Honestly, I just made this thread because it gives me a glimmer of hope that Tate might be cut, but, according to CincyJungle, Gio, A Jones, and the new guy, Mario Alford, were all returning punts.

If Dre and Dennard take over the starting corner positions, and Hall is our nickel guy, then I feel like we may finally see Jones returning punts full-time and Tate could be kicked to the curb (I can hope and pray, can't I?).

I could also see Alford getting some reps, so it looks like the "Say A Prayer Whenever Tate's Returning" era could be over.

A few weeks back I started a thread regarding which player the Bengals could least afford to lose.  Keeping on the idea of "injuries happen" I want to try take this thread in a different direction.  If the Bengals were to lose a starter for significant time (10 games or more) which position would be best equipped to deal with it?  Now that being said there is a bit of additional criteria involved.  Rotational guys are excluded.  I'm looking for guys that have played or are projected to play fewer than 20% of the defensive snaps.  IE... Brandon Thompson backs up Geno, but plays a lot in rotation now.  If (please football Gods don't let this scenario happen) Geno were to get injured, Thompson's role would obviously increase, but I'm looking at the guy that would replace Thompson in the rotation. (Marcus Hardison)

Obviously we don't know for sure who will even make the team at this point, so many of the players are projections. I know their are other players at positions, and I'm not discounting them. But was just trying to give a good sample size of they depth chart players I was looking to discuss. Please feel free to add any player omissions.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2015/5/26/8662427/vontaze-burfict-rehab-to-continue-all-the-way-through-summer/in/8423870

I still think we'll be very lucky if we see him the second half of the season. I think he's probably out all year.

The latest on Tyler, for anyone who may have missed it.

Tyler Eifert is in uniform. Looks like he'll be practicing. Said a couple weeks ago that he expects to be limited during OTAs #Bengals

— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) May 26, 2015

Just witnessed a Dalton-to-Eifert hook-up on a slant. So there's your Tyler Eifert update for the day. #Bengals

— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) May 26, 2015

We like to focus on who did poorly in the playoff games, lets take a turn to focus on who did well on the last four attempts. (lets keep it to guys who are still on the team, so no first half BJGE please )

I'm going to say Marvin Jones. In the Chargers game, Marvin had 8 catches on 12 targets, 130 yards, 6 first downs and a nice 49 yard bomb from Andy. We talk a lot about his impact coming back healthy, and I feel we often forget how well he played in the 2013 playoff game. Shame his season was cut short last year.

Who else played well in the last four attempts? We know it wasn't Andy! So lets not bring him up

I posted this on Go Bengals.com and thought those of you not on that board might like to read this as well:

Greetings, my fellow Who Dey-vians!

I know most of you don't know me (as I come from the "other" board), but let me preface this post with the fact that I like Dalton. I like him as our QB. And I think he can help us win a Super Bowl. I firmly believe Dalton has the potential to be a very good QB, possibly even elite (for exhibit A, look at October 2013). Yes, I know that currently Dalton is an average QB whose 2 main issues are consistency (sub-issue is that when he's bad, he's BAD) and Prime Time/Playoff performance, but I think he can and will overcome those. Look at last season. In the first 6 games, last season, Dalton was pretty consistent. He wasn't great nor was he bad in all 6 games, but he maintained a level of consistency we haven't seen from him.

Because of my opinion of his potential, I do find myself defending Dalton from the "haters" (not sure what the term is for the Dalton critics on this board) who basically feel that Dalton has already reached his ceiling and thus already claim him to be garbage or a bad QB (even though he's currently an average QB and that's not too bad considering who we've had to watch behind center for our beloved Bengals).

With all of that said, I have a confession to make. In a way, I'm kind of like 90s Mike Brown. 90s Mike Brown was always searching for that ideal, franchise QB. The QB that towered above the offense; that could sling the ball from one end zone to the other while on his knees; the QB that struck fear in defenses; the QB that would win him a Super Bowl. 90s Mike Brown was ALWAYS searching for that QB and I think there's no argument that Dalton is certainly NOT that QB. When Dalton was drafted, like Mike Brown, I wanted Mallet. I came to accept Dalton because I thought he gave us the best chance to win right away, but something inside of me still wanted that gunslinger.

Recently, we've signed Terrell Pryor. And deep inside the recesses of my mind, where my secrets are buried, I find a small shred of a wish (hope?) that Pryor ends up starting for us and turns into an amalgamation of Brett Favre's passing with Mike Vick's running ability.

I truly believe we will win more than 1 playoff game this year (of course, I also thought so this time last year, too ) with Dalton playing a major role. But deep down, I'm hoping for something different.

In support of a win at all costs mentality.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/12949870/ray-mcdonald-chicago-bears-arrested-domestic-violence-charge

Quote:The Santa Clara Police Department confirmed that McDonald was arrested at 7 a.m. local time Monday in San Jose, where the incident occurred. He was arrested on a charge of domestic violence and a separate charge of child endangerment. The address at which he was arrested belongs to his former 49ers teammate Justin Smith, according to property records.

Here's a few quick bits from Coley's last two mail/answer sessions...


On AJ McCarron...
Even after signing veteran Terrelle Pryor earlier this month to compete during training camp, Cincinnati's priorities for now remain with the player it spent a draft pick on last year. Maybe if McCarron were in a different stage of his career the Bengals explore the practice squad possibility. For now, though, it doesn't look like they would even think about that with him because not only do they want to ensure keeping him, but they also want to see how well he pushes Dalton.

On the KR/PR options...
Since it's so early on the offseason calendar, Matt, I can assure you, all options are on the table at kick returner and punt returner. Denarius Moore, Cobi Hamilton,Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman, James Wright, Onterio McCalebb and Derron Smith will all line up at the respective return positions if the coaches ask them to beginning next week. Of that group, I could most see Moore, Hamilton and McCalebb get return opportunities throughout the spring and summer. But that doesn't mean they'll end up there in early September if they each make the team.



Remember, Brandon Tate has returned at both spots throughout his Bengals career, and will be expected to do the same now that he's back for another year. Adam Jones likely will be the team's primary punt returner again. Seventh-round draft pick Mario Alford should warrant his share of attention at both positions this summer, after starring as a kick returner in college. Cincinnati definitely has options, and will give all potential returners chances to take Tate and Jones' jobs. At this point, though, it's hard seeing anyone outside of Tate, Jones or Alford handling the primary return duties.


On Whit's situation...

They most certainly could part ways with Pro Bowl offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth after this season, Joel. The likelihood of that happening, though? At this point it seems rather slim. As you may know, much has been made about team president Mike Brown's knack for being loyal to players he's drafted. Domata Peko and Rey Maualuga are two recent examples of career Bengals who have been given extensions under Brown's watch. That track record makes Whitworth, the team's unquestioned leader and driving force behind the positive change in locker room culture, likely of being renewed.


On the LB competition...



Speaking of the linebacker position battle, thanks for the inquiry, Trevor. I'm with you on Rey Maualugaand Vincent Rey. I also agree that A.J. Hawk, P.J. Dawson and Emmanuel Lamur make the team. As I mentioned above, I think the final linebacker spot (for now I've got the Bengals taking seven on the 53-man roster) comes down to DiManche and Flowers. Special teams play could be the determining factor, which is why I gave DiManche the edge for now. But Flowers' ability to play a hybrid safety/cover role helps him. As for Nico Johnson, I'm thinking he's among the odd men out. But again, special teams will be a key factor for the guys on the back end of the linebacker depth chart. That's certainly where Johnson would find himself. As for Burfict being on the physically unable to perform list, that's far from certain at this time, but it definitely could happen. If it happens, Johnson's and/or Flowers' jobs may be safe until he returns.



On UDFA's making the 53...


The Bengals are just bringing back so much talent on the returning roster, and it's hard seeing them truly letting go of any of the draft picks since this was such a developmental draft for them. Of the undrafted players, I'm most intrigued to watch defensive tackle DeShawn Williams, running back Terrell Watson, fullback Mark Weisman, centerChris Jasperse, safety Erick Dargan, cornerback Troy Hill, safety Floyd Raven Sr. and tight end John Peters. It'll also be interesting to see what happens this year with past undrafted players James Wilder Jr., Cobi Hamilton and Onterio McCalebb. But no, at this point, I can't see anyone from that group making anything other than Cincinnati's practice squad this year.



Read more here.

http://www.nfl.com/ohioriveroffense

Haven't seen this posted anywhere.  A good read which not only touches upon the Greg Cook-Bill Walsh history, but which also incorporates Sam Wyche's legacy- one which is much underappreciated in my opinion.

If you haven't seen this yet, it's a great watch.