Lamont Thompson

[cHaD711Johnson]

The Bengals made Lamont Thompson their 2nd Rd Pick and I think he was cut when Marvin came in..Why did Marvin cut him..That may have been one of his few mistakes because he is showing flashes of being a stud FS or SS and nickelback

[Bobcat Bengal]

For that matter, why did he cut Steve Foley?

Who knows....

[Section 310]

Foley was due to injury. The team didn't know if he

would be able to return to form. Thompson was just

afraid to hit anyone. He was labeled as "soft"... Maybe

it took a release or a different system to light

his fire.

[BengalPappaw]

The Bengals made Lamont Thompson their 2nd Rd Pick and I think he was cut when Marvin came in..Why did Marvin cut him..That may have been one of his few mistakes because he is showing flashes of being a stud FS or SS and nickelback

I'm really not sure what ML was expecting from Thompson.

But from my perspective. In college he was a ball hawk and had a lot of INTs. But, he hurt his neck and at times seemed to be hesitant about taking advantage of his size and hitting the ballcarriers.

I like both Thompson and Foley. I think our draft would be significantly different, if we still had these guys -- BUT we don't and so we move on!

ML seems to know what he wants to make the Bengals a winner. I will continue to trust in him until I'm convinced that Mikee is really pulling the strings.

[bengalboomer7]

Because they didn't fit "Marvin's system" But don't ask me what fits, either

[HairOnFire]

Marvin desribed him as a pure zone player who didn't fit the system unable to make an impact on special teams here. Maybe that was true, maybe it wasn't, but after being cut Thompson immediately fit into Jeff Fishers scheme at both safety positions as well as Titan special team units. Go figure.

Frankly, I'd have made room for him, and it still angers me that Lewis didn't try harder developing a role for Thompson. Instead the last roster spot was used to keep....(wait for it)......Tito Rodriquez.

[Kirkendall]

Titans safety Lamont Thompson is a soft-spoken man who does most of his talking on the field. But even he said Wednesday that he has been looking forward to Sunday's game with the team that drafted him in the second round in 2002 only to release him just before the 2003 season opener.

"They don't owe me an explanation. Things just didn't work out. That's just what it was," Thompson said.

Former teammate, receiver Chad Johnson told Tennessee reporters in a conference call that he was very surprised when the Bengals released Thompson. To Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, he just liked what he saw in another safety they picked up off waivers.

The Titans picked up Thompson after Cincinnati released him. Lewis admits he didn't get to know Thompson much in the one training camp he was around him.

"Had it been maybe another year or circumstances different, it may have worked out better in our case," Lewis said.

Thompson has started at free safety the past four games in place of injured Lance Schulters, and he ranks sixth in total tackles with 32. He also leads the team with three interceptions. Lewis said he knew that Thompson had a nose for the football.

Johnson is much more effusive in his praise for Thompson, who personally calls himself still a work in progress.

"He is looking real good. He was looking good when he was here, so I know he is 10 times better now," Johnson said.

http://www.wkrn.com/Global/story.asp?S=2494082&nav=1ugQSVyD

[Kirkendall]

Len P. has the following analysis with Thompson:

One guy about whom you've got to wonder: Lamont Thompson, a second-round choice just a year ago, but currently buried on the depth chart as the No. 3 free safety. Thompson had 24 interceptions in college, a Pac -0 record, but doesn't get around the ball very often. And for a guy with prototype size, one who immediately passes the "eyeball" test, he is not very physical. Under prior regimes, the Bengals would probably never release a second-round pick in his sophomore year, but this is a new day. Lewis and his defensive staff have no loyalty to Thompson, didn't pick him, and will feel no reason to keep him around if he isn't deserving of a roster spot.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp03/colu...ns/1588372.html (the last section)

[HairOnFire]

"Lewis and his defensive staff have no loyalty to Thompson, didn't pick him, and feel no reason to keep him around if he isn't deserving of a roster spot."

Yeah, I remember reading that and thinking how stupid it sounded then. Funny how nothings changed. It still sounds stupid reading how Thompson didn't deserve a roster spot when they found a reason to keep Tito Rodriquez....or any number of other names I could mention.

[chrishcovga]

In time the 2002 draft class may resemble the '99 draft class !

1. Passed on Al Davis's offer of #'s 21 and 23 for our # 10 spot. Could have had Ed Reed and Levi Jones !

2. Picked Lamont Thompson over Michael Lewis( who was the highest rated safety ), hence Lamont Thompson was cut etc. and Michael Lewis just went to his first pro-bowl.

3. Actually traded up to get Matt Schobe. and lost a 5th rounder to do that with..

4. Drafted Travis Dorsch

6. Marquand Manuel - Where are they Now episode..?

7. Joey Evans - Actually drafted because he played opposite Julius Peppers, - I guess the thinking was , " Well maybe some Pepper rubbed off on him " !

[Whur CHad At?]

Horrible move passing on Michael Lewis. I am glad we actually have good drafts now.

Wasn't Levi projected a late second rounder anyway?? Oh well, he has been pretty good for us.

[chrishcovga]

Horrible move passing on Michael Lewis. I am glad we actually have good drafts now.

Wasn't Levi projected a late second rounder anyway?? Oh well, he has been pretty good for us.

No, Levi was bunched in with several other Tackles that could go late first round to no later than the start of the 2nd.

Jones, Marc Colombo, Mike Pearson were all bunched together.

*Some Pre draft hype was rising on Jones, because he had a really good workout at his pro-day, but at the time of the pro-day he was considered just a 2nd rounder. After that he rose, and Cincy took him at # 10.

But the thing that pisses me off about it, was what Al Davis said afterwards..

Something to the affect of

" I thought we had a deal in place with Cincinnati to move up and take Phillip Buchanon, but Cincy' turned it down, and we were later able to move up WITHOUT surrendering BOTH first rounders and still get the player we wanted "

The Raiders moved from # 21 to # 17 and got Buchanon and then took Napolean Harris LB, at # 23.

Ed reed went # 24 to the Ravens, Tank Williams ( Titans ) went before Lewis as well, but he's been a pretty solid player.

[TippCityRick]

In time the 2002 draft class may resemble the '99 draft class !

1. Passed on Al Davis's offer of #'s 21 and 23 for our # 10 spot. Could have had Ed Reed and Levi Jones !

This is patently untrue!!! If the Bengals don't take Jones at 10 and trade back, the Giants take him at 14. This is the reason we passed on that trade. In fact we had a trade worked out with the Giants for their 14 but they wouldn't honor our request to not take Levi with the pick. Their line coach, Jim McNally (perhaps you've heard of him ) also saw Jones' potential.

Yes, the '02 draft stunk. Out of the whole draft we got two decent players (Jones and Thompson) and released one of them probably a bit prematurely. But with Thompson, ML wanted to make a statement that just because you're a high draft choice doesn't mean that you are immune. Thompson just flat out didn't get the job done here (did nothing . . . NOTHING in the 2002 season and missed innumerable workouts in the spring of '03) so ML made his point just like he made his point with Spikes.

[jjakq27]

In time the 2002 draft class may resemble the '99 draft class !

1. Passed on Al Davis's offer of #'s 21 and 23 for our # 10 spot. Could have had Ed Reed and Levi Jones !

This is patently untrue!!! If the Bengals don't take Jones at 10 and trade back, the Giants take him at 14. This is the reason we passed on that trade. In fact we had a trade worked out with the Giants for their 14 but they wouldn't honor our request to not take Levi with the pick. Their line coach, Jim McNally (perhaps you've heard of him ) also saw Jones' potential.

Yes, the '02 draft stunk. Out of the whole draft we got two decent players (Jones and Thompson) and released one of them probably a bit prematurely. But with Thompson, ML wanted to make a statement that just because you're a high draft choice doesn't mean that you are immune. Thompson just flat out didn't get the job done here (did nothing . . . NOTHING in the 2002 season and missed innumerable workouts in the spring of '03) so ML made his point just like he made his point with Spikes.

Thanks for a good explanation of the situation. Lamont Thompson was not much of a hitter or run-supporter during that 2002 season under LeBeau, so what did ML actually have to go on besides his college reputation. He wasn't much of a ball-hawk either even though that was his specialty. I don't have a problem with what ML did there.

I think you are seeing the same thing in Cleveland with Crenell. It's time to clean house regardless of who you are and how you got here. You may see some ex-Browns (or Bengals for that matter) resurface and be productive. However for every Lamont Thompson or Steve Foley, there are guys like Reinhard Wilson, Akili Smith or Artrell Hawkins.

[HairOnFire]

This is patently untrue!!! If the Bengals don't take Jones at 10 and trade back, the Giants take him at 14. This is the reason we passed on that trade. In fact we had a trade worked out with the Giants for their 14 but they wouldn't honor our request to not take Levi with the pick.

I mentioned this one in another thread, but Chris isn't listening. Regardless, the Bengals stated flatly that the Raiders offer to move up was limited to a 4th round pick....not a 1st rounder. That's pretty marginal return and probably an easy deal to turn down. Oh, and after blasting the Bengals on draft day Mel Kiper backed down a few days later after confirming how few and poor the trade offers were.

Last, someone should remind Al Davis how poorly Phillip Buchanon has played. Prior to the draft I liked Buchanon alot, but he hasn't done much. In fact, Raider insider Jim Otto actually called Buchanon the stupidest player the Raiders have ever drafted.

[Whur CHad At?]

Buchanan hasn't done that bad, but he hasn't done that great either. He doesn't get many INT's but he can tackle. He also is a good punt returner. I think we remeber that game agaisnt Oakland, where he intercepted us and returned it for a TD. He smoked everyone of our guys down field