The Good, Bad, and Ugly

[JBandJoeyV]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1321898030' post='1066006']



I don't think that'll be an issue. He seems to really like it here and he's an Ohio guy near the end of the career. So unless he wants to go play for the Browns, his childhood team, I think he'll be able to be resigned without too much trouble.

I think he has one more year in him at corner, but I think he could extend his career by 4-5 years by switching to safety after that.
[/quote]

If Zim thinks he can play safety then I'm all for it. At this point he seems to have the speed, coverage skills, and aggressiveness of a solid safety.

[SouthPaw]

How about they just stick Taylor Mays in there. That will be the end of it. In fact, I truly believe he would have already been in there if they hadnt won 5 straight before these losses and Crocker wast the "savvy veteran" in the secondary. The time for Mr. Mays is now. We have heard that he is "lighting it up" in practice and making so many plays that its going to be hard to keep him off the field. Well then, dont make the same mistake you made w/ Rome and some of the other young talented guys on this team and put him to some use right F'in now.

[|SF2|]

[quote name='SouthPaw' timestamp='1321900083' post='1066017']
I think the main issue yesterday and the reason for all the explosive plays was the lack of pass rush. This was the first game i can remember this year where it just wasnt there play after play. Not sure if Zimmer called a different game from a defensive standpoint due to Leon's absence or if Balimore was just that good eliminating the nasty pass rush that Cincinnati seems to generate weekly.
[/quote]
They are a good team plain and simple. Lords knows how good Baltiwhore would be with a franchise QB. Leon's absense definintley hurts them.

[Lewdog]

The good:
1. There is a culture change in Bengal football. Guys care more about trying to win games than who can make the best tweet at halftime.
2. Geno Atkins is a beast. He pushed a guy 5 yards into the backfield AND tackled the runner. Made me pump my chest and yell.
3. Baby Hawk keeps getting better each week. He is that elusive guy they need.

The Bad:
1. Jay Gruden's play calling. What kind of stupid crap was those trick plays? He had to be out of his damn mind to run the option with Dalton the franchise QB. Put Caldwell back there in the wildcat to run that crap. Don't call a run play on EVERY first down. Ed Reed run blitzed almost EVERY time and tackled, or was in on the tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
2. The Bengals LBers in zone coverage sucked. They keep losing space and opening holes. That is what happened on Boldin's TD catch.
3. Tate still doesn't impress me on punt returns eventhough he has a return for a TD this year. Catch the damn ball and run up field, enough of this side juking crap!

Terrible:
1. Huber's punting was something I still can't comprehend. What happened to him? Why is he kicking right down the middle of the field, and making them easily returnable line drive punts? I thought he had money on the Ravens to win!
2. Simpson makes you want to love him one minute, and break his bong the next. He has great hands but the problem is FOCUS. Funny thing about marijuana...it deteriorates a person's ability to focus. He also needs to stop doing his little arrogant dances after every catch. He needs to realize he needs to do something in the league before he can earn the right to do that crap.
3. Louis Ciofi did a horrible job getting the right personal packages in the game for the DBs. Too many times they had Crocker covering the Ravens #2 WR. Really? Did they expect that to turn out good? Use the guys you got Ciofi and pay attention to the trends of the opposing offense!

[texbengal]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1321939355' post='1066188']The good:
1. There is a culture change in Bengal football. Guys care more about trying to win games than who can make the best tweet at halftime.
2. Geno Atkins is a beast. He pushed a guy 5 yards into the backfield AND tackled the runner. Made me pump my chest and yell.
3. Baby Hawk keeps getting better each week. He is that elusive guy they need.

The Bad:
1. Jay Gruden's play calling. What kind of stupid crap was those trick plays? He had to be out of his damn mind to run the option with Dalton the franchise QB. Put Caldwell back there in the wildcat to run that crap. Don't call a run play on EVERY first down. Ed Reed run blitzed almost EVERY time and tackled, or was in on the tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
2. The Bengals LBers in zone coverage sucked. They keep losing space and opening holes. That is what happened on Boldin's TD catch.
3. Tate still doesn't impress me on punt returns eventhough he has a return for a TD this year. Catch the damn ball and run up field, enough of this side juking crap!

Terrible:
1. Huber's punting was something I still can't comprehend. What happened to him? Why is he kicking right down the middle of the field, and making them easily returnable line drive punts? I thought he had money on the Ravens to win!
2. Simpson makes you want to love him one minute, and break his bong the next. He has great hands but the problem is FOCUS. Funny thing about marijuana...it deteriorates a person's ability to focus. He also needs to stop doing his little arrogant dances after every catch. He needs to realize he needs to do something in the league before he can earn the right to do that crap.
3. Louis Ciofi did a horrible job getting the right personal packages in the game for the DBs. Too many times they had Crocker covering the Ravens #2 WR. Really? Did they expect that to turn out good? Use the guys you got Ciofi and pay attention to the trends of the opposing offense![/quote]

Yeah, Simpson is inconsistent - as good as some plays he made were, he still makes a few every game that leave you scratching your head. Gresham needs to be more consistent, too and Caldwell for that matter.

Cioffi is the DB coach in AZ now, so you mean Coyle and Zimmer. Crocker has played a lot of nickel corner but in the instances you cite I'm assuming it was a zone where he ended up defending Boldin. The safeties struggled on Sunday, no doubt.

Great pic, BTW.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='texbengal' timestamp='1321954810' post='1066199']

Yeah, Simpson is inconsistent - as good as some plays he made were, he still makes a few every game that leave you scratching your head. Gresham needs to be more consistent, too and Caldwell for that matter.

Cioffi is the DB coach in AZ now, so you mean Coyle and Zimmer. Crocker has played a lot of nickel corner but in the instances you cite I'm assuming it was a zone where he ended up defending Boldin. The safeties struggled on Sunday, no doubt.

Great pic, BTW.[/quote]

Simpson, Gresham, Caldwell etc, are all inconsistent. They are also ALL first year players in this offense, and basically first or second year players in the league. With a rookie QB and rookie OC. Why are the Squealers and the rats generally so consistent? They have been playing the same style of ball for ten years. And we're still one or two bad plays from beating them. Something tells me that we've got something good occurring right before our eyes. Enjoy!!!

[Lewdog]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1321965550' post='1066206']
Simpson, Gresham, Caldwell etc, are all inconsistent. They are also ALL first year players in this offense, and basically first or second year players in the league. With a rookie QB and rookie OC. Why are the Squealers and the rats generally so consistent? They have been playing the same style of ball for ten years. And we're still one or two bad plays from beating them. Something tells me that we've got something good occurring right before our eyes. Enjoy!!!
[/quote]

Simpson might be a first year player in this offense, but this is his fourth year, and only his first being able to be active on game day. That's very telling when it comes to being a second round draft pick. Yeah the guy can jump 3 feet in the air and make some great catches, but if he is going to drop crucial third down passes is he really worth it? This is also Caldwell's fourth year in the league. He has had a problem with his hands since he came to the Bengals. He will make game winning catches in traffic one minute, and fumble a kickoff the return the next to cost the Bengals a game the next (Oakland a couple years ago).

Oh I love the season it's been a rebirth of sorts, now its just time for some fine tuning.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='texbengal' timestamp='1321954810' post='1066199']
Yeah, Simpson is inconsistent - as good as some plays he made were, he still makes a few every game that leave you scratching your head. Gresham needs to be more consistent, too and Caldwell for that matter.

Cioffi is the DB coach in AZ now, so you mean Coyle and Zimmer. Crocker has played a lot of nickel corner but in the instances you cite I'm assuming it was a zone where he ended up defending Boldin. The safeties struggled on Sunday, no doubt.

Great pic, BTW.
[/quote]

Yeah, sorry Coyle. No there were times when Crocker lined up in man2man coverage with Smith. He was lined up at the line of scrimmage playing bump and run. WTF would they have a slow as safety in Crocker playing Smith man2man? The only thing I could think of was that the corners weren't playing physical enough at the line of scrimmage to keep him from getting a clean release and slowing up his pattern. Problem is, if Crocker doesn't get his hands on him, he's gone for a long pass and possibly a score. Whatever the reasoning, it didn't work.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1321967161' post='1066213']

Simpson might be a first year player in this offense, but this is his fourth year, and only his first being able to be active on game day. That's very telling when it comes to being a second round draft pick. Yeah the guy can jump 3 feet in the air and make some great catches, but if he is going to drop crucial third down passes is he really worth it? This is also Caldwell's fourth year in the league. He has had a problem with his hands since he came to the Bengals. He will make game winning catches in traffic one minute, and fumble a kickoff the return the next to cost the Bengals a game the next (Oakland a couple years ago).

Oh I love the season it's been a rebirth of sorts, now its just time for some fine tuning.
[/quote]

Simpson has started 11 games over the last two years, has 54 receptions for 839 yards with 5 touchdowns. Extrapolating that out over a full season would put him at 78 catches, 1220 yards, and 7 TDs. Would you not take that as your # 2 receiver? As far as him not playing, I personally believe that that was the fault of the old OC and QB who both seemed to prefer experienced guys over trying to develop talent on the team. Simpson does drop some balls, and doesn't always watch how he carries the ball, but he is also a willing blocker and seems to be a kid that will do whatever is asked of him. Caldwell seems to be a very similar type guy. Now, if you think you can improve the position, I'm all for it, but I also think that in order to get to that next level, you have to be willing to deal with some of the growing pains. Fans often seem to want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

[|Dr Tarzan|]

I know this sounds kinda stupid but the thing I like best about Simpson has nothing to do with his performance....I LOVE to watch him break the huddle...he hustles/hops out to his wideout spot with the enthusiasm like every play is the first play he's ever played. He looks/acts excited just be there playing football.

[JBandJoeyV]

Yeah, Simpson definitely isnt the sharpest tool in the shed, but I think the more and more he develops he will be an awesome number 2. I know he has taken a long time to develop, but now that he is almost there why let him leave to a different team now?

AJ and Simpson should both be perennial 1000 yard receivers. Combine that with Gresh and Ship next year, and Dalton has his top 4 targets for a while (if you resign Simpson, which I dont think will be an issue if he isnt in jail).

Now in my ideal world, you get a complete RB that can get 400-600 yards receiving a year and you are stacked.

[Oldcat]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1321967161' post='1066213']

Simpson might be a first year player in this offense, but this is his fourth year, and only his first being able to be active on game day. That's very telling when it comes to being a second round draft pick. Yeah the guy can jump 3 feet in the air and make some great catches, but if he is going to drop crucial third down passes is he really worth it? This is also Caldwell's fourth year in the league. He has had a problem with his hands since he came to the Bengals. He will make game winning catches in traffic one minute, and fumble a kickoff the return the next to cost the Bengals a game the next (Oakland a couple years ago).

Oh I love the season it's been a rebirth of sorts, now its just time for some fine tuning.
[/quote]

I saw enough veterans dropping third down passes last year and before to be philosophical about Simpson. The way he plays just shows how our previous OC had his head up his ass near the end. Hell, who cares if Jerome only knows one pattern if it is a god damn fly pattern put him in and get Reed or Troy P chasing his ass to the goal post and hit someone in the vacant spot.

Let him work out the kinks, like we let Slim, and Chad, and every other WR we drafted. Keeping him on the bench for three years was a waste.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1322065515' post='1066538']

Simpson has started 11 games over the last two years, has 54 receptions for 839 yards with 5 touchdowns. Extrapolating that out over a full season would put him at 78 catches, 1220 yards, and 7 TDs. Would you not take that as your # 2 receiver? As far as him not playing, I personally believe that that was the fault of the old OC and QB who both seemed to prefer experienced guys over trying to develop talent on the team. Simpson does drop some balls, and doesn't always watch how he carries the ball, but he is also a willing blocker and seems to be a kid that will do whatever is asked of him. Caldwell seems to be a very similar type guy. Now, if you think you can improve the position, I'm all for it, but I also think that in order to get to that next level, you have to be willing to deal with some of the growing pains. Fans often seem to want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
[/quote]

You can't 'extrapolate' any stat in sports. Taking a small sample size and making it into a year long amount is not a true depiction of what a play can/will do. Players can simply disappear in games like Simpson did against Pittsburgh when he didn't have a catch.

It's easy to say at this point that it was the coaches fault that Simpson didn't play before this point. The fact is he just wasn't ready to play. As sad as it sounds, the Bengals drafted Simpson in the second round for his athletic ability and hoped he could be a cornerstone in the future. Instead they found out he was rougher than they thought and it took him until now for them to think he was ready to start. It really has nothing to do with the guys that was here before, and more to do with Simpson. So like Andre Smith, the Bengals have a player that is 'starting' to develop into an NFL player, ...at the end of their contract. So now the Bengals will have some serious decisions to make, should they fork out the money for another 3-4 year contract for a game that took so long to develop in the first place?

[quote]I saw enough veterans dropping third down passes last year and before to be philosophical about Simpson. The way he plays just shows how our previous OC had his head up his ass near the end. Hell, who cares if Jerome only knows one pattern if it is a god damn fly pattern put him in and get Reed or Troy P chasing his ass to the goal post and hit someone in the vacant spot.

Let him work out the kinks, like we let Slim, and Chad, and every other WR we drafted. Keeping him on the bench for three years was a waste. [/quote]

This isn't a case of working out the 'kinks.' Simpson is in his fourth year and just now getting on the field. He is either hit or miss, he can make a great catch one minute and drop the important passes the next. With the type of offense the Bengals run, they can't have a starting WR that does that. They have to try to take advantage of every down and keep themselves out of Second and 10, or Third and long. Sure Simpson would be ok for maybe situational times, but not as a starter. Sure Simpson 'might' continue to grow, but how much salary cap space are you willing to risk to keep a guy like that? Personally I am ready to draft a guy that is going to come in cheaper than Simpson's next contract, has shown to be more refined already, and has more tread left on his tires.

[Oldcat]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1322080917' post='1066646']


It's easy to say at this point that it was the coaches fault that Simpson didn't play before this point. The fact is he just wasn't ready to play.
[/quote]

That's not a fact, that's the coaches opinion. The fact that he produced as well as he did once puts that opinion in serious question. The total lack of output from the replacements we brought in to use up his PT makes the failure more glaring. A player half as good as SImpson is now would have been better than Coles in 2009. Even a raw talent can have a use found for them if the coordinator is willing to put some thought into it.

As a contrast, look how the defensive coaches found ways for M Johnson and Dunlap to be effective in specialist roles while they grew into more complete players.

[Elijah15]

Simpson is a beast,fuck yall. Atleast we dont have the brown's recievers...

[Lewdog]

[quote name='Oldcat' timestamp='1322082817' post='1066656']

That's not a fact, that's the coaches opinion. The fact that he produced as well as he did once puts that opinion in serious question. The total lack of output from the replacements we brought in to use up his PT makes the failure more glaring. A player half as good as SImpson is now would have been better than Coles in 2009. Even a raw talent can have a use found for them if the coordinator is willing to put some thought into it.

As a contrast, look how the defensive coaches found ways for M Johnson and Dunlap to be effective in specialist roles while they grew into more complete players.
[/quote]

Now one thing we both can't argue, is about something we didn't have first had knowledge of. You believe the same coaches that have brought in all these good players this year, were wrong when it came to evaluating whether Simpson was ready to play on game day. I think they knew more than we know. You can base your opinion on the way Simpson is playing now, but who is to say Simpson would be playing as good as he is now, had he not been benched all those previous years to develop? Do you really think an NFL coach would keep a better player than his starters, on the inactive roster, even though he might give the team a better chance to win? My point is, if what we see from Simpson today is a product of him being coached up for 3 years without playing, I say its time to move on to someone new.

As far as Michael Johnson and Dunlap, Johnson was learning a new position which makes it understandable that he was slowly worked in. Dunlap on the other hand has had the talent all along, but his lack of playing time until late in the season was Marvin teaching him a lesson. It was a known fact of Dunlap coming out of college that he didn't like to give effort in practice, and would take plays off on gameday. He carried that same attitude over into the NFL and MArvin was making a point of squashing that as early as he could in his career so that he could have a better adjusted Dunlap for the rest of his contract.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1322080917' post='1066646']

You can't 'extrapolate' any stat in sports. Taking a small sample size and making it into a year long amount is not a true depiction of what a play can/will do. Players can simply disappear in games like Simpson did against Pittsburgh when he didn't have a catch.

It's easy to say at this point that it was the coaches fault that Simpson didn't play before this point. The fact is he just wasn't ready to play. As sad as it sounds, the Bengals drafted Simpson in the second round for his athletic ability and hoped he could be a cornerstone in the future. Instead they found out he was rougher than they thought and it took him until now for them to think he was ready to start. It really has nothing to do with the guys that was here before, and more to do with Simpson. So like Andre Smith, the Bengals have a player that is 'starting' to develop into an NFL player, ...at the end of their contract. So now the Bengals will have some serious decisions to make, should they fork out the money for another 3-4 year contract for a game that took so long to develop in the first place?



This isn't a case of working out the 'kinks.' Simpson is in his fourth year and just now getting on the field. He is either hit or miss, he can make a great catch one minute and drop the important passes the next. With the type of offense the Bengals run, they can't have a starting WR that does that. They have to try to take advantage of every down and keep themselves out of Second and 10, or Third and long. Sure Simpson would be ok for maybe situational times, but not as a starter. Sure Simpson 'might' continue to grow, but how much salary cap space are you willing to risk to keep a guy like that? Personally I am ready to draft a guy that is going to come in cheaper than Simpson's next contract, has shown to be more refined already, and has more tread left on his tires.
[/quote]

I can't extrapolate the stats, but the mothership does that for players every day? What's easy, is to see that you have an opinion about Simpson, and think because it's yours, it's golden. Simpson may not be your cup of tea, but obviously at this point, the current coaching staff agrees with me, since he's the 2 when AJ is playing, and the 1 when he's not. Forgive me if I take what I see occurring on the field as being more relative of his abilities than your opinion.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1322085064' post='1066670']

I can't extrapolate the stats, but the mothership does that for players every day? What's easy, is to see that you have an opinion about Simpson, and think because it's yours, it's golden. Simpson may not be your cup of tea, but obviously at this point, the current coaching staff agrees with me, since he's the 2 when AJ is playing, and the 1 when he's not. Forgive me if I take what I see occurring on the field as being more relative of his abilities than your opinion.
[/quote]

I really didn't write anything I said to start a 'pissing' contest with anyone. You have to remember that what the coaches are now doing is a two sided coin. The same coaches that are now starting Simpson, are the same coaches that some said were wrong about Simpson in not letting him start before now.

That being said, I'd like you to point out just ONE WR that is not hurt on the Bengal's roster that is worthy of starting at WR other than Green or Simpson. Like I said before, Simpson has developed in his four years with the Bengals, but I don't think the Bengals should put any stake into making Simpson a starter of the future. Signing him to a 3-4 year veteran contract would not be as smart as drafting a rookie with proven talent and bringing him in, to play along Green for the next 3-4 years. That's what makes sense to me.

Just remember when you start throwing in my face that you want to agree with the coaches when whether Simpson should start right now for the Bengals, you are also talking about the same guys that said he wasn't ready to start, until this year.

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1322085574' post='1066673']

I really didn't write anything I said to start a 'pissing' contest with anyone. You have to remember that what the coaches are now doing is a two sided coin. The same coaches that are now starting Simpson, are the same coaches that some said were wrong about Simpson in not letting him start before now.

That being said, I'd like you to point out just ONE WR that is not hurt on the Bengal's roster that is worthy of starting at WR other than Green or Simpson. Like I said before, Simpson has developed in his four years with the Bengals, but I don't think the Bengals should put any stake into making Simpson a starter of the future. Signing him to a 3-4 year veteran contract would not be as smart as drafting a rookie with proven talent and bringing him in, to play along Green for the next 3-4 years. That's what makes sense to me.

Just remember when you start throwing in my face that you want to agree with the coaches when whether Simpson should start right now for the Bengals, [b]you are also talking about the same guys that said he wasn't ready to start, until this year.[/b]
[/quote]

Actually, I'm not. Both Bratkowski and Sheppard are gone, and those two would have been the coaches that would have made playing time decisions, especially for the wide receivers. As far as drafting a player, neither you nor I know that a "proven talent" from college is going to be able to successfully perform in the NFL. Even first round picks have been riddled with busts. Just ask Detroit.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1322086636' post='1066676']

Actually, I'm not. Both Bratkowski and Sheppard are gone, and those two would have been the coaches that would have made playing time decisions, especially for the wide receivers. As far as drafting a player, neither you nor I know that a "proven talent" from college is going to be able to successfully perform in the NFL. Even first round picks have been riddled with busts. Just ask Detroit.
[/quote]

Marvin has had more of a role in the playing of players than you realize, just look at the Dunlap situation. As far as Detroit is concerned, I believe they drafted who many consider the best WR in the NFL. Every team is going to have studs and duds, but they can't give up drafting a position just because of failures in the past. Should the Bengals never draft a first round RB again? I mean when you consider past draft picks of Charles Alexander, Archie Griffin, Ki'jana Carter, and Chris Perry? If the Bengals had a chance to draft Trent Richardson they should pass him up?

[|kennethmw|]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1322087390' post='1066679']

Marvin has had more of a role in the playing of players than you realize, just look at the Dunlap situation. As far as Detroit is concerned, I believe they drafted who many consider the best WR in the NFL. Every team is going to have studs and duds, but they can't give up drafting a position just because of failures in the past. Should the Bengals never draft a first round RB again? I mean when you consider past draft picks of Charles Alexander, Archie Griffin, Ki'jana Carter, and Chris Perry? If the Bengals had a chance to draft Trent Richardson they should pass him up?
[/quote]

Ok, Lew I give up. You obviously know more than me about football and the internal processes of the Bengals management team.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1322087705' post='1066680']

Ok, Lew I give up. You obviously know more than me about football and the internal processes of the Bengals management team.
[/quote]

Nah no need to make anything negative out of it. Neither of us know what goes on behind closed doors. When it comes to the Dunlap situations, I have read so many articles quoting sources about how Florida coaches went out of their way to tell NFL teams about his lack of discipline. That was followed by Marvin being quoted as saying he would have to show in practice what he can do before getting on the field...it progressed until Marvin finally said something good about him this year. So even though Marvin isn't the D-line coach or Def. Coordinator, Marvin played a part in Dunlap's playing time. So it isn't a far reach to say the same about Simpson, but you're right, that's my opinion.

Let's enjoy the season we have now, that includes Simpson.

[|Bunghole|]

[b]Lew,[/b] I think other crucial factors you may be forgetting with Simpson's lack of playing time in previous seasons were: 1) who he was playing behind as Chad's backup and 2) SImpson doesn't play special teams. So he's stuck behind Chad, Housh and Henry in 2008, behind Chad, Coles and Henry in 2009, and behind Chad and T.O. in 2010....and Marvin Lewis is really big on his backup WR's (along with about every other NFL coach) playing special teams. I agree the kid was a project and struggled to "get it" for a long time, but that wasn't the only reason he didn't see any playing time until late last season when both Chad and T.O. were out with injuries.

I think the bigger argument against the coaches not allowing certain young players the playing time that we all thought they should have gotten earlier in the 2010 season rests on the defensive side of the ball, particularly with Dunlap.

[Oldcat]

[quote name='kennethmw' timestamp='1322086636' post='1066676']

Actually, I'm not. Both Bratkowski and Sheppard are gone, and those two would have been the coaches that would have made playing time decisions, especially for the wide receivers. As far as drafting a player, neither you nor I know that a "proven talent" from college is going to be able to successfully perform in the NFL. Even first round picks have been riddled with busts. Just ask Detroit.
[/quote]

Exactly - I was no Brat basher, but some of the policy decisions on that side of the ball were poor - the abandoning of the ball control game in 2010, and the lack of PT of Jerome. Ok, he was raw, but he had skills that could be used from day one. If he's so valuable he can't play teams, then write some plays for him and get him out there as a decoy if nothing else. He's a second rounder, that's too good a pick to sit every day. Certainly after Henry went down in 2009 there was a crying need for a deep threat at WR.

What I like about this set of coaches on both sides of the ball is that they seem to find plays to fit the players more than force players to fit some fixed system.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='Bunghole' timestamp='1322094216' post='1066714']
[b]Lew,[/b] I think other crucial factors you may be forgetting with Simpson's lack of playing time in previous seasons were: 1) who he was playing behind as Chad's backup and 2) SImpson doesn't play special teams. So he's stuck behind Chad, Housh and Henry in 2008, behind Chad, Coles and Henry in 2009, and behind Chad and T.O. in 2010....and Marvin Lewis is really big on his backup WR's (along with about every other NFL coach) playing special teams. I agree the kid was a project and struggled to "get it" for a long time, but that wasn't the only reason he didn't see any playing time until late last season when both Chad and T.O. were out with injuries.

I think the bigger argument against the coaches not allowing certain young players the playing time that we all thought they should have gotten earlier in the 2010 season rests on the defensive side of the ball, particularly with Dunlap.
[/quote]

There's the rub. People keep saying how Simpson is a #1 or a #2. Well that all depends who else is on the team. Look at the roster and tell me if you think Caldwell, Hawkins, Tate, or Whalen should be starting over Simpson. You can argue he is good enough to be starting. I'll argue he is only starting instead of being say a #3, because of the lack of depth and talent at the WR position right now.

I ask this in all seriousness, as a fan would you want the Bengals in the off season to tie up about 3-4 million dollars a year in Simpson when they get a younger guy with more potential, and more NFL years in him, for half that much? Think about that.