With Brian Simmons coming back this Sunday, will my man Ahmad Brooks continue to start at MLB ?

I certainly hope so, I think he brings an added aggresiveness to the D.[img]http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1566/brooks7yx9.jpg[/img]

I think they will both get time.

In critical situations, I would rather have Simmons experience on the field.

[quote name='bengalbutch' post='373371' date='Oct 27 2006, 04:55 PM']With Brian Simmons coming back this Sunday, will my man Ahmad Brooks continue to start at MLB ?

I certainly hope so, I think he brings an added aggresiveness to the D.[img]http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1566/brooks7yx9.jpg[/img][/quote]
I think he should. Simmons is well-schooled in playing either in or out (and is a seasoned veteran LB), and Ahmad has had limited time at either, but more real game time at MLB (and has played pretty damn well).

Since it looks like Reanty is out, I'd prefer Brooks in the middle with Simmons and Johnson on the outside.

[quote name='bengalbutch' post='373380' date='Oct 27 2006, 05:15 PM']Since it looks like Reanty is out, I'd prefer Brooks in the middle with Simmons and Johnson on the outside.[/quote]
If Brooks keeps up his level of play, I would prefer that Brooks replace Jeanty permanently.

RUMBLINGS
Friday, October 27, 2006
BOB HUNTER

Bengals rookie Ahmad Brooks has played so well that fellow linebacker Odell Thurman won’t return to the team after he completes his one-year suspension.

Thurman was serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substanceabuse policy when he was charged with drunken driving in September. His sion was increased to one year. The Bengals likely wouldn’t have drafted Brooks if they had been happy with Thurman, but Brooks’ play is making it easy for coach Marvin Lewis to say goodbye to Thurman. Asked about Brooks this week, Lewis went out of his way to emphasize positives that have been among Thurman’s negatives.

"Ahmad works very hard at it," Lewis said. "He’s very conscientious to his work. We’ve very pleased with how he’s embraced it, coming in and studying extra all the time, asking very good questions, taking great notes. He’s a very serious pro, and I know this is why he’s been given this opportunity — how he’s approached it."

[url="http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/27/20061027-B3-00.html"]http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?s...1027-B3-00.html[/url]

Brooks is going to be a beast someday...he's huge, he can move, and he has great instincts

I suspect that given the recent good play of Brooks and Miller, they'll play Simmons, but they can bring him back more slowly. With Jeanty out, they've still got 4 LBs who can rotate in. I wonder if Nicholson will get some time, too. He showed up on STs last week a little bit, as has Andre Frazier.

[quote name='bengalbutch' post='373385' date='Oct 27 2006, 05:30 PM']RUMBLINGS
Friday, October 27, 2006
BOB HUNTER

Bengals rookie Ahmad Brooks has played so well that [b]fellow linebacker Odell Thurman won’t return to the team after he completes his one-year suspension.[/b]
[url="http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/27/20061027-B3-00.html"]http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?s...1027-B3-00.html[/url][/quote]
I'm not so sure about that just yet.

[quote]I'm not so sure about that just yet.[/quote]

I agree with you, I personally would love to have O'dell back.

I really don't understand why he wouldn't come back. Why do people keep saying that ? I realize he screwed up, but to give up so soon on a talent like that, seems extreme. Another team would snatch him up instantly.

Why is this an OR? Move Simmons back to his old position and let them both play. Then give me Jenty back in the next 1-2 weeks where Landodn and Caleb are sharing that spot.

[quote name='bengalbutch' post='373385' date='Oct 27 2006, 07:30 PM']RUMBLINGS
Friday, October 27, 2006
BOB HUNTER

Bengals rookie Ahmad Brooks has played so well that fellow linebacker Odell Thurman won’t return to the team after he completes his one-year suspension.

Thurman was serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substanceabuse policy when he was charged with drunken driving in September. His sion was increased to one year. The Bengals likely wouldn’t have drafted Brooks if they had been happy with Thurman, but Brooks’ play is making it easy for coach Marvin Lewis to say goodbye to Thurman. Asked about Brooks this week, Lewis went out of his way to emphasize positives that have been among Thurman’s negatives.

"Ahmad works very hard at it," Lewis said. "He’s very conscientious to his work. We’ve very pleased with how he’s embraced it, coming in and studying extra all the time, asking very good questions, taking great notes. He’s a very serious pro, and I know this is why he’s been given this opportunity — how he’s approached it."

[url="http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/27/20061027-B3-00.html"]http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?s...1027-B3-00.html[/url][/quote]
This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Odell worked hard when he was here.

Where the hell is AJ? I saw his number out there a couple of times this past sunday (#52) but he doesn't get much action. Does he suck that bad?

[quote name='LeakyBengal' post='373416' date='Oct 27 2006, 09:10 PM']Where the hell is AJ? I saw his number out there a couple of times this past sunday (#52) but he doesn't get much action. Does he suck that bad?[/quote]

According to his Bengals.com profile: [i]"Made Bengals debut Oct. 22 vs. Carolina on special teams (no statistics) … Inactive status was due in part to hamstring injury suffered in practice Sept. 14".[/i]

Off-topic, but I wonder if AJ has the same fire and passion for football that D-Jack has.

They are both Seminoles, and I know that Florida State has put out a hell of a lot of good defensive players, like Peter Boulware, Derrick Brooks, and Dexter Jackson, among others.

[quote]Off-topic, but I wonder if AJ has the same fire and passion for football that D-Jack has.

They are both Seminoles, and I know that Florida State has put out a hell of a lot of good defensive players, like Peter Boulware, Derrick Brooks, and Dexter Jackson, among others.[/quote]

Besides the trouble he has been in, the only knock I've heard on him is his speed.

I think he has the passion, attitiude, desire, instincts & for sure the build. ( Have you seen the guns on this guy ? )To be a terrific LB. He was a tackling machine at FSU.

He has the nasty attitude that I have always wanted from our D. I've thought AJ, Brooks, O'dell, Pollack ( God willing ) would be legendary in a 3-4 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

That 3-4 wouldn't be legendary, it'd simply be youthful.

I didn't know he played either that is great news.

We should be peaking about the right time when all these guys get some snaps under their belts and get healthy.

Proof:

[url="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20061022_CAR@CIN"]http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20061022_CAR@CIN[/url]

Substitutions
WR 16 G.Holt, K 17 S.Graham, P 19 K.Larson, CB 22 J.Joseph, HB 23 C.Perry, CB 25 K.Ratliff, S 28 D.Jackson, HB 33 K.Watson, S 43 E.Kilmer, S 44 H.Jones, LS/TE 48 B.St. Louis, LB [b]52 A.Nicholson, LB [/b] 55 M.Wilkins, LB 56 B.Simmons, LB 57 A.Frazier, DT 66 S.Smith, OT 75 S.Kooistra, G 79 S.Andrews, WR 83 A.Chatman, TE 86 T.Stewart, DE 91 R.Geathers, DT 94 D.Peko

Personally I hope we see Brooks starting at MLB and Simmons back at OLB with L.Johnson lining up opposite him...

it would be best to have Simmons at OLB and Brooks at MLB for this game. Simmons is more intelligent on the field than our other LBs and would be very important at OLB to help contain Vick. Plus Brooks is 100 times better than Caleb Miller.

[quote name='Jamie_B' post='373402' date='Oct 28 2006, 01:17 AM']Why is this an OR? Move Simmons back to his old position and let them both play. Then give me Jenty back in the next 1-2 weeks where Landodn and Caleb are sharing that spot.[/quote]
This is my hope as well.

[b]
This guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Odell worked hard when he was here.[/b]

People have a short memory in the nfl,Everyone was hanging off odells nut sack last year...I do hope he can clean up and return to the bengals...if he doesnt ill still be a fan like people said before they started hating him he was lil ray

[quote name='bengalbutch' post='373399' date='Oct 27 2006, 08:13 PM']I agree with you, I personally would love to have O'dell back.

I really don't understand why he wouldn't come back. Why do people keep saying that ? I realize he screwed up, but to give up so soon on a talent like that, seems extreme. Another team would snatch him up instantly.[/quote]

I agree with you guys. If Thurman can change his life around, he will be given a chance. If he cannot, he won't.

Marvin is not a stupid man. A healthy, mind in the right place Thurman along with Brooks, Nickelson, Johnson, Jeanty, Simmons, Miller and others including (I hope) Pollack. Wow, that would give you many many options.

Just remember this--------Pollack may not make it back and Simmions is not a young man in the football world.

Bottom line is this-------------it is up to Thurman and his character !!!!!!!!!

I agree with what someone mentioned before. it shouldnt even be an issue. Put B-Simms back at his regular position, and keep A-Men Brooks in there.

I also heard some "worrysome" news about Simmons on 1530...said his knee is really screwed
up and he's having trouble with a pinched nerve in his neck....

Funny 365 days ago everyone seemeed to be calling for simmons off the field now people want him back at his old spot despite the facy that he hasn't played or practiced at it in 6 months+.