When I first saw the list of FA WR’s Bryant’s name jumped out to me. I’d take him or Chris chambers before I sign TO. The best they will get is short term plug in rather than that deep threat weapon. You draft those guys, they usually aren’t out there in FA. It would be great if the other Bryant, Dez, is there when they pick @ 21. He won’t it’s nice to dream though.

If Bryant’s knee checks out I think he is a better fit for the team. His ypc is 15.3 over his career, we desperately need the deep threat and someone who can break a short catch into a 10-20 yard gain. I’m not sure if Chad is friend’s w Bryant, but keep in mind they are both from Miami and Chad is boys with everyone from Miami.

One of my issues with T.O. is that he’ll be a one year plan. He’s getting old. Yeah I hear that he’s still in great shape and yada yada. But you know he had to have lost a step in his years. Although, he’s a great receiver, he’s just not a long term plan. That’s what I’m worried about. I know he and Chad will get along just fine since they’re friends. But it’s the long-term thing that I’m having a problem with.

I wonder how the future CBA will play out, and if it is better to sign a guy long term this year or wait. They want a change to the rookie pay scales, and they want to reduce the players share of money. Overall, you have to think the TV contracts will go up and the money will get bigger, and spending less on 1st Round Draft picks leaves more money for Free Agents.

Brian,

From what i’ve read, a team can only use their original pick for a tender/trade compensation. They cant use the 14th pick they got from Denver.

I personally want the Bengals to trade the 21st pick for B Marshall but I think they are going sign this guy tomorrow. Hey maybe they will get two great players, bryant and who ever is there at 21.

I read an article that was linked on Profootballtalk.com about Marshall, and how the writer doesn’t want Seattle to sign him. I didn’t look on youtube, etc for the videos he mentions, but he made Marshall’s issues sound like Chris Henry off the field and T.O. on the field. I really don’t know a lot about Marshall, but honestly it sounds like he has had more issues than Henry, but he has gotten away with it more so than Henry did. We’ve forgiven Chris Henry, since he had appeared to put his issues behind him and he had so much potential, but few people wanted the Bengals to give him another chance, and they signed him to cheap deal. Henry had pretty much hit rock bottom. Other than a change of scenery, what motivation does Marshall have to change after he gets a $50 Million contract? What are the indications we use to determine he has turned things around?
There’s no question of Marshall’s ability on the field, but he has to be on the field. Do you really want to tie up that much money in a long term contract on a guy that is so risky? Not only that, but you give up a great value late first round pick. Maybe you can’t get a WR of that caliber with the 21st pick, but you could get a starter or great backup at another position fairly cheap. I think I have changed my mind on Marshall, and I no longer support the Bengals trying to get him, or fault them for not going after him. Sign Bryant or T.O. and take care of this season, look long term later.

I’m not doing jumping jacks over the Tank deal like most are. Pat Sims arm is not healed yet and this keeps them from spending early pick on DT. I see them still going after Mays or Spikes with the #21 pick…..if they didnt use it to get Marshall

I’m not against the Bengals getting Marshall. I think he is better than anyone they could draft at 21. You don’t win championships with rookies. The time is now.

JT – I see that you mentioned Spikes. If they draft him, does that leave Rey at OLB? Who would be the future MLB…Spikes or Maualuga?

I guess my point with Marshall is that there is no reason to think he has changed or will change. Williams death was not the turning point since he’s had issues before and after, and as recently as March of last year, but charges were dropped. Maybe he just butted heads with McD, but it doesn’t really look like he had learned anything from that. Reward him with a big contract and I’m not sure he will learn until something happens and he loses it all. Do you want to be the team that gives him that learning experience?

Henry was pretty much out of the league, had hit rock bottom and was starting to think family and settle down. Tank’s situation is kind of like Henry’s isn’t it, and he’s a little older, and hasn’t had any issues since he was in jail. All that said, I never really supported signing those guys either, and they were not big money contracts.

Also with Marshall’s contract, you still have the signing bonus issue as a risk, the bigger and longer the contract, the more dead money you will have, assuming salary cap is reinstated.

The more I think about it, the more comfortable I am with signing T.O. The WR options just are not there this year, too many risky players asking for way too much money because there are no other options. I would draft 1 or 2 WRs for the future, in this deep draft class.

I am a little worried about Ocho Cinco and Ocho Uno having too much fun and being a distraction. If I were Marvin and Mike Brown, I’d find a way for them to safely express themselves on the sidelines. Maybe provide them with a celebration zone with league approved props. They could even sell naming rights to it, Pringles Celebration Zone.

so its ok? Just saying character is brought up with some guys yet some its not and they have worse issues.

JT, it seems like that should be so, but I disagree.

There are multiple sides of the Character argument.
1. There are moral implications that you/your team should not employ or condone poor character, athletes tend to be role models making this an even bigger issue than other businesses
2. Bringing in a poor character guy and it’s effect on the team
3. The risk involved with signing and losing a guy, this is where money comes into play.

Right or wrong, a win at all cost attitude will often excuse #1, and you weigh #2 against what the player adds to the team. But just like you shy away from a guy who’s an injury risk, you shy away from committing big money to a character issue guy. As harsh as the NFL has been with suspensions, I think it makes #3 outweigh the others in owners minds.

JT you are right about character issues in that they do seem to be brought up against some guys and others not so much. And, I’m sure there are a lot of guys that do the same or worse and never get caught.

With Marshall, the domestic disputes may not be all his fault and/or may never result in suspension as close friends and family tend to drop charges. I don’t know what his situation is, maybe he just likes crazy women that are quick to call 911. But, you add that up with the on the field and other off the field issues, and it’s a red flag.

I worked with a guy that was one of the most honest, trustworthy, and non-violent people I know, but he has been hauled off to jail mainly because I think his wife is crazy. He had such a bad experience the first time around when he had marital problems, his wife accused him of animal cruelty to a cat and then used that as a spring board for accusing him of anger management issues with her and the kids. They worked things out and got back together, but a year later they were in an argument and he went upstairs to pack. When he came back down his wife had called 911, he panicked and pulled the phone cord out of the wall to try to stop her. That is a felony offense, in case you didn’t know, he spent 3 days in jail and pleaded to a lesser charge with probation. I believe he may have some issues, but he’s not a bad guy. If he had multiple DUIs and/or had been known to be hanging around with the wrong crowd, I might think otherwise.

Ron E….I see your point and respect your viewpoint but I also disagree. To me, a high character guy is one who keeps his personal life out of the press. These are young men who think that they are immortal . I’ll take a talent who understands that two factors are important to his career :

1. His talent and desire to win and be the best in a team concept .

2. Public perception of the player as a person.

I don’t ask these guys be saints . I only request that they represent to city and team with passion week in and out.

I know that people are excited because Bryant is a replacement for Coles who was ok but underachieved imo. However, I see him as a replacement for Slim . We still need another top flight receiver as a replacement for Coles . Jones might be that person but I doubt it . Besides a drug problem he’s never shown a persistent love for the game.I’d sleep better with a quality veterean under contract for the Bengals to achieve an upgrade .We’re still down one .

I don’t see the Bengals drafting a receiver until the 3rd unless the value is too great in the 2nd round (i.e. someone falls).

They do traditionally keep 6 WR, but they ran with 5 for part of the season last year. It all depends on what they do with RB, FB, TE, and OL, they played with those numbers all last year. My assumption is that #6 would be a guy they can sign to and from the practice squad with little fear of losing him. Regardless, #6 isn’t going to be active much.

my best friend has been in an Anger Management class for 2 months now, he improved a lot when dealing with anger.~;,