07-24-2015, 11:45 AM
Hey all - with camp about to start up, I'll probably be a little MIA for a bit until we get into a groove - but feel free to continue to post questions and I'll get it for sure and I'll pop in when I can. So until then, here's some thoughts on what y'all have left for me since the last run through:
If the decision to keep 10 D-linemen or 10 CBs comes down to talent instead of position who is the most valuable? Our number 10 D-linman or our number 10 DB?
To me talent always wins out - especially at the back end of the roster when special teams comes into play. Those are the two areas where you can say, going into camp, they are the deepest with the most talent. Leon Hall took a few snaps at safety in OTAs, so it will be curious to see if he spends more time there in camp. If he becomes some sort of swing DB in that regard, that may allow for an additional roster spot at another position. The back end of those cuts will be interesting considering they drafted a corner and a defensive lineman, and those two rookies won't be cut.
My feelings on Denarius Moore
Yes, he's proven something at the NFL level, but he also had every opportunity to establish himself as THE guy in Oakland and literally dropped the ball and it led to his dismissal. Who knows, maybe he's not cut out for that kind of pressure. Sometimes, being a third or fourth option is the best role for a guy - but until I see it, I guess I'm taking the wait-and-see approach with how good he is, or can be, in this offense. He's got talent, and for sure could be a weapon. But we'll just have to see.
Is there a feeling of what position the Bengals are the thinnest at and which one they are very deep at?
At first blush, I'm most concerned with the tight end group, and then the linebacking corps - only because of some of the health and experience issues there. As for depth, I feel they're pretty set elsewhere at least with returning starters and promising backups. I think everyone would like to see Marvin Jones be the same as he was in '13 and for Sanu to take a step forward, too, but I think they think they're good there.
With the signings of Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas, in addition to rumors of an imminent deal with Julio Jones, do you think it's possible that the Bengals will lock up AJ Green this year?
The million dollar question. Or, the $80 million question. I think both sides want to get something done. But the Bengals want to get AJ at their number. Green, of course, wants his. I don't think the two numbers will be that far apart, but I could see it stretching to next year when they have to franchise him and he's the one "on the clock" running up to the mid-July deadline for an extension. A lot of times, such deadlines make things happen. Neither have that pressure between now and Week 1. But they are talking, and will continue to do so to that point at the very least.
If the decision to keep 10 D-linemen or 10 CBs comes down to talent instead of position who is the most valuable? Our number 10 D-linman or our number 10 DB?
To me talent always wins out - especially at the back end of the roster when special teams comes into play. Those are the two areas where you can say, going into camp, they are the deepest with the most talent. Leon Hall took a few snaps at safety in OTAs, so it will be curious to see if he spends more time there in camp. If he becomes some sort of swing DB in that regard, that may allow for an additional roster spot at another position. The back end of those cuts will be interesting considering they drafted a corner and a defensive lineman, and those two rookies won't be cut.
My feelings on Denarius Moore
Yes, he's proven something at the NFL level, but he also had every opportunity to establish himself as THE guy in Oakland and literally dropped the ball and it led to his dismissal. Who knows, maybe he's not cut out for that kind of pressure. Sometimes, being a third or fourth option is the best role for a guy - but until I see it, I guess I'm taking the wait-and-see approach with how good he is, or can be, in this offense. He's got talent, and for sure could be a weapon. But we'll just have to see.
Is there a feeling of what position the Bengals are the thinnest at and which one they are very deep at?
At first blush, I'm most concerned with the tight end group, and then the linebacking corps - only because of some of the health and experience issues there. As for depth, I feel they're pretty set elsewhere at least with returning starters and promising backups. I think everyone would like to see Marvin Jones be the same as he was in '13 and for Sanu to take a step forward, too, but I think they think they're good there.
With the signings of Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas, in addition to rumors of an imminent deal with Julio Jones, do you think it's possible that the Bengals will lock up AJ Green this year?
The million dollar question. Or, the $80 million question. I think both sides want to get something done. But the Bengals want to get AJ at their number. Green, of course, wants his. I don't think the two numbers will be that far apart, but I could see it stretching to next year when they have to franchise him and he's the one "on the clock" running up to the mid-July deadline for an extension. A lot of times, such deadlines make things happen. Neither have that pressure between now and Week 1. But they are talking, and will continue to do so to that point at the very least.
Beat writer for Cincinnati.com & The Enquirer. Follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Periscope.
