Anyone Up for Another LB?

[HoosierCat]

One position that hasn't been mentioned much is linebacker -- which, upon reflection, is probably a bit odd given that Marvin Lewis apparently collects linebackers in his sleep. In his three years, he's signed two prominent FA linebackers in Hardy and Webster, tried to lure in another last year in Sharper, brought in any number of tier-two types (Wilkins, Navies, etc.), and is supposedly pursuing this CFL DE/LB type Jeanty right now. In the draft he's taken Abdullah in the 4th, Johnson and Miller in the 3rd, and last year spent the first and second round picks on linebackers Pollack and Thurman.

And we do have needs at LB. Thurman is going to be a good one, and Pollack flashed some promising moves late, but Brian Simmons is clearly running down. Yeah, I think Landon could handle the weak side full-time. But then we have no depth except for mystery man Caleb Miller, who can't stay healthy long enough to see if he's really any good, and a bunch of journeymen and special teams guys.

On top of that, Simmons will count $3.4 million vs. the cap in 2006; cutting him frees up about $1.6 million in space. And even if we kept him in a reduced/mentor role, we could still deepen a position that Marvin keeps insisting is more important to stopping the run than the defensive line.

I'm under no illusions that the Bengals have any shot at A.J. Hawk…but I think that if Chad Greenway is still on the board at 24 the pick will be announced before espn can finish showing the highlight reel of whoever was selected at 23. And I don't think that's out of the question. Greenway seems to be getting pegged in that 18-22 range, so it's not a long slide.

Another possibility is Ernie Sims, who projects out as either an LB or SS, a lot like Thomas Davis did last year…and reportedly Davis was their first choice, then Pollack…and of course Davis was gone.

[Stripes]

How about Bobby Carpenter? I try my best not to be a Buckeye homer in regards to the draft, but if other positions are off the board when we pick, maybe we trade down and end up with him? His forté (spelling?) seems to be in pass rush though, and the Breshnahan scheme might not do him well. He'd be a nice replacement for Simmons, and his skills would do well in a division filled with blitzing linebackers.

[HairOnFire]

If we're throwing out names for a surprise LB pick how about D'Qwell Jackson? His current value ranking implies he belongs squarely on the Bengals short list, and if you've been ignoring him because he plays MLB....not so fast. During the Senior Bowl practice draft guru Mike Mayoch claimed that roughly half of the NFL teams interested in him would slide him from MLB to SS where he could very capably fill the role of 231 lb. thumper. And before somebody yells at me, he has above average coverage skills for a player of his size.

[bengalsLB]

i garunte(SP) that we draft a LB in some point in the draft

[HoosierCat]

If the Bengals like Carpenter I think they stand a good chance of nabbing him in the second; now that I look at the rankings I suspect there will be a pretty good run on LBs in the second.

Nice tidbit on Jackson, Hair. Yeah, he's an interesting prospect, too. And if Mayoch is on the mark, then like Sims he'd be another in the ""Thomas Davis" mold that Lewis supposedly covets.

I have to say I have mixed feelings on that score. I mean, if the draft a safety to play safety, or an OLB to replace Simmons, fine. But I'd rather not have yet another 1st rounder who makes little impact because he's switching to a new job. Still, I don't think I'd squawk much...

[bengalboomer7]

I absolutely love Bobby Carpenter the player. However, he's too much like David Pollack and probably isn't the kind of LB we need(another LB that doubles as a third down pass rusher.) I think he'll have a great career wherever.

If I'm going LB I'm looking at Greenway in the first or his buddy Hodge in the second. I don't think too much of Sims

I don't want any tweeners this year, it takes them too long to make an impact

[schweinhart]

With Navies and the Natester not all that likely to return, Wilkins maybe not returning, Miller a possible question mark, and the cap savings of releasing B Simmons, that would leave a LB corps of Pollack, Odell, and Landon Johnson if they all went by the wayside.

It seems doubtful all 5 of the LBs maybe on the bubble would go, leaving just 3, but it does seem likely that at least 2 will be out and their replacements will have to come from somewhere. This is a killer draft for LBs and 2 Day 1 LBs out of this draft would be worthwhile consideration.

The NFL Draft Countdowns Senior Bowl practice reports have put Bengals scouting staff front and center with a few LB propsects, including Brian Iwuh, Travis Williams, Jon Alston, Gerris Wilkinson, and Freddie Roach. Iwuh is the most versatile of that bunch, Wilkinson a solid weakside LB with size, Roach a good strong side type, and Williams and Alston more safety sized but quick to the extreme for LBs.

But if it came down to taking just 1 LB in the draft to cover a couple positions, D'Qwell Jackson would be a decent pick at 24 IMO. One of the things I was looking for at the beginning of the college season was whether or not D'Qwell showed enough mobility to possibly take on the greater coverage responsibilities of a WSLB. Even though his strength is playing forward and lateral against the run, he does have some range and skills to cover short area and could be coached to convert his speed into slightly deeper coverage. He reminds a lot of a somewhat less talented DJ Williams.

Having said that, I'm fairly sure that Bobby Carpenter would be even more versatile and better as an OLB at either side but not as an inside backer vs. the run.

Greenway really should be long gone by 24. He's one of the best overall players in this draft IMO. Sims is interesting and would fit the weakside bill with much better coverage skills than either Carpenter or Jackson but he'd be the most prone to get washed out on any kind of stretch or pinned at the point of attack.

[ArmyBengal]

I agree that LB should and will be addressed, but I would rather not see it addressed first day unless there are absolutly NO other options of value from the DT, SS, or DE positions or we happen to pick up an additional pick in round #3 for some reason or another.

WHODEY !!!

[Kazkal]

I'm sure they'll spend atleast 1 pick on LB I just don't see top 3

[cincy9275]

marvin is very good at drafting talented players . if he picks one in the 1st rd i would not have a problem at all .

[Kazkal]

if we took a LB in 1st rnd I could picture david moving back to end full time mybe as a backup LB at around 260

[HoosierCat]

The NFL Draft Countdowns Senior Bowl practice reports have put Bengals scouting staff front and center with a few LB propsects, including Brian Iwuh, Travis Williams, Jon Alston, Gerris Wilkinson, and Freddie Roach. Iwuh is the most versatile of that bunch, Wilkinson a solid weakside LB with size, Roach a good strong side type, and Williams and Alston more safety sized but quick to the extreme for LBs.

Yeah, Iwuh is yet another 'backer some are projecting out as a safety in the NFL. All these guys are pretty solid second-day picks, tho. The Bengals picking 1-2 of these guys in the 4-6 round range would not surprise me a bit.

Greenway really should be long gone by 24.

I agree, he should. But every year there seems to be a top LB or two who slips, and like I said before, looking at the rankings there sems to be a real traffic jam among LBs holding second-round grades. So teams may decide to address other positions in the first. If so, and Greenway is there at 24, I think Marvin will take him in a heartbeat.

[Kazkal]

If we did take another LB do think david would move back to full tine end? seems like a waste to have him as backup / only rush end

[HoosierCat]

If we did take another LB do think david would move back to full tine end? seems like a waste to have him as backup / only rush end

No, I don't think so. Greenway, for example, looks like he'd make a great weakside 'backer. Others mentioned, like Jackson, might slide to safety. Pollack will be the starting SSLB come September.

To be clear, I really don't expect a linebacker in the first. There are only 3 guys, all outside types, who appear to be consensus first rounders -- Hawk, Greenway, and DeMeco Ryans (who's a pure SSLB) -- and all 3 will probably be gone by 24. I have seen a few mocks with Carpenter and Jackson sneaking into the first round around picks 30-32. If the Bengals were going to pick someone "half a round early" again, I would expect them to roll the dice of a corner, safety, or d-lineman versus going for a 'backer with a high 2nd grade.

[Whur CHad At?]

Chad Greenway will be off the board way before we pick. Absolutley no way he will fall to us....

[NJ29]

A.J. Nicholson in Round 2!

[cincy9275]

bobby carpenter is actually better in pass coverage the pollack is . i think he would replace Simmons before pollack . he would be a very nice addition to this team where ever he is picked . but he won't last to long i don't think he will be there in the 2nd when we pick so he would have to be a 1st rd pick. i would be happy with it

[NJ29]

I want a linebacker who can run, like Nicholson, Iwuh, Travis Williams, or Sims. Carpenter doesn't fit that mold.

[cincy9275]

I want a linebacker who can run, like Nicholson, Iwuh, Travis Williams, or Sims. Carpenter doesn't fit that mold.

bobby can run he is as good as any lb in this draft .

[NJ29]

I want a linebacker who can run, like Nicholson, Iwuh, Travis Williams, or Sims. Carpenter doesn't fit that mold.

bobby can run he is as good as any lb in this draft .

Oh... You're serious.

[schweinhart]

Carpenter's best shot at the 1st round would be as a 3-4 OLB. He'd have a harder time going to weakside in a 4-3 but he reacts extremely well and should be able to handle the coverage responsibilities.

Weakside backer should be a priority for the Bengals this off-season be it in free agency or in the draft given B-Simms age and Landon's shoulders.

Draft wise, the purest one is Greenway and he should be gone. DeMeco Ryans struggles in coverage on TE crosses and deeper routes. Plus he's not strong enough to work his way through trash or be an effective run stopper. Despite the hype over him, I'll guess that he'll still be on the board when the Bengals pick in the 2nd round.

The intriguing ones IMO are D'Qwell Jackson and Thomas Howard.

D'Qwell Jackson is a middle linebacker who has the strength to go strong side and the speed to at least be considered physically able to cover routes at weak side. He is monstrous vs. the run and will mainly get consideration in that role. He should be gone somehwere in the 20's.

In coverage, Howard is up there with Greenway and the best IMO in deep coverage. However, Howard seems to lack the mental committment to summons the aggression needed to be effective against the run at the first level and that will effect his status. He should run in the mid 4.4 range and that kind of speed combined with his 230 pound size and outstanding coverage skills will get him looked at early as both a safety/WSLB but most likely not until the 2nd round because of doubts about his toughness.

[thepudgester]

I personally don't think this is an immediate need, however as you said, if Greenway falls we'll take him. However, the Eagles are extremely interested in Greenway and will probably take him if he is available at #14, if not Minnesota at #17 is another team who would probably take him. DeMeco Ryans is much more likely to fall to us, however even if Ryans was there, I still might go Bunkley, Simpson, or Bing.

The guy I like, Freddie Roach from Alabama in the late third or fourth. He's a big guy who's game speed seems above average. he could immediately step in the rotation and would help in the never ending battle to stop the run. Roach doesn't give up yards after contact, just watch the Senior Bowl.

Terna Nande is another guy I've watched as a possible 3rd or 4th rounder.

Bobby Carpenter, I like him, but he's not a good fit, as someone said before a poor man's David Pollack. However, the kid's got a lot more speed than Pollack and has some potential.

[schweinhart]

The guy I like, Freddie Roach from Alabama in the late third or fourth. He's a big guy who's game speed seems above average. he could immediately step in the rotation and would help in the never ending battle to stop the run. Roach doesn't give up yards after contact, just watch the Senior Bowl.

No question the Bengals are looking for a SSLB backup as a possible replacement of Hannibal Navies and Marcus Wilkins and it would be likeliest on Day 2. Roach would be good if he's still on the board in the 6th, which he might be because he completely lacks the coverage skills that are required of MLBs in the NFL and should be exclusively viewed as a SSLB, where even there he would struggle with limited coverage responsibilities.

The better 3rd or 4th round pick at SSLB would be Chris Gocong IMO. His value should rise significantly among 3-4 teams during the combine because he might be the quickest DE off the snap at the combine. Being undersized, he'll have to be looked at as an OLB and how he responds to that will determine his future, but he comes with a double threat in a 4-3 because -- unlike Roach -- he will be able to come in as a DE pass rushing specialist. Gocong is more of a Poor Man's Pollack than Carpenter ever will be.

[NJ29]

I think that Travis Williams would be a great depth pickup on Day 2. He's got NFL coverage skills, and the presence of Simmons gives him a couple years to develop his game.

[thepudgester]

I think that Travis Williams would be a great depth pickup on Day 2. He's got NFL coverage skills, and the presence of Simmons gives him a couple years to develop his game.

Give Williams a couple years to develop his BODY. The guy is 217 lbs, that's smaller than a good number of Safety's. He'll be a monster on Special Teams and could provide good depth, though with his size issues it is not likely he will ever be able to start in the NFL.

Also from before, Roach is a 4th round prospect, at the latest 5th. Unless he runs above a 4.8 Roach will not slide past the 5th. If he runs about a 4.6 he could find his way into the late first day. he was very impressive at the Senior Bowl game.