but time to go with youth & beef movement.....mmmmmm 320+lb DT's I like it

[gregstephens]

Promises, promises, JT.

[Thurmanation]

lol at "i never made an all pro team, so i might as well be an all pro blogger"

Taker easy JT, you'll probably end up on the saints or lions.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Why would anyone want to buy his old website!?!

[BlainThePain]

I still think he could make a good strong-side 3-4 end somewhere.

[Baraka]

although his production has never been top-notch, his leadership in the locker room and the example he has set on how to be a citizen will be sorely missed on a young team that needs veterans. hopefully dhani, peko, and duke can take up his mantle.

[gregstephens]

although his production has never been top-notch, his leadership in the locker room and the example he has set on how to be a citizen will be sorely missed on a young team that needs veterans. hopefully dhani, peko, and duke can take up his mantle.

He and Willie together didn't hold it together in '07. He couldn't do anything with this team in '08. The whole leadership thing is somewhat viewed in a skewed fashion, IMHO. You need to bang those two knucklehead WRs together, assuming either or both come back next year. Carson should step up and be the vocal leader of this team, not some second rate defensive lineman who, apparently, the best any of us can say about is that he's a good lockerroom guy. You get an entire team of second rate players who are good lockerroom guys, you know what you got? Losers.

[Baraka]

point taken.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I wonder if that means that the team informed him they would not attempt to resign him. I wouldn't mind having him back for depth at a minimal price. He seems to like the city and the organization and he played well at DE at the end of the year.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I wonder if that means that the team informed him they would not attempt to resign him.

How else can you take it?

[Thurmanation]

I think he would make a GREAT 3-4 end.

[icehole3]

I think he would make a GREAT 3-4 end.

Who?

[icehole3]

although his production has never been top-notch, his leadership in the locker room and the example he has set on how to be a citizen will be sorely missed on a young team that needs veterans. hopefully dhani, peko, and duke can take up his mantle.

He and Willie together didn't hold it together in '07. He couldn't do anything with this team in '08. The whole leadership thing is somewhat viewed in a skewed fashion, IMHO. You need to bang those two knucklehead WRs together, assuming either or both come back next year. Carson should step up and be the vocal leader of this team, not some second rate defensive lineman who, apparently, the best any of us can say about is that he's a good lockerroom guy. You get an entire team of second rate players who are good lockerroom guys, you know what you got? Losers.

I agree, no one stood up to the 2 knuckleheads except Madieu who was reported knock Chad around in practice.

[ArmyBengal]

Bye Thornton... Thanks for whatever leadership you did provide to the youngsters and good luck. Nothing else, just that.

[gregstephens]

Bye Thornton... Thanks for whatever leadership you did provide to the youngsters

Which actually raises an interesting point. Need somebody's help here. I tend to tune out whenever I hear Thornton's name because of his lack of playing skill. What, exactly, is JT reputed to have done in the past in terms of the 'leadership' question? Examples would help a great deal. Not being a smart guy here, I just truly don't know. Is his leadership in something, or merely in him keeping his yapper shut and 'doing his job', so to speak?

[ArmyBengal]

That's why I said, "whatever" leadership. I really don't know, but that's what I've heard. I do know he played a part in getting Sims into the starting rotation. However, it's not like the coaches "needed" Thornton to say that. I mean, I'm pretty sure his play spoke for itself at the DT position...

[HAPPYJAQ]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

[Walrus]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

I'm pretty sure I read he had done a lot to reach out to guys like Thurman and Brooks -- inviting them over to his house and trying to spend time w/ them. And then there's the work he does in the community for Autism. He's a nice guy and a solid citizen. Wish he brought a bit more as a player -- although I will say he's been healthy and dependable, which is more than a large chunk of the roster can say.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

I'm pretty sure I read he had done a lot to reach out to guys like Thurman and Brooks -- inviting them over to his house and trying to spend time w/ them. And then there's the work he does in the community for Autism. He's a nice guy and a solid citizen. Wish he brought a bit more as a player -- although I will say he's been healthy and dependable, which is more than a large chunk of the roster can say.

I totally agree. I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a backup.

[ArmyBengal]

At the vet minimum as opposed to that ridiculous number he got paid for last years production...

[Walrus]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

I'm pretty sure I read he had done a lot to reach out to guys like Thurman and Brooks -- inviting them over to his house and trying to spend time w/ them. And then there's the work he does in the community for Autism. He's a nice guy and a solid citizen. Wish he brought a bit more as a player -- although I will say he's been healthy and dependable, which is more than a large chunk of the roster can say.

I totally agree. I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a backup.

Not sure I'd go that far.

Seriously, not sure what the vet minimum would be for JT, but prob too much for what he brings.

As far as the mantle of character and leadership is concerned, you don't need to look that far to find other guys like Peko and Dhani - and possibly Hall and Rivers -- to take his place.

[gregstephens]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

I'm pretty sure I read he had done a lot to reach out to guys like Thurman and Brooks -- inviting them over to his house and trying to spend time w/ them. And then there's the work he does in the community for Autism. He's a nice guy and a solid citizen. Wish he brought a bit more as a player -- although I will say he's been healthy and dependable, which is more than a large chunk of the roster can say.

I totally agree. I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a backup.

Not sure I'd go that far.

Seriously, not sure what the vet minimum would be for JT, but prob too much for what he brings.

As far as the mantle of character and leadership is concerned, you don't need to look that far to find other guys like Peko and Dhani - and possibly Hall and Rivers -- to take his place.

I agree with you and AB. If he would stay at vet minimum and that was a relatively low number (400 k-ish to 500 k), MAYBE. Otherwise...call it a career, JT, because I don't see anyone else picking him up. Brian Simmons got one year after he left here, hardly ever played, and is now not playing. I think he had more to offer than JT.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

I'm pretty sure I read he had done a lot to reach out to guys like Thurman and Brooks -- inviting them over to his house and trying to spend time w/ them. And then there's the work he does in the community for Autism. He's a nice guy and a solid citizen. Wish he brought a bit more as a player -- although I will say he's been healthy and dependable, which is more than a large chunk of the roster can say.

I totally agree. I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a backup.

Not sure I'd go that far.

Seriously, not sure what the vet minimum would be for JT, but prob too much for what he brings.

As far as the mantle of character and leadership is concerned, you don't need to look that far to find other guys like Peko and Dhani - and possibly Hall and Rivers -- to take his place.

I agree with you and AB. If he would stay at vet minimum and that was a relatively low number (400 k-ish to 500 k), MAYBE. Otherwise...call it a career, JT, because I don't see anyone else picking him up. Brian Simmons got one year after he left here, hardly ever played, and is now not playing. I think he had more to offer than JT.

People thought that Brian Robinson was a scrub, too, and he just started for the Cardinals in the Super Bowl.

I blame it on coaching, or the lack thereof.

[gregstephens]

I'm pretty sure he was a "lead by example" type. Good company man. I've read where Sims credited him for helping in his development. We haven't had a vocal, fiery defensive leader since Takeo left. That would be the ONLY reason I'd be happy with taking Rey Rey in the draft, as he may be that type of player.

I just hope we trade down first.

I'm pretty sure I read he had done a lot to reach out to guys like Thurman and Brooks -- inviting them over to his house and trying to spend time w/ them. And then there's the work he does in the community for Autism. He's a nice guy and a solid citizen. Wish he brought a bit more as a player -- although I will say he's been healthy and dependable, which is more than a large chunk of the roster can say.

I totally agree. I wouldn't mind seeing him back as a backup.

Not sure I'd go that far.

Seriously, not sure what the vet minimum would be for JT, but prob too much for what he brings.

As far as the mantle of character and leadership is concerned, you don't need to look that far to find other guys like Peko and Dhani - and possibly Hall and Rivers -- to take his place.

I agree with you and AB. If he would stay at vet minimum and that was a relatively low number (400 k-ish to 500 k), MAYBE. Otherwise...call it a career, JT, because I don't see anyone else picking him up. Brian Simmons got one year after he left here, hardly ever played, and is now not playing. I think he had more to offer than JT.

People thought that Brian Robinson was a scrub, too, and he just started for the Cardinals in the Super Bowl.

I blame it on coaching, or the lack thereof.

I don't see anyone mistaking JT for Brian Robinson, coaching issues aside.