SB Nation - Clinton McDonald

How are others reacting to the Bengals selections; a couple of quotes

Kirkendall — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:01:12 -0000

It's not often that the Cincinnati Bengals receive favorable national attention. Admittedly, often the attention they've received in the past is well-deserved. John Clayton is shocked, SHOCKED I TELL YOU, about the Bengals draft.

What's going on with the Bengals? Cincinnati's Day 2 drafting was as solid as its Day 1 selections. There were no reaches, no controversies and even a nice story. The Bengals earned good grades for first-day selections Andre Smith and Rey Maualuga. On the second day, they left themselves without much criticism after taking defensive end Michael Johnson, tight end Chase Coffman and center Jonathan Luigs, who might start. The good story was taking University of Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber, who learned of the selection while golfing. The secret to their success was the Senior Bowl; the Bengals coached four of their draft choices in that game.

On the other hand, James Walker thrives on his opinion that the Bengals are still on the terrorist watch-list implemented in 2006 by Roger Goodell.

The Bengals continued their trend of taking risks high in the draft, starting in the first round with Smith.

Without a doubt, the Alabama left tackle was one of the best players in the country during the college season. He has tremendous talent. But a suspension before the Crimson Tide's Sugar Bowl game, a poor NFL combine and not-so-great pro day led to questions about his work ethic and decision-making. The Bengals will invest a lot of guaranteed money in Smith, which raises even more questions. Add the fact that Virginia left tackle Eugene Monroe, a much safer pick, was still available at No. 6 and that will add a lot of pressure for Cincinnati's selection of Smith to pan out well.

Cincinnati also took another player with somewhat similar issues in Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson in the third round. He has tremendous first-day ability, but apparently every NFL team feels he has second-day motivation. Again, it will be up to the coaches to get the best out of Johnson at all times.

This is the ultimate boom or bust draft for the Bengals. They probably drafted more pure, athletic talent than any team in the division, which could turn out to be all that matters. But players like Smith and Johnson will need to be constantly monitored, and there has to be some reason every team passed on USC linebacker Rey Maualuga as well. Perhaps many general managers felt he was overrated, which remains to be seen.

Overall, these draft picks have the potential to either lead to Cincinnati's resurgence or add to its recurring problems.

We could go into the fact that Walker has never looked favorable to Andre Smith and I can't recall an article in which Walker actually just talks about Smith's play on the field. Thus he thrives on making the Bengals much more controversial than they really are. The fact he allows that the Bengals drafted the most "athletic talent" and could lead to "Cincinnati's resurgence" is shocking.

Walker then questioned if the Bengals waited too long for a center.

Adam Caplan says that Rey Maualuga is one of the best value picks in the draft.

The fact that he dropped so far might be due in part that scouts saw him as a two-down linebacker. This was a common complaint in regard to high-touted LBs such as Dan Connor and Paul Posluszny in recent drafts and why they fell farther than expected . However, a source notes Posluszny wound up playing in over 97 percent of the defensive snaps last season for the Buffalo Bills.

Maualuga will bring a certain level of badly needed physicality to the Bengal defense next season.

Then Cedric Golden went on to simply point out the Bengals selections

Much maligned Cincinnati brass men Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis have taken plenty of criticism for bringing in players with character issues, but the Bengal nation lauded them for promising to clean up that locker room.

So what did the new-look Bengals do with their first two picks? They took Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith in the first round, then selected Southern Cal linebacker Rey Maualuga in the second.

Tide coach Nick Saban suspended Smith for the Sugar Bowl for improper contact with an agent, then the kid showed up out of shape for the NFL rookie combine and didn't work out. Then he left.

Maualuga was arrested in college on suspicion of battery, and USC coach Pete Carroll benched him one game for his conduct at a party. YouTube viewers have seen his clip, co-starring unsuspecting ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.

Who knows? Maybe the two will each play for 10 years and make All-Pro teams, but you would think the Bengals brain trust would be trying to steer clear of players who have checkered pasts.

Golden's arguments are weak. Very weak. And he uses Maualuga's mini-grinding session with ESPN's Erin Andrews as an example. Note to Cedric Golden: Andrews is hot. Your arguments against both of these players are not.

Chick Ludwig says that Michael Johnson is a steal, happily waves good bye to Kyle Larson, and grades the team's first seven picks with an "A+", saying the Bengals are headed in the right direction.

Joe Reedy says that this draft has the chance to be one of Marvin Lewis' best. Reedy also grades the Bengals with the best draft in the AFC North. Good man.

Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald struggled waiting through the second day.

"When the clock was counting down for the Bengals (to pick), that's when I got the call from coach (Lewis) and he said, `Are you ready to be a Bengal?' '' McDonald said. "I said `Yes, sir.' It was a hard wait.''

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino on center Jonathan Luigs:

"Jonathan will play a long time on the next level," Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said. "He is flexible enough to stay healthy. He is very, very smart. He will know what to do and will immediately pick up the offense. He has the physical tools to do it."

Michael Johnson:

“I thought I’d be gone on Saturday, but you play the cards you’re dealt,” Johnson said by phone from his home in Selma, Ala. “I look forward to going in there and proving myself. I’m going to go earn my money.”

“The negatives, to me, any complain that anyone might have is what I’m going to focus on more now until it becomes a strength,” Johnson said. “I look forward to the opportunity and I’m ready. I’m so ready.”

On playing with Eric Henderson:

“I’m looking forward to going up there and learning from him the same way I did when I came to Tech.”

Resetting the weekend; draft picks and undrafted free agents

Kirkendall — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:34:05 -0000

I know there's a lot of new stuff that's happened this weekend that will take some time to process -- and I'll do my best to present it easily rather than a bunch of posts detailing the acquisitions. For the time being, here's a run down of players that the Bengals selected in the draft and reportedly after the draft.

In the NFL Draft

Round	Overall	Selection
1	6	OT Andre Smith, Alabama
2	38	LB Rey Maualuga, USC
3	70	DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
3	98	TE Chase Coffman, Missouri
4	106	C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5	142	Punter Kevin Huber, UC
6	179	CB Morgan Trent, Michigan
6	209	RB Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian
7	215	RB Fui Vakapuna, BYU
7	249	DT Clinton McDonald, Memphis
7	252	WR Freddie Brown, Utah

After the Draft, undrafted free agents (reported by Joe Reedy)

Player	Position	School
Quan Cosby	WR	Texas
Marlon Lucky	RB	Nebraska
Billy Farris	QB	Colorado State
Ty Steinkuhler	DE	Nebraska
Colin Dow	C	Montana

H/T to "the1austin" for finding another list that included all of the above, save for quarterback Billy Farris.

Player	Position	School
Dan Skuta	DL	Grand Valley St
Chris Pressley	FB	Wisconsin
Tom Nelson	S	Illinois State
Greg Orton	TE	Purdue

That's reportedly nine undrafted free agents, 11 drafted players, giving you a total of 20 new prospects on the team.

With the 249th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select DT Clinton McDonald, Memphis.

Kirkendall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:18:26 -0000

With the 249th pick (shesh) in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select DT Clinton McDonald, Memphis.

From Draft Countdown:

Strengths:
Athletic with good speed and quickness...Explosive with a burst...Real smooth with decent range...Excellent strength...Can penetrate and make plays in the backfield...Has a great motor...Tough and will play through pain...Physical...Aggressive...Offers some versatility...Team leader...Great work ethic...Nice production...Has a lot of experience.

Weaknesses:
A bit of 'tweener...Doesn't have great bulk...Short arms...Is not overly stout at the point of attack...A sub par run defender...Doesn't use his hands well...Has some trouble shedding blocks...Level of competition?

Notes:
A three-year starter for the Tigers...Named 1st Team All-Conference USA as a senior...Started 44 consecutive games before missing some time with an ankle injury in 2008...Recorded 4 sacks against Arkansas St. in 2008...At his Pro Day workout he ran a 4.83, bench pressed 225 pounds 36 times, vertical leaped 38 inches and broad jumped 10'1"...Former linebacker who might also be able to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme...Profiles as a three-technique at the next level and possesses an awfully intriguing blend of physical tools and intangibles.

Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated rated McDonald as a "riser" during Pro Day workouts.

Clinton McDonald/DL/Memphis: McDonald was a surprise non-invite to the combine in February but made scouts take notice with his tremendous pro-day workout one week ago. McDonald measured 6-foot-2 and 283 pounds, completed 36 reps on the bench and posted a 38-inch vertical jump. His forty times averaged 4.83 and McDonald was swift in the short shuttle with a time of 4.46. Scouts were high on McDonald throughout his senior season and the Memphis product may have moved into the middle rounds with his performance.

A quick look at the Memphis Tigers

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:04 -0000

Vitals

Record: 3-3 (1-2)

Results

8/30 - Lost AT Ole Miss (41-24)
9/6 - Lost to Rice (42-35)
9/13 - Lost AT Marshall (17-16)
9/20 - Won vs. Nicholls State (31-10)
9/27 - Won vs. Arkansas State (29-17)
10/2 - Won AT UAB (33-30)

Total Offense: 462.67 ypg (16th in nation)

Total Defense: 373.67 ypg (79th in nation)

Offense

The Tigers have scored at least 24 points in all but one of their six games, and are coming off perhaps their best offensive output of the season in a 33-30 win at UAB.

The man who may deserve the most credit for that level of production is quarterback Arkelon Hall. Hall, a dual threat junior college transfer, is hitting on just under 60% of his pass attempts, and has gone over the 350-yard mark twice. He's a big kid with a big arm who still struggles with decision making from time-to-time, but he's a natural playmaker, which is part of the reason you'll see a great deal of shotgun from U of M tomorrow night. The Cards have to approach Hall with the same mindset they adopted for Josh Freeman: make him prove he can make the simple throw consistently, do not allow yourselves to get beat by a handful of big plays.

The other major reason Memphis can currently lay claim to the 19th best passing attack in the country is that it possesses the deepest core of receivers U of L will have seen to date.

Junior Carlos Singleton can call Josh Chichester in height (6-8) and raise him in polish and production. Hall's favorite target leads the team with 33 receptions for 522 yards, and is coming off a five catch, 123 yard, one touchdown performance in last weekend's big victory. He caught 11 balls for 158 yards in the week three loss at Marshall. Senior Maurice Jones (6-4, 215) has been quiet during the winning streak, but showed how explosive he can be earlier this season when he went off for 173 yards and two scores against Rice. It was the second best performance ever by a Tiger receiver. Duke Calhoun (6-4, 200) is a versatile playmaker who holds the Tiger record for most consecutive games with a reception, and despite his relative lack of size, senior Earnest Williams (6-0, 195) leads the team with five touchdown grabs.

The depth and talent of this receiving corps allows offensive coordinator Clay Helton to stick Hall in the gun, spread the field and have some fun. This is going to be yet another enormous test for the still inexperienced Cardinal linebackers. Whether it's shadowing Hall or trying to keep up with a talented wideout, each is going to be hit with tough assignment after tough assignment for four quarters.

Falling behind in games early in the season left Memphis with some pretty appalling rushing statistics after three weeks, but the offense has been considerably more balanced since the Marshall loss, and the ground game statistics have improved accordingly.

Leading the charge is junior tailback Curtis Steele, who has broken the 100-yard mark in every game during the winning streak, and who went for 203 yards and a score in the win over Arkansas State. Senior backup Charlie Jones missed the UAB game with a high ankle sprain, but Tiger head coach Tommy West says he could return to the field on Friday. Jones leads the team with six touchdowns. Last year's leading rusher, T.J. Pitt, has not played since breaking his ankle in last December's New Orleans Bowl, but did practice for the first time this week. He's not expected to play against U of L. The only other item of note here is that the UM running backs very rarely have any role in the passing game.

The Memphis offensive line has been hampered by injuries throughout the season, but still boasts four senior starters. Right tackle Brandon Pearce is the standout and a Draddy Trophy semifinalist.

Defense

The Memphis defense has been woefully inadequate when it comes to stopping the run (170.5 ypg), which is good news for a Cardinal ground assault currently ranking 18th in the nation.

The Tigers run a basic 4-3, and on film their linebackers appear to be slow and frequently out-of-position. The unit has been especially susceptible to the delayed draw, a play Victor Anderson has molded into big gains multiple times thus far this season. When you play a 4-3, it's generally not a good sign when three of your four leading tacklers are defensive backs.

Middle linebacker Winston Bowens missed nearly all of last season because of injuries, but has returned and become one of the leaders of the defense. His three tackles for loss are tied for team-best. Sophomore outside linebacker Jeremy Longstreet made his first career start against Nicholls State after Greg Jackson was handed a three-game suspension, and responded with a team-high 12 tackles. He currently ranks tied for third on the squad with 33 stops. Junior Josh Weaver (18 tackles, .5 sacks) completes the unit.

The Tiger defender the Cardinal offensive line has undoubtedly spent the most time preparing for is senior defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, who has already notched seven sacks, putting him two ahead of the entire Louisville team and tied for the national lead. Fellow D-linemen Corey Mills, Freddie Barnett and Jada Brown have combined for an additional 6.5 sacks.

The Memphis secondary has played predominantly man to this point, a trend that's unlikely to be altered tomorrow. The unit is allowing just over 203 yards per game through the air (61st in the country), and has intercepted only three passes.

Junior strong safety Alton Starr leads the team in total tackles with 37, just four more than free safety Brandon Patterson and cornerback D.A. Griffin. Only 5.5 of those tackles were made behind the line of scrimmage, meaning the defensive backs' gaudy numbers are largely the product of the inability of the seven men in front of them to bring down opposing ball carriers. Cornerback Deante' Lamar has made just 16 tackles, but is tied for the team lead in pass breakups with three.

Special Teams

It's safe to say that Tommy West can't relate to Steve Karthorpe when it comes to woes in the kicking game. With starting placekicker Matt Reagan sitting out the past two games with a hip flexor, true freshman walk-on Vinny Zaccario has stepped in and connected on all five of his field goal attempts, including the last-second game-winner against UAB. Senior punter Brent Sutherland is among the best in Conference USA, averaging over 42 yards a boot.

Like Louisville, the Tigers have been woeful on kickoff returns, averaging just 16.79 yards per return, good for 114th best in the nation (still three spots ahead of the Cards). They haven't fared much better on punts, averaging just 7.25 yards per return (78th best).