Badin vs. Versailles
Law Enforcement Memorial Day
American Idol 2012 finale
Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > August > 14 > Entry
Bengals preseason game: Take 1
The Bengals will be prime time Friday, August 14, for their preseason opener in New Orleans. The game versus the Saints will air tonight at 8 p.m. on WKEF Dayton Channel 22. After their stay in the Big Easy, the Bengals will travel back to Georgetown College this weekend and hold its final practice on Monday, August 17. The team will break camp the following day.
Now let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty of some things to keep an eye on in tonight’s matchup.
If you think the Bengals are missing rookie first-round pick OT Andre Smith being in training camp, think again.
Right offensive tackle Anthony Collins is having an exceptional camp and is improving each day. He brings a lot of energy to the offensive line and the other players seem to feed off him. Collins is very athletic and shows good work ethic and versatility. He filled in very well when he started the last six games at left tackle as a rookie in 2008. If Collins fares well tonight going up against defensive end Charles Grant, Smith’s count total of days being absent could increase. Bengal fans could be looking at a JaMarcus Russell situation here. Russell held out on the Oakland Raiders through training camp and the first weeks of the 2007 NFL season.
Here’s the thing that I’m really glad about. Fans can’t point the finger at Mike Brown and the Bengals organization for Smith not being signed.
The way I hear it, Smith not being signed has everything to do with his agent Alvin Keels. I guess what it boils down to is that the agent wants left tackle compensation for his client who played the position in college but will now lineup at right tackle for the Bengals. Well, maybe. It sounds like to me that someone is trying to put the squeeze on old Mike Brown’s wallet.
A phone call was placed to Keels’ office but of course he couldn’t be reached for comment.
The determining factor in this soap opera could hinge on how well Collins plays during the preseason. Right now, the Bengals have the upper hand in negotiations. Good for them.
Put up or shut up
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Bengals put the deep freeze on defensive end Frostee Frostee during final cut downs. His performance in training camp has left much to be desired so tonight’s game had better be an epiphany for the pass-rusher.
Rucker appears to have fallen on the team’s depth chart behind Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom, Jonathan Fanene, rookie third-round pick Michael Johnson and situational pass-rusher Darryl Blackstock, making him expendable.
Rucker is in the final year of his contract which carries a base salary of roughly $535K for the season. Granted, releasing him would be a minimal savings for the club, but with times of economic struggles any savings is worth looking into, especially when you’re not cutting the mustard. Can you really cut mustard?
Red Alert
Starting quarterback Carson Palmer is coming back after missing 12 games last season due to an elbow injury and has looked pretty good in camp. However, I do have some concerns with his efficiency in the red zone. I watched Palmer throw a few picks and a number of incomplete passes in the red zone during my time in Bengals camp. I attribute the interceptions to bad reads and miscommunication between quarterback and receiver. As for the incompletions, Palmer knocking off some rust and dropped passes, Chris Henry and Jerome Simpson.
At some point this team needs to capitalize on long sustaining drives by putting six points on the board rather than settling for three. The offense must give the defense a chance. That’s what separates the contenders from the pretenders.
I will be joining 1410 WING ESPN Radio Host Mark Neal on the highest rated sports talk show in Dayton and Dayton Sports Scene, Monday, August 17, at 5:40 p.m. to discuss the latest from Bengals training camp. We will also look ahead to the Bengals 2009 season. I will be joining Mark periodically throughout the season, so stay tuned for that.
When you think sports talk radio think 1410 ESPN.
Tweet
Comments
By Bill
August 14, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this
When are these players going to realize that the agent works for them, and not the player working for the agent. They must realize that only the agent wins by not signing and getting into camp, $$$$$$.
By ohiostateqt26
August 14, 2009 1:22 PM | Link to this
Give carson a break he was out for 12 games he did good comeing back from his knee i think he be great dont judge till u see the games
By DB
August 14, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
Andre Smith not signing has everything to do with Mike Brown. You can’t expect Smith to sign for less than what the number 7 overall pick signed for. Smith is asking for about 2 million more than Howard-Bey. The Bengals are offering less than what Howard-Bey is getting. They should respect where he is slotted and pay him, thats the way it works. It doesn’t have to do with his position it has to do with where he is slotted, if they didn’t want to pay a right tackle that much they should not have drafted him.
By Ray
August 14, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
Big C is dead on! I read in Pro football Weekly that Smith’s agent is coming in on the high of negotiations because of the left tackle thing. Everyone wants to blame Al Davis. Bull! The Bengals are handling this one the right way if you ask me.
By Club Seat Holder
August 14, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
I’m siding with Smith on this one. We need this stud on the line ASAP. I still disagree with the move to right tackle. I have not heard a sensible answer as to why they want him on the right side! I’ve played the O line and coach the O line, and you need your best lineman in that spot. Nobody can tell me Whitt can hold a candle to Smith. Size don’t always matter. lol. I still say Smith will eventually be our left tackle. It only makes sense. And, not to Monday morning quarter back, but, I still say David Pollock should have remained at defensive end. He was twice the player than Justin Smith.
By Nate
August 14, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this
Is tonight’s game on TV in the Dayton area?
By Roy G.
August 14, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
Club Seat Holder, I agree with you about Pollack. However, I believe that Smith’s agent is the problem. Isn’t he the reason for Smith getting suspended from Alabama’s bowl game? This guy sounds like a shark! Don’t let him bully you Mike Brown!
By nachocamacho44
August 14, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
I gotta agree with DB. He said just about everything I was wanting to say. For Mike Brown to try and pay Smith less than the guy that was drafted behind him is insane. You know slotting is how things are done in the draft Mikey, quit being stingy and sign the man already.
By The Bull
August 14, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
This is more Bungle crap. If the Bengals wanted a right tackle they should have drafted one. Consider for a moment that Smith accepts right tackle money and once in camp they move him to left tackle where they will want him anyway. Who wins and who loses in that scenario? Once clue, not Mikey!
By Maybe Next Year!
August 14, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
If Smith is not in camp in the next 7-10 days, it won’t matter. He will be too far behind in the learning curve of the offense. He may not be a starter by week 6-8. Now, how much is he worth?
By Stripes 4 Ever
August 14, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
Club Seat Holder, you claim to have played OL and coached OL but then show your lack of intelligence by suggesting that Smith is better than Whit. Only one thing to say about that without ticking off the infinite amount of reasons you would be wrong and that is, “Child please”.
By jon
August 14, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this
Totally hypothetical: I wish the NFL owners would make an example of a 1st rd draft pick and make him sit out a year by not signing them. Also, there needs to be rules in place limiting the money rookies can make, like the NBA does. In the end the fans pay for the higher salaries.
By Gary
August 14, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
I have said before, Smith signs Monday after the second preseason game.
By nyc
August 14, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
smith hasnt signed..because he doesnt wanna play for the bungals…can u blame him??….if i was him…hold out as long as possible…sign for big bucks…dont produce..and hope they release you the next year..so u can play for a real team..
By Slick Willie
August 14, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this
Yes, well I’m watching the game right now and the Bengals O-line is looking pretty good without Smith in the lineup. Hell, Collins looks better than Whitt. Henry is a stud!
By Tim
August 14, 2009 10:28 PM | Link to this
Who dey Who cares, Mike Brown was,is and always will be a LOSER
By Drew
August 14, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this
????? How can you say you can’t blame Mike Brown? 1st of all, the buck stops at the top of the food chain in any organization. 2nd of all, he and his daughter are offering over $5 million LESS to A Smith than what Heyward-Bey signed for with the Raiders at the SEVENTH pick. When signing 1st round draft picks it is a SLOTTED system —- the diff b/w RT and LT money is marginal compared to $5 million over 4 yrs LESS than the 7th pick. Also —- you need to understand that other NFL teams are posting profits from 2008 season b/c they INVESTED in their teams. M. Brown still refuses to do so. You do a disservice to journalism and Bengals fans by spewing party-line garbage about “blame Alvin Keels”. Are you trying out for Geoff Hobson’s job?
By Drew
August 14, 2009 10:50 PM | Link to this
????? How can you say you can’t blame Mike Brown? 1st of all, the buck stops at the top of the food chain in any organization. 2nd of all, he and his daughter are offering over $5 million LESS to A Smith than what Heyward-Bey signed for with the Raiders at the SEVENTH pick. When signing 1st round draft picks it is a SLOTTED system —- the diff b/w RT and LT money is marginal compared to $5 million over 4 yrs LESS than the 7th pick. Also —- you need to understand that other NFL teams are posting profits from 2008 season b/c they INVESTED in their teams. M. Brown still refuses to do so. You do a disservice to journalism and Bengals fans by spewing party-line garbage about “blame Alvin Keels”. Are you trying out for Geoff Hobson’s job?
By Everett
August 15, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
Damn, Jeff Hobson’s punk @ss job and man boobs Andre Smith! Big C you should be scouting for the Bengals. I have been following your training camp coverage and you have been on the money about things. When Carson threw that pick on New Orleans 30 yard-line I was like dammmn no freakin’ way! Chris Henry is looking damn good! Yeah, a real fantasy football sleeper. Drew, are you trying to sleep with Alvin Keels?
By Tim
August 15, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
Very insightful Big C! I also like the Joe Burnett pick for my Steelers. Keep it comin’. There’s a new sheriff in town at the DDN!
By drew
August 16, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
everyone just needs to accept that the bengals will suck until we have a GM with power that takes over for M Brown. The only way that will happen is if you boycott the bengals, and not spend anything else that that money-grubbing S.O.B. can profit from. I’ll watch the games, but won’t support him. LONG LIVE THE WHO DEY REVOLUTION!