Law Firm Bengalized

[Be Weary of Query]

I've been an advocate of getting a speed back for the past two drafts. Instead we got:

- Boom Herron in '12 (Practice Squad)

- Jay Finely in '11 (out of football)

A home run hitter is desperately missing from the current offense. Perhaps one will be selected early on this upcoming draft? We do have an extra 2nd rounder to play with after all.

 

[flamingrey]

do you feel this group is better than what the Bengals have on board?

It would be almost impossible not to be...

 

[Restore the Roar]

It would be almost impossible not to be...

 

[DanBengalfan]

don't worry, we have bernard scott.

....

seriously, our "home run" guys are Hawkins, Green and Sanu, however, they aren't running backs, so their chances are limited.

 

[vancelot23]

Wait, I thought it was stupid to draft a RB early. We did what some people wanted, drafted them late. Why didn't that work?

 

[CrashDavisSports]

The Bengals just need to figure out how to get their hands on TJ Yeldon from Alabama when he is available in a couple years.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Available salary-cap space for all 32 NFL teams - NFL.com

 

[cincygrad]

Wait, I thought it was stupid to draft a RB early. We did what some people wanted, drafted them late. Why didn't that work?

To be fair, the running backs that we discussed taking early were Doug Martin, Lamar Miller, David Wilson and I. Pead. I don't remember much support for trading all the way up for Trent Richardson.

Of the running backs that I mention, only Lamar Miller has been anything other than average in his first 4 games.

 

[vancelot23]

Miller has been better than average? Anyway, my point is, great RBs found after the first couple of rounds are an aberration.

 

[bengaldoug]

Available salary-cap space for all 32 NFL teams - NFL.com

I'm surprised we're only fifth in space.....anyway, Mikey has to spend up to 99% of the cap starting next year, right? It will be interesting to see how he chooses to spend the money......I'd be willing to bet he's having nightmares about the prospect these days.....

 

[DanBengalfan]

There's going to be a race to see who can move to a larger market first.

LA, London, New mexico, Las Vegas, and Toronto all want a team.

....

thought that he only had to spend 90%
I think the owners can "give" cap space to other teams. so I'm not sure there isn't a loop hole. If Brown wants to pocket the cash and give his cap space to Pittsburgh, then he'll do that.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Miller has been better than average? Anyway, my point is, great RBs found after the first couple of rounds are an aberration.

Miller has looked really good in his playing time. Averaging 5.5 ypc, shows his speed and quickness.

 

[Tubbs1518]

I'd also like to say that SO FAR through the first 4 weeks Miller has looked far better than Wilson.

 

[vancelot23]

I wouldn't say that. Neither has been great. Wilson was a machine on returns Sunday. Neither is a starter so difficult to make a determination

 

[Tubbs1518]

Have you watched any Dolphins games? Miller has looked electric. Wilson has gotten 8 yards on 6 carries. He also has fumbled the ball away. Miller has looked far better.

 

[kramer1]

Can we draft Adrian Peterson?

 

[Tubbs1518]

Can we draft Adrian Peterson?

......I'm not sure that is how the draft works.....

 

[Tubbs1518]

what are your thoughts on these guys

Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
John Randle, RB, Ok State
Laveon Bell, RB, Michigan State
Jonathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame
Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon

Here is my take on all the RB's you listed. I'll try to give some comparisons to guys in the NFL.

Marcus Lattimore - The best combination of power, vision and pure running in this draft. He doesn't have elite speed to break off the big runs every play but he is an every down back. He has very good hands and is a very willing blocker. He is very quick at hitting the hole and is quicker and shiftier than people give him credit for. Lattimore reminds me a lot of Stephen Jackson. 1st round pick. (NFL.com comparison - Arian Foster)

Joseph Randle - He has been great this year. He is extremely quick and fast, but isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and take on some contact. He shows good vision. Should also be an every down back in the NFL. Reminds me of Jamal Charles except tougher. Right now I'd say he is a 2-3 rounder. But if he keeps doing what he is he could go late 1st early 2nd. (Fred Jackson)

Laveon Bell - He is a big, strong, bruising back. He runs people over and doesn't look back. He can catch the ball pretty well and could be a 3 down back as well. He isn't as fast as the first 2 but carries his 245 lbs well. He will be picked in rounds 2-3. Reminds me of Peyton Hillis. (none)

Jonathon Franklin - He is a speedster. He is fast, quick, and if you don't watch it he will be 50 yards down field before you know what happened. However he is small. I'm not sure he can hold up to an NFL beating and be a 3 down back. He can also catch the ball very well. Probably a 3-4 rounder right now. Reminds me of Jhavid Best, but healthy. (None)

Andre Ellington - He is a burner. He can break a TD run anytime. He has good hands but again like Franklin is small. Ellington shows more power than Franklin but still needs to put on a little weight. If he can show he can take the bulk of the carries this year he might be viewed as a 3 down back but not yet. Round 2 is where i see him being picked. Reminds me of a smaller Reggie Bush. (Jhavid Best)

Cierre Wood - I can't say I know a lot about. He was suspended to begin the season. He does have good size and vision. Tough to tackle but doesn't have elite speed. Everything I've seen has him going 4-6 rounds. (None)

Montee Ball - IMO the most overrated player in college football. He was dominant last year no doubt, but he had the best line in college football. Without all those high round picks he has reverted back to a below average RB. He has decent hands, and is a willing blocker but just isn't a great RB. He will go in rounds 2-3 but shouldn't. (Benjarvius Green-Ellis)

Kenjon Barner - Barner is a Burner. No doubt about it. Any time he touches the ball he can take it to the house. He is averaging 6 ypc this year so far and has 9 running TD's. He can also catch the ball very well. He is a bit small to be an every down back but he can be an electric change of pace back. He will probably last to about the 4-6 rounds. Reminds me of a more explosive Joe McKnight. (Joe McKnight)

Other RB's I like:

Chris Thompson FSU (None)
Christine Michael Texas A&M (Rashard Mendenhall)
Knile Davis Arkansas (Corey Dillon)

 

[flamingrey]

Wait, I thought it was stupid to draft a RB early. We did what some people wanted, drafted them late. Why didn't that work?

Running backs are a dime a dozen. More and more people are starting to figure that out.

Furthermore, you take a running back and put him in a bad system, and they're destined to fail (McFadden). You take a running back and put them behind a horrible line, they're destined to fail (BJGE). They rely too much on external factors. Unless you're lucky and find that 1 in a 100 RB like AP or LT, it'll likely end up a wasted pick.

The only guy I can justify taking early is a power back with great hands and electric speed.

And this is funny coming from the guy who was trying to make BJGE out to be some kind of major upgrade for us.

 

[kramer1]

So, they all blow. Fantastic. Way to go out on a limb.