BengalNation1281 Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Obviously Derrick Johnson would be a #1 choice on most lists, but I don't think we have a snowcone's chance in hell of grabbing him at 17. I'll put him on my list anyway, which I will break down into ILB and OLB:OLB:1. Derrick Johnson2. Shawne Merriman3. David Pollack (since he is projected as an OLB candidate)4. Kevin BurnettILB:1. Odell Thurman2. Barrett Ruud3. Channing Crowder4. Kirk MorrisonAnd my two who should be looked at after the first:ILB: Mike GoolsbyOLB: Ryan ClaridgeSo, what do all of you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shworge Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Channing Crowder needs to be your number 1 ILB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalNation1281 Posted February 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Crowder is definitely very good, but his injuries are what concern me and prompted me to put him that low on my list. I wouldn't be too terribly disappointed with him at 17, but i think that there are better players that we could take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shworge Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 Thurman and Rudd are projected early to mid second round... I think we could get one of the two in the second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted February 28, 2005 Report Share Posted February 28, 2005 I like Merriman a lot - workout warrior, good character, motivated, high motorThen again, I like him best as a DE rather than a LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsfan2510 Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 I would add McCune and Burnett to your list. They are both fast productive lbs. I would take a chance on Cole also but not till round 4or later. REDSFAN2510 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalmertotheJohnsons Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 this year's draft will be unpredictable...there's no clear cut top pick or even a top 10. i've seen in some mocks that derrick johnson dropped all the way to past the bengals! i think if we move up we could probably take him...who knows come draft day. also on the topic of channing crowder, he seems like a "me" first guy. i'd probably take a pass on the guy unless he changes his attitude. I want a DT, DE, or CB in the first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Thurman and Rudd are projected early to mid second round... I think we could get one of the two in the second. More likely Ruud would be available than Thurman but both could be. One feature about Ruud that might move him up is his ability to pass cover RBs and TEs. He's being projected as an OLB rather than ILB like he played in college but IMO he could do either because of his combo size and speed.I really liked Kirk Morrison from what I saw in the Senior Bowl. But I doubt he will still be around by the time the bengals pick in 3rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I think I'm leaning towards Kevin Burnett as my 2nd best overall linebacker. Finally got to catch up on the Combine reports,and he's just about the same size, speed, and agility as Derrick Johnson. * If not for a prior knee injury, Burnett could be rated as a legit first rounder.If I were to list them now on availability, ( especially since it's believed that Channing Crowders' stock has fallen to a mid second round prospect ) 1. Kevin Burnett2. O'Dell Thurman3. Channing Crowder4. Kirk Morrison5. Barrett Ruud - Ruud will probably move back into the 2nd round because of his workouts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I think I'm leaning towards Kevin Burnett as my 2nd best overall linebacker. I got the same. Plus, did you see the backflip he did at the combine? This guy could intercept w/ his feet straight up in the air Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shworge Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Watched the scouting combine on NFL Network last night. Ruud looked really good, seems really fast and is very good in coverage.One note about Merriman, he weighed in at 272, that is freaking huge for a linebacker, he is much better suited for a 3-4 defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Merriman should go high.Crennell could very well take him as high as #3 if he doubts Derrick Johnson can fit.If not the Browns, Parcells seems likely to pull the trigger on him at #11 to get the size he wants at OLB on line in switch to 3-4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalPappaw Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I really like Ruud, because he makes plays all over the field -- but I doubt he will be available in the second round for the Bengals and I don't think the Bengals will take him in the first round. Of course I didn't think the Bengals would take Chris Perry in the first round (I thought maybe the second). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 I think I'm leaning towards Kevin Burnett as my 2nd best overall linebacker.I got the same. Plus, did you see the backflip he did at the combine? This guy could intercept w/ his feet straight up in the air Living down here in the South, I'm naturally biased towards the SEC players to tell you the truth. But the truth is, Burnett makes plays all over the field, and what I like most about him, is he has the look of a player that's going to get better !* Some times players max out their abilities in college, but some really good ones, become even better pros' ! I try to stay away from words like " complete package" that usually means, you're getting a good player, but he's not going to get any better.I like the guys who scouts rave as an unfinished product ! They could be the complete package already, but in comparison to guys that excell at their respective positions already in the pros'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turningpoint Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 I'd love to have Derrick Johnson at at #17.Simmons weekside... Johnson string side and Webster mans the middle....that's quite a formiddable Lb corp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalPappaw Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 I'd love to have Derrick Johnson at at #17.If Derrick Johnson is available at #17 -- IMO we should jump for joy and send the card to Paul T. with our fastest messager.I agree that he would add to our LB skill level -- AND he's at the top of my "playmaker list". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalNation1281 Posted March 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 If D. Johnson is still available at #17 and doesn't end up as a Bengal, I'm going to jail. That would make me pretty freakin' angry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Absolutely agreed that should LB Derrick Johnson fall to 17, we should snatch him up.....but that said, there's no freakin way this happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted March 8, 2005 Report Share Posted March 8, 2005 Well I would pick Channing Crowder. He has so much potential believe me. Yea he has had an injury problem, but hey there is a trend out there. Players usually who have gotten hurt in college usually never get hurt in the pros, and players who never get hurt in college seem to get hurt in the Pros a lot. It doesn't matter but that how it seems to be. But I wouldn't mind seeing Derrick "Playmaker" Johnson in stripes either. Thats just another johnson in stripes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuck Posted March 9, 2005 Report Share Posted March 9, 2005 I've come across the odd comment about Ruud being a jerk. Can't say for sure. His dad, Tom, who was the Bill's #1 pick in 1975, was a bust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted March 9, 2005 Report Share Posted March 9, 2005 Doesn't this sound like what Marvin and The Bengals have been dreaming for at linebacker?!quoting nfl.comANALYSISCrowder plays with a vengeance and shows great urgency in his play. He is quick to fill the rush lanes, but will struggle at times to disengage when he does not use his hands to keep blockers off his chest. In pursuit, he has exceptional acceleration to the ball and an explosive jolt on contact. Crowder displays very good body control on the move and the ability to make open-field tackles. He throws his body around recklessly to make the play and shows no fear on the field. He has a good blend of power and aggression, showing fluid moves and quick decision to generally always be in position to make the play. In pass coverage, Crowder is a little a stiff in his hips, but shows an excellent burst and quickness out of his breaks. He is like a safety in short-area coverage, as Crowder can easily cover tight ends and running backs in the flats. He is also a solid deep-coverage defender who can easily run with receivers in his zone. As a blitzer, he explodes when coming off the edge and is very disruptive and productive in the opponent's backfield. He is very active working down the line and moves quickly to get into position to make plays. Rarely will you see him take false steps in zone coverage, staying in control to make proper reads. When Crowder is in motion, he is very difficult for an offensive lineman to block because of his shiftiness. Even when he is blocked, he gets rigid and holds his ground with strength. Crowder will generally use his hands effectively to slip away and makes plays through the blocks. You can see the hip stiffness when he misses some tackles, as he sometimes fails to stop his momentum. He is very effective at filling the rush lanes, demonstrating the power to shed, stack and control at the point of attack. He uses excellent closing speed and sideline-to-sideline range to get upfield quickly and position to make the big play in the backfield. Crowder has a relentless motor and never takes a play off. He shows good urgency working down the line and showed improvement playing in control during the 2004 season. As a freshman, he would get a little too reckless in his play and his momentum would see him overrun the action. He still must do a better job of taking proper angles to the ball. When he fails to position correctly, he will revert to arm tackles and he loses his lower-body base in doing this. Crowder also must learn to play at a lower pad level, because when he gets too high in his stance, he can be washed out at the point of attack. As far as playing ability goes, Crowder is obviously the blue chip of the class, but his series of knee injuries will scare off a few teams. Crowder is blessed with incredible field awareness, outstanding speed and natural power, but durability issues will certainly come into play before a team makes a decision on whether to draft him. If someone can harness that energy and help him mature, he will be very productive at the next level. Still, with his speed and range, he might bring better value as a weakside linebacker than he can in the middle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted March 9, 2005 Report Share Posted March 9, 2005 I've come across the odd comment about Ruud being a jerk. Can't say for sure. He must hide it well. I've seen several interviews with Ruud and he's just as impressive out of shoulder pads as when wearing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalNation1281 Posted March 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 I maintain that I would rather have Ruud in round 2 than Crowder in round 1...but that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Hunley went down to Florida to have a look see at Chowder.http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/coll...er/11092786.htmHunley's input about Crowder should significantly factor into the decision at #17 if the Bengals pull the trigger on LB. By the article, its sounds like Hunley was duly impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted March 10, 2005 Report Share Posted March 10, 2005 Thanks for that article!I think this is a hint, Crowder is who they want...I HOPE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.