Cincinnati Bengals

By Kirkendall In five seasons, the Bengals have one playoff appearance (no wins) and only one winning record. It should also be noted that only one time in franchise history have the Bengals gone through a stretch longer than Lewis' four consecutive non-losing seasons between 2003-2006. Among all-tim...

By Kirkendall Bengals locker writes that the Bengals like their fullback situation. I believe there's truth to that, for several reasons. However, it appears (from various beat writers) that the Bengals are really tired of Jeremi Johnson's constant overweight issues during this off-season; like th...

By Kirkendall WDR points out that the results of a poll on Bengals.com proves that Bengals fans are, well, content with the current atmosphere. It's a critical year for Frostee Rucker. Someone actually points out that Marvin Lewis is on the "totally safe" list as opposed to all the hot-seat talk.

By Kirkendall Shaun Alexander says "there's only 29, 30 running backs in the league." Supposedly the Bengals have that market cornered with at least four. One site asks why Alexander doesn't "get any football respect" while the Boston Herald documents Alexander's message of faith.

By Kirkendall the Bengals missed on five of the seven draft picks in 2005, four out of seven if you want to be generous and give them a free pass on the Kieft injury As per NFL.com's Adam Schefter, the Bengals have either expressed, or still show, a limited interest with LeCharles Bentley. Expects a "decisio...

By Kirkendall I've been asked when the Bengals will sign any draft picks. In truth, I can't (or won't) speak for the Bengals. In the past three years, the earliest signing was Jonathan Fanene on June 30. Adam Kieft was the second earliest (July 20) while the rest signed after July 25. The Bengals 2007 draft pic...

By Kirkendall In terms of the Bengals, Carson Palmer ranked 8th. "After Brady and Manning he's the third-best quarterback. The Bengals need to run it a little better to take the heat off him." That last sentence defines accuracy. Ultimately, it's impossible to make a list like this because only one thing is...

By Kirkendall Chick Ludwig (my personal favorite Bengals beat writer) points out that the Bengals will play 13 games against running backs (all six games in the AFC North) that have rushed for 1,000 yards or more. For running backs, 1,000 yards rushing has always been the benchmark -- and the argument th...

By Kirkendall I honestly think that James Walker is over-stating the "chaos" with the Cincinnati Bengals. Calling the off-season chaotic, Walker goes on to simply talk of Johnson's character-suicide campaign. He grouped "chaos" with the Bengals third defensive coordinator in six seasons (would yo...

By Kirkendall Amazingly, no Bengals player earned NFL Network's top 10 single-season performances in NFL history. Amazingly, the Bengals own no record defined by the NFL Networks's top 10 records never to be broken. Let's see, no top 10 pass rusher or NFL drafts or cool NFL nicknames.

By Kirkendall The man that goes by the name "Big C" (we hope the "C" stands for Carlos) has done a great job for the Dayton Daily News; gearing up a positive review on individual players. "Big C" chronicles Marvin White: "White is a player who will bring his A-game every day."

Caldwell, Leak on different professional paths - Lightning Strikes | tampabay.com

FS White Likes Rookie WR’s Caldwell and Simpson - Bengals Gab

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By Kirkendall Hobson writes that Johnson "plans to be ready to run the second week of July with fellow Bengals receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Antonio Chatman, Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell at a Los Angeles passing camp run by Chad mentor Charles Collins in which Palmer is slated to be one of the throw...

By Kirkendall Another Marvin Lewis is on the hot seat piece. The Bengals and Georgetown College agreed on an extension to keep training camp in Kentucky through 2009. The agent for Andrew Whitworth, Steve Colson, and the Bengals met to discuss a contract extension.

By Kirkendall People think that if you sign a contract, you should honor your contract," said Bengals safety Dexter Jackson, who has had a bird's-eye view of the Chad Johnson saga playing out in Cincinnati. "But the team can release you anytime." John Clayton chimes in on the Chad Johnson deal saying perh...

By Kirkendall Curnutte writes that Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his ankle on Wednesday. Apparently, the ankle was problematic and the Bengals asked Johnson, after the win against Miami, to have the procedure done. He declined.

By Kirkendall In the final half of the season (eight games), the Bengals defense allowed only one 100-yard rusher (Frank Gore, 138 yards). The Bengals went 5-3 during that stretch. More on rush defense. The Bengals went 0-7 allowing a 100-yard rusher; 7-2 when not allowing. The Bengals went 5-1 allowing le...

By Kirkendall Matt Miller ranks Levi Jones as the 14th best tackle in the NFL (Willie Anderson 22nd, the offensive guard Andrew Whitworth 34th, Anthony Collins 119th, former Bengals tackle 154th, Dan Uperesa 157th). Franchise player, Stacy Andrews, didn't even make the list.

By Kirkendall Bleacher Report tells us that if the Bengals don't improve this year, then we should expect Marvin Lewis to be canned. Apparently Bleacher Report doesn't know Mike Brown; it's not because of being cheap, it's because of his loyalty to coaches.

By Kirkendall Mark Curnutte says that Johnson "appears to be significantly heavier than his listed 260 pounds". Chick Ludwig says Johnson "appears to be 300-plus ". If Jeremi doesn't make the team (based on his contract and the coaches frustration against him, it would appear he's nearly out of the door...

By Kirkendall While we waited for the judge's decision on Jason Shirley's request to postpone his re-trial until after the NFL season, we wondered briefly if Shirley's status as an unsigned rookie (no NFL contract, therefore not an "NFL employee") would fall under punishment within Chancellor Good...

By Kirkendall I doubt Chad will dump Rosenhaus (and that's Chad's biggest fault) because the money his clients receive are far more than any representative. And wherever he goes, or whatever he encourages his clients to do, trouble and controversy follows. I do think that Chad wants a new contract after...

By Kirkendall The Mike Zimmer defense has players and coaches pumped about 2008. The team's cornerbacks have been working bump-and-run coverage rather than that soft crap they've played for years. Said Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph: "Every play is bump and run."

By Kirkendall ESPN's KC Joyner ranks each team's cornerback duo (Insider) based on "yards-per-attempt". Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph and Deltha O'Neal ranked 13th giving up 7.6 yards-per-attempt (232 attempts, 1,759 yard). Chad Johnson. Plaxico Burress. Now Jeremy Shockey has a shouting match with Gi...

By Kirkendall Three significant things. Mike Brown, the owner of the team, says he does not know where this is going. That is very significant since he is the owner." George said, that Marvin said, things went wrong between Chad Johnson and the Bengals when he changed representation to Oil Slick (Drew Rose...

By Kirkendall There's several videos on the NFL Network's website that interviews, discusses and analyzes the Bengals minicamp (aka, Chad Johnson). This 5:09 segment is perhaps the best. Lewis talks about the team in general -- without a Chad Johnson reference -- and really boosts how the defense look...

By Kirkendall There's some details that weren't given much light about the whole affair leading up to Odell's release. For instance, the Bengals sent someone from the organization help and watch Thurman in Georgia while he was grieving for his grandmother's death. That organization employee was requ...

By Kirkendall Mike Zimmer has me really excited about the Bengals defense this coming season; along with added talent and another season of a talent-growing youthful foundation. Again, the atmosphere with the Bengals, compared to last year, seems so much better, Chad distraction included. (same Cur...

 OH - Jun 13, 2008 But the Bengals are in bad shape, even with Fitzpatrick, behind Carson Palmer. I still question the decision to draft Jeff Rowe in the fifth round and ... Catching up on the Levi Jones subplot Cincy Jungle all 2 news articles

By Kirkendall A very minor thing compared to the Chad Johnson crap we had to go through yesterday, but Levi Jones returned to the team Thursday after it was let out that he wouldn't mind the idea of being traded during the 2008 NFL Draft. He was subsequently replaced against the Kansas City Chiefs after giv...

By Kirkendall The more we think about it, the more we realize that the Bengals won't over-react (or reach) for an available free agent running back. For one, there's plenty of time for recover. For two, it's very likely the Bengals could have too many backs if everyone returns after PUP (that is if they are l...

By Kirkendall Charlie Collins (former receivers coach for Chad Johnson at Santa Monica Junior College) says of his former player's state of mind: "By the time I'm done this week, it'll be in the right place." Mark Curnutte's Chad Johnson timeline Thursday.

By Kirkendall It's insulting, frustrating; but at the same time, with all the attention on Chad, this is the first time that I've felt that the Bengals are truly becoming a team. The lockerroom is reacting against Chad's "selfishness" that Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer have indirectly attributed to "...

By Kirkendall Marvin Lewis: “When you gonna come give me some love?” Chad Johnson: “Ain’t no love no more. It’s business.” Marvin Lewis: “Oh, okay. Good. Business is playing.” (that's a zing, if you caught it) Later... Chad Johnson to Lewis: “It’s scary when you got someone great, and he’s playing pissed off.”

By Kirkendall In the craziness of watching Chad Johnson "work" on his injury by the old-reliable standing and taking one-knee medicine, news out of the front office is that the Bengals signed Domata Peko to a five-year extension worth $29.3 million. He's signed through 2014.

By Kirkendall Chad Johnson was given a physical this morning by one of the Bengals' team doctors. He did not report any physical problems to the doctor, and he was cleared by the doctor to practice. Later, after the physical was concluded, he told our training staff that his back was sore. He refused to pract...

By Kirkendall That leaves the Bengals with Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson, at this moment, as their only healthy backs. Let me be real clear, we don't know yet the extent of Dorsey's injury either. Rookies James Johnson and Bradley Glatthaar round out the team's roster.

By Kirkendall During the special teams session Johnson chatted on the sideline with cornerback Johnathan Joseph and had some interplay with tight ends coach Jon Hayes. The Bengals had no explanation why Johnson was not practicing.

By Kirkendall Even so, the Pro Football Talk guys say that the Browns released Bentley, not because of his health; rather mutual "loathing" on a really bad deal. This Pro Football Weekly piece writes that the Bengals and Steelers could be "tempted" to go after Bentley.

By Kirkendall Listening to "Cut Man" this morning, callers are making the claim that they "saw" Chad Johnson on a late flight into Cincinnati over the morning (well, minutes after midnight makes it morning, but we all know it's still night) from Atlanta in, get this, coach! We knew that Chad Johnson was...

By Kirkendall Pasta Padre lists the Madden 2009 rankings for each team and player. The Bengals "80" is the worst in the AFC North. Carson Palmer (96) and Chad Johnson (97) are the team's best offensive players (ummm, duh?). T.J. Houshmandazadeh (95) and Willie Anderson (92) round out players that scored a "9...

If money isn't a terrible factor (frankly we have no idea what he's looking for after two seasons off), do the Bengals go after him? ... About Chick Ludwig At Large Springfield News Sun Impressions from the first day of minicamp: Dayton Daily News 10TV - News-Herald.com

Chris Perry in the fight of his life - Dayton Daily News

RB Perry's playing status still up in the air - Dayton Daily News

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By Kirkendall Bengals rookie defensive tackle, Jason Shirley, spent Wednesday in court as his lawyer asked the judge to postpone his re-trial (hit-and-run and drunk driving) until after the NFL season. We're not really sure if the judge will post-pone the case simply because Shirley is not a high-pro...

By Kirkendall Chick Ludwig writes that DeDe Dorsey is likely to supplant Chris Perry as the team's third running back because Perry is "only 80 percent recovered from '06 ankle surgery". And Carlos Holmes sees Rudi Johnson having a great rebounding season.

By Kirkendall Is there any doubt that Carson Palmer is starting to finally accept his role as leader? Through all of Chad Johnson's complaints and disdain for the Bengals, demanding trades (or threatening retirement... right), Palmer is reiterating that the team is, well, a team. "There is no selfishnes...

By Kirkendall The 2008 Cincinnati Bengals are depending on Carson Palmer. In reality, they depend on him every single game of every single season. Without Palmer, there's no chance. Madieu Williams does his best not to slam the Bengals, but his point is clear. The Bengals are a "sideshow" and the Vikings ar...

By Kirkendall While Bengals offensive coordinator plans to use a running back by committee approach this season (yet, "chaired by Rudi Johnson"), the Bengals are seeing even more changes on the other side of the football. Change is a history we've become accustomed to.

By Kirkendall Thurman holds a unique interest with Bengals fans because his rookie season was so impressive, that some fans were calling him a "young Ray Lewis". So much talent, natural instinct, likely all gone with a career that, unless he has a Josh Hamilton-like rebound, is over.

By Kirkendall Not the Bengals, not the Reds. The Cincinnati Cyclones won Thursday night, 3-1, in the sixth game of the Kelly Cup Finals over the Las Vegas to win the ECHL's Kelly Cup. It's the first title that calls Cincinnati home since the Reds swept the Athletics in 1990. Even worse, you have to go back to th...

By Kirkendall After earning four-straight Pro Bowl bids (2003-2006) and three first-team all-pro awards (2004-2006), Willie Anderson waltzes into Paul Brown Stadium this week as the team's backup right tackle to $7.455 million man, Stacy Andrews.

By Kirkendall Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, themselves, won't win us playoff games. They have yet to prove that. But the Bengals supporting cast, with guys like Utecht and Chris Perry gives this team a big chance at being the most dominating passing game in the NFL.

By Kirkendall Frostee Rucker hasn't had the most impressive impression with Bengals fans. After public legal battles, Rucker missed his entire rookie season (2006). He hurt his shoulder during the preseason, went inactive during games 1-3 and then reaggravated his shoulder putting him on Injured Re...

By Kirkendall Drama Queen, minion of Oil Slick, reiterates that he'll be back in Cincinnati in a guest editor spot with ESPN the Mag. Some quotes. Management told me I had a bad year. I was asked to stop being me. Okay, but how does that work since I am what some people would say is the face of Cincinnati?"

By Kirkendall If reports are true, and Odell Thurman is facing an indefinite suspension based on another failed drug test, then let me get a towel, run it under warm water from the faucet and wipe my face from all the egg yoke. Then, let me apologize to Marvin Lewis and the Bengals front office for slamming t...

By Kirkendall Right now, I expect that the Bengals will take Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Glenn Holt and Marcus Maxwell into the first regular season game. In other words, I don't see Antonio Chatman making the team with, perhaps, Mario Urrutia on the practice squa...

By Timzilla Bottom line, the NFL, as a business, has to make some ‘human product’ improvements—but when a Chad Johnson, in defense of his many childish antics, makes statements such as, “hey, at least I don’t get arrested” ... well, it’s a signal this ain’t going to be easy. Nor will it be easy for this organ...

By Kirkendall Take a look at this. Solomon Wilcots tours with Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis around the training room and weight room. It's a good fun inside look. The Bengals are going through a youth movement at wide receiver. This writer believes that the Raiders should pursue Odell Thurman.

By Kirkendall I had a chat with my friend, a quick chat actually and we came up with our top-five games that we'll never forget during the Marvin Lewis era. Actually, we couldn't determine a fifth, but had mentions for that debate. Here's our informal list that we did in five minutes. Bengals 24, Chiefs 19. The...

By Timzilla My rewind to '05 brings back Palmer's knee—and Marvin Lewis' eyes. The moment it was obvious Palmer was lost that day, Lewis sadly seemed to be, too. Yeah, okay, our QB is down ... but hello, we're still in a playoff game here, guys! So, where’s our current-day Boomer? Anthony Munoz? Paul Brown?...

By goffchile The recent Odell Thurman controversy demonstrates that the Bengals can't win in the public mind, or even with their own fans.  If the Bengals hold on to Odell, it is proof that they coddle "thugs"--and God forbid if their had been another incident--proof that the Bengals are "out of contro...

By Kirkendall Stripe Hype is gathering impressions with Bengals forums. UPDATE: It's official. The Bengals have cut Odell Thurman (it's the same link as below, just updated). It was Marvin Lewis that called Thurman's representatives, Safarrah Lawson and said:

By Kirkendall Overall: Purify enrolled at City College of San Francisco CC out of high school, compiling 92 receptions for 1,762 yards and 30 touchdowns in two seasons (2004-'05). He transferred to Nebraska in 2006, playing in 14 games (five starts) and grabbing 34 receptions for 630 yards (18.5 averag...

By Kirkendall The general feel right now is that the Cincinnati Bengals HATE bloggers. I'm sure there's truth that they are annoyed by the constant ramblings of an incompetent owner, reports of a chaotic lockerroom and general negative press (mostly all the time), the feeling is that the Bengals went a...

By Kirkendall Justin Britt, G/C, 6'4", 302 lbs, Alabama. (Sports Illustrated) Bradley Glatthaar, RB, 5'11", 245 lbs, Cincinnati (Sports Illustrated) Anthony Hoke, LB, 6'0", 238 lbs, Cincinnati (NFL Draft Countdown) James Johnson, RB, 5'11", 202 lbs, Kansas St. (Sports Illustrated)

By Kirkendall It's telling that the Bengals picked up their third wide receiver this weekend basically saying to Chad Johnson, we're moving on. Enjoy your 18 month off-season. Mel Kiper Jr. spoke highly of his talent, but questioned why he entered the draft as a junior when you're the 246th pick in the NFL -...

By Kirkendall The Bengals addressed one of their needs in the secondary drafting a safety to compliment the two safeties drafted last season. We still expect the Bengals to pick up another cornerback and that should satisfy the secondary unit for the draft.

By Kirkendall It was expected that the Bengals go after two defensive tackles, at least, in this draft. Manly to help restock the position after age and ineffectiveness resulted in a poor run defense up the middle and lack of pocket pressure on passing down. Shirley was projected as a late draft pick, if no...

By Kirkendall The Bengals drafting another wide receiver, two of the team's first four picks, is a bit surprising. We knew they'd go with at least one receiver early, but two? This is obvious in reaction to Chad Johnson sitting out -- or being traded. So it makes sense that the Bengals protect themselves an...

By Kirkendall I'll be honest, I know little of Simpson (actually nothing), but we knew that the Bengals would look at wide receiver in the first three rounds. Scouts, Inc. listed Simpson as the 11th best wide receiver in the draft -- but the sixth selected.

By Kirkendall As much as Curnutte's word in his blog post wanted us to believe that the Bengals didn't think highly of Keith Rivers, with their first-round pick, the Cincinnati Bengals select... Keith Rivers. This page will continuously be updated with Rivers analysis. Poll Are you happy with the Bengals s...

By Kirkendall Whether or not it's the right move, Cincinnati will be in flames if they pick an offensive guy in the first round. Again, it might even be the best move in the past 20 years. But we're opinionated folk that believe our minds are far more superior than anyone in the Bengals (or the Reds, for that ma...

By Kirkendall Palmer supports drafting Ellis while admitted Bengals fan, Kirk Herbstreit puts the smack down on the Cincinnati Bengals. "There's talk about (USC defensive tackle) Sedrick Ellis coming in as a Cincinnati Bengal," Herbstreit said. "I don't know if he fits Cincinnati because he's got gr...

By Kirkendall It's never a bad thing to stock on linemen -- the biggest success or failure of any team goes through the line. Even though the offensive line did quality work keeping Carson Palmer's sack total low (17), the line, at times, was simply awful run blocking.

By Kirkendall THE GAME THAT THE BENGALS FELL HARD BACK TO EARTH. What happens when the Bengals play the most complete game of their season? They remind us that they really stink as a football team. It didn't help that the assist came from eventual AFC North Champions -- the Pittsburgh Steelers -- in a 24-10 b...

By Kirkendall A: Every NFL team has talent. Q: About some of the players. Obviously, the franchise guy is Carson Palmer, and he hasn't been the Pro Bowler he was last year. Q: Rudi Johnson is averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Sunday against the Browns, it looked like Kenny Watson made yards that Rudi hasn't made.

By Kirkendall We all agree this team needs to change the front office. We need executives with football wisdom. We need to revamp the entire personnel department. The Bengals need football smarts to fall in line with consistent NFL success. Will they? I doubt it. The Brown family is too damned stubborn and eg...

By Kirkendall Without a game Sunday, the networks in Cincinnati gave us some intriguing (not really) games. When I saw Cleveland's field for the Browns win over the Bills, I was pumped. I hate football being this suddenly pristine sport. Slop, freezing cold, snow and gail-force winds are always a variabl...

By Kirkendall Additionally. Chad Johnson ranks 4th in the NFL (3rd in AFC) with 1,187 yards receiving and T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the entire Galaxy with 96 receptions. Houshmandzadeh's 11 receiving touchdowns ranks 4th. All I'm saying is that Palmer is way above average in this league.