Undrafted Free Agents

[BengalByTheBay]

Don't want to be a wet blanket... but this reminds me of Hype Henderson a few years back.

It was hard to not get at least a little excited - but then, nothing.

Wasn't Henderson repeatedly injured? I'm not saying he wouldn't have been a worthless piece of crap, but he never really put together a string of time when he could play. Not to mention the fact that the Bengals were totally desperate for anyone who could sniff the QB at that point.

[HairOnFire]

Miles:

/>http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1258632

This is what we've become.

Each of us chubbing ever so slighty over the UDFA who none of us has ever seen play, and who represents our only potential upgrade at a position where the current starter has an average shelf life of 3 or 4 weeks. Oh, and the primary backup? A past 7th round pick who was selected only a handful of picks away from Mr Irrelevant glory and fame.

Knowing these things to be true, and they are, what choice do we have but love Miles.

Crumbs.

[ArmyBengal]

There would be no need to chub over any UDFA if the team had simply used a pick on a safety as opposed to some guy they could have gotten "past 7th round".

There are a bunch of ways to look at all of this. All the argument about the late round WR's (which I agree even though I like the Briscoe pick) can ben said for the safety position. Nelson, Ndukwe, Miles and a bunch of guys we didn't draft or picked up from the CFL. I just think it's a joke to say you have to stay true to your board and not give up picks and avoid the opportunity to get your guy. Sure they might not work out, but there's no way anyone can say they wouldn't have been more pleased with Mays or even Rolle in the 5th for that matter, over what we are looking at for safety depth.

However, I can remember just a couple years ago seeing the comment made from Marvin about always thinking of taking a WR in every draft.

They drafted a TE in the first this year so who knows, maybe they will give us something new next year.

Only problem is, the holes that needed to be filled this year will be there again next.

[volcom69]

Miles:

/>http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1258632

This is a great read, i also was reading my sporting news draft magazine and was saying he should be drafted in the 2nd round. Said he will be a starter from day 1, so i dont get why he wasnt drafted either. Ill be watching him close to see how he does.

[cincyhokie]

There would be no need to chub over any UDFA if the team had simply used a pick on a safety as opposed to some guy they could have gotten "past 7th round".

There are a bunch of ways to look at all of this. All the argument about the late round WR's (which I agree even though I like the Briscoe pick) can ben said for the safety position. Nelson, Ndukwe, Miles and a bunch of guys we didn't draft or picked up from the CFL. I just think it's a joke to say you have to stay true to your board and not give up picks and avoid the opportunity to get your guy. Sure they might not work out, but there's no way anyone can say they wouldn't have been more pleased with Mays or even Rolle in the 5th for that matter, over what we are looking at for safety depth.

However, I can remember just a couple years ago seeing the comment made from Marvin about always thinking of taking a WR in every draft.

They drafted a TE in the first this year so who knows, maybe they will give us something new next year.

Only problem is, the holes that needed to be filled this year will be there again next.

Taking best the available pick can be true for MAYBE the first round. After that, you have to fill needs. To say or suggest otherwise is BS. It sure would seem more logical for the Bengals to take a safety in at least the 4th or 5th rounds. This pissed me off to an extent as well. What we don't know is how the coaches and staff rank their boards. Honestly, I'm really damn curious.

[alleycat]

Well, maybe. Then again, I'm thinking that perhaps Zim is changing his whole philosophy a bit. I nabbed this from another board:

This is what Zimmer had to say about safeties not long ago . . .

"Everybody in the NFL is looking for cover safeties," Zimmer said. "You're playing three and four receivers, and tight ends that can run. So what's wrong with playing three corners and a safety? We're not really a Cover 2 team, but a Cover 2 corner might fit for us as a free safety."

So then I go look at the Roster and see that Rico Murray is listed as a Safety, and played that position end of the season against the jets. I also start thinking that perhaps that's what becomes of Morgan Trent. And then I think about all of the Brandon Ghee write-ups calling him extremely physical. And I start to wonder...

'

Maybe there is a plan that (surprise) we aren't privy to?

[HairOnFire]

So then I go look at the Roster and see that Rico Murray is listed as a Safety, and played that position end of the season against the jets. I also start thinking that perhaps that's what becomes of Morgan Trent. And then I think about all of the Brandon Ghee write-ups calling him extremely physical. And I start to wonder...

'

Maybe there is a plan that (surprise) we aren't privy to?

Then why the acknowledged interest in using a 2nd round pick, and another pick used as a sweetner, to get Taylor Mays?

[blueridge]

So then I go look at the Roster and see that Rico Murray is listed as a Safety, and played that position end of the season against the jets. I also start thinking that perhaps that's what becomes of Morgan Trent. And then I think about all of the Brandon Ghee write-ups calling him extremely physical. And I start to wonder...

'

Maybe there is a plan that (surprise) we aren't privy to?

Then why the acknowledged interest in using a 2nd round pick, and another pick used as a sweetner, to get Taylor Mays?

Either because they thought he can learn to cover or they envisioned him as an OLB.I believe there is much to this idea that the Bengals are looking for cover safeties and aren't really too eager to add another in-the-box type. Could readily explain why they weren't too interested in Reshad Jones,Larry Asante etc. Just an idea.

[alleycat]

So then I go look at the Roster and see that Rico Murray is listed as a Safety, and played that position end of the season against the jets. I also start thinking that perhaps that's what becomes of Morgan Trent. And then I think about all of the Brandon Ghee write-ups calling him extremely physical. And I start to wonder...

'

Maybe there is a plan that (surprise) we aren't privy to?

Then why the acknowledged interest in using a 2nd round pick, and another pick used as a sweetner, to get Taylor Mays?

Either because they thought he can learn to cover or they envisioned him as an OLB.I believe there is much to this idea that the Bengals are looking for cover safeties and aren't really too eager to add another in-the-box type. Could readily explain why they weren't too interested in Reshad Jones,Larry Asante etc. Just an idea.

Or, for the one traditional safety they do have on the field, they are looking for a more traditional SS, enforcer type to replace the fragile Roy Williams. And Mays would have certainly filled those shoes. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Safety wasn't a need, nor that it wasn't missed in the draft. If you'll remember, Hair, I posted a pre-draft wish list that included Safety in the second round - and no later than third. I''m just realizing that if it was VITAL, then we either needed to spend our 1st for Mays (and so we can hold up Gresham's performance to Mays' from now on), or our second for one of the trio of Burnett, Jones, or Wright (and we can hold up Dunlap to them) - not that we'll ever know if we WOULD have taken them with that second spot if Dunlap weren't around, mind you...

[HairOnFire]

Bengals Sign NCCU Offensive Lineman Gabriel Manns

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 29, 2010

According to North Carolina Central University's athletic site, the Bengals have signed Gabriel Manns, an undrafted free agent offensive lineman.

A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Manns was a four-year starter on the left side of the Eagles' offensive line at both guard and tackle positions. During his standout career (2005-06, '08-09), he played in all 46 games, while missing only two starts, both during the 2006 season due to injury and to allow a senior teammate to start on Senior Day.

"It means a lot," Manns said about him attaining his goal of joining the NFL. "It shows that hard work does pay off."

[redsbengalsbucks]

Here is another snipet about him:

On the East team, 6-5, 322-pound North Carolina Central left tackle Gabriel Manns is grabbing attention with his stature, but is raw in technique. He's a classic waist-bender, leaning forward or reaching for his man, which causes him to lose leverage and/or his balance. But his athleticism will get him a look in someone's training camp.