SB Nation - Brannon Condren

Bengals release Ben Utecht and Antonio Chatman from Injured Reserve; sign Brannon Condren to the practice squad

Kirkendall — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:49:27 -0000

8 months ago: -- FILE -- In this July 28, 2008 file photo, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Ben Utecht takes a break during practice at training camp, in Georgetown, Ky. Utecht will release his first album on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 under the Stylos Records label. The 12-song album titled "Ben Utecht" is the first for the professional football player, who wrote songs about his faith.(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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In a somewhat of a surprising move in that category of moves that shouldn't surprise anyone, the Cincinnati Bengals announced that they released Antonio Chatman and Ben Utecht Tuesday afternoon. Both players were released from the reserve/injury list, which means they wouldn't affect the current 53-man roster. Utecht was scheduled to earn $2.25 million in 2009 and $2.5 million in 2010. Chatman was scheduled to earn $620,000 this year only.

Utecht's release is a bit surprising considering the tight ends they have signed for 2010. Chase Coffman. Clark Harris. And Harris is hardly a tight end, now taking on the role as the team's long snapper.

Makes you wonder what they'll plan for next year. Will Coffman be the leading tight end? Will they re-sign Utecht to a cheaper one-year deal? Will Reggie Kelly make his return with Cincinnati? What about J.P. Foschi, who I could argue has been a decent tight end on the rushing offense.

In other news of player transactions, the Bengals signed safety Brannon Condren to the team's practice squad on Tuesday. Since I have no idea who this guy is, I'll cite the Bengals.com piece.

Condren (6-1, 205; Troy) is a third-year NFL player. He opened 2009 with Indianapolis, but was waived on July 29. A fourth-round draft choice of Indianapolis in 2007, he played in eight games for the Colts that season, with two tackles, a pass defensed and four special teams tackles. He was waived by the Colts on Aug. 30, 2008. Later in ’08, he was inactive for four games with St. Louis and played in four games for Miami, with three special teams tackles.

Carson Palmer's performance against the Bears was a career high; Bengals bring in new players for evaluations

Kirkendall — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:27:47 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

about 1 month ago: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) passes against the Chicago Bears in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

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It's been over a day since the Bengals put together perhaps their most complete game that we've seen since 2007. How do you feel now? Amped? Have you talked trash to all of your Pittsburgh Steelers fans, who lost to the Bears 17-14? I didn't. I just don't trash talk. It's not that I hate the act of talking trash, but I have better things to do. Like reading a Computer magazine while taking a number two during a blizzard while the heater is out. Well, giving a #2, as I always reprimand my cousin. Who takes a number two? You're giving it, not taking it -- and if you're taking it, well, there's issues that are far beyond this blogger's capacity to analyze. Welcome to the unabridged, unabashed encore version of our post-game review. Where, apparently, we dissect the phrase "taking a crap". Moving on.

The passing game was nearly perfect. The rushing offense was effective (I mean, really effective). The passing defense was strong; interceptions, sacks, quarterback pressures. And the rushing defense only allowed 35 yards, which is, at this point, a season best. Also season bests are points allowed (10), forced turnovers (4), rushing yards on offense (215), total yards (448) and points scored (45).

	Broncos	Packers	Steelers	Browns	Baltimore	Houston	Chicago
Passing Yards	221	168	173	221	261	250	233
Rushing Yards	86	151	100	154	142	46	215
Total Offense	307	319	273	375	403	296	448
Points Scored	7	31	23	23	17	17	45

Passing Defense	227	222	271	249	175	385	244
Rushing Defense	75	89	102	146	82	87	35
Total Defense	302	311	373	395	257	472	279
Points Allowed	12	24	20	20	14	28	10

Passer rating is only the holy mecca of quarterback statistics. Against the Chicago Bears, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (in case you needed his position and full name) recorded a career-high 146.7 quarterback rating. It was Palmer's 25th game with a passer rating of 100 or better. Of his top ten quarterback rating performances, two of his top three have come against the Chicago Bears -- and three of the top seven against the Baltimore Ravens.

Date	Opponent	Score	QB Rating	Yards	Comp %	TDs	INTs
10.25.2009	Chicago	W, 45-10	146.7	233	83.3 (20/24)	5	0
11.12.2006	San Diego	L, 41-49	131.1	440	73.8 (31/42)	3	0
9.25.2005	@ Chicago	W, 24-7	130.3	169	69.6 (16/23)	3	0
11.6.2005	@ Baltimore	W, 21-9	128.4	248	73.1 (19/26)	2	0
11.19.2006	@ New Orleans	W, 31-16	127.8	275	63.6 (14/22)	3	1
12.5.2004	@ Baltimore	W, 27-26	127.1	382	80.6 (29/36)	3	1
11.27.2005	Baltimore	W, 42-29	124.6	302	73.3 (22/30)	3	1
12.30.2007	@ Miami	W, 38-25	121.4	316	71.9 (23/32)	3	1
10.16.2005	@ Tennessee	W, 31-23	121.2	272	81.8 (27/33)	2	0
11.26.2006	@ Cleveland	W, 30-0	120.7	275	78.1 (25/32)	3	1

Palmer's 83.3% completion rate ranked fifth in franchise history.

Hello, noobs. Joe Reedy writes that the Bengals have invited six players for tryouts, "including former Ravens TE Tony Curtis, who was cut a couple weeks ago." Additionally, Reedy writes:

The Bengals also brought in three defensive backs to evaluate – Brannon Condren, Emanuel Cook and DeAngelo Willingham. Marcus Freeman, who was drafted in the fifth round by the Bears this year before being released, was in for a visit.

You can never take the big red ball off the clown. Nor can you take the clown off the big red ball. There are clowns that currently believe the Bengals were trying to run up the score by keeping Cedric Benson in the game while the game, well, clearly dominated in the fourth quarter. Some wondered if the Bengals were trying to give him a shot at 200 yards rushing. For one thing, Marvin Lewis isn't the type. With 3:48 left in the game, the Bengals had fourth-and-four at the Bears 28-yard line. If the Bengals elected to kick a field goal, they'd have a 48-10 lead. That is running up the score. Instead, handoff to Cedric Benson. No gain. Turnover on downs. Even if Benson picks up the first down, the Bengals would milk the clock and not score. That's Marvin Lewis. That's his respect for Lovie Smith.

Secondly, the Bengals had absolutely no other option. Brian Leonard was inactive. Bernard Scott suffered a knee injury. Jeremi Johnson left early with an injury. Who are you going to put back there? TheWalrus1971, Sloppygolf, laibach, Timzilla, Pragmatic, bodacio, Mehl, Jake, Carsonorbust, Jay, Danimal, Adam, Chris, Darren, Mike or firstPick? All are worthy candidates. However, all are questionable with fumbling tendencies. TarZander has a bum knee and cokane hasn't been eligible since Roger Goodell became commissioner. My point is that Benson was the only option and throwing just anyone back there, wouldn't benefit the Bengals at all. Perhaps next time we'll just keep Brian Leonard active.

Injury Updates, including status on Brian Leonard.

Bengals tweet that Brian Leonard is actually healthy, and that he was simply inactive because of the way the roster was structured. "The team needed the extra spot on the D-line."
Marvin Lewis thinks, the Bengals official twitter account writes, Andre Smith and Roy Williams will be probable for Baltimore.
Bernard Scott left in the second half with a knee injury. Indication is that the injury isn't serious and Scott said he'll be ready for Baltimore.
Jeremi Johnson also left the game. Marvin Lewis said he's fine.

Noteworthy: Shayne Graham kicked six PATs on Sunday. The total number of point after touchdowns in the past four weekends combined.

Caption Contest. Whomever comes up with the best caption, as voted on by your peers, will win some seriously awesome respect.

Colts cut seven players, including DT Pat Kuntz and S Brandon Condren

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:03:27 -0000

The Colts waived seven players yesterday, according to a league source who spoke with Scouts.com. Included in the cuts was Notre Dame rookie DT Pat Kuntz, a fan favorite for his personality and ties to the state of Indiana. Also cut were S Brannon Condren, QB Chris Crane, CB Brandon Foster, CB Brandon Harrison, G Cornelius Lewis, and LB Tyrell Sales.

This is the second time the Colts have cut Brandon Condren, and the oddity about cutting him now was the Colts.com website posted an article on Condren just two days ago. The article (written by John Oesher) states:

Safety Condren Anxious to Take Full Advantage of Second Chance with Colts
INDIANAPOLIS – Brannon Condren said he has learned from his past.
That, he said, means learning from his mistakes and he said he doesn't mind acknowledging a mistake or two from his first stint with the Colts. He said he could have worked a touch harder.

He could have been a bit more prepared.

Condren said it wasn't that he was unprepared last offseason, and it wasn't that he didn't work hard. But Condren said there were areas on which he could have improved.

This offseason, he said, he wants to make those improvements.

I guess Condren won't be getting that second chance after all.

Also, just FYI: The Colts have seven drafted rookies stil floating out there. These cuts were likely made to make room for those rookies, who hopefully will get signed soon.

Rams youth movement, continued

VanRam — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:53:14 -0000

Mike Sando has a great blog, dedicated to the NFC West, over at ESPN's blog network. If you don't read it, you should make it a part of your daily stroll around the interwebs.There's a link in our links menu on the left side of the page.

Anyway, today, he responds to our continuing lobbying for the Rams to give the younger players more playing time, concluding:

I'm not sure how much the future of the franchise changes by suddenly leaning on those players before they might be ready. On the other hand, it's tough to imagine things getting any worse.

It sounds cynical, but that last point echoes what we've been saying here.Why not stick 'em in there? Too much chance the Rams might get beat 41-13 or 38-6? oh wait.

An Sando makes clear, the Rams don't have a heckuva lot of young players left to turn to, a painful reality we fans are all too aware of. And a number of young players are already playing, some to better results (Chris Long) than others (Tye Hill). Specters of bad drafts past will haunt this franchise for a while. But there are a few rookie and younger guys that aren't being played enough, that I remain convinced the Rams should employ more as the season goes on. We covered this in yesterday's post, but let me go back for a quick review.

Many of us noted in the comments this Sunday and the day after, that the second year DT Clifton Ryan and third year DE Adeyanju didn't see many snaps. And the Rams could have used them agains the run.

Donnie Avery wasn't available last week, but getting his speed in the lineup would seem beneficial...if the line can play well enough to give Bulger time in the pocket. Why bury him behind the ancient Dante Hall who's clearly lost a step in his twilight years.

OL John Greco probably couldn't do any worse than the porous middle did last week. Move Incognito to C, get Bell back and use Greco at RG. Worth a shot, no?

Give Chris Chamberlain a try at S or leave him at LB against the pass. He looks good in coverage, an area of great need for the Rams, why not give him a shot? At this point, we might as well see what Brandon Condren can do with a few reps at S. The fewer snaps the slowed, aging Chavous sees, the more effective he is on the snaps he does see...or so the theory goes.

Trying something new can't really hurt a team struggling like this. And the young guys offer another advantage by compensating with some of their enthusiasm and the chance to establish themselves in the pros.

Relying on the rookies over veterans with the team in a must-win situation is a tough argument to make, certainly to coaches. Honestly though, from the fan perspective, it's as much about having something to root for, the future, in the midst of another lost season. If only the Rams had more rookies to turn to.

Rams sign Manning...not that one

VanRam — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:04:38 -0000

The Rams found their veteran help at corner back today, agreeing to terms with Ricky Manning, Jr., who was released from the Bears earlier in the week.

It looks like a good move. Manning had 14 career INTs, posting five working as the nickel with the Bears in 2006. The Bears have had a good pass defense the last two years, ranked 2nd overall in 2006 and 13th overall last season, according to DVOA. Having another corner that can/has played at a level doesn't hurt, and with Fakhir Brown's status for week one still up in the air, this gives them a pro to use at nickel and slide Bartell to Brown's spot.

They also claimed a young safety off waivers from the Colts, Brannon Condren. Condren will most certainly work on special teams, a role he played with Indy in 8 games last season.

As surmised this morning, they released Richard Owens to make room for Condren. They'll have to let one more player go when Manning officially signs his contract.

The Manning signing seems smart, and it's already looking like having a personnel guru in Devaney is starting to pay off.