Kim Herring

[turningpoint]

I think this guy needs the pink slip also, he;s a back up making starter's money....kind of a problem don't you think?

[ShulaSteakhouse]

If he stays, fine, if he doesn't, fine. I would assume they could clear some cap space by cutting him and Hardy though if it means signing a better player on defense. Yeah they're leaders and good locker room people but, they are really expensive for mediocre players at this point.

That said Herring can be a very good safety - at least he was - and could have a good year if he's completely healthy with another year in the system (which shouldn't change that much).

I have a feeling Marvin will hold on to Hardy due to the fact he was the one who brought him here and saw to it that he was paid $3mm+ a season.

[chrishcovga]

We already know there is going to be another Shake-up to the Secondary come next season, but I don't think we have another option to start next to Madieu. A rookie would be exactly that, a rookie!

* But there is a gleem of hope, Can this finally be the end of Kevin Kaesviharn???

[walshfan]

They ned to cut Herring, Hardy, T. Williams.. Draft Ernest Shazor of Mich to [lay opposite Madeiu next season and let Beckett and KK be the backups.. Only reason I let KK stay is becasue his salary isvery low...

[Pandre]

Hey don't hate on Kevin he is a good team player. When ever I watch him he is always around on the tackle. Yeah it is unlikely to see him pick it off and run 90 yrds for a TD but he is good back up and good for the oraganization.

[schweinhart]

That said Herring can be a very good safety - at least he was - and could have a good year if he's completely healthy with another year in the system (which shouldn't change that much).

I have a feeling Marvin will hold on to Hardy due to the fact he was the one who brought him here and saw to it that he was paid $3mm+ a season.

Yeah, Herring ain't the problem. He won't fare well butting hats w/ Jamal or Duce at the line but he's an excellent tackler in the 2nd level and is decent in coverage. Doubt Beckett and Anthony Mitchell are back unless ML don't get some other SS type. So the safety position should be subtracted enough w/o talk of cutting Herring or K2.

As for Hardy, I bet you're right Shula Steakhouse about him being kept. Surely ML wants to show other free agents that a free agent signed in Cincy is one who plays and stays for the length of the signing. Still, the $ amount attached to Hardy is ridiculous. Something has to be done about Hardy's cap hit if he's not cut. The reality is if Hardy were cut, the Bengals could likely re-sign him at the vet minimum.

[rob_justdmb]

I would be extremely surprised to see Kevin Kaesviharn go. He plays outstanding special teams, players voted him the captain last year, and he plays both safety spots, corner and nickel corner. Remember when Marvin came here he said there was going to be no such thing as a strong safety or free safety, because KK learned the position under Marvin, he's the only one who can flip back and forth. Coach likes that versatility. He is decent in pass coverage against #2 WRs and below, but he struggles with the running game. And he's cheap.

One thing about Kim Herring is that he wraps up when he tackles better than anyone else in the secondary. There are so many options in the secondary. Figure Madieu plays a lot of nickel corner which leaves Herring, Beckett and KK to split the safety spots, and one of our safeties is always hurt. I think he'll be here for awhile.

[BengalByTheBay]

and one of our safeties is always hurt. I think he'll be here for awhile.

Excellent point. Obviously, we don't want to keep deadwood on the roster, but compared to what an equivalent veteran player to Herring would likely cost in FA, I just as soon keep him here. That is unless we are definitely going to go safety in the first 2 rounds, in which case I don't think we've got enought spots. I think Beckett will stay and KK probably due to his light cap impact and versatility.

[shworge]

Figure Madieu plays a lot of nickel corner

I think Keiwan will get the bulk of snaps at the nickel corner position and leave Madieu and Herring at safety during obvious passing downs.

[chrishcovga]

Looks like we have to go back to what Marvin said when he first got here..

" If you're paid to start, and you don't, then we have a problem ! "

So which one is it..? Herring or Beckett ? Madieu probably gets the Free, and we know we're drafting another safety probably day one, so one of these guys is probably gone.

[kingwilly]

I see Beckett getting the boot. He had been woeful in coverage, coming late for support when in zone a number of times. If Shazor is there in the second round, we snag him. 17th is too high for Shazor, when better rated guys are there.

KK is a decent fill-in guy. He never gets "Toasted" like some former nickel/non-starters. He does not cost a ton and makes good effort on Special teams.

Mitchell, gone. Bauman, gone. I say this since they were late pick-ups who might not have the talent to compete through camps and win jobs with younger talent coming in, and with Madieu only getting better.

SO on my roster...Beckett, Mitchell, Bauman are 86'd.

We start the season with 4 safeties. Williams starts, Kim Herring starts till he gets hurt (around game 5-7) and then our rookie or KK fills in. A 5th safety may happen but only if they are versatile, or cheap.

[#85MVP]

CUT HIM I DONT CARE JUST DRAFT SHAZOR IN THE 2ND ROUND AND OUR PROBLEM AT SAFTEY IS SOLVED. A SECONDARY WITH MADIEU, SHAZOR, TORY, AND RATLIFF/O'NEAL SOUNDS GOOD.