A.J. Green injured.

[HoosierCat]

Here's a thought, and the only reason I bring this up is because of Ken Riley, who, as an old timer fan, I have a lot of respect for.

Riley mentored this McCalebb kid and was very impressed.

Not sure how the roster thing works, but IF AJ has to sit out, can they bring his kid up to return kickoffs and see what he can do until AJ gets back?

Well, I'd be happy with Anyone Not Named Brandon Tate returning kicks, but if AJ's out they will just activate another wide receiver. As Hue alludes to on bengals.com, that's likely to be rookie James Wright. He's got the speed: Wright ran a 4.45 40 at his pro day (AJ ran a 4.48) but he was relgated to teams his final year in college because of a talent logjam ahead of him. Look for him to get some opportunities Sunday.

[Walrus]

Here's a thought, and the only reason I bring this up is because of Ken Riley, who, as an old timer fan, I have a lot of respect for.

Riley mentored this McCalebb kid and was very impressed.

Not sure how the roster thing works, but IF AJ has to sit out, can they bring his kid up to return kickoffs and see what he can do until AJ gets back?

Well, I'd be happy with Anyone Not Named Brandon Tate returning kicks, but if AJ's out they will just activate another wide receiver. As Hue alludes to on bengals.com, that's likely to be rookie James Wright. He's got the speed: Wright ran a 4.45 40 at his pro day (AJ ran a 4.48) but he was relgated to teams his final year in college because of a talent logjam ahead of him. Look for him to get some opportunities Sunday.

I agree. And I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do. Wright showed well in the preseason (including this memorable catch - http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000375451/Matt-Scott-to-James-Wright-for-9-yard-TD) - and he's gotten a bit of playing time with one target in each of games 2-4 (but no catches yet). I don't think the team will consider Hamilton (or McCalebb) until Wright gets his shot.

[cincyhokie]

Here's a thought, and the only reason I bring this up is because of Ken Riley, who, as an old timer fan, I have a lot of respect for.

Riley mentored this McCalebb kid and was very impressed.

Not sure how the roster thing works, but IF AJ has to sit out, can they bring his kid up to return kickoffs and see what he can do until AJ gets back?

Well, I'd be happy with Anyone Not Named Brandon Tate returning kicks, but if AJ's out they will just activate another wide receiver. As Hue alludes to on bengals.com, that's likely to be rookie James Wright. He's got the speed: Wright ran a 4.45 40 at his pro day (AJ ran a 4.48) but he was relgated to teams his final year in college because of a talent logjam ahead of him. Look for him to get some opportunities Sunday.

Good point. For some reason, I had forgotten about Wright.

I'm not worried about AJ's absence for the most part. I am worried about the D-line and their inability to stop the run.

Though, I do think it's likely the defense improves through the season. Getting Burfict and Thompson back will be huge.

[COB]

He has to get the ball to break loose. He hasn't gotten it enough, yet. Hue needs to address that.

Hue's offense is get the ball out super fast. It's not built around having your QB stand in the pocket while your No. 1 deep threat goes through a double move or whatever to get open. Lots of chances for running backs and tight ends, quick stuff, including the immediate throw to the the wideout who then gets 4 or 5 yards hopefully. They try the deep stuff, I just don't think this offense is counting on it or built for it.

I was talking about Hill not getting the ball enough. I was responding to the posts right before what I typed.

Funny, those are exactly my thoughts. We brought Hill in to start a power running game. He seems pretty capable, so let's use him. Bernard is great, love him, but pounding him up the middle, which Hue seems willing to do plenty, may result in a pretty big dropoff for him by the end of the season. Use Hill.

[Scottishbengal]

Use Hill.

Hill is capable. We have drop off in options at WR. Carolina can be run against.

all adds up to USE HILL !!

[ShulaSteakhouse]

He has to get the ball to break loose. He hasn't gotten it enough, yet. Hue needs to address that.

Hue's offense is get the ball out super fast. It's not built around having your QB stand in the pocket while your No. 1 deep threat goes through a double move or whatever to get open. Lots of chances for running backs and tight ends, quick stuff, including the immediate throw to the the wideout who then gets 4 or 5 yards hopefully. They try the deep stuff, I just don't think this offense is counting on it or built for it.

You always have to stretch the field and have a deep threat in order to have an intermediate game, but agree with you otherwise (you take your shots with AJ downfield like you would with Bryant or numerous others in the league). Dalton just isn't all that great at operating in the pocket and making accurate throws downfield with any kind of pressure. It doesn't seem to matter if he's on a 3-second plan or not on a particular play, he never scrambles or moves around much, to take advantage of broken coverages...you almost have to not have him do that, or he turns it over too much...unlike say, Russell Wilson, who creates.