SB Nation - Rey Maualuga

Getting to know the USC Trojans: Q&A with Conquest Chronicles

jtlight — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:30:27 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

The Ducks will need to get to Matt Barkley early to limit the powerful USC offense.

With tomorrow's game quickly approaching, we caught up with ParagonSC, who runs Conquest Chronicles, the excellent SBNation USC Trojan site. Paragon's answers our questions here, while we've answered his questions at his site.

1) Matt Barkley has shown no fear, which is something you need in your QB, but he also has a surprisingly high number of interceptions. What do you expect from him against Oregon's defense?

I am not worried about the interceptions...after all he is a freshman so I expect a certain amount of mistakes. Because Barkley is so incredibly talented that he has been able to make plays and sustain drives that make him look like a more experienced player. I think that offsets the mistakes...he makes many more plays in the positive than in the negative.

If he has time in the pocket then I expect him to have a good game.

2) USC's usually dominant defense has looked pedestrian the last few weeks. What will they need to improve to bottle up the Ducks offense?

Short answer...stop the run.

From what I have seen the Ducks are a much better running team than a passing team. SC will definitely keep their eyes on Dickson underneath and in the middle (I think the USC defense may have learned their lesson of not effectively covering the TE from the past two weeks). I think the Ducks will have a tougher time moving the ball if they can't run it like they are used to. I do expect them to get some yards and score some points but not like they have been used to in past weeks.

3) USC's offensive line is one of the best in the nation from the start of the season, while Oregon's defensive line has been a surprise. Have the Trojans faced a quick line like Oregon's, and how to you think they'll fare?

No question that the Ducks D Line has been a surprise! USC faced a pretty good D line at Ohio St. and they held their own. I know this Ducks defense has a lot of no-names on it but they are to be respected.

I expect the Ducks D line to get a few sacks or hurries on Barkley, but as the season has moved on we have seen that Barkley is not easily rattled when under pressure, so they need to take Barkley down not just put pressure on him. I am more interested to see if USC can run the ball on this Ducks D line than I am about the USC O line giving Barkley time. USC has had problems off and on this season in either short yardage situations or running the ball in the red zone. The running game has just not been as effective as I would like.

4) USC is loaded with talent, and most Oregon fans know most of the big names. Which under the radar player should Duck fans keep their eyes out for this weekend, especially on the revamped USC defense?

While USC is loaded with talent a lot of those players are still unknown to many outside of the program. On the USC D line everyone knows Everson Griffen but you also have players like Nick Perry and Jurrell Casey who have been making life very tough on opposing offensive lines. Both have a knack for getting penetration to force the opposing QB's to either throw early or to scramble out of the pocket where it it can be difficult to run on this USC defense. This USC D line is sack machine but they will be tested by a very mobile Masoli.

The USC Linebacking corps is also "under the radar." Everyone remembers the four that left for the NFL after last season but very few know their replacements. Depending on injury and/or the situation Mike Morgan, Malcom Smith, Chris Galippo, Shane Horton and Jordan Campbell have all played and made their presence known throughout the season. Some feel that this could actaully be a better group of linebackers than last years group because of their speed when all is said and done.

As much as I love Rey Maualuga, I think Chris Galippo is showing himself to better, smarter player. His mistakes are not as pronounced as Rey's sometimes were.

5) For every other fanbase, playing USC is many times the biggest game on the schedule. With the constant buzz around your program, how do you fans feel about the national build-up to this game?

Funny you should mention that...Before I read these questions I was reading some things here and there that were making this game look like the MNC. I was thinking what's the big deal? This is just another game. I realize the ramifications...whomever wins pretty much wins the Pac-10. For SC it would be their eighth in a row. For the Ducks it is a clear shot into the national picture.

USC can't win it every year though it sometimes feels like some of the fans think that.It hink SC always has a shot at going all the way but I also know that the rest of the Pac-10 is getting better and I think that is better for the conference as a whole

USC fans have been tempered by every team circling their game with SC on their schedule. I get it...it is a big deal to them but the USC program has been programed to treat all the games pretty much the same. There may be a lot of national hype surrounding certain games at certain times and some fans may look at this particular game as big deal but for many USC fans this game is no different than any other.

We are used to the attention and the emotion that both the press and the opposing teams put on USC. That is not arrogance, it is fact. Everyone makes a big deal out of USC, even when it is not warranted. And while some players may play with a heightened sense of emotion the overall personality of the team on game day is no more than another day at the office.

This is going to be a great game because of the national exposure, the conference and national ramifications and the crazy atmosphere at Autzen. But that is for the fans and the press...not the players.

Rey Maualuga on the Dan Patrick Show

Paragon SC — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:49:01 -0000

Great Interview with Rey!

I love how he says that the bruins he has talked to like that whiny punk Bruce Davis only talk about 13-9 not the losses that they had at the hands at SC.......clowns.

He really sounded at ease and comfortable with where he is at in life and I want to see his hair dyed ORANGE!

Conquest Chronicles Links for June 12th

Paragon SC — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 02:14:26 -0000

A little late on this today...

Q&A with Herbstreit - The Ripsit Blog
Kirk Herbstreit talks about USC

Mayo signing proved to be Floyd's undoing - FOX Sports on MSN
More of the same.

Who will replace Floyd at USC? | OCRegister.com
Michael Lev offers up some candidates

USCFootball.com - USC job is still attractive
Dan Woike offers his take on the USC basketball head coaching vacancy

COMMENTARY: Floyd got out while the going was easy - LA Daily News
Scott Wolf's take...

The Pac-Ten continues to cut off its nose to spite its face - Block U
This is a solid write-up!

Presence felt - Bengals.com
As usual, Rey Maualuga does a little bit of everything.

I am out tomorrow attending a bloggers meeting here in NYC...and hopefully dinner with Orson and his wife!

Conquest Chronicles Links for June 6th

Paragon SC — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:03:38 -0000

Just some quick notes on this Saturday...

Demar DeRozan: HoopsWorld
Demar DeRozan has his critics, but by focusing on outside shooting and defense, he hopes to silence them as he looks toward the 2009 NBA Draft.

Clemens is making rival Sanchez feel at home -- Newsday.com
Kellen Clemens and Mark Sanchez will do everything possible to win the job as the Jets ' starting quarterback, with one notable exception: As competitive as they will be on the field, both will do everything possible to support one another during their duel for the No. 1 spot.

Miami Dolphins | Sun-Sentinel: Miami Dolphins nuggets
USC receiver Patrick Turner, whom his regime got a lot of heat for selecting so early in the 2009 draft. Turner's the big body receiver Will Allen said the team was missing last season, and Channing Crowder said the third-round pick "is catching everything" and providing the team a big target. (mid-way down in the column)

Rookies showing community spirit | Cincinnati.com
Tom Nelson and Rey Maualuga have been teaming up on the field on defense, but on Friday they were working together to fix up playground equipment.

How did the Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft Fare Against the Real Thing?

Chris Thorman — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:00:13 -0000

Team	Actual Selection	AP Selection	Reach
Detroit Lions - UCrawford	1 Matthew Stafford	LB Aaron Curry	-3
St. Louis Rams - Lanier63	2 Jason Smith	OT Jason Smith	0
Kansas City Chiefs - TonyG88	3 Tyson Jackson	OT Eugene Monroe	-5
Seattle Seahawks - mikvogel	4 Aaron Curry	DT B.J. Raji	-5
Cleveland Browns - HIV2Elway	5 Mark Sanchez	WR Michael Crabtree	-5
Cincinnati Bengals - mistamic	6 Andre Smith	OT Andre Smith	0
Oakland Raiders - mushin	7 Darrius Heyward-Bey	WR Jeremy Maclin	-12
Jacksonville Jaguars - DThomasReigns	8 Eugene Monroe	WR Percy Harvin	-14
Green Bay Packers - JasonM	9 B.J. Raji	DE/OLB Everette Brown	-34
San Francisco 49ers - Harry Feltersnatch	10 Michael Crabtree	QB Matt Stafford	+9
Buffalo Bills - ArrowDread	11 Aaron Maybin	LB Rey Maualuga	-27
Denver Broncos - Keyser Sose	12 Knowshon Moreno	DE Brian Orakpo	-1
Washington Redskins - Official Arrowhead Pride Parade	13 Brian Orakpo	T Michael Oher	-10
New Orleans Saints - cmpotter	14 Malcolm Jenkins	CB Vontae Davis	-11
Houston Texans - ChiefsDude	15 Brian Cushing	CB Malcolm Jenkins	+1
San Diego Chargers - Helmets	16 Larry English	DE Tyson Jackson	+13
New York Jets - NJChief	17 Josh Freeman	QB Mark Sanchez	+12
Chicago Bears - Holmeslice	18 Robert Ayers	QB Josh Freeman	+1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - madtheory	19 Jeremy Maclin	DT Peria Jerry	-4
Detroit Lions - UCrawford	20 Brandon Pettigrew	DE Aaron Maybin	+9
Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717	21 Alex Mack	TE Brandon Pettigrew	+1
Minnesota Vikings - kcsno56	22 Percy Harvin	WR Hakeem Nicks	-5
New England Patriots - connerman	23 Michael Oher	RB Chris Wells	-8
Atlanta Falcons - RedNose	24 Peria Jerry	LB Clay Matthews	-2
Miami Dolphins - shraggyj	25 Vontae Davis	LB Brian Cushing	+10
Baltimore Ravens - Ben S	26 Clay Matthews	CB Alphonso Smith	-11
Indianapolis Colts - craig in calgary	27 Donald Brown	LB James Laurinaitis	-8
Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717	28 Eric Wood	OT Eben Britton	-11
New York Giants - ChiefsFan90s	29 Hakeem Nicks	WR Darrius Heyward-Bay	+22
Tennessee Titans - Lvl.99	30 Kenny Britt	C Alex Mack	+9
Arizona Cardinals - THE_TRUTH	31 Chris Wells	RB Knowshon Moreno	+19
Pittsburgh Steelers - McWhirt33	32 Evander Hood	CB/S Sean Smith

As you can imagine, there weren't very many picks by the Arrowhead Pride faithful that were right on in this past weekend's NFL draft. Lots of inexplicable drops to the second round by first round prospects threw our whole mock draft out of whack.

Here is how to read the chart. Basically, the closer to zero the better, with a negative number meaning the AP mock drafter "reached" for that pick compared to where the player fell in the actual draft. A positive number means good value was had for that pick. I subtracted the real draft position from AP's draft position to get these numbers.

Basically, negative is bad and positive is good. The second round is after the jump.

Here are some stats on the AP Mock Draft v. the real thing:

Right on

Four people got their picks dead on - Lanier63 (#2 overall, OT Jason Smith to the Rams), mistamic (#6 overall, OT Andre Smith to the Bengals), ChiefsFan90s (#45 overall, LB Clint Sintim to the Giants) and ChiefsFan717 (#53 overall, RB LeSean McCoy to the Eagles). Not too shabby in this draft.

Biggest Reaches

Our main man THE_TRUTH was in a league of his own with this one. His selection of C A.Q. Shipley with the #63 pick in our mock ended up coming far too early. Shipley ended up going in the 7th round with the #236 pick. That comes to a reach factor of -173. We still love him though.

DThomasReigns was next up on the reach list. Oklahoma G Duke Robinson fell all the way to the 27th pick of the 5th rounder. The reach factor ended up being -124.

The next three big reaches before the numbers dropped off were ChiefsFan90s selecting OT Herman Johnson at #60 (reach of -107), RedNose selecting CB Victor Harris (reach of -102) and 808NanZ808 taking OL Fenuki Tupa at #59 (reach of -100).

Non-reaches

Not including those who nailed their picks, we only had seven commenters who did not end up reaching for their mock draft picks. They are Holmeslice (CB Malcolm Jenkins at #15), Chiefsfan717 (TE Branden Pettigrew at #21), JasonM (DT Ron Brace at #41), PSUkegreen (WR Mohammed Massaquoi at #52), Lanier63 (DT Evander Hood at #35) and finally saskwatch (DT Fili Moala at #61). Nice work fellas.

We'll do it again next year

Many thanks to everyone who participated this year. Every pick came in on time and the write ups were excellent. For those interested in last year's mock draft v. the real thing, stag was nice enough to do that post back in August.

Click over for the second round results and grade the draft in the poll below.

Pick	Team	Actual Selection	AP Selection	Reach
1(33)	Detroit Lions - UCrawford	33 Louis Delmas	CB Darius Butler	-8
2(34)	New England Patriots (From Kansas City) - connerman	34 Patrick Chung	DE Robert Ayers	+16
3(35)	St. Louis Rams - Lanier63	35 James Laurinaitis	DT Evander Hood	+3
4(36)	Cleveland Browns - HIV2Elway	36 Brian Robiskie	DE Connor Barwin	-10
5(37)	Seattle Seahawks - mikvogel	37 Alphonso Smith	OT William Beatty	-23
6(38)	Cincinnati Bengals - mistamic	38 Rey Maualuga	C Max Unger	-11
7(39)	Jacksonville Jaguars - DThomasReigns	39 Eben Britton	G Duke Robinson	-124
8(40)	Oakland Raiders - mushin	40 Ron Brace	T Phil Loadholt	-14
9(41)	Green Bay Packers - JasonM	41 Darius Butler	DT Ron Brace	+1
10(42)	Buffalo Bills - ArrowDread	42 Jairus Byrd	DE Michael Johnson	-28
11(43)	San Francisco 49ers - Harry Feltersnatch	43 Everette Brown	DE/LB Larry English	+27
12(44)	Miami Dolphins (From Washington) - shraggyj	44 Pat White	WR Kenny Britt	+14
13(45)	New York Giants (From New Orleans) - ChiefsFan90s	45 Clint Sintim	LB Clint Sintim	0
14(46)	Houston Texans - ChiefsDude	46 Connor Barwin	FS Louis Delmas	+13
15(47)	New England Patriots (From San Diego) - connerman	47 Michael Mitchell	DE/OLB Paul Kruger	-10
16(48)	Denver Broncos (From Texans) - Keyser Sose	48 Darcel McBath	RB Donald Brown	+21
17(49)	Chicago Bears - Holmeslice	49 Max Unger	C Jonathan Luigs	-57
18(50)	Cleveland Browns (From Tampa Bay) - HIV2Elway	50 Mohamed Massaquoi	RB Shonn Green	-15
19(51)	Dallas Cowboys - chiefsfan1384	51 Andy Levitre	SS William Moore	-4
20(52)	New York Jets - PSUkegreen	52 David Veikune	WR Mohamed Massaquoi	+2
21(53)	Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717	53 LeSean McCoy	RB LeSean McCoy	0
22(54)	Minnesota Vikings - kcsno56	54 Phil Loadholt	C Eric Wood	+26
23(55)	Atlanta Falcons - RedNose	55 William Moore	CB Victor Harris	-102
24(56)	Miami Dolphins - shraggyj	56 Fili Moala	CB Jarius Byrd	+14
25(57)	Baltimore Ravens - Ben S	57 Paul Kruger	WR Brian Robiskie	+21
26(58)	New England Patriots - connerman	58 Sebastian Vollmer	DL Jarron Gilbert	-10
27(59)	Carolina Panthers - 808NaNz808	59 Sherrod Martin	OL Fenuki Tupou	-100
28(60)	New York Giants - ChiefsFan90s	60 William Beatty	OT Herman Johnson	-107
29(61)	Indianapolis Colts - saskwatch	61 Sean Smith	DT Fili Moala	+5
30(62)	Tennessee Titans - Lvl.99	62 Sen'Derrick Marks	LB Cody Brown	-1
31(63)	Arizona Cardinals - THE_TRUTH	63 Cody Brown	C A.Q. Shipley	-173
32(64)	Pittsburgh Steelers - McWhirt33	64 Richard Quinn	OT T.J. Lang	-45

Poll

Grade the Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft.

A

12 votes

B

27 votes

C

45 votes

D

59 votes

F

66 votes

209 votes | Poll has closed

Five questions about the Bengals after the 2009 NFL Draft

Kirkendall — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:13:17 -0000

Decompression can take many forms. It can range from psychology, to medical, to aviation, to diving and data. The process is related to releasing pressure, decoding, and even relaxing; like a vacation after hectic events that requires an unwinding of sorts. Merriam Webster defines decompress as "to undergo release from pressure."

Bengals fans aren't so much releasing from pressure, as they are unwinding. I've always learned that it's best to sit back after an NFL draft, while letting it absorb for a time and then react. Maybe the next day. After all, instantly reacting could make us all look stupid when that draft pick pans out. Or appear a bit whinny.

The front office and the team's coaching staff is in a different scenario, indicative in which differing scenarios unfold. Some are suggesting that this draft is Marvin Lewis' best, while others are saying that this could be a big bust draft, based on the flags given to some players. Conjecture. An NFL Draft's best friend. Either way, if I were to grade it on the Monday after, it was a good draft that addressed several needs. That's the point. That's why we have these things. Plug these guys in and the Bengals depth improves, along with several players that could compete for starting jobs.

With that said, here are five questions after the draft.

What to do about left tackle?

The irony in the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals drafted an offensive tackle is that it's not likely for the left tackle slot. Many experts believe that Smith would an average left tackle, but an elite right tackle. Locally, we're hearing the next Willie Anderson. The issue of left tackle, as of now, is still largely unresolved. However, it's far from dire. Anthony Collins had an impressive stretch-run at the end of the 2008 season and we do have options.

If Collins isn't up to task, and there's no reason to believe he isn't, the Bengals could slide Andrew Whitworth out. However, there's two concerns here.

Speed rushers tend to give Whitworth fits.
What do you do about left guard?

An interesting scenario is allowing Dan Santucci and Nate Livings to compete at left guard, while Jonathan Luigs (more below) and Kyle Cook compete at center. In the end, the best case scenario is that Whitworth sticks at left guard and Collins takes over as the team's future left tackle. Of course, there's always the Levi Jones factor. If he's healthy and able, the Bengals starting lineup and depth is that much better and more options unfold.

The point here is that the Bengals offensive line is in much better shape, even with the unknown at left tackle.

Will Jonathan Luigs start immediately?

The obvious conclusion is that the Bengals fourth-round selection, center Jonathan Luigs, will be in the starting lineup by kickoff weekend. However, it's more likely that the Bengals coaching staff will dictate that based on OTAs and training camp. A more realistic scenario could be that Paul Alexander and Marvin Lewis allow Dan Santucci and Kyle Cook to compete for the starting job while allowing Luigs to develop. Scouting reports suggest that he was work to do with his technique and needs to bulk up. Luigs is a 2007 Rimington Trophy winner (awarded to the nation's best center in Division 1A), so you know he has the talent and ability. Now it's a matter of development.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said that won't be a problem. "Jonathan will play a long time on the next level," 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."

Did the Bengals go after too many flagged players?

You know me. I don't much care for overblown character analysis by football experts who have a sudden PhD in psychology. This site has held the firm position that Andre Smith's character isn't bad, nor is it a cause for concern. However, we also admit that there's an immaturity level with Smith that tends to come with young men reaching adulthood. Sure, the added riches could be a concern. But isn't that a concern for the majority of players? Immaturity is something that can fade away once given the realization of responsibility -- who hasn't experienced that (my own sudden PhD in psychology is better, by the way). Could that affect the team? Sure. But it's no reason for alarm and with the right mentorship and guidance, this will be a non-issue as quickly as it was an issue during the Combine. Put Rey Maualuga in the same category.

However there is one that deserves to be flagged. When the Bengals drafted Abeline Christian running back Bernard Scott, I quickly looked him up. And within the first result of my complicated Google Search, a New York Times article stood out.

He did not play his senior season after being involved in an off-field fight. He has been arrested at least five times and is finishing 18 months of probation for giving false information to a police officer during a traffic stop. He is attending his fourth college since 2003.

This is a running story of redemption for Scott, and a high risk by the Bengals. Running backs coach Jim Anderson is sticking his neck out for the guy.

"To be honest, he’s had a little bit of a troubled past, but that was when he was a young guy. That’s behind him. He’s been a really good football player wherever he’s been," Anderson said. "He has dominated the competition where ever he has been in football. That has been a part of him, and football is a part of him. He’s a Texas kid. He’s just a really good football player, and a good person. I had a chance to visit with him at the combine, and (spoke to him) numerous times on the phone. I feel comfortable with him. He’s going to come in here and do the things that we need him to do to be the very best football player that he can be and help us win."

Scott knows what's in front of him and admits that he has learned from his past. "Instead of reacting, now I know I have to think. I need to stay out of bad places and not let things get to me. I feel like now I can sense when something bad is going on, and I stay away from those places."

There is no doubting his talent, and because of his troubled past, Scott was overlooked and passed by every other team in the league. However, this guy was a man among boys in Division II. In 2008, he recorded 100 yards rushing or more in all 12 games. In three games, he recorded over 250 yards rushing and 200 yards rushing in four. On November 22, Scott recorded six touchdowns against West Texas A&M and 292 yards rushing on 19 carries -- a 15.4 yard-per-rush average. He finished the season with 2,156 yards rushing on 256 attempts (8.4 yards-per-rush) and 28 touchdowns. Then there's his hands: 47 receptions, 826 yards receiving and six touchdowns receiving. During the first of two meetings against West Texas A&M, Scott recorded 409 yards total on 33 touches and three touchdowns. We suspect that West Texas A&M struggled against Scott. As a result, Scott won the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in Division II. In 2007, Scott set Division II records for touchdown (39), rushing touchdowns (35) and points scored (234).

This guy put up gaudy numbers in Division Two football and you conclude that if off-the-field conduct issues didn't plague him so much, that he'd be a very good Division 1A running back.

Some are also suggesting that this is such a risky draft by the Bengals that it could ultimately seal Lewis' fate if it comes back to haunt them. Is Bernard Scott apart of that reason? Quite simply put, no. Drafting Scott is a definite public relations hit, and it will take another if Scott runs into the law and the law wins. Quite honestly, when has the team or fans cared about public relations. Scott was the final sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and if worse comes to worse, the Bengals cut him and take no hit against the cap, nor watch their depth suffer. Scott is icing on the cake, sprinkles in the pudding and if he comes through, based on his play, this could be a Houshmandzadeh-type steal.

How does Chase Coffman fit in?

I thought that the Bengals made their first surprise pick with tight end Chase Coffman with their fourth overall pick (98th). Let me be clear, we're not saying it's a bad pick or that Coffman wouldn't be great benefit. In fact, Coffman could be a tremendous weapon for Carson Palmer. However, with Reggie Kelly, Ben Utecht and Matt Sherry, where would Coffman fit in? We don't suspect the team will release Kelly simply because of the respect level players and coaches have for him. Utecht is argued to be one half of the team's 2008 free agency busts (Antwan Odom the other). Matt Sherry was injured early in 2008 and never got a shot to showcase whatever talents he has.

Either way, no matter the scenario, I believe that Kelly is safe. Sherry's injury could be more serious than we thought and Utecht could quickly be listed as the team's third tight end by kickoff weekend. The larger question in Coffman's case could become how does he transform from a spread offense to a pro-style offense.

Did the Bengals draft a punter too high in the draft?

There has been some outrage about the Bengals selecting Kevin Huber in the fifth round. The point is simple. The Bengals needed a punter, wanted Huber and no one else, and would have lost him by the time their sixth round selection came around. Punting was a definite need coming into the NFL Draft, and based on what we saw in 2008, punting was so much of a detriment that it was impossible to hope that the Bengals defense gut it out after already having an offense with embarrassing time of possession numbers.

Since 2003, the Bengals haven't necessarily scored with their fifth round picks.

Draft	Selection
2008	Jason Shirley
2007	Jeff Rowe
2006	A.J. Nicholson
2005	Adam Kieft
2004	Maurice Mann
2003	Khalid Abdullah

Those are our fifth round selections during the Marvin Lewis era. So using our fifth round pick on a punter that's very likely to stick around for awhile, as opposed to using it on players that would likely struggle to make the team, and certainly wouldn't start, isn't such a terrible thing.

Bengals D wanted Rey Rey in a bad way

Paragon SC — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:15:08 -0000

Great read at the Cincinnati Bengals website...

As Maualuga's name stayed on the board, Peko's draft day hangout got frenzied. Peko and Jonathan Fanene buried defensive line coach Jay Hayes in a blizzard of texts urging them to draft him as each team passed. When Hayes fired back something like, "You got your wish," the place erupted.

Cincy is turning into the USC of the Midwest.

Go get 'em Rey!

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.

The Cincinnati Bengals 2009 NFL Draft

Kirkendall — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:57:34 -0000

Here's your Cincinnati Bengals, 2009 Draft Class.

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