Good article on you guys

[LesterLyles]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A...ening031705.htm

I honestly think this is the year for Cincy to make the next step. B/w the make-up of your team(which I like and I think will continue to improve)and the status of your division (Pitt will take a step back and Baltimore is still overrated), I think the Bengals will make the playoffs this year.

I remember Tuna always saying its a lot easier to go from 1-15 to 8-8 than it is from 8-8 to 10-6. Bengals found that out last year but they will be that much wiser this year. Just an opinion from your resident Jets fan.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Thanks Lester! How are your Jets going to be this season?

[BengalNation1281]

It's so nice to see a resident fan from another team who has good things to say and respects the team.

Bravo to you, Lester.

And I hope that the Jets can get it together and take the Pats out of the top spot in the AFC East this year. Chad Pennington is one of my favorite QBs in the NFL, and I'd like to see him do well and lead the team deep in the playoffs so that the critics can get off his back. Not that I'd be rooting for them if we met up in the playoffs, but I'm sure you understand that

Oh, and beat the Bills. :player:

[LesterLyles]

My wife is from Cincy so I love the city and I have to say I always liked Bengals fans. Can't say that for many other fan bases. I really want to se a winner for you guys and I honestly think this year, the next step will be taken.

The key to the Jets is Pennington. If his shoulder recovers, we'll certainly be in the hunt. They had some FA losses but Lamont is more a loss of what could have been, as opposed to a loss of production. Blaylock should be fine as a backup. Fergie was big loss but I think the D will still be stout. Coles was a nice little upgrade at WR. Again, I think they'll be right in the hunt.

Similar to Cincy, I think this is the year the Jets have to take advantage of their divisional situation. Pats will take a step back (too many losses), Buff is annually overrated and have a young Losman who needs time, and the Phins I compare to the Browns.

Would love to meet Cincy in the playoffs.

[BengalNation1281]

I got a chance to watch alot of Blaylock the last couple of years (as I was still living in Kansas and follow the Chiefs due to my friends all being Chiefs fans), and I was very impressed with him and thought that the Jets made a great move in picking him up. I always preferred him to Larry Johnson, as "Grandmama" never really did anything until the second half of last year and had a consistently bad attitude before that. You guys will be fine if C-Mart goes out.

And if Jason Ferguson would rather go to the Cowboys and endure the losing that will inevitably happen there, then you didn't really need him anyway.

I'll go one better and say that I'd like to see a NYJ-Bengals AFC Championship Game in January. Anything would be better than watching the Pats there again.

[LesterLyles]

I got a chance to watch alot of Blaylock the last couple of years (as I was still living in Kansas and follow the Chiefs due to my friends all being Chiefs fans), and I was very impressed with him and thought that the Jets made a great move in picking him up. I always preferred him to Larry Johnson, as "Grandmama" never really did anything until the second half of last year and had a consistently bad attitude before that. You guys will be fine if C-Mart goes out.

And if Jason Ferguson would rather go to the Cowboys and endure the losing that will inevitably happen there, then you didn't really need him anyway.

I'll go one better and say that I'd like to see a NYJ-Bengals AFC Championship Game in January. Anything would be better than watching the Pats there again.

That would be nice huh?

Are you thinking of selecting Shazor in the 2nd?

[BengalsOwn]

My wife is from Cincy so I love the city and I have to say I always liked Bengals fans. Can't say that for many other fan bases. I really want to se a winner for you guys and I honestly think this year, the next step will be taken.

The key to the Jets is Pennington. If his shoulder recovers, we'll certainly be in the hunt. They had some FA losses but Lamont is more a loss of what could have been, as opposed to a loss of production. Blaylock should be fine as a backup. Fergie was big loss but I think the D will still be stout. Coles was a nice little upgrade at WR. Again, I think they'll be right in the hunt.

Similar to Cincy, I think this is the year the Jets have to take advantage of their divisional situation. Pats will take a step back (too many losses), Buff is annually overrated and have a young Losman who needs time, and the Phins I compare to the Browns.

Would love to meet Cincy in the playoffs.

I wanted the Bengals to grab Blaylock if Rudi wasn't signed. I think Blaylock will be a good starter.

[schweinhart]

Are you thinking of selecting Shazor in the 2nd?

I'd of been happy to swap the Bengals 2nd rounder to the Jets for MLB Sam Cowart.

How does that guy go to the Vikes for a 7th rd pick Salary demands I guess, but still Cowart looked like he belonged in the Hall of Fame when the Jets-Bengals had at it last year.

[LesterLyles]

Are you thinking of selecting Shazor in the 2nd?

I'd of been happy to swap the Bengals 2nd rounder to the Jets for MLB Sam Cowart.

How does that guy go to the Vikes for a 7th rd pick Salary demands I guess, but still Cowart looked like he belonged in the Hall of Fame when the Jets-Bengals had at it last year.

Bad cap # I guess. I tell ya what, I'm surprised more teams didn't bite. He was moved back to the middle last year and played like a beast the first two games b/f he was hurt (played very well against you guys). Unfortunately for him, Vilma played like a beast as well. He's getting up there but he is stlll a good LB. I guess a 30 year old LB w/ a big cap # isn't worth so much.

[walshfan]

Been on the Jets board numerous times because they have some of the most knowledgeable fans... I hope the Jets win their division and we play them for the AFC championship..

[schweinhart]

Are you thinking of selecting Shazor in the 2nd?

I'd of been happy to swap the Bengals 2nd rounder to the Jets for MLB Sam Cowart.

How does that guy go to the Vikes for a 7th rd pick Salary demands I guess, but still Cowart looked like he belonged in the Hall of Fame when the Jets-Bengals had at it last year.

Bad cap # I guess. I tell ya what, I'm surprised more teams didn't bite. He was moved back to the middle last year and played like a beast the first two games b/f he was hurt (played very well against you guys). Unfortunately for him, Vilma played like a beast as well. He's getting up there but he is stlll a good LB. I guess a 30 year old LB w/ a big cap # isn't worth so much.

Even so w/ Cowart's age, it's suprising like you say more teams didn't bite for just a little more than a 7th rounder. He wasn't hurt that bad last year...Vilma just beat him out.

The Bengals are gonna need somebody who can play MLB this year if Landon gets knocked outta games because of his shoulders and there's a good chance he will be.

It's hard to believe the Natester is the answer for Bengals at MLB. He didn't look like he was when he was healthy but he got injured too early to say for sure. I just can't believe that he'd be better than he was before with what is a very serious knee injury.

Interesting here is another MLB that became available today -- Tommy Hendricks of Jags. Jets might opt for an inexpensive backup like Hendricks who looked like the better choice for Bengals IMO last year than Webster. Before he was UFA, Hendricks was Zack Thomas' backup in Miami and was a tackling machine w/ great range when he got the chance to play.

Or maybe the Bengals take a look at Hendricks.

[LesterLyles]

Are you thinking of selecting Shazor in the 2nd?

I'd of been happy to swap the Bengals 2nd rounder to the Jets for MLB Sam Cowart.

How does that guy go to the Vikes for a 7th rd pick Salary demands I guess, but still Cowart looked like he belonged in the Hall of Fame when the Jets-Bengals had at it last year.

Bad cap # I guess. I tell ya what, I'm surprised more teams didn't bite. He was moved back to the middle last year and played like a beast the first two games b/f he was hurt (played very well against you guys). Unfortunately for him, Vilma played like a beast as well. He's getting up there but he is stlll a good LB. I guess a 30 year old LB w/ a big cap # isn't worth so much.

Even so w/ Cowart's age, it's suprising like you say more teams didn't bite for just a little more than a 7th rounder. He wasn't hurt that bad last year...Vilma just beat him out.

The Bengals are gonna need somebody who can play MLB this year if Landon gets knocked outta games because of his shoulders and there's a good chance he will be.

It's hard to believe the Natester is the answer for Bengals at MLB. He didn't look like he was when he was healthy but he got injured too early to say for sure. I just can't believe that he'd be better than he was before with what is a very serious knee injury.

Interesting here is another MLB that became available today -- Tommy Hendricks of Jags. Jets might opt for an inexpensive backup like Hendricks who looked like the better choice for Bengals IMO last year than Webster. Before he was UFA, Hendricks was Zack Thomas' backup in Miami and was a tackling machine w/ great range when he got the chance to play.

Or maybe the Bengals take a look at Hendricks.

The Jets signed Barry Gardner so I think he will be their backup.

I never like Nate Webster so I would like to see the position upgraded, as well. Maybe in the 2nd round.

[schweinhart]

The Jets signed Barry Gardner so I think he will be their backup.

I never like Nate Webster so I would like to see the position upgraded, as well. Maybe in the 2nd round.

That they did. Gardener ought to be enough there. IIRC Jets had a couple other backup LB UFAs but there looks to be other areas where they focus, like backup TE -- Becht bolted but Chris Baker looks capable (it was interesting to see Jets bid on RFA Jeb Putzier).

Blaylock looks like a solid replacement for the loss of Lamont Jordan and Fielder is an upgrade over Quincy Carter.

Lance Legree for Jason Ferguson? Maybe there's an area of more need than LB.

As for Webster, he's got great intensity and work ethic. But w/ his injury, the effort and will might not be enough for him to ever be an effective MLB.

[LesterLyles]

The Jets signed Barry Gardner so I think he will be their backup.

I never like Nate Webster so I would like to see the position upgraded, as well.  Maybe in the 2nd round.

That they did. Gardener ought to be enough there. IIRC Jets had a couple other backup LB UFAs but there looks to be other areas where they focus, like backup TE -- Becht bolted but Chris Baker looks capable (it was interesting to see Jets bid on RFA Jeb Putzier).

Blaylock looks like a solid replacement for the loss of Lamont Jordan and Fielder is an upgrade over Quincy Carter.

Lance Legree for Jason Ferguson? Maybe there's an area of more need than LB.

As for Webster, he's got great intensity and work ethic. But w/ his injury, the effort and will might not be enough for him to ever be an effective MLB.

Really wanted Putzier but Baker should be fine at TE. Agree w/you on Ferguson/Legree. Something will have to be done and there are strong indications that we will use a 1st round pick for DT. I like some of the other moves i.e. Blayloc, Coles and Fiedler.

[schweinhart]

DT in the 1st for Jets....Luis Castillo, Shaun Cody?

I'm guessing Jets wait till 2nd rd and take CJ Mosely at DT.

The bid for Putzier was a bold one. Only 3 or 4 tendered RFAs got offer sheets, so it does look like Jets want a TE, say Heath Miller in the 1st.

I'm waiting to see if the Bengals make a move for Tommy Hendricks. Like the article you posted says, the Bengals didn't exactly solve their up the middle riddle w/ Bryan Robinson so whoever plays MLB is gonna get a lot of work.

[TJJackson]

Err, I really don't think ML will want to bring this particular player to the Bengals

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=606967

I think he is focusing on solid good character types.

[schweinhart]

Well....nobody's perfect

But you're right. The Bengals have a different philosophy character wise than say the Ratbirds where criminal charges seem to be viewed favorably.

Still, Hendricks can be a tackling machine w/ some decent range. A fresh start and a 2nd chance is all he or his agent can ask for, which ought to translate into good value.

As long as he ain't a cancer in the locker room, he'll get a shot somewhere. He'd have to cut his hair though if he has any hopes of playing for Bengals

[LesterLyles]

DT in the 1st for Jets....Luis Castillo, Shaun Cody?

I'm guessing Jets wait till 2nd rd and take CJ Mosely at DT.

The bid for Putzier was a bold one. Only 3 or 4 tendered RFAs got offer sheets, so it does look like Jets want a TE, say Heath Miller in the 1st.

I'm waiting to see if the Bengals make a move for Tommy Hendricks. Like the article you posted says, the Bengals didn't exactly solve their up the middle riddle w/ Bryan Robinson so whoever plays MLB is gonna get a lot of work.

Funny you mention Mosely...Jets have showed a lot of early interest in him.

[schweinhart]

I'd imagine there's pretty good coverage about who the Jets are checking out for draft, what w/ the team market size and all.

Not that way w/ Bengals, at least from team website and Cincy papers. But at least local papers where pro days are held provide some coverage about scouting.

DT wise for Jets, draft looks like the best shot for now. There's some DT free agents out there still w/ a couple interesting ones like Ron Edwards. Still a few more proly after June 1 cuts but getting one in the draft takes some of the mystery out of what will happen there.

[schweinhart]

There's some DT free agents out there still w/ a couple interesting ones like Ron Edwards.

Never mind about Edwards....he signed a 2-yr deal w/ the Bills last year as a RFA so he wouldn't be a UFA until next year.