Did an NFL team ask the Dallas Cowboys to consider a trade for Martellus Bennett? Bennett drafted in 2008, fell into the second round because of his 2008 scouting combine performance.  During Bennett's first season as a Cowboy, he appeared on Hard Knocks, often being ridden as slow, lazy, and behind the curve.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen, if you can trust this as a source, claims the Bengals were the team to make an offer for Bennett. Jerry Jones won't even comment on which player an offer was received for, much less on the identity of the team making the offer.

Bennett is more known around the Cowboys locker room for things he says or does off the field than on the field. From talking smack, pranking, joking, or being fined for a rap video he posted on youtube. The Cowboys fined and  forced Bennett to remove the rap video from youtube . That fine didn't slow Bennett down, he later posted another video on youtube which also caused another stir among some minority groups. If the Bengals really tried to acquire Bennett, it begs an answer to three questions.

What's wrong with Chase Coffman? Would the Bengals really want an under performing rookie TE that got reamed on HardKnocks 2008 to replace an under performing rookie TE that got reamed on HardKnocks 2009.

Are the league's rosters so depleted at TE, that a questionable character with questionable talent is the only answer available for the Bengals?

Is there any validity to this rumor? Consider the first two questions, it might draw a murky conclusion. It could also suggest what most Bengals fans already know. The National media seems aware of the issue too.

The Bengals need a starting TE and Coffman apparently isn't the answer in 2009. Which could have left Mike Brown and his coaches feeling desperate enough to attempt a trade, any trade, for a TE.

Levi Jones is no longer unemployed. The Lions and the Packers have both worked out Levi Jones since he became a free agent. Both teams passed on Jones without making him an offer. After losing left tackle  Chris Samuels to a potential season ending neck injury, the Redskins felt Levi Jones was the best tackle to fill the new hole on their depth chart.

No details of Levi Jones new contract are available. The contract's value probably isn't in the ballpark of what Cincinnati paid Levi during his 30 million dollar deal in Cincinnati.

TJ wants Seattle to feel like they got what they paid for in the off-season. His latest soundbite on the AP, "throw me the ball" caught ESPN's attention. ESPN posted a chart showing how many times the ball has been thrown at TJ this season. TJ is currently  ranked as the NFL's 7th wideout for passes targeted.  TJ sits at number 10 for most catches in the NFL. The 17th wideout for yards in the NFL. While tied for 21st among wide receivers for touchdown catches.

TJ's apparently more vocal this season, than in his entire Cincinnati career. Trying to prove he's a number 1 wideout without Palmer and Chad. Seattle's system and TJ's stats might prove otherwise, through five games, TJ has his lowest reception numbers since 2005. Time will tell. Bengal's fans can only wonder what TJ's stats might have been in 2009 had Housh chosen to stay in Cincinnati.

Benson's equally unbelievable success with AFC North-leading Cincinnati put just about everyone associated with the Bears' offense and personnel under suspicion. That starts with Angelo and Smith, but also includes assistant coaches, front-office minions, receivers, tight ends, running backs, offensive linemen, and Michael McCaskey.

Benson came here with more attitude than ability and heart. Certainly more attitude than speed. The only thing worse than his attitude, in fact, was his rap sheet. He was given a job he didn't earn -- round of applause for Lovie and Jerry -- and then was given a release he deserved much earlier. Job early, release late, go figure.

And then he began averaging about 100 yards a game. And began showing speed. And became a big part of a team that has more wins than the Bears.

Which makes the question of the moment: Do they know what they're doing in Halas Hall?

Do the coaches and personnel people know what they're seeing -- on tape and in uniform, in college and in the NFL?

Do they know how to coax every last bit of good out of every last player? Do they know how to put players in the best position to succeed?

Source - Chicago Tribune

During Sunday's game versus the Ravens, a glaring weakness become apparent to the Bengals fans in the gameday talk back. The Baltimore Sun noticed the weakness too. Why the Bengals coaching staff refused to go after Dominique Foxworth remains a mystery. What the Baltimore Sun had to say in today's column concerning Foxworth's play:

"Starting cornerback Domonique Foxworth? He has no physical presence and has lost his confidence. He can't find himself or the ball. During the offseason, the Ravens signed Foxworth to a four-year contract worth $16.5 million in guaranteed money. It might be time to ask for a refund or a rebate.

In training camp, Ravens coach John Harbaugh bragged about the speed of his cornerbacks, and that speed is apparently used to catch up with the other team's receivers after they catch long passes."

who dey!

Could use some input from Cincy fans. I'm getting clubbered over on a fan nation poll featuring the Bengals vs Ravens.

Let the Ravens fans know how you feel about 2009. Don't forget to rub in the facts. Marvin Lewis posses a career winning record versus the Ravens. As does Carson Palmer, he's a lifetime 6-3 or so. Don't let the ratbird fans forget the injuries we tend to inflict on them every game.

thanks

(poll on fan nation has less than 24 hours left)