Bye Week Mockery

[HoosierCat]

Well, since everyone has apparently thrown in the towel on the season, I figure we may as well get going on the next phase of our collective misery: next April's draft.

If the draft were held today, the Bengals would have the 9th overall pick in the first round (see all you complainers, they're in the top 10 in something!) They would also have the 8th (courtesy of the Raiders) and 14th selections in the second round, giving them three picks in the top 46.

Per ye olde draft trade chart, packaging either of the second-round picks with the nine spot could jump us as high as fourth. So they have the ammo to go after just about any player in the first and still leave themselves with a second-round selection. Just eyeballing some early mocks, it looks like there could be a run on defensive linemen and linebackers (with a couple QBs scattered in) in the top eight picks, so if the Bengals want a blue-chipper there they may have to move up. At the moment, the nine hole does look like an ideal spot to snag a top WR prospect like Allen or Woods.

Right now it looks like there is just one RB prospect with a first-round grade, Marcus Lattimore, but he is a mid- to late-first prospect, not a top 10 guy (at least currently). It's another bad year for RBs. If the Bengals were to package their two second-round picks they could jump back into the middle of the first, however, assuming they could find a partner. If they keep the two picks, right now it looks like there will be value there at most spots they need, including safety, corner, linebacker, wide receiver and offensive line.

[ArmyBengal]

If they end up picking that high, I would fully expect them to want to trade out of the spot and acquire additional picks.

Yes, i'm one of the ones that thinks the season is over. This team will not have a winning record and therefore will not make the playoffs in 2012. I hate to say it, but I just don't see it with this schedule.

[volcom69]

If they end up picking that high, I would fully expect them to want to trade out of the spot and acquire additional picks.

Yes, i'm one of the ones that thinks the season is over. This team will not have a winning record and therefore will not make the playoffs in 2012. I hate to say it, but I just don't see it with this schedule.

I am as well, there's is nothing that I have seen that shows things will improve. I hope they do, but I'm not getting my hopes up, not with Marvin still here.

[HoosierCat]

If they end up picking that high, I would fully expect them to want to trade out of the spot and acquire additional picks.

Not a big fan of the idea. They have quantity; what they need is quality. And the more picks they get in a given draft, the worse they seem to do. That said, they haven't exactly been hitting homer after homer in the top rounds in the last few years.

I could see them doing it if they get a stiffy for Lattimore. At least, I think they'd be more likely to slide down than package their seconds and move up. And who knows where Lattimore ultimately gets ranked. If he stays the only first round RB prospect he will almost certainly rise due to a lack of options at the position, so 9 might be a good spot after all.

[TallCat]

Walterfootball.com has us picking 10th. They are using our calling for us to use our first three picks on defense. Two linebackers (Manti Te'o and Chase Thomas) and a safety (T.J. McDonald).

[HoosierCat]

I like Te'o but I think Vontaze has dibs on the middle after Maualuga shuffles off to the arena league.

[ArmyBengal]

Isn't 2013 the season they have to pay up to like 95% of the cap ??

Yeah, I can certainly envision them trying to get more for their money in a trade down.

Maybe even where they acquire another pick in the following draft.

That being said, I never said I was in favor of that direction.

OLB, Safety, and RB in whatever order presents the best option for the first 3 picks.

[HoosierCat]

Isn't 2013 the season they have to pay up to like 95% of the cap ??

Yeah, but as I understand it, the catch is that it's a league-wide cap. And since Snyder and Kraft and Jones will still spend oodles more, the small market teams can still hold spending down.

[kingwilly]

I like Te'o but I think Vontaze has dibs on the middle after Maualuga shuffles off to the arena league.

That's an insult to Arena League LB's across this great country.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Ugh. Bye weeks SUCK!

[COB]

I think this year the bye is worse because we suck so bad right now, and there doesn't seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. At this point I hope they're scheming to throw the rest of the season and get Geno Smith from West Virginia. They may not have to throw the rest of the season, they can just stay the course right now, they'll still probably be able to get him.

[COB]

The below passage is from Smith's wiki page. He's smart, so far has demonstrated good citizenship and work ethic, and has a top rate NFL caliber arm. Go get him, and we're set at qb for like 12 -16 years.

Smith was classified as gifted and taught an advanced curriculum emphasizing creativity and the arts, including writing stories and poetry. Smith acted as well, performing in his school’s production of “The Nutcracker”. In fifth grade, Smith won an oratorical contest reciting work by the poet Langston Hughes. Smith even competed in chess tournaments, however, he enjoyed sketching cartoon characters the most.

Smith was admitted to Norland Middle School’s magnet program, which dedicated two hours a day to arts instruction. "There, Smith thrived, drawing with pencils and charcoal. Painting with pastels and acrylic paints required touch, foresight and patience. Minor mistakes could nullify hours of work. No matter what tools he employed, he was a perfectionist."[1]

[COB]

I just read the thesis Smith wrote to graduate from the 8th grade. It was titled, "Comparing and Contrasting Homer's 'The Odyssey' with the modern-day technology tour de force that is the Fuel Injection System in the 1996 Chevy Lumina: History's Epic Poem meets Detroit's Masterwork."

I didn't understand most of it, but he's obviously perfect for the Bengals. Katie, put down the field hockey stick and go get Geno Smith!

[HoosierCat]

Hey, guess what team has the highest paid long snapper in the NFL?

[volcom69]

I just read the thesis Smith wrote to graduate from the 8th grade. It was titled, "Comparing and Contrasting Homer's 'The Odyssey' with the modern-day technology tour de force that is the Fuel Injection System in the 1996 Chevy Lumina: History's Epic Poem meets Detroit's Masterwork."

I didn't understand most of it, but he's obviously perfect for the Bengals. Katie, put down the field hockey stick and go get Geno Smith!

I'm high on Geno Smith as well, but will the bengals give up on Dalton so soon? If Marvin is here next year which I'm sure he will i doubt they will. However I'm ready to start over with this coaching staff, and let the new staff evaluate the team.

[ct_bengal]

The bengals are not drafting geno smith. Lattimore broke his leg today so he undoubtedly will fall in the draft, if we are lucky the bengals nab him with their late 2nd/ 3rd rounder and draft defense otherwise.

This is a rebuilding effort - and it shows this year. The bengals were lucky to make the playoffs last year, they are not going to blow it up no matter what happens this season.

[volcom69]

The bengals are not drafting geno smith. Lattimore broke his leg today so he undoubtedly will fall in the draft, if we are lucky the bengals nab him with their late 2nd/ 3rd rounder and draft defense otherwise...

That was nasty I feel so bad for him! However I'm not sure he plays football again, I hope I'm wrong. His knee cap was off to the side of his leg, very bad.

[ArmyBengal]

With all of Lattimore's injury concerns, I would just as soon pass on him.

Get a speed guy in the 3rd or 4th, loading up at the OLB and Safety spots, along with a BPA selection in there.

Maybe CB, WR, OG, whatever...

[Scottishbengal]

OLB, Safety, and RB in whatever order presents the best option for the first 3 picks.

You're not sold on Taylor Mays or Robert Sands being able to take the Safety position and make it their own, even 10 months from now ??

If the Safeties did develop enough to be productive on the team it would certainly free up a draft pick for one of the other areas of need .... LB, 2nd WR, CB, Linemen.

I can't see them taking a RB in the first half of the draft, more likely to draft late or UDFA as "projects" or pull in a journeyman player if they see fit to upgrade Scott / Leonard

Anyone know who's contracts are due to expire before next season ?? This may also have a bearing on who they have to draft if a current player wants to exit

[Scottishbengal]

He's smart, so far has demonstrated good citizenship and work ethic, and has a top rate NFL caliber arm. Go get him, and we're set at qb for like 12 -16 years.

No way the Bengals give up on Dalton .....especially when Dalton has just come off a Pro Bowl season .....sophomore slump, it happens but infact Dalton is on course for an improved season compared to last year.

2011: 300 comp 516 att 58.1% 3398 yds 20 TDs 13 Ints 20 sacks 80.4 rating

2012: 156 comp 243 att 64.2% 1831 yds 13 TDs 10 Ints 17 sacks 87.7 rating

Yep, Interceptions are up - as are sacks Dalton has taken - so I'd stand up and say that play calling, support players and coaching are the key here and not Dalton. We have a decent QB, lets move on and use the draft to plug the holes that need to be plugged.

[cincy9275]

no dont give up on dalton. get the man some help like a real rb and a real #2 w/r. then also help out by giving the defense a lb that can play f**k rey. he is the worst starting lb in the nfl. yea this team needs some players. no way do i give up on dalton! remember teams gave up on a guy name drew brees . turned out brees is pretty damn good.

[volcom69]

I don't think there going to give up on Dalton! I agree they need to give him help, somebody who can get off press coverage. Play calling as well needs to improve, I'm hoping they figure something out after the bye week, there needs to be an attitude change!

[ArmyBengal]

OLB, Safety, and RB in whatever order presents the best option for the first 3 picks.

You're not sold on Taylor Mays or Robert Sands being able to take the Safety position and make it their own, even 10 months from now ??

If the Safeties did develop enough to be productive on the team it would certainly free up a draft pick for one of the other areas of need .... LB, 2nd WR, CB, Linemen.

I can't see them taking a RB in the first half of the draft, more likely to draft late or UDFA as "projects" or pull in a journeyman player if they see fit to upgrade Scott / Leonard

Anyone know who's contracts are due to expire before next season ?? This may also have a bearing on who they have to draft if a current player wants to exit

To be fair, I updated my thoughts on that right before your last post, waiting until the 3rd or 4th for a RB.

In regards to safety, Mays, Sands, Iloka, or anyone else not named Nelson shouldn't be any more than a teams player.

Many people only liked the Nelson resigning due to not having any other options and still view him as upgradeable.

If they wait and think they will find a replacement to the RB corps in the UDFA ranks, I might have to go on a killing spree.

The difference in RB and the #2 WR is we actually have guys that can still develop into the #2.

The question is, how long will that take, but you don't go looking for a #2 WR in the first round when you have other needs.

[HoosierCat]

Anyone know who's contracts are due to expire before next season ?? This may also have a bearing on who they have to draft if a current player wants to exit

Bengals 2013 free agents (all are UFAs):

Bruce Gradkowski

Brian Leonard

Mike Nugent

Kevin Huber

Andre Smith

Robert Geathers

Thomas Howard

The biggest name (no pun intended) is Smith, As long as he doesn't get hurt over the balance of the year, he will draw serious offers in FA. It's not clear to me at all whether the Bengals will be willing to pony up the coin which will be needed to sign him.

Howard's injury makes him a big question, too. If the Bengals follow their normal MO they will not rush to resign him.

Nugent is currently the franchise player, and obviously if they don't resign Huber we are drafting a punter.

I don't expect Leonard, Gradkowski or Geathers to return.

[cincy9275]

I don't think there going to give up on Dalton! I agree they need to give him help, somebody who can get off press coverage. Play calling as well needs to improve, I'm hoping they figure something out after the bye week, there needs to be an attitude change!

i really think marvin has to a lot to do with the play calling. i think that green light gruden had is now a yellow check with me light. also if we execute the plays that are being called, maybe it's a non issue. to me the min problem is the running game. really need to let ced and maybe boom carry the load. teams know they can stop us with their front 7 or really front 4. the play nickle,dime and 2 deep on us and dare us to beat them with our rb's.. fact is we can't! bjge is not a bell cow, a 3rd down and situation back at best. if we had a running threat teams would have to respect it, freeing up our passing game. oo it helps to have db's and lb's that can play.