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Colts WR Pierre Garcon

By John Thornton- True story, a few year ago, sports agent Brad Cicala called Charles Fisher and said that he had a D-3 WR that needed some guidance before he went to through the NFL Draft process.  Charles and I run a company that helps guys get ready for the NFL.  That kid was a young Pierre Garcon.  He was coming from a small school so he was a little raw, but he was big and fast.  I took him to work out with me at my little gym in Kenwood(Cincinnati), and after working out we took Pierre to a football field a few minutes away in Indian Hill.  Charles put him through some combine type drills and things that NFL coaches look for in young WRs.  After this, Charles took Pierre and his agent back to his house in Kentucky to watch some tape of Chad Johnson(now OchoCinco) and other top NFL WRs.  This went on for a few days before they left and went back home.  Long story short, and after a lot of hard work by Brad and Pierre, the Colts ended up drafting him in the 4th round and he found a way to stick on the team.  With WRs Marvin Harrison retired this year and Anthony Gonzales getting injured, Pierre stepped up and has become one of the top young WR’s in the game.

By John Thornton- Just taking a quick look at the NFL’s version of the Final Four, the Colts are the only team of that bunch that builds through the NFL Draft.  Every NFL team preaches that you must build through the draft, but the Colts are the only team that sticks to that belief.  The Colts roster is filled with guys that they either drafted or picked up off waivers from another team.  Kicker Adam Vinatieri looks to be the only “big money” free agent that they have signed over the past few years.  And the Colts pick and choose which guys they give contract extensions to.  Mostly all of those guys are Pro Bowlers, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and the injured Bob Sanders(former Def MVP). Bill Polian is the best GM in football, and he has built a mini dynasty as far as having an consistent winner.  They only have one ring to show for it, but they contend for the title each year.  The Jets, Saints, and Vikings all have good rosters, but they have big money free agents and guys that they traded for to complete their team.  Not a bad way to do it either, but not as fool proof as how the Colts do it.  I know that the main reason that this style works is #18, but he has the pieces around him to be successful.  How would you like to be a Colts fan?  They have the most boring off season, no free agency talk, and no name draft picks after the first round.

By John Thornton- I know people(me) have wondered why the Bengals haven’t brought back former assistant coach Hue Jackson, but that seems to be a dead issue now.  Reports are saying that Hue agreed to a 3 year deal to become the OC for the Oakland Raiders.  I actually talked to Hue over the phone last night, so I knew he was contemplating long and hard over his next move.  The Bears were reportedly in the mix to hire Hue.  I begged him to take that job for personal reasons, Hue is a close friend of mine and I love to frequent Chitown and that would give me another excuse to go there.  But professionally it wouldn’t have been a bad move for Hue.  Working with a good, young offensive talent in QB Jay Cutler, WR Devin Hester, WR Johnny Knox, RB Matt Forte, and TE Greg Olsen would have been a plus.  But Hue chose the Oakland Raiders.  People are gonna ask why he chose a dysfunctional place over one that seemed to better.  Hue is from the Bay area, and I’m guessing that he wanted to have more authority over the offense than he has had in recent years in Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Baltimore.  I’m sure his contract is guaranteed and I’m sure that he will get a shot to run the team if something were to happen with current head coach Tom Cable.  But why not Cincy?  Hue is good friends with Marvin Lewis, recruited Carson Palmer to USC, a father figure to Chad Ochocinco, recommended and vouched for Mike Zimmer to be the next DC last off season.  Hue did leave Cincy to take the OC job in Atlanta when Bobby Petrino was the head coach of the Falcons, but that lasted less than a full season.  Maybe it’s just hard to bring  guy back to a place that he left?  I don’t know.  Seems like there should have been a place on the staff for a coach that could and would help the team.  Like I said before, the Bengals were close to being a contender this year.  Being aggressive is what’s needed.  If they don’t want to let go of any current coaches, create a spot for another good one.  Teams have done that before.  The Colts did it for Leslie Frazier when the Bengals fired him in 2005.  In my opinion, it’s cheaper to hire Hue and have him help develop the WR’s and maybe help Carson, than it is to draft guys and not have them develop and waste money on them.  But Hue would also have to agree to that kind of a role, which I’m not so sure he would take.  But it’s worth trying.

More on Hue to Oakland from Ravens site

Boxing legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather(middle) partying in Las Vegas with P Diddy, Ray J, and Mario Lopez.  I have been in nightclubs in Las Vegas where Floyd parties, and this picture is true to form.  He rolls with a huge crew and throws a bunch of money around.  It’s pretty funny that P Diddy probably has more money than him and he is keeping his money in his pocket….but, boxers are used to putting on a show.

Source:  TMZ.com

Bengals.com photo of LB Rey Maualuga

By John Thornton- The Bengals have some work to do on the defensive side of the ball this off season.  Bringing coordinator Mike Zimmer back was their first big move.  Zimm means a lot to this team.  Under his leadership, the Bengals defense has been a competitive group that keeps the team in most games.  This season the defense took the next step and became a top five unit.  The Bengals offense helped the Bengals defense get that high ranking by running the ball and eating up the clock, keeping the Bengals defense off of the field.  That’s a good combo.  But down the stretch, the Bengals defense started to bend and eventually broke against the New York Jets.  Injuries mounted and back up players wore down because they weren’t used to putting in that many snaps at a high level. Imagine if this team would have had the services of DE Antwan Odom, SS Roy Williams, FS Chris Crocker, and DT Domata Peko for a full 16(17) games.  With that being said, the fate of the Bengals defense next year will rest on the health of those players.  Antwan Odom is returning from an achilles injury and that is tough to do.  Can he do it?  Yes.  But the Bengals will have to let him work his way back into playing shape once he gets 100%.  Do they go out and draft another  DE just in case?  That is a possibility.  The Bengals have to decide if DT Pat Sims is going to be the starter or not at DT.  Tank Williams didn’t give them much this season, but he was a good addition.  The DL needs a guy who can get constant pressure.  The LB core is pretty good.  I would like to see Keith Rivers make a few more big plays.  He is a solid player, and makes plays, just not the “splash” plays that you would expect a top 10 pick to make.  This will be his third year coming up, and I think it’s his year to shine. Dhani Jones has played well enough to come into the season as the starter.  I don’t think anyone else on the roster is ready mentally to take of the MLB position.  The secondary is where I can see a few additions.  The safety position needs an impact player.  Roy Williams is a guy that I think is worth bringing back, but adding another player to the mix is a must.  I’m also thinking that this is a good time to add another “good” cornerback.  I know that the Bengals have two young stars playing the position, but having a solid young third corner is something that good teams need.  You need a guy that is ready to start if needed.  Plus Leon Hall and Jonathan Joeseph will demand new contracts soon, and there is NO way that the Bengals can keep them both long term.  Having another corner ready will lessen the need to sign them both and will give the Bengals leverage in negotiations when the time comes. So the needs in my opinion are……CB, S, DT, DE.  If the Bengals attack their weaknesses on offense during free agency and or trades, they can go heavy defense with their remaining draft picks.  It is much easier to have rookies play on defense than it is on offense.  So with the Bengals being a team that’s close to contending, being aggressive this off season is a must.  Bringing in projects or guys that need groomed will bring this team back to the pack.