March of March (New Hobson)

[Inigo Montoya]

[quote]March always comes in like a lion in the NFL. Again, in honor of two lions, Peter King and Lance McAlister, here are five things I Believe I Think I Know.

1. Where's Roger?: Yeah, the first hours of free agency were as frenzied as ever. But I Believe I Think I Know that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell didn't hand out the Lombardi Trophy after it was over.

If he did last year, he would have given it to Seattle, the Pats, or maybe even Denver. The team he actually gave it to, the Giants, made basically one move last year. It was a good one, Kawika Mitchell, but it was only one.

Seattle couldn't get over the hump with Patrick Kearney and Deon Grant, the Niners went sub .500 despite Nate Clements and Michael Lewis, and Denver missed the playoffs for the second straight year despite making 14 different acquisitions last season. Remember how vets fled Buffalo last year, but their homegrown line kept them afloat?

New England cashed well at 16-0, but the Steelers are unflinchingly letting Alan Faneca go a year after letting Joey Porter walk while they were on the way to winning the AFC North.

The Bengals need to get some guys, but there is no champagne yet.

2. STAT OF PRESEASON: I Believe I Think I Know the Bengals are putting a lot of energy into beefing up that front wall in free agency and the draft, and they have to. Banged for not banging people, the Bengals play the most physical offenses in football against a schedule that includes six of the top 10 rushing teams from 2007:

Jacksonville (2), Pittsburgh (3), Giants (4), Tennessee (5), Philadelphia (5), Cleveland (10).

3. WEIRD DAY: I Believe I Think I Know that Friday was one of the weirdest days in Bengaldom.

How about this? With all the scuttlebutt running so rampant about free-agency tampering last week in Indy, the NFL steps in on what appears to be an obscure technicality to nix the Shaun Rogers trade. It's like flicking a cigar ash when the house is on fire.

But you know what they say. Some of the best deals are the ones you don't make. The guy is a marvelous player, no question. And there's no question he fits exactly what the Bengals need. But he has a lot of issues, too, ones we have seen more times than a bad '60s sitcom.

But you have to hand it to Bengals president Mike Brown and Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis: Daryl Gardener. Warren Sapp. Sam Adams. Shaun Rogers. They know what they need and they're going to keep trying to get it.

4. MARVIN's CALL: Lewis mildly called out center Eric Ghiaciuc last week, saying the Bengals needed better mental play from him. I Believe I Think I Know they like his athleticism and now they know he'll need to be able to stand up to a pretty stout Cleveland front with Rogers and Corey Williams.

It seems like no matter who the Browns have in there, the Bengals run the ball on them. Last year they went for five yards per carry against them, but Ghiaciuc missed one game and got hurt in the other. This will be a much tougher task.

One thing about that trade. It gave Detroit what some people around here think is the Browns' best cornerback in Leigh Bodden. He always played well against Cincinnati, and Carson Palmer no doubt made a mental note.

5. DON'T FORGET RUDI: What do we have to do to make this talk about taking a running back with the first pick go away? I Believe I Think I Know it makes me uneasy.

Not only are the defensive needs so great, but don't you think one or two of these guys like Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry, and DeDe Dorsey are going to be healthy? Lewis has alluded that Kenny Irons (knee) is going to take some time, but there is also Kenny Watson.

Yeah, Johnson hasn't broken a long run since Roger Bannister broke four minutes. But be careful for what you wish. If his body is back where it needs to be and the offensive line is healthy and you can write him in for 4.2 yards per carry while giving Perry and Dorsey their shots, that's a dangerous combo.

And if not, can't they do it in the third round if they must?[/quote]


[url="http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6668"]http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6668[/url]

[Le Tigre]

#3 has to be about the most pathetic excuse ever written.

But sign some goon like McCree...or get some leftover scraps like Robertson, and the spin will flow like a river.

[Inigo Montoya]

The main part I dislike is Hobson saying "they know what they need and they are going to keep trying to get it." They've failed miserably to address the defensive line in Marvin's tenure. Failed. Miserably. Who the fuck knows if Rogers was the answer. But to say that the Bengals and Marvin have any idea or have shown any idea about upgrading the talent on the defensive line is ludicrous. The highest draft pick they've invested in a defensive tackle or defensive end is a 4th round pick (Askew, Geathers). And Hobson is talking about taking a RB in round one? Hysterical.

[Scoutforlife591]

[quote name='Inigo Montoya' post='638042' date='Mar 1 2008, 03:30 PM']The main part I dislike is Hobson saying "they know what they need and they are going to keep trying to get it." They've failed miserably to address the defensive line in Marvin's tenure. Failed. Miserably. Who the fuck knows if Rogers was the answer. But to say that the Bengals and Marvin have any idea or have shown any idea about upgrading the talent on the defensive line is ludicrous. The highest draft pick they've invested in a defensive tackle or defensive end is a 4th round pick (Askew, Geathers). And Hobson is talking about taking a RB in round one? Hysterical.[/quote]

Amen

That is in the Hall of Fame of the the stupidest things he's ever said.

[ChicagoBengal]

That article was the dictionary definition of "puff piece". An absolute pathetic attempt at spin.

[claptonrocks]

[quote name='Inigo Montoya' post='638042' date='Mar 1 2008, 03:30 PM']The main part I dislike is Hobson saying "they know what they need and they are going to keep trying to get it." They've failed miserably to address the defensive line in Marvin's tenure. Failed. Miserably. Who the fuck knows if Rogers was the answer. But to say that the Bengals and Marvin have any idea or have shown any idea about upgrading the talent on the defensive line is ludicrous. The highest draft pick they've invested in a defensive tackle or defensive end is a 4th round pick (Askew, Geathers). And Hobson is talking about taking a RB in round one? Hysterical.[/quote]

I hardly think Dwayne Robertson is left over scraps........He's a very good DT in the right scheme..
How hard was Detroit trying to rid itself of Rogers???? Think they might have had a major reason for that?

"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers"........that might fit in the Rogers case.

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='ChicagoBengal' post='638072' date='Mar 1 2008, 03:52 PM']That article was the dictionary definition of "puff piece". An absolute pathetic attempt at spin.[/quote]

X2


I can hear Hobson's fake laugh as he tries to pass it off....hahahaha...we fucked up, now lets move on.

[Inigo Montoya]

[quote name='ChicagoBengal' post='638072' date='Mar 1 2008, 03:52 PM']That article was the dictionary definition of "puff piece". An absolute pathetic attempt at spin.[/quote]



Hobson has no credibility at this point.

He looked silly yesterday and now he's somehow trying to make the Bengals look like they aren't second-class NFL citizens.

Newsflash Geoff, this is Mickey Mouse shit that only happens in a select few places (Cincy, Arizona, Oakland).

Hobson flattering the Browns and Marvin doesn't change the fact that they can't get a decent defensive line in place.

Get it done or take the criticism. Nobody buys the spin.

[|Tigers Johnson|]

[quote name='Inigo Montoya' post='638078' date='Mar 1 2008, 04:04 PM']Hobson has no credibility at this point.

He looked silly yesterday and now he's somehow trying to make the Bengals look like they aren't second-class NFL citizens.

Newsflash Geoff, this is Mickey Mouse shit that only happens in a select few places (Cincy, Arizona, Oakland).

Hobson flattering the Browns and Marvin doesn't change the fact that they can't get a decent defensive line in place.

Get it done or take the criticism. Nobody buys the spin.[/quote]

:applaud:

[VonBlade]

If I read the words "Bell Cow" ever again I think I'm gonna set myself on fire. So it's lucky for me he managed to avoid it for once. But I still don't understand the need for a back when we've got one proven, one who just busted big runs whenever called upon and one who we liked enough to draft him. Ok we've also got one made of glass and one who should change his surname from Johnson to "tackled for a loss", but still.

If we draft a running back, I'm gonna personally fly to Cinci and shoot Mike in the face.

#1, 2 and 3 were all basically the same thing. "No-one wins through free agency". Pah. Damn we need to cut Thornton yesterday.

[Scoutforlife591]

Oddly, I'm pretty sure Dewayne Robertson is the only one without backage (injury, weight, or attitude)

But with the trouble the Jets have apparently had working him into their 3-4, that may be why we haven't yet pursued him.

[ChicagoBengal]

[quote name='Scoutforlife591' post='638103' date='Mar 1 2008, 03:29 PM']Oddly, I'm pretty sure Dewayne Robertson is the only one without backage (injury, weight, or attitude)

But with the trouble the Jets have apparently had working him into their 3-4, that may be why we haven't yet pursued him.[/quote]
I think for anyone to land Robertson, they would need to do some restructuring. Just a guess.

[Inigo Montoya]

Robertson doesn't have baggage. He's young and healthy and he's played very well in the 4-3.

The issue would be his contract. The Jets are likely to cut him rather than pay him under his current deal.

[dcollett0920]

[quote name='Inigo Montoya' post='638108' date='Mar 1 2008, 04:34 PM']Robertson doesn't have baggage. He's young and healthy and he's played very well in the 4-3.

The issue would be his contract. The Jets are likely to cut him rather than pay him under his current deal.[/quote]

Well the Bengals better still trade for him. Because if they wait for the Jets to cut him, he will go to another team. Because they will pay more than what Mike Brown will offer.

[USN Bengal]

[quote name='ChicagoBengal' post='638106' date='Mar 1 2008, 04:32 PM']I think for anyone to land Robertson, they would need to do some restructuring. Just a guess.[/quote]

I agree, that's why it's time for restructuring to happen.

Let's face it, it's time to build a defense.

[Inigo Montoya]

[quote name='USNBENGAL the Original' post='638113' date='Mar 1 2008, 05:04 PM']I agree, that's why it's time for restructuring to happen.

Let's face it, it's time to build a defense.[/quote]



Yes it is about time to build a defense. Get it done. No excuses.

[Le Tigre]

[quote name='Scoutforlife591' post='638103' date='Mar 1 2008, 04:29 PM']Oddly, I'm pretty sure Dewayne Robertson is the only one without backage (injury, weight, or attitude)

But with the trouble the Jets have apparently had working him into their 3-4, that may be why we haven't yet pursued him.[/quote]

Robertson is their Justin Smith. Read on:

Jets' Dewayne Robertson on block
BY RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, February 26th 2008, 4:00 AM

Dewayne Robertson doesn't tie up blockers on a consistent basis, largely because he's too small to play nose tackle in the Jets' 3-4 defense. But there is one thing he can tie up: the salary cap. His $11.2 million figure consumes one-tenth of the team's cap.

For those reasons - money and scheme - the Jets are willing to listen to trade offers for the former first-round pick, the Daily News has learned. Over the last few days at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, the Jets have been gauging Robertson's value around the league, according to several NFL sources. A handful of teams, including the Broncos, are showing interest.

It means that two of the Jets' highest-drafted defensive players, Robertson and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, could be traded. The Daily News reported on Friday that Vilma, a first-round pick in 2004, has received permission from the team to seek a trade. He, too, is ill-suited to Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme.

Robertson, the fourth pick in 2003, never has lived up to expectations and his contract has become an albatross. He's due to make $9.8 million this season - $6.8 million in base pay, plus a $3 million roster bonus (due in June). In five seasons, he has pocketed more than $26 million, a hefty price for 14-1/2 sacks. He's signed through 2009.

But he's still only 26, and many believe he could be an impact player in the right scheme. Robertson would be a good fit in the Broncos' 4-3 scheme, and they're known to be in the market for a defensive tackle. The Broncos reportedly are getting close to a trade for the Lions' Shaun Rogers, who almost certainly will be dealt when the trading period begins Friday. Rod Coleman, cut recently by the Falcons, is another quality interior lineman looking for work. He's scheduled to meet with the Bucs.

Robertson is the youngest of the group, so he'd probably have more appeal. But any team that covets him almost certainly will want to renegotiate his enormous contract. It's unclear if Robertson has received permission from the Jets to speak with other teams.

He never complained publicly about being miscast in Mangini's defense, but Robertson is known to be frustrated with his role. Robertson's backup is Sione Pouha, who received glowing praise from Mangini over the final month of the season.