Draft - call me crazy!!

[combatbengal]

In this years draft, I'd be willing to take a chance on Marcus Lattimore from South Carolina in the 2nd or 3rd round. Yes he's been injured the past two seasons but Willis Mcghee tore his leg up and came back to be a great RB and aset for his team! I think Marcus can do the same thing.

Now in FA, I would love to get a hold of Dwight Freeney for the right price. He stated that he wants to go to a team that has a chance to win it all and we do have that!

Told you that I was thinking crazy!!

[TJJackson]

I think Lattimore will last into round 5 or later on durability concerns, and if he can be had with our 5 or one of our 6's, I'm fine with that as long as he is healthy __now__

On Freeney - I'd rather keep the young DEs we have now

[ArmyBengal]

They say Lattimore has been doing amazingly well, but still can't say if he's going to be ready to play this year.

With that being the case, I can't see using a pick that high on a player with no guarantees to play this year.

Now, if he were to last until the 5th (Won't happen) then I would have less of an issue with it.

Freeney ?? Better than bringing in some first round bust that has traveled from team to team in the past 2 seasons.

[skyline]

I think someone takes Lattimore in the 2nd, or 3rd at the latest.

Just a hunch.

[combatbengal]

Yea, I think Lattimore will be gone by the 4th round. If you think about it, Sanu was a grat pick for us but he got hurt and didn't pay most of the season. So I would be fine with Lattimore being a back up and learning to be a pro for the first half of the season.

I'm in PA for work and word around here is that The Bengals are going to go after Wallace. I'm not sure that will happen but crazier things have occured!!

[ArmyBengal]

The difference between Sanu and Lattimore is that Sanu was healthy from the jump, didn'tget hurt until later in the season after establishing himself as the #2 WR on the team, and hasn't suffered TWO serious knee injuries the second of which is still expected to make him miss all of next season.

I liked the idea of Wallace last year, but not so much this year.

I don't see it for the same reason I don't see any other high priced FA.

That and the Steelers have moved on from him, so it's no big blow to them considering how he played last season.

[Wraith]

I don't think you are crazy, in fact I think there is a good chance Lattimore becomes the best pro in this draft, though there is also a chance he doesn't ever come back two serious knee injuries in two years is nothing to sneeze at. It is a make or break pick and a tremendous gamble.

[ArmyBengal]

It is a make or break pick and a tremendous gamble.

Which exactly why I don't want to see the Bengals take that chance with an early pick.

If people think (and most do) that the Bengals are close, you simply don't pass up a player like Giovanni or Lacy in the 2nd, who will impact the team immediately and possibly push the offense over the top, to take a player that more than likely won't play this season. I really just don't understand that thought process in any way, shape, or form.

It's not to say that Lattimore won't some day be a better than average RB, i'm simply saying it's not the smart thing to do. If it doesn't work out, how far back does that set the team? That's a fairly significant "IF".

Again, if he were to drop to the 5th round, I could see him as an option, but only after we take an impact RB for THIS year in the 2nd. Then I guess we would be looking at BJGE along with two new RB's. Scott won't be brought back (who cares?), no Leonard, Herron to the PS maybe. It just seems to risky.

[combatbengal]

I like Scott and Leonard!! Scott seems to always get positive yardage when we use him. Leonard is a beast when we use him. BJAR sucked at the beginning of the season; yardage wasn't great and he dropped the rock a few times.

Last night, they said that they spoke to Marvin about our cap space and he told them that the Bengals aren't really looking outside of the team and want to sign our own.

[TJJackson]

Freeney ?? Better than bringing in some first round bust that has traveled from team to team in the past 2 seasons.

Now don't forget about the money difference...a severely declining Freeny for huge money -or- a guy who might flash what he once was for vet min

I want the money we have for DLine to be spent on the DLine we have now, not some outsider. Keep this group together.

[ArmyBengal]

Scott sucks and I didn't want him back last season, so I really don't want him back this one.

I like Leonard as well.

I think the reason BJGE wasn't getting yards early on had more to do with the fact Boling was inserted for Wharton, Faine was brought in when Cook went down, and they were starting a rookie at the RG spot. It took time to get the interior of that o-line together and then Robinson was put into the mix. So i'm not about to pretend the conditions were all wonderful for whomever was carrying the ball.

However, as the season went on, the running game improved.

I'm good with leaving Boling to start at LG, love seeing Zeitler at RG, but want an upgrade to the Center position.

I don't like Cook and Robinson is still an unknown factor who struggled at times.

[TJJackson]

I was as big a fan of Bernard Scott as there was on this board, but yeah, he tailed off after some good games earlier in his career.

If they do resign him, it'll need to be for vet min, so that if he shows in camp he has nothing left in the tank, the cap hit will be nada

I don't think running backs have a long shelf life in general in the NFL. They take a ton of punishment and you have to keep replacing them

[HoosierCat]

My bet is Lattimore goes early in round 4. IMO too many questions for a first or second round pick. Maybe possibly a third but I would bet top 5-10 in the 4th.

[combatbengal]

The Fins may not resign Reggie Bush, could that be a good fit for us; if hte money is right?

[ArmyBengal]

I don't want to see any scenario where we continue to put off getting a RB to pair with Dalton and Green.

Not some older back for a season or two, but a younger guy to be a sustaining force for years.

Sort of like safety in my opinion.

Stop with the older one or two year deals when you have positions they need to get younger in.

[HoosierCat]

I am totally down with Reggie Bush.

In unrelated sucky news, Star Lotuelei has a heart condition that was discovered during the combine's medical exams. He's leaving to go back to Utah for more tests.

/>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/24/combine-medical-test-reveals-star-lotulelei-has-heart-condition/

[combatbengal]

This years RB in the draft don't look that great and by the time we select, the ones that are decent, may be gone! Monte Ball from Wisconsin will be gone by time we select and they have him as the best so far.

[ArmyBengal]

The RB's (DURING THE COMBINE) haven't looked all that great at all.

The ones expected to run fast, really haven't impressed and the ones that have aren't thought of to be that great.

I still don't think it's all that confusing though because like I said in caps, it's just the combine.

It's one small portion of the big picture.

However, I would be prepared to wait until the 3rd to take a RB, if the right player would be there when we pick.

We all know players fall, so it will be interesting to watch.

[kingwilly]

I'd love to give Lattimore a chance but it wold be hard to go higher than a 5th. I do think someone deep at RB might snag him earlier.

For the Bengals, they need a "now" RB, not a year or two guy.

Again, if he's there in 5th, grab him.

BTW, only saw footage of his injury during his profile on NFL Network.... Gotta say it looked very very ugly. Maybe since it was such a clean tear all the way around it will heal fster better, than a partial tear? Dunno... but it was gruesome. yikes.

[kingwilly]

I am totally down with Reggie Bush.

In unrelated sucky news, Star Lotuelei has a heart condition that was discovered during the combine's medical exams. He's leaving to go back to Utah for more tests.

/>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/24/combine-medical-test-reveals-star-lotulelei-has-heart-condition/

I'm warming to the Bush.

I think he could really propser if Gruden uses him properly. I think his price tag might be what prevents it.

[ArmyBengal]

Warming to Bush for me equates to settling.

Settling for a season or two, sort of like BJGE, without a long term solution.

I guess if Gruden and company feel Bush is the "solution" then fine, but I can't say as I feel that way.

[HoosierCat]

Warming to Bush for me equates to settling.

Settling for a season or two, sort of like BJGE, without a long term solution.

I guess if Gruden and company feel Bush is the "solution" then fine, but I can't say as I feel that way.

Bush wouldn't be settling. He'll be 28 this coming season, but there's still a lot of tread left on his tires, and check those receiving numbers.

/>http://www.nfl.com/player/reggiebush/2506874/profile

Perfect for Gruden's scheme if you ask me.

[Stripes]

I would be perfectly fine with Bush, assuming the $$$ aren't outrageous. He'd be just about a perfect fit for this offense and exactly what the Bengals lacked in 2012. He's young enough to be perceived as a somewhat long-term contributor.

Probably a nil chance of it happening though.

[Stripes]

If the Bengals don't pursue a RB in FA, then I definitely hope they don't plan on going after someone like Lattimore in the late rounds. I don't necessarily think he's a guaranteed flop, but that's just not the sort of investment I want to see in that position. It's too important for the late-round gamble, like linebacker was last year (thank goodness Burfict turned out to be a rare jackpot). I want a prospect that lends confidence and I want him early.

[volcom69]

I wouldnt mind Bush as well, problem is i dont think he comes cheap, and i dont think the bengals will spend big money outside in FA this year. They have too many of there own core players to sign. Now if he does come a little cheaper then maybe they do go after him.

I really think the bengals will be looking at Lacy and im ok with that, im just not sure he will last into the second. I really dont want a first round RB, and even though they are struggling at the combine i still think the RB class is pretty deep, and somebody good will be there in the second.