Roster Moves: Nate Back, Larry Stevens Cut

[HoosierCat]

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=4866

Little surprised about the Stevens cut...so the poor man's David Pollack gets the boot in favor of Lil' Ray?

[bengalboomer7]

I guess anything to bolter the D is a good thing

[Stripes]

It was refreshing to see Caleb Miller in on a tackle on Sunday... It'll be the same thing if Nate can do it too. Everyone pretty much left him for dead after camp.

[mgilgris]

Hopefully if nothing else, Nate can give Odell some guidance and advice to help him come along faster. Wasnt Stevens a big contributor on special teams??? I wonder if big daddy Wilkerson part II will be the replacement for Richie??

[HairOnFire]

Good news. There was no way I was giving up on Webster, and this was what I was hoping for after he returned to practice a couple of weeks ago. I wish there was more news available about his current condition, but if he's really ready to go...he can help.

As for Wilkerson, the experiment continues. Let's see what we've got next year.

[jjakq27]

These moves are required by the league rules on injured reserve players but it is also a way for the team to get prepared for the playoffs by getting their roster set.

With the constant influx of new talent, guys like Myles and maybe even Stevens might have been long shots for next years team as well. I am sure there is some cap benefit to these moves as well.

Hopefully Webster is sound enough that he can contribute this year. Maybe put him and Odell in the middle this weekend and take Ohalete out at safety. Perhaps they can stop the run that way.

As for Wilkerson, the experiment continues. Let's see what we've got next year.

Maybe Wilkerson or Ghiaciuc could move to guard at some point next year also.

[Whur CHad At?]

Big Nate is back!*(@!*@!)##

[bengalskyspy]

I am excited to have Nate Webster back. He was starting to be a real difference maker when he got hurt. He started slow, and then really turned it on. I remember some of his hits being very much like Odell. 2 big hitters will be a great thing.

[kingwilly]

First, I'm glad he is now healthy so he can try to contribute. But when he was healthy, he overpursued like a rookie and generally got himslef out of position more often than not. If he is to contribute and possibly mentor Odell a bit, he's gonna need to show more discipline than before. If nothing elde, it gives the team one more quick solid hitter who can give Odell a breather here and there.

As for Stevens getting cut, not a big of a surprise. Navies has more NFL experience and Caleb probably has more talent so he was the odd man out. Seems we could have made a move elsewhere, like TE...the position on this team known as "Dead Weight".

[bengalskyspy]

True, he did at first over-pursue, but then he got it together and was making an impact. He was much better at the end. In fact he was producing better numbers than Odell--- 7-10 tackles per game with the majority solos. He also had a forced fumble, some sacks, and an int. Trust me, I absolutely love Odell, but Marvin got this guy for a reason. He is the reall deal.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

True, he did at first over-pursue, but then he got it together and was making an impact. He was much better at the end. In fact he was producing better numbers than Odell--- 7-10 tackles per game with the majority solos. He also had a forced fumble, some sacks, and an int. Trust me, I absolutely love Odell, but Marvin got this guy for a reason. He is the reall deal.

Pretty much, had 17 solo tackles, a sack and a FF in 3 games.

Just fear he's injury prone. His best role was as a back-up/rotation/ST's LB in TB, he's an upgrade to existing back-up talent.

If he out-plays a starter, so be it. All the LB's here have been inconsistent, but Landon has really improved seemingly the last 3+ weeks. He's averaged 8+ tackles 3 out of the last 4 games. Gotta like that guy.

[andybren]

Let's keep in mind that opposing OC's go after the weakest defensive links, therefore said links often get more tackles.

It would have been very easy to let Nate go, so I take it as a good sign that he's on the roster.

And I still love that Marvin is willing to make significant roster changes this late in the season.

[bengalskyspy]

OK He stinks. We should have cut him. Geez!

[Stripes]

I can't imagine any scenario where he'd be a starter... Definitely not in Odell's spot, and I doubt he'd go out of position in Landon or Simmons' spots. I am not sure if anyone was even making that assumption anyways. It is good to have more depth, Miller and Webster both certainly give us that.

[schweinhart]

Hopefully Webster is sound enough that he can contribute this year. Maybe put him and Odell in the middle this weekend and take Ohalete out at safety. Perhaps they can stop the run that way.

That 4 LB line up, whether its Natester, Miller, or Navies, makes a lot of sense when the Bengals D faces a power running game between the tackles.

Might help too on the stretch run like Parker had for the long TD where the MLB can't close laterally because he's picked by his own DE and SSLB on a cutback forced by the CB wide. The extra LB should be in the thick there somewhere rather than relying on the safety to make the play.

Against Pittsburgh, there should be less concern w/ CB help for James and one safety in centerfield ought to do fine regardless. The question then becomes who gets Heath Miller when not in zone -- he played huge last time. Of the 2 20 yarders he hauled in one came in man vs. Anthony Mitchell and another came in the seam with Landon Johnson chasing and Ohalete overtop. He's nowhere near the speed of Dallas Clark but I believe he is faster than Heap. I would think Landon might have better foot speed than B-Sims to deal w/ Miller on anything vertical but B-Sims ought to nail him on crosses.

As for Poor Man's Pollack, the only bad thing there is that he was active for one too many games last year to be practice squad eligible. He did his job well while he was a Bengal.