Camp Battles:

[ArmyBengal]

I had forgotten about his arrests. Then again, I didn't really give him much thought honestly.

Like I said before though with the interest in Jacoby Jones, they appear to have an interest in a vet WR, so who knows how this goes.

Green

Shipley

Hawkins

Tate

Sanu

Jones

Whalen

Binns

I think there is another guy i'm missing, Hazelton maybe, but it's irrelevant. I think in the event they bring in a vet WR, Whalen gets pushed to the PS and Tate is the sacrificial lamb. Lets call that vet WR, "Edwards" for the time being. It would look something like:

Green

Edwards

Shipley

Hawkins

Sanu

Jones (inactive)

When looking at that, I can't say as I would be all that upset, if (as Derek stated) Edwards hasn't had the drop issues he once had.

There could be far worse options and I could understand the move for sure.

[derekshank]

The Bengals may be able to get Sanu and Jones to come in and match Simpson's 50 catches, 700+ yards... but Braylon Edwards would be an immediate upgrade (he had 53 receptions for 900+ yards in 2010).

Yeah, but 2010 looks like an outlier right now. Aside from that year he hasn't done anything worth talking about

I'm not sure I agree. He had a good season in 2009 with the Jets. His stats over the 11 games he started were virtually identical to the numbers he put up in 2010. Hell, 2008 was a decent season for him in Cleveland. It was just a disappointment compared to the huge numbers he put in in 2007, and hasn't been capable of repeating.

He's not a #1. He's a solid #2 WR. The only question in my mind is his health. If his knee is good to go, give him a shot. If Sanu and Jones impress, and the Bengals don't need him, fine. Cut him.

Did we get lucky with Green in terms of impact? Of course. At the same, the arguments for starting Dalton and Green last year are just as valid for running the young'uns out onto the field now. Expectations are higher, but no one is expecting the Super Bowl. It's a young team trying to build a core of key players that can deliver consistent success, right?

Let's put the kids on the field and see what we got.

I won't be angry if that's the route they go. Especially if they do it because the rookies show enough in camp to encourage the coaches to let them play early and often.

On the other hand, Green and Dalton were 1st and 2nd round picks (early 1st and 2nd round picks). They were going to start, whether they played well or not. The same can not be said for 3rd and 6th round picks. Sanu and Jones should have to earn their way on the field. With the current make-up of the roster, the Bengals are basically handing them starting jobs. And while I liked the picks, I'm nervous about asking a couple of later round rookies to be relied on as NFL starters right out of the gate.

Braylon Edwards would be reasonable insurance plan in the event that Sanu and Jones play on par with their draft position.

[TJJackson]

It has been reported that the Bengals have interest in Braylon Edwards.

No

More

Divas

[HoosierCat]

I won't be angry if that's the route they go.

And I would be stunned if you were. I don't think there's any "if" about it. This is the route they've chosen.

I spent the last couple months arguing that they ought to break the bank in free agency, load up in the draft and go all in this year. And I've spent the last couple months being unhappy that they didn't. Well, we are where we are. At this point, to bring in an Edwards only repeats the mistakes of the past -- Coles, Bryant, TO. Leave the hoped-to-be future core on the bench (like Simpson and Caldwell) and try to have their cake and eat it too.

F*ck Edwards. Let the kids play.

[BengalszoneBilly]

It has been reported that the Bengals have interest in Braylon Edwards.

No

More

Divas

I won't be angry if that's the route they go.

And I would be stunned if you were. I don't think there's any "if" about it. This is the route they've chosen.

I spent the last couple months arguing that they ought to break the bank in free agency, load up in the draft and go all in this year. And I've spent the last couple months being unhappy that they didn't. Well, we are where we are. At this point, to bring in an Edwards only repeats the mistakes of the past -- Coles, Bryant, TO. Leave the hoped-to-be future core on the bench (like Simpson and Caldwell) and try to have their cake and eat it too.

F*ck Edwards. Let the kids play.

I'm buying the ticket on this train. Go with what we've got. Let Andy develop with guys that'll be here three years down the road.

[Kazkal]

Im cool Sanu,jones and Shipley

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Not only wouldn't I sign Edwards - I'd get a restraining order to keep him at least 1 mile from Green at all times. Signing him would be exactly the wrong decision - but would totally fit with the Bengals' (presumably Brown's) obsession with former top-10 picks.

I'd handicap it at 2-1 and dropping of getting signed, and 3-1 of him getting signed AND making the final cut.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Please no. There is no need for an aging, average WR on this team. With Shipley coming back and all the talented kids, they have the WR spot covered.

[ArmyBengal]

While I won't say Edwards has to be that player, they obviously feel there is worth in bringing in a vet WR.

I would rather they stay away from the diva types as well, seeing as how they really don't have that anywhere in the WR corps at this point. I agree with the thought that competition for rookies is a good thing and if they prove on the field they are the better option, then great and cut whoever they bring in.

Then again, you simply can't expect every WR coming in to adjust to the game their first season the way Green did.

Jones, while I love the value of the pick, is still a question mark. People don't want to hear it, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Binns really push things as well.

Anyway around, i'm expecting the unexpected with this...

[Wraith]

Lost in all this Edwards talk is that UDFA Kashif Moore might surprise as well. 5'9" but recorded a 43" vert and ran a 4.36 at the combine, he is essentually a clone of Browns Draft Pick Travis Benjamin except he was a team leader and an exceptional character guy. Had a good senior year (not great) at UCONN and drops too many passes but he has the talent to be a good player in this league, don't sleep on him making this team over Baby Hawk.

[redsbengalsbucks]

I think Green, Shipley and Baby Toast are set in stone.

The next three spots should go to the best of the three youngsters, let them develop while playing spot duty. There is no room on this team for a stone handed, @$$ of a WR, that was at best above average in his prime.

Hopefuly if they do bring Edwards in it is to show the youngsters how not working hard leads to not being a star WR in the NFL.

[COB]

It has been reported that the Bengals have interest in Braylon Edwards.

No

More

Divas

Agreed. Edwards is the exact opposite of everything they've been putting together. The selfish, attention-grabbing "star" is becoming a dinosaur in the NFL, and even more so, on this team. So forget Edwards. I'll be extremely disappointed if they sign this guy.

[derekshank]

I would make a couple of points...

1) I think Braylon Edwards is not nearly the lockerroom cancer than Chad and T.O. were. He's had some off the field issues, but I don't think he's the diva he's being painted (he also doesn't have stone hands. He had one bad season, and the reputation stuck with him).

2) I'm excited about the young WRs as much as the next guy... but we're going to have to manage these expectations a little bit. Last year AJ Green and Julio Jones were both very good. But there were 9 other WRs drafted in the first 3 rounds. They averaged 29 receptions, 364 yards, and 2 TDs.

I understand hoping for the best with the young talent the Bengal have, but I also understand that WRs often take a year or two to develop (this is what made AJ Green's season so spectacular). I'm no Edwards fan, and would much prefer Sanu or Jones to step up and produce 50-60 catches for 700-900 yards. But if we're honest, we'll admit that this type of production is rare for rookie WRs - let alone those drafted in the 3rd and 6th rounds. If Sanu and Jones struggle with the NFL learning curve (like most rookie WRs do), then the Bengals are still without a reliable #2 WR.

I'm certainly not saying the Bengals should sign Edwards. There are a lot of unknown factors involved that could lead me to share the common opinion here (maybe he is a cancer, maybe he's still not healthy, or maybe Sanu or Jones are truly NFL ready) but at this present moment in time, I think it is in Cincy's best interest to at the very least investigate whether or not Edwards (or Jacoby Jones) could be an asset.

[princeton]

re-signing Simpson would have been better than bringing in Edwards. At least Simpson was the devil that you knew.

[derekshank]

re-signing Simpson would have been better than bringing in Edwards. At least Simpson was the devil that you knew.

Simpson is the devil that will be serving a 3-game suspension.

If you're going to bring in a veteran WR, the purpose would be to buy the rookies some time to develop. Simpson would force them into a starting role for the first 3 games of the season. And if you're going to do that, you might as well not bring in a veteran at all (which is probably the route they will go).

[Sea Ray]

I think there is another guy i'm missing, Hazelton maybe, but it's irrelevant. I think in the event they bring in a vet WR, Whalen gets pushed to the PS and Tate is the sacrificial lamb.

Who replaces Tate returning kicks?

[derekshank]

I'm hearing some newfound love for Brandon Tate as a guy who will get an opportunity to play offense, not just special teams this year.

This led me to investigate what, if anything, he has ever produced as a WR.

In 2010, Tate caught 24 passes for 432 yards and 3 TDs. Nothing terribly impressive... and yet, Deion Branch was the only WR on the Patriots roster that caught more 20+ yard passes (although Gronk and Hernandez both had more than any Patriot WR). Tate also led the team with 4 40+ yard catches (Tom Brady threw only 9 passes that went 40+, and Tate caught 4 of them). Tate was Brady's lone deep threat that year.

This led me to further consider the Patriots offense. The strength of their passing attack isn't much about star power, but niches. Welker and Gronk may be household names... but we're talking about a slot WR and a TE. Julian Edelman, Danny Woodhead, Deion Branch, and Aaron Hernandez are guys that have found a way to be productive in a non-traditional way. None of them are true "starters" in the NFL. Not a single one of them coule be called a legitimate #2 WR. The Patriots roster is full of guys who have "found their niche" in a highly productive offense.

Is this what the Bengals could be going for? Tate is decent deep threat. Sanu has all the tools to be a legitimate possession WR. Shipley is a pure slot WR. Hawkins' skill set allows for all sorts of gimmicky plays. Gresham and Orson Charles can both create major mismatches as receivers.

I could be reading too much into this... but is it possible that Cincinnati is embracing a new philosophy? Could the Bengals be mimicking the success of New England by building strength in numbers? Is Cincinnati building a roster full of receivers who can find their niche, rejecting the notion that they need a true #2?

Discuss.

[derekshank]

I think there is another guy i'm missing, Hazelton maybe, but it's irrelevant. I think in the event they bring in a vet WR, Whalen gets pushed to the PS and Tate is the sacrificial lamb.

Who replaces Tate returning kicks?

Whether Tate makes the team or not, PacMan Jones is the best return man on the team. Tate wasn't terrible... but Jones is special.

I've stated in other threads that I think Hall will be back before the start of the season. This allows for Hall, Kirkpatrick, Clements and Allen to all potentially be above Jones on the depth chart. Jones is a decent CB, but the depth of the roster will limit the need for him to see the field. And he can do what he has always been best at - returning punts and kickoffs.

[ArmyBengal]

I think there is another guy i'm missing, Hazelton maybe, but it's irrelevant. I think in the event they bring in a vet WR, Whalen gets pushed to the PS and Tate is the sacrificial lamb.

Who replaces Tate returning kicks?

Seriously, who cares ?? Put Scott back there, he did well. Pac Man ?? How about any of the new guys with 4.3-4.4 speed ??

If all Tate is good for is taking a spot to return kicks, I don't want him.

[HoosierCat]

...(or Jacoby Jones)...

Now a Raven. 2 years, $7 million.

[membengal]

I don't get the Tate love.

[HoosierCat]

I don't get the Tate love.

Hobs was pimping him on the .com yesterday, so that's where it's coming from. If the usual pattern holds, over the next few weeks we'll get a steady stream of articles about how player X is going to kick butt in 2012.

As to derek's question about the Bengals embracing a philosophy of strength in numbers...I think that's something every team tries to do. Every team wants to be described as a team with "too many weapons." The '81 Bengals were like that. So were the Rams of the "Greatest Show on Turf" era. The 2012 Bengals have an intriguing mix of players with potential; the questions are whether they can realize that potential and if so, how long it takes.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't get the Tate love.

Have to go off topic here, but at first glance of your post, I thought it read:

"I don't get the TAINT love"

Just goes to show where my mind is this morning huh ??

Back on topic, I don't understand the "Tate" love either.

I know he didn't have time last year to prepare and he was like super-cool having Brady throw him passes in New England and all, but time will tell and i'm not willing to hand him a d*mn thing.

[skyline]

I don't get the Tate love.

Have to go off topic here, but at first glance of your post, I thought it read:

"I don't get the TAINT love"

Just goes to show where my mind is this morning huh ??

Back on topic, I don't understand the "Tate" love either.

...i'm not willing to hand him a d*mn thing.

I don't think any of the coaches plan to hand him anything, either.

The optimism, though, comes from some 4.3 40 times coming out of college and an average of 18.8 yards/reception in the one year he saw the field in New England. He deserves a shot.

[ArmyBengal]

Deserves a shot ?? Absolutely.

I just don't want to hear how someone else isn't equally capable of doing the things he does.

They will figure it out come OTA's and camp for sure !!!