Mike Wallace anyone?

[Spor_tees]

If WR is going to be addressed in the 1st round I'd want Kendall Wright. If he's not available then I'd just wait until later in the draft.

Why would you want a vertical passing game WR in a West Coast Offense that might only take 2-3 shots deep per game? Floyd fits the offense much better than Wright. Floyd is big enough to catch balls over the middle, break tackles, and block in the running game.

[ArmyBengal]

Seeing as how Blackmon is gone top 5, the only other WR I would even consider in the first round in Floyd.

Jeffrey is another one, but only if he checks out well at the combine. The stories of his weight have to be a concern.

Kendall Wright in the first ?? I would like him alot more if he weren't 5'10...

[derekshank]

I don't put stock in anything Hobson writes.

First of all, I don't think he knows what he's talking about. I recall him reporting that the Bengals had no interest in T.O. just 3 days before they signed him. He also wrote that the Bengals would not trade Palmer just 3 days before the deadline... and then the day before the trade, wrote a long article about why the Oakland trade rumors were likely to fall through.

Which brings me to my second point... as an employee of the team, he views his job as one of defending Mike Brown. He seems to try to be proactive by planting seeds that Mike Brown won't make any moves. That way, if he does make a move, Brown looks good... and if he doesn't Hobson has already cited all the reasons he can come up with.

In other words... Hobson is nothing but fluff.

[cincyhokie]

I don't put stock in anything Hobson writes.

First of all, I don't think he knows what he's talking about. I recall him reporting that the Bengals had no interest in T.O. just 3 days before they signed him. He also wrote that the Bengals would not trade Palmer just 3 days before the deadline... and then the day before the trade, wrote a long article about why the Oakland trade rumors were likely to fall through.

Which brings me to my second point... as an employee of the team, he views his job as one of defending Mike Brown. He seems to try to be proactive by planting seeds that Mike Brown won't make any moves. That way, if he does make a move, Brown looks good... and if he doesn't Hobson has already cited all the reasons he can come up with.

In other words... Hobson is nothing but fluff.

+1

[cincyhokie]

I don't put stock in anything Hobson writes.

First of all, I don't think he knows what he's talking about. I recall him reporting that the Bengals had no interest in T.O. just 3 days before they signed him. He also wrote that the Bengals would not trade Palmer just 3 days before the deadline... and then the day before the trade, wrote a long article about why the Oakland trade rumors were likely to fall through.

Which brings me to my second point... as an employee of the team, he views his job as one of defending Mike Brown. He seems to try to be proactive by planting seeds that Mike Brown won't make any moves. That way, if he does make a move, Brown looks good... and if he doesn't Hobson has already cited all the reasons he can come up with.

In other words... Hobson is nothing but fluff.

For this reason I can tolerate Hobson.

I, however, cannot stand Joe Reedy who is equally as clueless but has no clear reason for a bias nor does he have a clear agenda. Other than to seemingly s**t on the hopes and dreams of Bengal fans.

[COB]

Quit slagging on Hobson, he'll probably win a pulitzer prize for journalism before he's done in Cicinnati.

He's about what we should expect from a team flak, whether it's for the Bengals or any other teeam.

[HoosierCat]

In my experience, Hobson is usually pretty accurate in terms of the general thinking going on behind the scenes at PBS. As a predictor of specific events his record is decidedly mixed, but a lot of that can be chalked up to late-breaking events. If Antonio Bryant's knee heals and Jason Campbell doesn't get hurt, he's dead on.

In this case, the picture he paints matches the suspicion I've had that the team intends to use most of its cap space this year in-house. Not that I'm totally opposed to that, but I fear they're going to miss out on an opportunity to improve and win right now.

[derekshank]

If Antonio Bryant's knee heals and Jason Campbell doesn't get hurt, he's dead on.

But that's the thing. He wasn't reporting the possibility, even when new information came to light.

Take the Palmer situation. Jason Campbell was hurt. Mike Brown's stance had softened. ESPN writers were reporting that Oakland was willing to give more than a 1st round pick for Carson Palmer... Yet Hobson continued writing about how Mike Brown was unlikely to budge and Oakland couldn't afford Palmer's salary.

Why? He doesn't report new facts. He writes public relations articles. In this case... he was attempting to brace for the outrage that would come if the deal fell through.

In this case, the picture he paints matches the suspicion I've had that the team intends to use most of its cap space this year in-house.

Perhaps. And it's very possible that he's right. But that's not my point.

My point is that just because Hobson's signature is on the article doesn't give it any more credibility than if you or I wrote it. He's basing his opinion on what he's seen in the past... just like we do. It's a perfectly reasonable opinion, but it's not based on insider information. It's essentially off-season filler. He's blowing hot air and it's nothing to get our panties twisted about.

[derekshank]

Quit slagging on Hobson

Just for the sake of clarity, I would like to point out that I have nothing against Hobson.

As an employee of the team, he brings a certain agenda to his writing. That's to be expected... so I don't have a problem with it. I just want to point out that his agenda often gets in the way of what most people expect from a journalist.

[Spor_tees]

Quit slagging on Hobson

Just for the sake of clarity, I would like to point out that I have nothing against Hobson.

As an employee of the team, he brings a certain agenda to his writing. That's to be expected... so I don't have a problem with it. I just want to point out that his agenda often gets in the way of what most people expect from a journalist.

Maybe Hobson was a fluffer for the adult movie industry in a past life. It's just in his soul and he can't shake it.

[HoosierCat]

From Hoard's twitter:

Dan Hoard ‏ @Dan_Hoard

Marvin Lewis says late last year, coaches were pushing him to play Armon Binns. Sounds like he'll be in WR mix this season

Oh, goody.

[ArmyBengal]

I was actually pretty happy with getting Binns to our practice squad and given time could do well.

That being said, we won't know that until OTA's and camps kick off, long after free agency and the draft are over.

I'm not willing to take the risk of hoping Binns turns out well in not addressing the issue either through FA or the draft.

That's like saying we can skip CB in the first round because Korey Lindsey is going to earn the #2 spot next to Hall.

How about no ??

[volcom69]

Hearing Marvin talk it doesn't sound like they really want a FA wide out. Also sounds like they are more into there own free agents! When asked about Reggie Nelson he said they want to sign him but don't know if they can. Why is it that they act like they have no money?

[cHaD711Johnson]

Seeing as how Blackmon is gone top 5, the only other WR I would even consider in the first round in Floyd.

Jeffrey is another one, but only if he checks out well at the combine. The stories of his weight have to be a concern.

Kendall Wright in the first ?? I would like him alot more if he weren't 5'10...

I don't think that Wright's height is a negative.

[cincyhokie]

Hearing Marvin talk it doesn't sound like they really want a FA wide out. Also sounds like they are more into there own free agents! When asked about Reggie Nelson he said they want to sign him but don't know if they can. Why is it that they act like they have no money?

Don't worry. Soon Hobson will write his annual article about how the Bengals are "already near the salary cap" when considering rookie wages, roster bonuses, signing their backups to extensions, and other hidden costs. If this organization does not sign Nelson because of cost, I will then be convinced Mike Brown's head will explode when the salary floor is enacted in 2013.

[volcom69]

Hearing Marvin talk it doesn't sound like they really want a FA wide out. Also sounds like they are more into there own free agents! When asked about Reggie Nelson he said they want to sign him but don't know if they can. Why is it that they act like they have no money?

Don't worry. Soon Hobson will write his annual article about how the Bengals are "already near the salary cap" when considering rookie wages, roster bonuses, signing their backups to extensions, and other hidden costs. If this organization does not sign Nelson because of cost, I will then be convinced Mike Brown's head will explode when the salary floor is enacted in 2013.

I agree there is no reason not to sign him if they want him. I just want to see them get players that will help improve what they have

[ArmyBengal]

Seeing as how Blackmon is gone top 5, the only other WR I would even consider in the first round in Floyd.

Jeffrey is another one, but only if he checks out well at the combine. The stories of his weight have to be a concern.

Kendall Wright in the first ?? I would like him alot more if he weren't 5'10...

I don't think that Wright's height is a negative.

Not if you want another slot receiver on this team it's not.

But heading into next year we'll have Shipley, Hawkins, and Whalen.

I can't see taking a 1st round guy to compete with them.

Wright won't be a #1 or #2 in the NFL.

[derekshank]

Gotta disagree Army. There are plenty of WRs in the NFL who are under 6'... and they aren't all slot guys. DeSean Jackson, Greg Jennings, Steve Smith, Percy Harvin, and Santana Moss quickly come to mind. Hell... Mike Wallace is listed at exactly 6'0".

There are multiple ways to be a productive WRin the NFL right now. Wright has great speed, and is an amazing threat after the catch. I don't want a 1st round WR, but he'd be on my short list of guys to take.

[volcom69]

Well according to the lastest article Marvin says they are going to stay young, and build through the draft, and not spend big on free agency. He says teams like Pitt and Balt dont spend big but are always in the race. Now while i agree with building through the draft, are guys like Mays, and Sands really ready to take over for the secondary?? I mean we have seen guys like Ghee who have been around for alittle bit and have done nothing, so what makes Sands and Mays any different!

Hobson says the bengals wont be going after guys like Meacham and Manningham, but let guys like Binns play. Once again i like the youth, but they have to have some vet guys in here, and they really could use a vet #2 reciever.

I really hope Marvin and Mike know what they are doing, i liked them last year and they got alot of fans hope up! They better hope this youth movement works, otherwise there will be alot unhappy campers including myself. What will they do with all this so called money??

[HoosierCat]

Well according to the lastest article Marvin says they are going to stay young, and build through the draft, and not spend big on free agency. He says teams like Pitt and Balt dont spend big but are always in the race.

Well, if Marvin said that, then Marvin is full of that stuff known as crap. In fact the Steelers are spending a buttload of money right now. In the last couple of weeks they have spend tens of millions by converting salaries into amortizable signing bonuses to stay ahead of cap jail, a technique pioneered by the likes of Dan Snyder.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

The difference is the Steelers actually draft good players, that they develop and have to pay to keep.

The Bengals' let their players go if they're not a QB, RB, OT or WR, but get "credited" by the local media goons for re-signing slobs like Kyle Cook and Bobbie Williams, when literally no other team wants anything to do with them.

I will give you 20 years of examples of this and why it doesn't work, if that is actually needed here.

[BengalPimp]

Hobson on Wallace-to-the-Bengals speculation: No way, Jose! Why not?

The Bengals are seeking a running mate for Pro Bowl rookie A.J. Green at wide receiver, but with Green looking at franchise numbers himself after the 2013 season, Cincinnati isn't going to engage in that kind of mega deal for a wideout.

One of the dumbest things I've ever heard Hobson say, and the reason he is a writer instead of a GM. How idiotic is that? I mean, AJ Green just finished his Rookie season. He was signed to a 4 year deal. He still has 3 years left on his contract, but if the team wants to extend him in 2 more years, it can try, if not, they can always franchise him 3 years from now and try to work out a new deal then. I am not saying that's the way I would go, my point is, RIGHT NOW, there are a few ways they can go in regards to AJ Green's contract which expires IN 3 YEARS. For Hobson to say Cincinnati "isn't going to engage in that kind of mega deal for a wideout" because of what may happen 2 or 3 years from now IS STUPID and no way to run a Franchise, also, if a contract for Wallace is FRONT LOADED with money they have to spend now, AJ Green's contract 2 or 3 years from now shouldn't really be a problem......DUMB DUMB DUMB

[membengal]

I am membengal and I endorse everything pimp just wrote.

[UK Bengal]

+1 BP

[Sea Ray]

Well according to the lastest article Marvin says they are going to stay young, and build through the draft, and not spend big on free agency. He says teams like Pitt and Balt dont spend big but are always in the race. Now while i agree with building through the draft, are guys like Mays, and Sands really ready to take over for the secondary?? I mean we have seen guys like Ghee who have been around for alittle bit and have done nothing, so what makes Sands and Mays any different!

Hobson says the bengals wont be going after guys like Meacham and Manningham, but let guys like Binns play. Once again i like the youth, but they have to have some vet guys in here, and they really could use a vet #2 reciever.

I really hope Marvin and Mike know what they are doing, i liked them last year and they got alot of fans hope up! They better hope this youth movement works, otherwise there will be alot unhappy campers including myself. What will they do with all this so called money??

You frame the issue very well. They're saying that guys like Mays, Binns and Ghee will develop like Pitt and Balt does with similar players. If they don't then it's on them (Bengals management)