02-05-2016, 01:06 PM
Hey y'all!
Took a bit of a break, hit the Senior Bowl, now moving into draft and free agency stuff. Here ya go since my last visit:
In your opinion, was the Bryant TD a catch?
What’s funny is I thought back to the Dez Bryant catch/non-catch in Green Bay two years ago. I covered that game, too. To me, no, M. Bryant was not a catch. I also didn’t think Jeff Janis’ Hail Mary was a catch. It’s like, suddenly, the rule changed again to say you can bobble it, move it around, but as long as it stays in your hands you’re good. What’s crazy is the NFL said they’re not going to review the catch rule this offseason.
what's the skinny on Jay Hayes leaving?/ any idea why some of our coaches are leaving for lateral positions?
Simply, Hayes got a better offer elsewhere. Burke was buddies with VJ – they came in together, their contracts expired together. I think the Bengals knew VJ would take him. As for Carrier, I think they just felt it was time. Remember, they brought in VJ to help that area to begin with.
would Andy have been able to go yesterday (Sat.) vs. NE or was that all wishful thinking?
After seeing him after the WC game, wishful thinking. I think the AFC title game would have been a slow go, full go for SB.
What is the scoop on the connections with Porter and the steelers with the ref that flagged Jones ?
Buddy Horton is the brother of former Bengal player and Steelers coach (and now Browns DC) Ray Horton. Honestly, he should be allowed to be an official. But, just for appearances sake, it might be best to keep him out of the AFC North.
Do you know if the Bengals will be selling tickets for the London game?
You know, I’ve asked – but never gotten an answer. I’ll try to find out.
I'm wondering if there are any players who were on IR this year or at least who didn't get much playtime who look set to break out next year? James Wright maybe?
Wright is really the only guy. I updated Darqueze Dennard’s situation here. Brandon Thompson is hoping his ACL recovery only takes 6-9 months, but I’m told the team really liked his get off the line, and of course they’re not sure that might be affected now. Wright, potentially, will get a chance to be a gunner on punt coverage, and kick return. But he has to earn that, for sure.
but are any of the Bengals (from front office to the players) as upset as the fans at the NFL at not only the no call on the Shazier hit on Bernard, but on Blandino's "explanation" of said call (i.e. that there's supposedly a "lining up" of the player aspect to the rule that's never been mentioned before ever nor is it actually in the wording of the rule)
I wish I could expound on this – but simply, YES.
that they'll most likely "change" the rules this offseason so that now ANY helmet-to-helmet contact will be a penalty or any other some such bullshit that will somehow NOW make the Shazier hit a penalty even though a clear reading of the rules states that it was already a penalty.
Honestly, I think … YES.
Is Chuck Smith going to be helping the Bengals again this year? Did any of the players give him any credit for their improvement?
I’m sure if they seek him out. No one specifically spoke about him to me, though. I did see guys tweet at him, or he RTd guys. But I didn’t watch it that closely. Good thing to track for next spring.
Took a bit of a break, hit the Senior Bowl, now moving into draft and free agency stuff. Here ya go since my last visit:
In your opinion, was the Bryant TD a catch?
What’s funny is I thought back to the Dez Bryant catch/non-catch in Green Bay two years ago. I covered that game, too. To me, no, M. Bryant was not a catch. I also didn’t think Jeff Janis’ Hail Mary was a catch. It’s like, suddenly, the rule changed again to say you can bobble it, move it around, but as long as it stays in your hands you’re good. What’s crazy is the NFL said they’re not going to review the catch rule this offseason.
what's the skinny on Jay Hayes leaving?/ any idea why some of our coaches are leaving for lateral positions?
Simply, Hayes got a better offer elsewhere. Burke was buddies with VJ – they came in together, their contracts expired together. I think the Bengals knew VJ would take him. As for Carrier, I think they just felt it was time. Remember, they brought in VJ to help that area to begin with.
would Andy have been able to go yesterday (Sat.) vs. NE or was that all wishful thinking?
After seeing him after the WC game, wishful thinking. I think the AFC title game would have been a slow go, full go for SB.
What is the scoop on the connections with Porter and the steelers with the ref that flagged Jones ?
Buddy Horton is the brother of former Bengal player and Steelers coach (and now Browns DC) Ray Horton. Honestly, he should be allowed to be an official. But, just for appearances sake, it might be best to keep him out of the AFC North.
Do you know if the Bengals will be selling tickets for the London game?
You know, I’ve asked – but never gotten an answer. I’ll try to find out.
I'm wondering if there are any players who were on IR this year or at least who didn't get much playtime who look set to break out next year? James Wright maybe?
Wright is really the only guy. I updated Darqueze Dennard’s situation here. Brandon Thompson is hoping his ACL recovery only takes 6-9 months, but I’m told the team really liked his get off the line, and of course they’re not sure that might be affected now. Wright, potentially, will get a chance to be a gunner on punt coverage, and kick return. But he has to earn that, for sure.
but are any of the Bengals (from front office to the players) as upset as the fans at the NFL at not only the no call on the Shazier hit on Bernard, but on Blandino's "explanation" of said call (i.e. that there's supposedly a "lining up" of the player aspect to the rule that's never been mentioned before ever nor is it actually in the wording of the rule)
I wish I could expound on this – but simply, YES.
that they'll most likely "change" the rules this offseason so that now ANY helmet-to-helmet contact will be a penalty or any other some such bullshit that will somehow NOW make the Shazier hit a penalty even though a clear reading of the rules states that it was already a penalty.
Honestly, I think … YES.
Is Chuck Smith going to be helping the Bengals again this year? Did any of the players give him any credit for their improvement?
I’m sure if they seek him out. No one specifically spoke about him to me, though. I did see guys tweet at him, or he RTd guys. But I didn’t watch it that closely. Good thing to track for next spring.
Beat writer for Cincinnati.com & The Enquirer. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Periscope.
