More I think about it...

[CrashDavisSports]

I want to see the Bengals resign Andre and also sign Harrison....

This eliminates any immediate ned to have to draft defense in round 1, and with our two biggest holes on offense being #2 WR and RB.....with the signing of Scott again (which I think was a mistake but whatever), our best bang for the buck I think is going to be Justin Hunter from Tennessee.

He has the speed, size and hands to be a good stretch the field type of player like Henry was to Chad Johnson, which made Housh flourish in our system, in this case, our Housh will be Sanu.

I think Hunter makes the most sense with our first pick, IF we can sign Harrison to pair with Maualuga and Burfict, and Andre to finish anchoring our OL on the right side. I wouldn't mind seeing if Wharton could play center and leave Boling and Zietler at G, while maximizing the talent we have under contract on our OL.

I would have the offense run a lot more 3 wide sets, single back with TE. Still run the WCO, but spread it out a bit more, and stick Dalton in more shotgun formations so he has more time to look downfield instead of having to worry about his dropback and then find a WR. This will give the offensive less issues blocking for a prolonged period of time, because he shouldn't take as long to throw the ball.

Still short patterns, high percentage throws, a lot of draws or pitches in the run game, WR screens, HB screens, etc. It puts our best playmakers on the field at once, gives Dalton less to think about, more targets, frees Green up a bit more, and features the strength of our team, which is the high percentage short passes with YAC, versus the deep passing or run game.

I think if I were running things right now, I would favor taking Hunter with the 21st pick.

 

[cincygrad]

I want to see the Bengals resign Andre and also sign Harrison....

 

[kramer1]

Crash hittin the 'ol crackpipe again.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Crash hittin the 'ol crackpipe again.

Well, no one is even talking to Andre, nobody, except the Bengals. Which I find really weird, but if that is teh case and he wants a little financial security for future years, he is going to be stuck signing like a 4 year deal for like 24 million with the Bengals.

Harrison, while I see him wanting some cash since he was due to make 6.5 million, there are a lot of financially strapped teams out there now after the first round of FA, and while some teams may be interested in Harrison, I don't think he will have a more interested suitor than the Bengals, even if he is having to settle for a 2 year deal worth 8 to 9 million. That might even be stretching it since he is a 3rd down rusher and maybe only a 1 to 2 down player now.

At any rate, I think our best course of action is Justin Hunter. I am starting to like teh kid more and more the more I study him. He is still a bit raw, but runs crisp routes, has stretch the field speed, and very good hands. He will struggle over the middle his first few years until he bulks up a little, but that is not what he will be needed for that often in our offense. his job is to open things up a bit for AJ Green, and to put Sanu in the best place for him, a slot WR going over the middle.

 

[NCGhosthunter]

Well, no one is even talking to Andre, nobody, except the Bengals. Which I find really weird, but if that is teh case and he wants a little financial security for future years, he is going to be stuck signing like a 4 year deal for like 24 million with the Bengals.

Harrison, while I see him wanting some cash since he was due to make 6.5 million, there are a lot of financially strapped teams out there now after the first round of FA, and while some teams may be interested in Harrison, I don't think he will have a more interested suitor than the Bengals, even if he is having to settle for a 2 year deal worth 8 to 9 million. That might even be stretching it since he is a 3rd down rusher and maybe only a 1 to 2 down player now.

At any rate, I think our best course of action is Justin Hunter. I am starting to like teh kid more and more the more I study him. He is still a bit raw, but runs crisp routes, has stretch the field speed, and very good hands. He will struggle over the middle his first few years until he bulks up a little, but that is not what he will be needed for that often in our offense. his job is to open things up a bit for AJ Green, and to put Sanu in the best place for him, a slot WR going over the middle.

your comments are always well thought out, but I cannot seem to get through the entire message while I am staring at the avatar to the left.....)

 

[CrashDavisSports]

your comments are always well thought out, but I cannot seem to get through the entire message while I am staring at the avatar to the left.....)

Haha. Sorry for the distraction. Probably best you do not fread through all my run on responses anyways. I ramble a lot, as I have issues putting written thoughts down in a clear, concise manner.

However, there were too many hot avatar pictures that I had to of course get my own. I felt left out of the fun. Glad you enjoy it of course!

 

[augustisback003]

I think guys are going to be surprised but I have a feeling this draft is going to be heavy on offensive players early as the Bengals opt to surround Andy Dalton with the play-makers he needs to get this team deep into the Playoffs. I can't explain it but that's the vibe I'm getting from this draft. And the closer we get I have a feeling those two players are going to be WR Justin Hunter and RB Johnathan Franklin. Its all speculation but here are my reasons why I believe the Bengals will go in that direction. I've read that the Bengals are interested in moving Travelle Wharton to RT if Andre Smith isn't re-signed and the recent signing of Mike Pollak adds credibility to that line of thinking. They made a concerted effort to bringing back as many starters on defense as possible allowing them to spend lower draft picks to fill holes. But the main reason why I think they may go for offensive play-makers is because the odds of players who would fills needs such as LB Alec Ogletree, Safety Kenny Vaccaro and OT D.J. Fluker will all probably be off the board when it's time for the Bengals to make their selection.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

I have no problem with Hunter and Franklin, as long as we get a good safety prospect. We aren't getting Vaccaro, so any one of the other 3 will do. If we go into next season with Crocker or Mays at SS I may jump in front of a train.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I'm believing the Crash is mostly right, things are coming around right before the draft.

We don't want to be pegged into being forced into drafting for needs.

 

[vancelot23]

If Vaccaro or Cyprien are there, they should be the pick no matter what. Safety is a bigger need than WR.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

If Vaccaro or Cyprien are there, they should be the pick no matter what. Safety is a bigger need than WR.

It is highly unlikely that Vaccaro is there at 21, and Cyprien may still be there with pick 37. I would rather have Hunter at 21, and then get one of the three safeties I mentioned earlier in the thread. But then again, that is my opinion. I just think Hunter can be special, and really help our offense, where as Reid/Elam/Cyprien are about the same quality at S, even though Elam lacks the coverage skills that Reid and Cyprien may have, but then again, he is more of a SS, instead of a FS, and even though Marvin does not like labels, Reggie Nelson is by all purposes our official "FS".

 

[vancelot23]

I'm not very high on Elam. I like Reid and Rambo more, probably Swearinger an another 1 or 2 as well.

 

[futballiscool]

I like Hunter, but I don't think he's a good fit for this offense. If they draft a WR with one of their first two picks, it needs to be a good route runner with dependable hands who can make the tough catches over the middle. That should be our #2's skillset as a complement to AJ Green. Hunter is almost the opposite. I like him as a prospect, but not as an ideal #3 here...

I wouldn't hate the pick because I do think he can become a good player, but i'd rather have Keenan Allen if he's healthy. I'd settle for Robert Woods though. Preferably at 35 as opposed to 21 if possible

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I like Hunter, but I don't think he's a good fit for this offense. If they draft a WR with one of their first two picks, it needs to be a good route runner with dependable hands who can make the tough catches over the middle. That should be our #2's skillset as a complement to AJ Green. Hunter is almost the opposite. I like him as a prospect, but not as an ideal #3 here...

I wouldn't hate the pick because I do think he can become a good player, but i'd rather have Keenan Allen if he's healthy. I'd settle for Robert Woods though. Preferably at 35 as opposed to 21 if possible

Hunter is a great route runner. He has really good hands. he is not tough over the middle, but Sanu would be the slot WR who makes the tough catches over the middle. Hunter would be used to draw coverage away from AJ Green deep.

 

[augustisback003]

Hunter is a great route runner. He has really good hands. he is not tough over the middle, but Sanu would be the slot WR who makes the tough catches over the middle. Hunter would be used to draw coverage away from AJ Green deep.

Thats exactly how I would use the WRs if Hunter is drafted.

 

[futballiscool]

Hunter is a great route runner. He has really good hands. he is not tough over the middle, but Sanu would be the slot WR who makes the tough catches over the middle. Hunter would be used to draw coverage away from AJ Green deep.

I've heard he dropped tons of passes last yr.

If Hunter (or any WR for that matter) is taken at 21, it'll be with the expectation that they'll eventually be the #2 and on the field on every down.

I don't really think it's a good fit for the Bengals. Dalton struggles with the deep ball. Plus we already have one of the best vertical threats in the leauge at WR. I'd prefer one of the WR with a little less flash, but who has better hands and is a better technician.

It's not an indictment on Hunter who I think has as much upside as any WR in the draft. again, I just don't think he's the right fit for what this offense needs.

 

[augustisback003]

You have to admit, he does look a lot like Chris Henry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6GXID2dXk

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I've heard he dropped tons of passes last yr.

If Hunter (or any WR for that matter) is taken at 21, it'll be with the expectation that they'll eventually be the #2 and on the field on every down.

I don't really think it's a good fit for the Bengals. Dalton struggles with the deep ball. Plus we already have one of the best vertical threats in the leauge at WR. I'd prefer one of the WR with a little less flash, but who has better hands and is a better technician.

It's not an indictment on Hunter who I think has as much upside as any WR in the draft. again, I just don't think he's the right fit for what this offense needs.

If that is the case, we already have that in Sanu, so by logical thinking, we do not need a WR, and we do not need a #2 WR as Hawkins would be the slot then.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

You have to admit, he does look a lot like Chris Henry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE6GXID2dXk

I don't know how anyone wouldn't want that guy lined up on the other side of the field from AJ Green with Sanu in the slot.

Like I said, stick Dalton in the shotgun more often, so he doesn't have to drop back and watch the play unfold more before throwing a pass, single back, 3 wide, WCO, short / intermediate passes, once in a while a bomb to keep defenses honest and use the running game from the shotgun also at times, draws, screens, pitches, etc.

Benard Scott part time as the catching back.
AJ Green wide.
Justin Hunter wide.
Mo Sanu in the slot.
Gresham at TE.

Defenses would have to play in a nickle to dime package most the game creating easier running holes for Scott in the line. Granted, there would be faster players on the field too, but our WR's are decent blocking WR's too on the outside.

You can create 15 play drives with that type of dynamic offense and wear down a defense in the first half. Then you kinda go to the ground and pound in the second half to bruise and beat down a tired defense with BJGE and Peerman.

Still wouldn't mind a project like Kniles Davis later in the draft, and I wouldn't mind picking up a young backup QB with a potential future like Bray later in teh draft also, versus knowing we have scrubs at backup QB.

 

[kramer1]

Dalton is a bum, Crash.