SB Nation - Chad Johnson

Bengals reportedly interested in bringing Shaun Smith back

Kirkendall — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:52:27 -0000

If there's one signing I'm dead set against, it's the Bengals bringing defensive tackle Shaun Smith back. The Enquirer's Joe Reedy writes that the "Bengals have an interest" bringing Smith back to Cincinnati. If I say it really nice, I say, "please, no". If I say it honestly, I say, "are you f***king crazy?!"

Smith was released by the Browns during training camp, signed with Detroit and then was released the last weekend of training camp. He has also been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s anabolic steroid policy.

Over the past two seasons, Smith started 20 games for the Browns. He played two games in the UFL with Las Vegas.

Back in March 7, 2008, Smith had broken the silence over the infamous fight between Chad Johnson (as he was called at the time) and Marvin Lewis during the 2005 Wild Card game that the Bengals lost to Pittsburgh. Smith said in 2008:

"He swung on Marvin. . . . [Johnson] shattered the training room glass. . . . He swung on Marvin [and] hit Marvin in the eye. . . . Then he tried to swing on wide receivers coach Hue Jackson, who's now in Baltimore."

The Bengals refused comment. Hue Jackson told his side of the story. Smith is also known for getting into a fight with Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. Per PFT, "After a verbal altercation, between the two, Smith punched Quinn in the face." Then earlier this year, per PFT:

According to WKNR radio (via the Akron-Beacon Journal), Smith gave Browns G.M. George Kokinis an "expletive-filled tongue lashing" in a stadium hallway after Saturday's preseason game in Cleveland.

So, really. Bengals. Are you f***king serious?!

Bengals beat Steelers for season sweep, and something feels very different.

A Pragmatic Bengals Fan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:02:48 -0000

More photos » by Keith Srakocic - AP

26 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals' Jonathan Joseph, left, and Rashad Jeanty celebrate after their defense stopped the Pittsburgh Steelers on fourth down with time running down in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. The Bengals won 18-12. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Browse more photos »

Rewind to December 4th, 2005. Your Cincinnati Bengals had just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at Pittsburgh to take ownership of the division. I really don't recall what my specific reaction was, but I'm sure it was nothing short of epic. I was bouncing off of walls. I was talking smack to every Steeler fan within earshot. I was thrilled to death when Chad Johnson said that the Bengals were the new reality, that the Steelers were black and white television and the Bengals were color.

When the 2005 Bengals clinched the division two weeks later at Detroit's Ford Field, I was doubly ecstatic. I was absolutely convinced that our long run of pain and suffering in Bengal Nation had come to an end.

That is very different compared to the emotions I feel today as your Cincinnati Bengals have completed their first season sweep of the Pittsburgh Steelers in eleven years.

This was the scene today for me during the game. I had to leave my apartment roughly halfway through the second quarter to make a two o'clock call and a three o'clock curtain for the show in which my wife and I are currently cast. I promptly loaded NFL SuperCast up on my iPhone and took off to the theatre. On and off through the hour leading up to curtain and the first act while I was not on stage I was re-loading and trying to keep the picture going on my iPhone.

The game ended while I was on stage in the second scene. Our assistant director had been watching on my phone while I was on stage. I entered the dressing room and asked "Did they do it?" He said that yes, my Bengals had won. My reaction was this: "Awesome." I then grabbed my next costume and started to change clothes.

I then wrote on seven or eight friends' facebook walls during intermission, but still. I didn't flip out. I didn't scream and yell. I didn't streak around the outer perimeter of Trumbull New Theatre. Why is that?

Because I came into today, Sunday November 15th, fully expecting my Cincinnati Bengals to win today's football game. Do you know why that is? I felt that way because I knew my team fully expected it as well.

This is a different Bengals team than any Bengals team I remember in recent years. To not only out-Raven the Ravens, but to out-Steeler the Steelers in the same season? Who does that? Our Cincinnati Bengals, that's who. Everyone knows the "defense wins championships" mantra. It's repeated ad nauseum through every sports channel and publication. Perhaps it bore no greater weight than in 2001 when the Baltimore Ravens rode Ray Lewis and Marvin Lewis' scheme to Super Bowl XXXVI and brought home a Lombardi. The Cincinnati Bengals showed today that they have a defense that can trade punches with anyone else in the league. They have a defense that can stop a dynamic offense in critical situations. They have a defense that can command the outcome of a game by bending their will against anything that stands in their way. There's one major difference between the 2001 Ravens and the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals though, readers.

They had Trent Dilfer. We have Carson Palmer. We have Chad Ochocinco. We have Andre Caldwell and Laveranues Coles. We have Cedric Benson, and we have Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard to hold down the fort when Benson isn't able to be on the field. We also have a big, strong, mean offensive line that has yet to add the SEC offensive lineman of the year in 2008.

I said earlier in the week that I was already going to be upset if this incarnation of the Cincinnati Bengals failed to make the playoffs, but if they won today that I would be looking at bigger and better things.

That day is today.

The Bengals, though stifled on their first drive, continued their league-best streak to eighteen games without allowing an opening drive touchdown to their opponent. The Steelers settled for a red-zone field goal on that opening drive, about which Bernard Scott quickly made everyone forget with an electrifying 96-yard kickoff return touchdown. I think it's safe to say that Andre Caldwell won't have to worry about returning kicks anymore.

The extra point attempt failed however when Clark Harris snapped the ball perfectly to Kevin Huber, who let the ball slip from his hands as he went to set it up for Graham's extra point attempt.

Not many points were scored after that. Specifically, a missed 51-yarder by Graham which would have likely been good from 56 or better had he not high the right upright led to four more field goals from Cincinnati and three more from Pittsburgh throughout the course of the game. More or less, it was a backyard brawl or a streetfight or a Mixed Martial Arts smackdown. Apply whichever cliché you would like to the game we watched our team win today.

It was a classic AFC North football game, and the Cincinnati Bengals proved for the fourth time this season that they are the team to beat in that AFC North.

Cedric Benson is reported to have a hip flexor strain and thinks he'll be ready for next week at Oakland. For me it would be great if he is ready next week, but I personally would let Scott and Leonard (and maybe Fui Vakapuna) carry the load. Scott made the most of his opportunity this afternoon and ran like the player that we heard he would be from those scouts who saw him at Abilene Christian. He has a very, very high ceiling and if he continues to develop as he appears to be developing right now he will be the Bengals' running back of the future.

Cedric Benson is the Bengals' running back of the present, and by all reports he should be ready to go sometime within the next three weeks of games that the Bengals should absolutely, positively, definitely win.

Ladies and Gentlemen, if the Bengals do not let their foot off the gas pedal, if that defense continues to play at the level at which they played today, they will be 10-2 three weeks from now.

Read it again and say it with me. The Bengals will be ten and two three weeks from now.

Once more. The Bengals, your Cincinnati Bengals, will be ten and two three weeks from now.

Yes, my friends and colleagues. Things are very, very different. And you know what?

I could get used to this.

Sincerely,

A Pragmatic Bengals Fan

2nd Half Open Thread: Chicago Bears (3-2) 0 - Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) 31

jsl413 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:49:32 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Here's a real picture. Revenge-man Cedric Benson had another great day on the ground. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Browse more photos »

The Bengals got off to a flying start in the first quarter after some Cincy Jungle residents questioned the decision to take the ball first. The Bears' defense was reeling in the first quarter, and the offense was settling for minimal yards per play. Carson Palmer looked great throwing on the run as the Bears' D faced injury and match up issues all over the field. Cedric Benson, of course, ran like a bull. He gashed the Bears D left and right for a ridiculous first quarter average of 8.8 yards per carry on 8 touches. What a first quarter. Bengals possess the ball for 2 4:00 TD drives and the Bears run around for 3.5 yards a play. 157 yards, meanwhile, in the first quarter for the Bengals compared to 22 for the Bears.

Enter second quarter: Bears go 3 and out on their first possession. Could Cincinnati put this one away early? Big pass to Coles down the sideline. Carson throws another beautiful ball to Chad, rolling right, and Chad beats Lance Briggs to the 16. Gift football to cheerleader. 12 more to Ocho on a bullet up the middle as Chad beats Tillman. 2nd and goal - play action to Benson with 2 FB back there, Foschi breaks free in the endzone and... catches the football? He can't fumble in the endzone on a reception (thank god), TD Bengals! 21-0. A 7 play, 63 yard 3-minute or so drive. I'm confusing the Bengals with the Bearcats and the Bears with Louisville. Heart rate normalized.

The Bears even began to threaten in the 2nd quarter until Devin Hester fumbled and destroyed some momentum. It was a great strip. Carson and Cedric and Chad keep moving the ball on the ensuing drive - big third down conversion to Chad Johnson. Cedric Benson takes another big carry inside the 15. On the following 3rd and 7, a succesful WR screen to Coles results in a 28-0 lead. Man, talk about execution and great blocking from Foschi and Caldwell on the perimeter.

By the way, no botched PAT this week. No awful TE play.

Leon Hall makes the interception at some point in there, but it only leads to 3. I don't really know what else to say, but the Bengals thouroughly dominated the first half until "Prevent" was called until the Bears kicked a field goal as time expired. Let's hope they don't take their foot off the gas in the second half.

Passing Stats:

Player	YPA	Yards	TD/Int
Jay Cutler	7.2	136	0/1
Carson Palmer	10.8	183	4/0

Some other stuff:

Benson - 20 rushes (1 away from magic 21), 98 yards, long of 23.

Ocho - 8 receptions, 103 yards and a touchdown.

Tight Ends - 1 touchdown, 1 catch, 0 drops, 0 turnovers.

Houshmandzadeh's departure might have been the best off-season move; Carson Palmer for comeback player of the year; Bengals overrated?

Kirkendall — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:43:45 -0000

Reader WhoDeyDerek brought up the point in the comments of Jake's Links and Notes, saying that with T.J. Houshmandzadeh's departure, "a negative presence is gone" (that's right Derek, I'll make you famous). I think there's truth to that. A lot of it. When Houshmandzadeh was in Cincinnati, a lockerroom distraction was always sensed. How would I know? Well, I really don't. Just that after he left, we suddenly now have this mature group on our hands that looks much more positive. There's also this December post in 2007 which says, "A league source tells us that there is growing animosity in the Bengals locker room toward receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Per the source, both are yelling 'all the time' at quarterback Carson Palmer" and even concluded that the "two receivers are trying to 'run the team.'" Houshmandzadeh then goes on to talk trash with the Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. That personality isn't in the lockerroom so you have to believe that the growth this team has showed was the result of a subtraction of one it's most negative players.

I'm not here to rip on Houshmandzadeh, who feels more at home in Seattle not having poor-ass people in Cincinnati beg for autographs. Good for him. I'm happy for him and his 1-3 Seattle Seahawks. However, I think there's far more truth in that Houshmandzadeh's departure opened up this belief that the team lost a negative influence that constantly chipped away whatever positive frame of mind they had. You can almost see that in the squad already. There's a team-like attitude that's so strong it's making us take a double-take, making sure that this is our Cincinnati Bengals.

Moving on, swan.

The one thing I haven't understood about ESPN's blogs, is that they're still so disassociated with the core of bloggers out there, that they put their crucifix on their doors before going to bed at nights. Not that its advisable that you should take ESPN's blogs as a template of how to write. When you become strictly an informative blog, you're kind of not a blog. You're more like a self-imposed Wiki; or a team page with shorted posts. Blogs tend to be more opinionated -- they are, for the most part, a diary. And if you really believe in the era of blogging, then you have to not just acknowledge blogs for their related tabled discussions, but, you know, support them. ESPN's blogs aren't the only ones that fail to achieve some full-fledged heart and soul to gain passage into the blogging universe. A lot of people do. And it ticks me off. In this case, I don't blame James Walker. I think this is an ESPN thing. Why point out to the universe that we, or another credible and hard working blog exists, when you can monopolize the entire genre. Sorry. When I started this sentence, it actually started with the the next paragraph. That's the world of a Kirkentangent.

Fox Sports' Alex Marvez names Carson Palmer the comeback player of the year through the first quarter of the season.

Comeback player: Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer.

Yes, Brady grabs the headlines and is a worthy choice coming off a serious knee injury. But Palmer has also been impressive after missing 12 games last season with a damaged elbow. Palmer led game-winning scoring drives the past two weeks against Pittsburgh and Cleveland for a team that would be 4-0 if not for a fluke opening loss to Denver. Palmer's play is going a long way in breaking the culture of losing that has enveloped the Bengals since the early 1990s.

Marvez also names Chad Ochocinco as one of five players we shouldn't have doubted. We never doubted him, did we, Tim?

Tank Johnson has plantar fasciitis in his foot. That's the same injury Rashad Jeanty dealt with last year and the one that Eli Manning is dealing with too.

The News Record's Peter Marx thinks that the Bengals are overrated and not very good; claims that the Broncos aren't very good either and that's why they're 4-0.

Paul Daugherty, on Sports Illustrated, talks about Chad's newest book. You get the feeling that Daugherty and Chad's relationship hasn't really been on good terms for a while now.

I like to think I watch the games and understand what's going on. But WDR sees things that I'm not, which is good -- an extra set of eyes always makes us more informed. However, I didn't get Tom Nelson being bulleted as the third "good thing". Nelson has been inactive in the first three games and played against the Browns thanks to Roy Williams' forearm injury. Nelson did record a special teams tackle when he ran Jerome Harrison out of bounds with under two minutes left in the game.

Make sure you vote for Chad Ochocinco's (kinda) one-handed touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns for this weeks Sprint's Can't-Miss Plays.

The Cleveland Browns trading away Braylon Edwards hurts the Bengals. Now they're going to have a receiver that can actually catch the football.

With the Bengals playing the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, that means we'll see former Bengals wide receiver Kelley Washington. And that means we fire up the old Squirrel Dance!

A reader sent this photo of the Baltimore Ravens. Terrell Suggs is such a beautiful swan, isn't he?

PRIMER: Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-3)

Kirkendall — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:36:03 -0000

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-3)
Series Leader: Cincinnati Bengals, 36-35
Streak: Cincinnati has won seven of the past nine
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 8-4. Mangini: 1-1
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 108 (Cin.), 126 (Cle.). XM: 103 (Cle.).
SB Nation: Dawgs By Nature
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Partly cloud, high of 61 degrees with winds around 15 MPH [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Television Coverage: Mostly Ohio with parts in surrounding states [The 506]

Cincinnati Bengals

Dating back to December 14, 2008, the Bengals have won five of their past six games.
Cincinnati has won three of the past four games at Cleveland and the Bengals are looking to win their third straight game in the AFC North for the first time since November 6, 2005 to September, 24 2006 (six straight).
Cedric Benson is averaging 95.5 yards rushing per game when has 20 carries or more (955 in 10 total games).
Dating back to December 21, 2008, Benson leads the NFL with 575 yards rushing on 129 carries.
In the last game against the Browns, Benson recorded a career high 171 yards rushing.
Chad Ochocinco is averaging 166 yards receiving per game in the past two games in Cleveland.
Andre Caldwell recorded his first career touchdown last week against the Steelers.
Antwan Odom needs two sacks to surpass his career high of eight in 2007.
Johnathan Joseph recorded a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown against Pittsburgh.

Cleveland Browns

With 37 yards passing, Brady Quinn will reach 1,000 yards passing for his career.
Derek Anderson is 2-1 against Cincinnati as a starter with eight touchdowns and six interceptions for a passer rating of 82.9.
Since 2007, running back Jamal Lewis is averaging 144 yards rushing per game when he carries the football 25 times or more -- Browns are 5-0.
In his career against the Bengals, Lewis is averaging 113.7 yards rushing per game with nine 100-yard performances.
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has at least one reception in all 61 career games.
Edwards has five touchdowns receiving in his past four games against the Bengals.
Since 2004, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers leads the NFL with eight blocked field goals.
Kamerion Wimbley has two sacks this season.
Return man Joshua Cribbs has seven total return touchdowns (five on kickoff return and two on punt return). He only needs one for the most in franchise history.

TEAM RANKINGS

Offense	Bengals	Browns
Total	299.7 (24th)	218.0 (32nd)
Scoring	20.3 (15th)	9.7 (31st)
Passing	187.3 (22nd)	146.7 (31st)
Passing TDs	4 (t-13th)	1 (t-30th)
Rushing	112.3 (14th)	71.3 (29th)
Rushing TDs	3 (t-7th)	0 (t-27th)

Defense	Bengals	Browns
Total	328.7 (16th)	412.7 (30th)
Scoring	18.7 (t-13th)	31.7 (32nd)
Passing	240.0 (19th)	228.3 (16th)
Passing TDs	3 (t-5th)	3 (t-5th)
Rushing	88.7 (11th)	184.3 (30th)
Rushing TDs	2 (t-13th)	8 (t-30th)
Sacks	10 (t-1st)	5 (t-14th)
QB Rating	92.2 (22nd)	94.9 (24th)
20-Yard Passes Allowed	13 (32nd)	10 (t-20th)
Interceptions	1 (t-24th)	0 (t-30th)

Special Teams	Bengals	Browns
Kickoff Return	21.9 (17th)	21.1 (t-24th)
Punt Return	16.4 (3rd)	16.7 (2nd)
Punting (Net)	38.1 (21st)	37.8 (22nd)
Punts Inside the 20	8 (t-1st)	7 (t-3rd)

2009 STATISTICAL INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Carson Palmer	Stat	Ranking
Quarterback Rating	76.2	23rd
Yards Passing	205.0	19th
Touchdowns	4	t-9th
First Downs	34	13th
Average Yards/Att	6.6	19th
Completions	56	t-17th
Interceptions	4	t-28th
Times Sacked	7	t-24th

Cedric Benson	Stat	Ranking
Yards Rushing	293	3rd
Attempts / Game	22	2nd
Touchdowns	2	t-5th
First Downs	11	t-11th

Chad Ochocinco	Stat	Ranking
Receptions	14	t-30th
Yards Receiving	234	12th
20-yard receptions	5	t-2nd
First Downs	12	t-7th

	Sacks	Ranking
Antwan Odom	7	1st

	Forced Fumbles	Ranking
Rey Maualuga	2	t-1st

CAREER AGAINST THE BROWNS

Carson Palmer

Date	Result	Comp.	Att.	Yards	TDs	Int
12.23.07	W, 19-14	11	21	115	1	2
9.16.07	L, 45-51	33	50	401	6	2
11.26.06	W, 30-0	25	32	275	3	1
9.17.06	W, 34-17	24	40	352	2	2
12.11.05	W, 23-20	13	27	93	1	1
9.11.05	W, 27-13	26	34	280	2	1
11.28.04	W, 58-48	22	29	251	4	3
10.17.04	L, 17-34	20	36	148	1	1

Chad Johnson

Date	Result	Rec	Yards	TDs
9.28.08	L, 12-20	3	28	1
12.23.07	W, 19-14	4	44	0
9.16.07	L, 45-51	11	209	2
11.26.06	W, 30-0	7	123	0
9.17.06	W, 34-17	6	78	1
12.11.05	W, 23-20	2	22	0
9.11.05	W, 27-13	9	91	0
11.28.04	W, 58-48	10	117	1
10.17.04	L, 17-34	3	37	0
12.28.03	L, 14-22	4	29	0
9.28.03	L, 16-22	3	67	2
11.17.02	L, 20-27	4	103	1
9.15.02	L, 7-20	4	58	1
11.25.01	L, 0-18	1	7	0
10.14.01	W, 24-14	5	68	0

Cedric Benson

Date	Rushes	Yards	TDs
12.21.08	38	171	0
10.9.05	5	6	0

Laveranues Coles

Date	Rec	Yards	TDs
12.9.07	7	48	0
10.29.06	4	40	0
10.3.04	7	122	0
10.27.02	5	61	1

Chris Henry *

Date	Rec	Yards	TDs
12.21.08	1	20	0
11.26.06	5	41	2
9.17.06	5	113	0

* Also played Cleveland on 12.11.2005 and 12.23.2007 but didn't record any stats.

Primer: Denver Broncos (0-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)

Kirkendall — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:11:59 -0000

All-time glory of Staty goodness.

Game: Denver Broncos (0-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-0)
Series Leader: Broncos, 16-8
Streak: Broncos have won 10 of the past 12
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 1-2. McDaniels: 0-0
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Gus Johnson, Dan Fouts. SIRIUS: 144 (Den.), 91 (Cin.). XM: 108 (Cin.)
SB Nation: Mile High Report
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Partly cloudy, light winds, 79 degrees at kickoff. [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Television Coverage: If the game is a sellout, most of Ohio up until the Cleveland region, most of northern and eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia [The 506]

Cincinnati Bengals

Dating back to December 14, 2008, the Bengals are looking for their fourth straight win.
Since 2005, Carson palmer ranks 3rd in the AFC with 89 touchdowns (Peyton Manning has 117, Tom Brady has 100).
Palmer has passed for 4,000 yards or more in two of the past three seasons (any guess on which season he didn't?)
Cedric Benson is averaging 92.3 yards rushing per game when he carries the ball 20 times or more. His teams are also undefeated when he records over 20 rushing attempts (7-0-1).
In his past three games, Benson averaged 118.3 yards rushing per game.
In three career games against the Denver Broncos, Chad Ochocinco averages 92 yards receiving per game.
Since 2002, Chad ranks second in the NFL with 8,576 yards receiving (Torry Holt has 8,874).
Since 2007, cornerback Leon Hall leads the team with eight interceptions (five in 2007, three in 2008).

Denver Broncos

On kickoff weekend, the Denver Broncos lead the AFC with a .646 winning percentage (31-17-1) and looks for a third straight week one win.
Broncos tied with the Titans for an NFL best 12-sacks allowed.
As a starter for four seasons with the Chicago Bears, Kyle Orton's record as a starter is 21-12.
Running back Correll Buckhalter averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the past seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal led all NFL rookies last year in receptions (91), receiving yards (980), touchdowns receiving (5) and yards combined (1,829).
In his career, wide receiver Brandon Stokley averages 18.4 yards per catch against the Bengals (seven receptions, 129 yards receiving).
Tight End Tony Scheffler recorded a career high 645 yards receiving last year.
Champ Bailey ranks first among all cornerbacks with 43 interceptions since 1999.
Cornerback Andre Goodman recorded a career high five interceptions with the Miami Dolphins last year.
Making his Broncos debut, is safety Brian Dawkins, who is only one of four players with at least 33 (34) career interceptions and 20 sacks (21)

All-Time Series

Season	Location	Result
2006	Denver	L, 23-24
2004	Cincinnati	W, 23-10
2003	Cincinnati	L, 10-30
2000	Cincinnati	W, 31-21
1998	Cincinnati	L, 26-33
1997	Denver	L, 20-38
1996	Cincinnati	L, 10-14
1994	Denver	L, 13-15
1991	Denver	L, 14-45
1986	Denver	L, 28-34
1984	Denver	L, 17-20
1983	Denver	L, 17-24
1981	Cincinnati	W, 38-21
1979	Denver	L, 0-10
1977	Cincinnati	L, 13-24
1976	Cincinnati	W, 17-7
1975	Denver	W, 17-16
1973	Denver	L, 10-28
1972	Cincinnati	W, 21-10
1971	Denver	W, 24-10
1969	Denver	L, 16-27
1969	Cincinnati	L, 23-30
1968	Denver	L, 7-10
1968	Cincinnati	W, 24-10

Carson Palmer

Game	Date	Loc.	Comp	Att	Yards	TDs	Int
2	12.24.2006	Denver	21	40	209	2	2
1	10.25.2004	Cincinnati	12	21	198	1	1
			33	62	407	3	3

Chad Johnson

Game	Date	Rec.	Yards	TDs
3	12.24.2006	3	32	0
2	10.25.2004	7	149	1
1	9.7.2003	6	95	1
		16	276	2

Laveranues Coles

Game	Date	Rec.	Yards	TDs
	11.30.2008	2	2	0
	11.20.2005	6	62	0
	12.8.2002	6	126	1
	11.5.2000	1	31	0
		15	221	1

Cedric Benson

Game	Date	Rec.	Yards	TDs
1	11.25.2007	8	47	0

Strength in numbers; an examination of who the Bengals started the regular season since 2006

Kirkendall — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:05:45 -0000

When the preseason marches towards a welcomed conclusion, discussion and debate takes place on who the team cuts and keeps. Sometimes the topic goes into salary cap causalities; veterans that are cut, like Willie Anderson and Rudi Johnson last year. Other times, the debate talks about players that surprisingly make the roster. As jsl413 broke down, the Bengals depth is strong in some areas, weak in others. Which means the Bengals could strengthen weaken positions by increasing the depth. It's a numbers game.

You see that notably with linebackers. In 2006, Brian Simmons was nearing retirement; his production was falling. David Pollack, while great with potential, was only then starting to adjust from being a defensive end in college to an outside linebacker in the NFL. Rashad Jeanty was a rookie. Landon Johnson was arguably our best linebacker. If you look back to that season, only one linebacker remains (Jeanty) with the Bengals and as far as I can tell, three are still in the NFL (Jeanty, Johnson and Ahmad Brooks). The position didn't improve in 2007 and grew worse when it was decimated by injury. Dhani Jones, an unlikely stability force who would join the team later in the year, became the most productive middle linebacker during Marvin Lewis' tenure. By 2008, the linebackers were on pace to be the most talented group assembled, taking less into the regular season while numerically increasing their numbers at other spots, like running back, defensive tackles -- two spots with limited production. You'll obviously see that again this year, with Jones, Jeanty, Rivers, Brandon Johnson and Rey Maualuga as the depth leaders.

Running backs is another example. In 2006, and even 2007, Rudi Johnson was considered the team's feature back. No competition. Hands down. After all, he set franchise rushing records in 2004 and 2005. However, along with the offensive line's degradation, he started degrading (some will note his inadvisable weight loss regiment, losing all of his strength in 2006) until he was finally cut in 2008. More importantly, the Bengals decided to take two fullbacks because Jeremi Johnson was simply not the force he used to be and the team liked Coats' enough to make room for him. While the talent level dipped, the team decided to strengthen the depth with numbers.

Take note of this. Am I saying that the depth and position is stronger because there's more players? Obviously not. You either have talent or you don't. A combination of average talent still makes that position average. But it is a luxury that most teams have, which largely depends on play-calling philosophy, as well as projecting your opponents philosophies. If you take on more defensive backs in any given year because your passing defense is poor, it allows you additional packages. But it's also dictated by strength. You will note how once the team had Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph, they believed the position strong enough to only take four cornerbacks in 2008, as opposed to five in 2007 and 2006. Safeties increased because a long-standing issue of giving up big plays was still unanswered. You can bank on at least six safeties this year.

After the jump, you can see which players the Bengals took after cutdown day and how many players the team took at each position.

First thing we should note are the roster cut deadlines:

DATE	EVENT
September 1st	Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players
September 5th	Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players

Here's a breakdown on what positions the Bengals after final cutdown heading into the regular season.

Position	2006	2007	2008
Quarterbacks	3	3	3
Running backs (including FB)	4	4 (1)	5 (2)
Wide Receivers	6	6	6
Offensive Linemen	9	8	9
Tight Ends	2	3	2
Total on Offense	24	24	25

Defensive Ends	4	5	4
Defensive Tackles	4	3	5
Linebackers	8	7	6
Cornerbacks	5	5	4
Safeties	5	6	6
Total on Defense	26	26	25

Specialists	3	3	3

After the jump, we chart which players the Bengals kept since 2006.

2006

Position	#	Players
Quarterbacks	3	Carson Palmer, Anthony Wright, Doug Johnson
RB / FB	4	Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson, Quincy Wilson, Jeremi Johnson (FB)
WR	6	Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chris Henry, Tab Perry, Antonio Chatman, Kelley Washington
O-Line	9	Levi Jones, Eric Steinbach, Rich Braham, Bobbie Williams, Willie Anderson, Andrew Whitworth, Eric Ghiaciuc, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra
TE	2	Reggie Kelly, Tony Stewart

DE	4	Justin Smith, Bryan Robinson, Robert Geathers, Frostee Rucker
DT	4	Sam Adams, John Thornton, Domata Peko, Shaun Smith
Linebackers	8	Brian Simmons, Landon Johnson, David Pollack, Rashad Jeanty, Marcus Wilkins, Ahmad Brooks, A.J. Nicholson, Caleb Miller
Corners	5	Deltha O'Neal, Tory James, Johnathan Joseph, Keiwan Ratliff, Greg Brooks
Safeties	5	Dexter Jackson, Madieu Williams, Kevin Kaesviharn, Ethan Kilmer, Herana-Daze Jones

Specialists	3	Shayne Graham, Kyle Larson, Brad St. Louis

2007

Position	#	Players
Quarterbacks	3	Carson Palmer, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Rowe
RB / FB	4	Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson, Clinton Dawson, Jeremi Johnson (FB)
WR	6	Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tab Perry, Glenn Holt, Skyler Green, Antonio Chatman
O-Line	8	Levi Jones, Willie Anderson, Bobbie Williams, Andrew Whitworth, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra, Eric Ghiaciuc, Alex Stepanovich
TE	3	Reggie Kelly, Daniel Coats, Nate Lawrie

DE	5	Justin Smith, Robert Geathers, Bryan Robinson, Frostee Rucker, Jonathan Fanene
DT	3	Domata Peko, John Thornton, Michael Myers
Linebackers	7	Ahmad Brooks, Rashad Jeanty, Landon Johnson, Caleb Miller, Lemar Marshall, Andre Frazier, Anthony Schlegel
Corners	5	Deltha O'Neal, Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, Keiwan Ratliff, David Jones
Safeties	6	Dexter Jackson, Chinedum Ndukwe, Madieu Williams, Marvin White, Herana-Daze Jones, Ethan Kilmer

Specialists	3	Shayne Graham, Kyle Larson, Brad St. Louis

2008

Position	#	Players
Quarterbacks	3	Carson Palmer, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jordan Palmer
RB / FB	5	Chris Perry, Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey, Jeremi Johnson (FB), Daniel Coats (FB)
WR	6	Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Glenn Holt, Antonio Chatman, Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson
O-Line	9	Stacy Andrews, Levi Jones, Eric Ghiaciuc, Bobbie Williams, Andrew Whitworth, Dan Santucci, Kyle Cook, Scott Kooistra, Anthony Collins
TE	2	Reggie Kelly, Ben Utecht

DE	4	Antwan Odom, Robert Geathers, Jonathan Fanene, Frostee Rucker
DT	5	Domata Peko, John Thornton, Jason Shirley, Pat Sims, Michael Myers
Linebackers	6	Keith Rivers, Rashad Jeanty, Dhani Jones, Darryl Blackstock, Brandon Johnson, Corey Mays
Corners	4	Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, Simeon Castille, David Jones
Safeties	6	Dexter Jackson, Kyries Hebert, Herana-Daze Jones, Corey Lynch, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White

Specialists	3	Shayne Graham, Kyle Larson, Brad St. Louis

Champ Bailey, 2 others, will begin Training Camp on P.U.P list

John Bena — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:26:11 -0000

The Broncos are set to start Training Camp in about 10 hours, but are already a bit shorthanded. It is being reported that Champ Bailey, Marcus Thomas and Renaldo Hill will start camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List.

Now, before everyone starts freaking out, starting camp on the PUP list is a lot different than practicing, then moving to the PUP list. Players like Bailey, Hill and Thomas can get activated at any time. Should they practice, even once, then move to the PUP list, they would be inactive for 6 weeks into the regular season.

This allows the Broncos to have a few extra bodies on the practice field. It has been a practice in the League for a long time, and the Patriots took full advantage of it. That said, I wouldn't say the addition of Bailey or Thomas is NOT legit. Bailey is coming back from offseason surgery, not to mention the serious hamstring injury that cost him half of 2008. Seeing Bailey running the field in July is not as important as seeing him running down Chad Johnson when September 13th rolls around.

Thomas, however, is a bit of a disappointment. It is being reported that Thomas failed the conditioning test that everyone has to pass. For a player likely on his last football legs, who needs to impress a coach that didn't select him to begin with, coming in out of shape is less than advisable.

As for Renaldo Hill, it could be that he is nursing an injury, combined with the Broncos wanting to take a long look at Jack Williams and Alphonso Smith with the first team. Like Bailey, Hill's position is likely safe.

More to come.

Ochocinco to Dwayne Bowe: 'I'll meet you in Miami'

Joel Thorman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:03:41 -0000

Someone has to get a hold of Chad Johnson and his tweeting. Ochocinco figured out how to stream live from the internet and it was...strange. Even stranger was the fact that I watched until the 18:20 mark when Dwayne Bowe called him.

Ochocinco said, "The most swaggerest havin' dude I ever met. You hear me? If there was a definition of swagger off the field, in the dictionary, they'd have a picture of D. Bowe right there."

He also told Bowe he'd meet him in Miami....for the Pro Bowl ~~or the Super Bowl~~?

Why Doesn't The NFL Celebrate Player Celebrations?

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:00:20 -0000

More photos » by Mary Altaffer - AP

Roger Goodell speaks out against the dark specter of fun in the NFL. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Browse more photos »

In my sports-watching career, there are some iconic moments that stand out that have nothing to do with the game on the field. There's the Dirty Bird, of course. There's the Ickey Shuffle. And then there's Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson's finest moment.

For those of you who don't remember, the oft-fined Johnson celebrated a touchdown in a unique way back in 2003. With snow banks dotting the field, Johnson had apparently taken the time to stash a sign beforehand, because after the score he hauled out an orange sign that read "Dear NFL, please don't fine me again!" It was a hilarious thing to watch, but you knew the outcome before it even happened. He got slapped with $10,000 in expenses for what amounted to a clever and harmless joke.

This is all too common, now.

The NFL's stern and angry taskmasters have taken the art of the celebration out of the NFL. Whether they cite safety concerns as they do for those bringing items into the stadium (cell phones and Joe Horn), showing up the opponent (Terrell Owens dancing on the Dallas Cowboys' midfield star) or anyone having any kind of fun (the Houston Texan follow up to Horn's celebration), the league has clearly taken a stand against celebrations of any kind. I guess I understand the thinking, but all I really see is the NFL depriving players of a chance to be creative and innovative in any way. I also understand that some people don't care about or completely loathe these celebrations, but I do think they're kind of a blast. Of course, the NFL itself would counter with talk of professionalism, uniformity and safety. When you have the power that league does and you're holding guys by the pay check, you can do whatever you want.

But why do we have to be uniform and bland? The league is filled with exciting, dynamic people, different people, who are being forced to wear exactly the same color socks and speak in the same bland platitudes. When players whine about that, they get slammed for being whiny, crazy millionaires. But is that what we want as fans? Does anyone like listening to Bill Belicheck drone his way through a postgame interview without once saying something insightful? Are we thrilled that not one player can tell us something that's more advanced than 110% effort and play the game the right way? Am I the only one baying at the moon about the fact that the league--and sometimes we fans--go out of our way to squash the quirky personalities in the league?

Maybe I am. But I can't help but think back to the day when Chad Johnson waved his sign defiantly at the cameras, a harmless gesture, a humorous David taking on a grim-faced Goliath. I can't help but think about the NFL's reaction to that, and a subsequent crackdown that stuffs everything outside of the huddle into a square hole. And at the end of this particular day, I can't help but believe, as I always have, that being a fan is still about having fun and enjoying the game of football.

Maybe I'm alone there, too. What do you think?