Cincinnati Bengals

This year, the Bengals defensive unit was one of the best we've seen in a few seasons. With defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer signing a three year deal in 2010, several draft picks playing up to their potential (Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins), and significant free agent contributions from Manny Lawson and Nate Clements, the Bengals finished with the 7th ranked defense in the NFL.

One key contributor to that ranking, who was also a free agent acquisition this past off-season, was Outside Linebacker, Thomas Howard. Howard, in a recent interview with Pro Football Weekly, praised the front seven of the Bengals defense along with the "Pro Bowl talent" on the offensive side of the ball.

Howard played in all 16 games this season, with 15 starts, and led the team in tackles with 99 (64 solo). At the Superbowl this past week, Howard lauded the defensive line ("so many great, young, talented guys"), as well as Mike Zimmer and the rest of the Bengals defensive coaches:

"They understand defense. I knew coming here I would become a better player[.]"

Howard's 99 tackles are the most he has recorded in a season since his rookie year (110) and he is coming off of a down year with the Raiders where he played in 12 games, but was not a starter in any of them, and had only 9 tackles on the season.

His positive attitude is warmly welcomed in Cincinnati and Howard goes on to state that not only is the defense getting better but the offense is also, and will be playing at a high level for a long time.

"I definitely want to improve and be better for my team next year, because we're just scratching the surface right now of our potential. We have young Pro Bowl talent on offense — (QB) Andy (Dalton), (TE) Jermaine (Gresham), (WR) A.J. (Green). They're going to be good for a long time, and I'm excited (about) it."

Thomas Howard was drafted in the second round (no. 38 overall) by the Oakland Raiders in 2006. Howard accumulated 320 tackles in 62 games with the Raiders and led all NFL LB's in 2008 with six interceptions (2 TD's) and 11 passes defended. Howard is coming into a contract year with the Bengals and, with another productive year, could put himself in line for an extension from the team, who will need as much help as they can get at the linebacker position because of injuries and several draft picks not panning out.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Now that Super Bowl XLVI is over, many NFL experts are releasing their final NFL power rankings, given the results of the season and the outlook into 2012. The first final power ranking list we came across was Peter King's from his "Monday Morning Quarterback" feature in Sports Illustrated. If you remember, King inexplicably left the Bengals out of the top half of his list, putting teams like the Miami Dolphins ahead of Cincinnati.

These rankings will all be debatable amongst fans of every respective team, but the experts have their reasons for ranking teams where they have them going into 2012. SB Nation just released their own final power rankings and they're quite a bit more generous to the Bengals than King was in his feature.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7, LW: 10): Kudos to Cincinnati and one of the best stories this season. They were considered one of the worst teams in the league before the season and finished the year with a playoff appearance. Assuming Andy Dalton and A.J. Green continue to develop, this will be a very good team down the road.

Given the fact that the Bengals were bounced from the playoffs in the Wild Card round, it makes sense that they would be ranked towards the lower part of the top third in the league. With twelve playoff teams in the NFL, putting the young Bengals squad at eleven makes sense at this point. It's a good feeling ending the season ranked at No. 11 when most NFL pundits had the Bengals as one of the worst teams going into 2011.

Interestingly, SB Nation puts the Denver Broncos all the way down at No. 20. A debate could ensue here because the Broncos made it further than the Bengals did in the playoffs, though they had one less regular-season victory than Cincinnati. Regardless, there just doesn't seem to be any Tim Tebow believers going into 2012. In case you were wondering, the Carson Palmer-led Raiders fell one spot behind the Broncos at No. 21.

The Baltimore Ravens came in at No. 4 on the list, bettered by only the Giants, Patriots and Packers. The Pittsburgh Steelers came in at No. 7 and the Cleveland Browns round out the AFC North division at No. 30.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

The last game of the 2011 NFL season is over and the New York Giants have been completed their improbable run as world champions. They have been celebrated in their hometown and the new league year is in view.

Next up is the Scouting Combine. You've seen the list of the invitees and have some mock drafts as references--who will you be keeping an eye on? What should be the Bengals' first moves in their offseason plan? Sound off on your forum--the Open Thread.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

The end of the NFL season brings sadness to many fans of the game, but it can also bring happiness. Part of the happiness that I speak of is the NFL draft. The draft should bring even more excitement than usual to Bengals fans this year, thanks to the Carson Palmer trade, Cincinnati has two first round picks at number 17 and number 21. Some have suggested that the Bengals should take advantage of the extra picks and move up in the draft. The folks at Mocking the Draft, an SB Nation site, have the Bengals doing just that.

The first round mock at MTD has the Bengals trading up to the Dolphins spot at number eight and selecting Alabama running back Trent Richardson. The Bengals would trade their number 17 pick and their second round pick in order to move to number eight. With the Bengals pick at number 21, MTD has the team selecting Wisconsin offensive lineman Peter Konz. Konz played center at Wisconsin, but many expect him to move to guard in the NFL.

8. The Cincinnati Bengals select: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama.

The Dolphins were hoping that Couples would have fallen to them to help the transition back to the 4-3. But with him gone, the Dolphins take a slight loss in trade value to drop back. The Bengals take opportunity of a pretty good deal on their half to move up to 8 and fill a huge need for them. With Cedric Benson a free agent, the Bengals need a running back. Trent Richardson has some scouts saying he's better than Adrian Peterson was when he came out. I'm not sold on that, but Richardson is very good in his own right. He can run with power, but also has that elusiveness that makes him incredibly hard to bring down. Add him to the Bengals running attack and he takes a load off of Andy Dalton's shoulders.

The Bengals seem to have the luxury of deciding if trading up to get a Trent Richardson or a David DeCastro is worth it. Is trading a second round pick to move up going to hurt depth? Some will say that a running back isn't worth trading up to get, even for a back with the capability of Richardson. Others will say that sacrificing a second round pick is well worth it if Richardson is as good as advertised. No matter what you think about the picks, MTD certainly addressed the Bengals mediocre running game and attempted to improve the offensive line.

Konz could be a good fit in Cincinnati because of his versatility that the Bengals coaches seem to covet out of their big boys up front. As for Konz, MTD writes:

21. The Cincinnati Bengals select: Peter Konz, Center/Guard, Wisconson.

Having already traded up for Richardson, the Bengals use their second 1st round pick on an offensive lineman to help block for him. Konz was one of the best centers in college football last year, but might be a little tall for the center position in the NFL so could be moved to Guard. Either way he provides versatility and should be a solid starter day one.

The excitement is quickly building for the NFL draft. The combine in Indianapolis is just over two weeks away, while the start of free agency is just over a month away. The NFL season has ended, but another season has just begun.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

While the Senior Bowl is a major scouting opportunity for NFL teams to get exposed to many incoming prospects, it's the annual Scouting Combine that is the preeminent scouting event for staffs. The 2012 Combine will be held in Indianapolis on February 22nd and unlike the Senior Bowl, teams will get exposure to a number of declared underclassmen.

Sometimes labeled the "underwear olympics", the Combine is a few days of teams gathering in the confines of Lucas Oil Stadium to watch many young men run, jump, pass, kick and catch their way into the NFL. Certain positions are grouped together on certain days and the teams also get access to interview several players they are interested in drafting. This week is very important to teams and prospects alike, as one bad workout or interview could change a team's perception of a player.

SB Nation released the complete list of invitees to the Combine and there are a number of players that the Bengals staff will have their eyes on.

With the team likely looking at wide receiver, cornerback, safety, defensive linemen and offensive linemen, they will have plenty of opportunities to see the top prospects at these positions in action. Most of the names that have been linked to the Bengals in mock drafts will be participating in Indianapolis.

The University of Alabama has the most invitees to the Combine with nine. The Bengals will be particularly interested on three of those attendees: safety Mark Barron, running back Trent Richardson, and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. Some controversy has swirled around Barron and Kirkpatrick recently, however. Barron was just diagnosed with a sports hernia injury and Kirkpatrick just cleared his name of a marijuana charge hanging over his head.

Over the past few years, the vast majority of players drafted were attendees of the Scouting Combine. February 22nd will be a big step in a critical offseason for the direction of the Bengals.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

The end of the NFL season brings sadness to many fans of the game, but it can also bring happiness.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Former Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty has signed a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos, a Canadian Football League franchise.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Former Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty has signed a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos, a Canadian Football League franchise. Rashad Jeanty played with the Bengals from 2006-2009 mostly as an outside linebacker. Jeanty showed plenty of promise during his four years with the Bengals but it was cut short during the 2009 Wild Card game against the Jets when he broke his left fibula then proceeded to miss the entire 2010 season because of complications from the injury.

Jeanty started his career with Edmonton in 2003 and won two Grey Cup's in the three years he played in Canada. Edmonton general manager Eric Tillman stated in a Monday news release,

"It's great to welcome Rashad back to the Eskimos, he left as a champion after the 2005 Grey Cup and he's eager to help us return to that elite level."

Jeanty was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2011 season, but was released prior to the start of the season. The Edmonton Eskimos have a CFL record 13 Grey Cup Championships and add Jeanty with the intention of gaining back their elite status in the CFL that they had from 2003-2005.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

You know the rules. They're simple. Come up with a caption for the picture. If it's seconded, either with a "+1" or recommendation, it moves onto the final vote.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

It's no surprise that draft talk has already heated up. After all, the NFL draft is becoming almost as big of an event as any playoff game. However, before we get too engrossed in different mock drafts and who the Bengals are going to take, we have to focus on free agency. The Bengals have a lot of needs coming into the 2012 season and they can fill some of those needs with veteran players and by re-signing their own players.

Speaking of their own players, here's my list of Bengals free agents in order of most important to re-sign to least important.

Mike Nugent: Nugent has been a very consistent kicker in 2012. His field goal percentage was 87.5 and he only missed on extra point out of 34 throughout the season. With all the holes that the Bengals need to fill in 2012, the last one they should be worried about is finding a new kicker. Re-signing Nugent should be a no-brainer and they should do it early to get it out of the way.
Definitely Re-Sign

Reggie Nelson: The Bengals already need to find a new safety to take over for a very underwhelming Chris Crocker and the last thing they should do is put themselves in a position in which they need to find two new safeties. Nelson played well enough that I am comfortable with him as a starting free safety in the future. The Bengals should re-sign him immediately.
Definitely Re-Sign

Frostee Rucker: Rucker had a good season in 2011. It was good enough that he wrestled a starting job away from Michael Johnson and was good at both rushing the passer and defending against the run. Rucker is likely looking to start at defensive end for a team and as far as I'm concerned, the Bengals starting defensive end job is his to lose, if they re-sign him of course.
Definitely Re-Sign

Bobbie Williams: The fact that Williams is so high on the list may come as a surprise to some Bengals fans, but hear me out. Williams was by far the team's best guard in 2011 and when he went on IR with a broken ankle, you could see how his absence impacted the offense. The Bengals will likely address the guard position in the draft but they won't be able to find two new starters. If they draft a new guard in the first round, that guard could play opposite of Williams. If they don't re-sign Williams, they need to go out and find a different guard from another team
Should Re-Sign

Manny Lawson: Lawson, along with Thomas Howard, played well in 2011 and earned himself another contract as far as I'm concerned. Like the kicker position, there are enough holes on the roster that they don't need to worry about who their starting linebacker will be. If they re-sing Lawson, they won't have to.
Should Re-Sign

Pat Sims: Sims is a run-stopping machine. Unfortunately, in his four seasons in the NFL, he has only finished one of them injury free, which is a concern, but there is definitely an upside. Mike Zimmer could use a guy like Sims to help stop AFC North running backs from jamming the ball down their throats and he will help keep that deep defensive line as one of the major strengths of the team.
Should Re-Sign

Brandon Johnson: Johnson is a specialist linebacker excelling in coverage. He isn't a starter in Mike Zimmer's defense but he adds a lot of depth and can play either outside linebacker spot if he needs to. He may not be a starter but he's definitely worth keeping around.
Should Re-Sign

Jonathan Fanene: Like Rucker and Sims, Fanene is important to re-sign in my opinion to keep that defensive line unit deep and talented so they can be fresh throughout the game. He also has value because he can play defensive tackle or defensive end.
Should Re-Sign

Adam Jones: Jones showed that he may not be a starting cornerback anymore but what he also showed us is he's better than Kelly Jennings and he can be a backup and a third cornerback playing in nickel formations. Leon Hall will hopefully be back to start the season and the Bengals will likely grab a new corner in the draft, possibly in the first round. Jones will be important to be back on the field to play in passing situations and just in case Hall isn't quite ready yet.
Think About Re-Signing

Anthony Collins: Collins showed he's an effective right tackle when he's given a chance to play. Unfortunately for him, the team has too much invested in Andre Smith to give Collins a fair shot but if something happens to Smith during the season, it would be nice to have Collins around. Unfortunately, I doubt the Bengals will be able to re-sign him because I'm thinking he wants a starting job.
Think About Re-Signing

Dennis Roland: Roland is at least 300 feet tall and probably weighs as much as a fully loaded city bus and there has to be some sort of intimidation factor when he's on the field. He comes in on goal line situations and, since he's probably a troll of some sort, he helps the Bengals in those third- and fourth-and-short situations. If the Bengals lose Collins, they'll probably want to make sure they keep Roland.
Think About Re-Signing

Donald Lee: The tight end job belongs to Jermaine Gresham and nobody is going to take it away from him. Lee could help add some depth to the tight end position and has some value as a pass catcher as well. The Bengals will likely find somebody to help Gresham and they might as well keep the guy that did in 2011.
Maybe If There's Money/Room

Jerome Simpson: Simpson is terribly unreliable and inconsistent but you can't deny his incredible athleticism. The Bengals are hopefully looking to find a more suitable No. 2 receiver to play opposite of A.J. Green, but Simpson still has some value as a deep threat and a backup receiver. His drug issue should make him cheap.
Maybe If There's Money/Room

Cedric Benson: Benson's time in Cincinnati is more than likely over but he is coming off his third straight 1,000-yard season. Part of Benson's troubles in 2011 was the line's inability to open up holes for him but Benson lacks the ability to make plays on his own as well. If the Bengals are unable to grab the running back they want in the draft, they may bring Benson back.
Should Not Re-Sign

Nate Livings: Livings was bad in 2011 as the team's starting left guard and the Bengals will probably be looking for a new guard either in free agency and probably in the draft. However, Livings could be re-signed as a backup. That would be a good role for him.
Should Not Re-Sign

Kelly Jennings: Jennings struggled in coverage in 2011. With the Bengals expected to address the cornerback positon in the upcoming draft, I dont' see a spot on the roster for Jennings in 2012.
Should Not Re-Sign

Andre Caldwell: If Simpson is inconsistent, then what is Caldwell. A.J. Green is the future of the Bengals and with Jordan Shipley coming back from injury in 2012 and with the team expecting to draft or sign a new wide receiver in free agency, Caldwell's time in Cincinnati is likely over.
Should Not Re-Sign

Bo Scaife: Scaife got hurt before the season started and was place on IR. There's no real reason the Bengals would re-sign him in 2012.
Should Not Re-Sign

Mike McGlynn: McGlynn started at right guard once Bobbie Williams went on IR but he struggled at pass and run blocking. With the Bengals expecting to find a new guard in the draft and with Clint Boling on the roster with a year under his belt, there's no need to bring McGlynn back.
Should Not Re-Sign

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

This week, the AFC North blog will take a look at what each team will be facing in terms of its own free agents.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

When one season ends, another begins. The NFL concluded its “on field” season when the clock hit...
add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Ravens could send Lewis into retirement with a Super Bowl run.


add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

After the 2009 season, when the Bengals won the division and lost in the first round, many wondered what the team would do for an encore. It resulted in a 4-12 campaign and the end of the Carson Palmer-Chad Ochocinco era.

In the big-picture scheme of things, a 9-7 regular season and second playoff berth in three years was better than anyone could have hoped during training camp.

In the narrow prism, a 6-2 mark at midseason raised the stakes that they didn't match. Instead, the Bengals dropped six of their final nine games including last Saturday's 31-10 loss at Houston.

With Andy Dalton and A.J. Green forming a young nucleus, the Bengals are in the best position they have been in for a long time.
add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

For the third consecutive year, the Super Bowl set a record as the most-watched television show in U.S. history.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Everyone makes some form of a stereotype at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, that's the type of society we live in and a lot of those stereotypes we make can be labeled as "unfair" or simply "not true". The particular stereotype that surrounds the Cincinnati Bengals and their Owner/General Manager, , is that they are a cheap franchise not ... (more)

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Andy Dalton. Backups -- Bruce Gradkowski, Zac Robinson. Dalton exceeded expectations, but still needs to work on footwork and some mechanics. Gradkowski also deserves a share of credit for helping to bring Dalton along because of his knowledge of Gruden's system but does have accuracy problems. Robinson was signed to the offseason roster and will compete for a possible third QB spot even though the team kept two this year. RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- Cedric Benson, FB Chris Pressley. Backups -- Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, Cedric Peerman, FB James Develin. Benson ran for his third straight 1,000-yard season but struggled to break big runs along with showing his dissatisfaction with the direction of the offense. The Bengals were able to have some more consistency on offense due to Pressley and his ability to sustain blocks in finding a path for Benson. Scott has good speed to the outside and is a good change of pace back but many wonder if he could step into a starting role fulltime due to durability issues. Leonard remains the team's best back on third down because of his blocking and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Peerman was used mainly on special teams and Develin was on the practice squad all year. TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Jermaine Gresham. Backups -- Colin Cochart, Donald Lee. Injured reserve -- Bo Scaife. Gresham became the first Bengals tight end in 30 years to post two straight seasons of 50 receptions or more. Lee lended a solid veteran presence that was lacking when Reggie Kelly didn't re-sign but he also was a good downfield threat. Cochart was used as a blocking guy when the Bengals used two-tight end sets. Scaife had a neck injury during the preseason and is a free agent. WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson. Backups -- Andrew Hawkins, Ryan Whalen, Brandon Tate, Armon Binns, Vidal Hazelton. Injured Reserve -- Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell Green showed that he is already one of the top receivers in the AFC and gave the Bengals a deep threat they were lacking the past three seasons with Chad Ochocinco's decline. The task now is finding a second receiver to pair with him. Simpson has plenty of athletic potential but makes too many mistakes and hasn't grasped two offenses, not to mention his indictment on federal drug charges. Shipley should be ready in time for training camp but it appears that Caldwell is on his way out with no spot to put him. Hawkins and Whalen are dependable No. 4 receivers who are also good on special teams. Tate didn't see many snaps at receiver and is more of a returner. Binns and Hazelton will vie for spots during training camp. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Nate Livings, C Kyle Cook, RG Mike McGlynn, RT Andre Smith. Backups -- OT Anthony Collins, OG Otis Hudson, OG Clint Boling, OT Dennis Roland, OT Matthew O'Donnell Injured reserve -- RG Bobbie Williams. Whitworth and Smith were great in pass protection and solid in run blocking. Smith, who finally was able to slim down and get his foot problems behind him, played in 14 games and improved as a pass blocker. The problems are on the interior of the line. Livings continued to struggle and there was a hope that either McGlynn or Boling would be able to unseat him which didn't happen. Williams was lost with four games remaining with a broken ankle but he also struggled in run blocking this season. Cook was solid in calling the line schemes but was often overmatched in run sets. Collins is the team's best pass blocker but there hasn't been a place for him. There is a possibility he could move to guard if re-signed. Hudson and Boling are young but remain works in progress. Roland was used as a second tight sometimes. O'Donnell was on the practice squad all year. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LDE Robert Geathers, NT Domata Peko, DT Geno Atkins, RDE Frostee Rucker. Backups -- DE Carlos Dunlap, DT Nick Hayden, DT Jonathan Fanene, DE Michael Johnson. Injured reserve -- DT Pat Sims. Each member of the defensive line recorded at least half a sack, which was a huge leap forward from 2010. Atkins (7.5 sacks) just missed out for the team record on sacks by an interior lineman while Fanene (6.5) had a career high. Rucker was finally healthy and had his most consistent year to date. Peko was the team's best run stopper while Geathers was solid. Dunlap battled injuries for most of the second half of the season but was the team's most consistent player in quarterback pressures. Johnson took a step back this year as he struggled with his overall play and was replaced in the starting lineup by Rucker halfway through the season. Hayden was a late-season addition when Sims was put on IR and didn't do much. Sims played well as a backup but not at the level he displayed the past couple seasons. LINEBACKERS: SLB Manny Lawson, MLB Rey Maualuga, WLB Thomas Howard. Backups -- Dontay Moch, Dan Skuta, Brandon Johnson, Vincent Rey, Micah Johnson, DeQuin Evans. Injured reserve -- Roddrick Muckelroy. It was a unit that matched up better in pass coverage but struggled against the run over the second half of the season. Howard ended up leading the team in tackles and was the most consistent. Maualuga struggled on run stopping and had a lot of missed tackles. He didn't have the impact season that many had hoped. Lawson was solid in pass coverage but didn't provide the rush off the edge that some had hoped. Johnson has versatility in the middle and at weak-side linebacker, but he might look elsewhere after signing his third straight one-year deal. Skuta did well in three starts in the middle but had a bigger role on special teams. Rey mostly played on special teams and Moch didn't play in a game after a series of injuries. M.Johnson and Evans were on the practice squad. Muckelroy ruptured his Achilles during the first day of training camp but should be back in time for training camp. DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Nate Clements, RCB Adam Jones, SS Chris Crocker, FS Reggie Nelson. Backups -- CB Brandon Ghee CB Kelly Jennings, S Taylor Mays, S Gibril Wilson, S Jeromy Miles, S Robert Sands. Injured reserve -- CB Leon Hall. Hall should be back in time for the start of training camp. Clements became a veteran presence with the group but did struggle on pass coverage late in the season. Jones was erratic in pass coverage and also was not good against the run. Crocker was good against the run but struggled on deep routes. Nelson had problems on deep routes early in the season but got better as the season progressed. Jennings battled injuries and then learning the system as the season progressed. Ghee, Mays, Miles, Wilson and Sands are all young and talented but didn't see a lot of playing time. SPECIAL TEAMS: K Mike Nugent, P Kevin Huber, LS Clark Harris, KR/PR Brandon Tate. Nugent was the league's most accurate kicker until late in the season when he missed four field goals over the final three games. Huber was in the middle of the pack as far as punting as Lewis has talked a lot about wanting more consistency out of him. Harris has not had a bad snap in the three seasons he has been here. Tate set a team record for combined kick/punt returns and did run a punt back for a touchdown, but more often than not was tentative in his returns and hesitated more than running straight ahead.


add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, defensive tackle A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham were added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. They replace a trio of Patriots who will be playing in the Super Bowl - quarterback Tom Brady, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and tight end Rob Gronkowski. Dalton joins wide receiver A.J. Green in giving the Bengals the first rookie quarterback-wide receiver duo to be on the same Pro Bowl roster in NFL history. --Cincinnati Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson faces possible jail time and suspension from the NFL after being indicted on one count of marijuana trafficking of more than eight ounces. The felony count could mean up to five years in prison for Simpson, if he's found guilty. Federal authorities say they tracked a package that contained 2 1-2 pounds of marijuana to his northern Kentucky home last September. The indictment comes just a day after Adam "Pacman" Jones, who also completed the final year of a contract with the Bengals, received community service and probation for a disorderly conduct charge stemming from an incident at a Cincinnati bar. --When he had his season-ending meeting with tackle Andrew Whitworth, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden commented how things won't let up next year, especially with the defensive lines of NFC East and AFC West teams that they will face. "I'll face the 12 guys that lead the NFL in sacks every year. I can run the list off," Whitworth said. "Between our division guys and Tamba Hali, (Elvis) Dumervil and (Von) Miller, the NFC East ... it would be a lot of fun, be exciting." --The Bengals' 2012 training camp will be held at the team's facility at Paul Brown Stadium, ending a 15-year run of calling Georgetown (Ky.) College home. The team will offer greater access to fans that is unavailable at Paul Brown Stadium during the regular season, as well as a number of new special events and attractions. The decision to shift camp to Cincinnati was influenced by the NFL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement, agreed to last summer, which significantly reduces the number of on-field practice sessions allowed during the training camp period. At Paul Brown Stadium, Bengals coaches and staff will have the advantage of utilizing the team's home facilities and technology. "Georgetown has been a great place for us, but this is the best way for our team to get ready for the 2012 regular season," said head coach Marvin Lewis. "We are going to be right in our home, and that's where you're best suited with the way the (NFL) rules have changed. We also hope to see some fans who maybe haven't had a chance to see us at camp before, and we're excited to join all the great activities that are happening in the summertime in our downtown." --While most players try to avoid going to the Pro Bowl, quarterback Andy Dalton said he would welcome the opportunity to join receiver A.J. Green in Hawaii. Dalton is the first alternate at quarterback at the moment. "I think it would be a great experience," he said. Whoever ends up going to the Pro Bowl with Green, Lewis hopes that they all use it as a business trip instead of relaxation. Said Lewis: "They can be a sponge there. I used to motivate Ray Lewis every year that way. Don't go there to hang out by the pool. You go there and come back learning. You learn how other people do things and what makes other people great year after year after year, and that's the opportunity they'll have." --The team has not announced a deal yet to return to Georgetown College, which means that many are expecting that the team might train in Cincinnati this year. The Bengals have trained at Georgetown since 1996. Lewis though didn't say where they would train, just saying that camp "will be different." QUOTE TO NOTE: "If we were having this conversation Feb. 6, we would have closed a book. So, we are just closing a chapter. The book is still being written. But we've got things to do, and it's with a group of guys that I think just scratched the surface a little bit this year, and they realize that." -- Head coach Marvin Lewis, when asked if the end of this season felt more like a book was being closed.


add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

After the 2009 season, when the Bengals won the division and lost in the first round, many wondered what the team would do for an encore. It resulted in a 4-12 campaign and the end of the Carson Palmer-Chad Ochocinco era. In the big-picture scheme of things, a 9-7 regular season and second playoff berth in three years was better than anyone could have hoped during training camp. In the narrow prism, a 6-2 mark at midseason raised the stakes that they didn't match. Instead, the Bengals dropped six of their final nine games including last Saturday's 31-10 loss at Houston. With Andy Dalton and A.J. Green forming a young nucleus, the Bengals are in the best position they have been in for a long time. However, many wonder what the team can do with two first-round draft picks and a lot of salary cap room. "We've got things to do, and it's with a group of guys that I think just scratched the surface a little bit this year, and they realize that," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "They are not beating their chest. They realize we didn't quite get where we want to finish. We've crossed some hurdles, but we've got more hurdles yet to make." Of his previous offseasons, this is the best position that Lewis' Bengals have been in. The only other time that comes close was following the 2005 season, but many wondered if Palmer could come back from knee surgery. The thing that makes Lewis upbeat about this offseason is that it will be largely void of drama and that everyone should be here when offseason conditioning starts on April 16. Besides trying to find players to build around Dalton and Green, especially at running back, there are concerns at offensive guard. Defensively, the secondary remains a priority. "I feel good about the guys we have and where we are, what we can build on because if you look at film I don't see things that worry me as far as the future of this franchise and what's wrong," offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "I see details, young players and things we need to get a little bit better at and learning why they are important to do them a certain way every time. All things that are very fixable, the talent and ability is there, we just have to build off of it." Lewis, who will be entering his 10th season as head coach next season, has one year on his contract and said that he has not discussed an extension yet with Mike Brown. When asked if this could be a repeat situation to 2010, where it wasn't done until two days after a 4-12 season, Lewis said: "I don't know. We'll see. Not trying to put a curse on me, are we?"


add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

Now that most major orchestras have lost their exclusive recording contracts, many are setting up their own labels.

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl

This years Super Bowl may be over, but the gambling never stops. Super Bowl XLVII's odds are already out and the Cincinnati Bengals are going off at 40:1. The rest of the list, from http://www.bovada.lv/ , is as follows: - Minus a fumbled punt, plus one big play and San Francisco is in the Super Bowl instead of the Champion Giants--and that all ... (more)

add to del.icio.us. look up in del.icio.us.   add to furl