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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > April > 28
Monday, April 28, 2008
Coldwater OH-IO goo-goo, gah-gah over Browns
BENGALS DUMP ONE, DUMP ON ANOTHER
The Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, April 28, waived safety Nick Turnbull, a third-year NFL player from Florida International.
Turnbull, with past game experience for the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears, was signed to the Bengals practice squad for the last two games of the 2007 season, and was signed to Cincinnati’s 2008 offseason roster on Dec. 31, 2007.
Turnbull’s exit came one day after the Bengals drafted Corey Lynch, a free safety from Appalachian State.
It’s too bad the Bengals didn’t sign University of Dayton free safety Kevin Hoyng to a two-year contract as a college free agent.
The Bengals showed interest in Hoyng, but the Cleveland Browns acted first. The Browns decided to give Hoyng a three-day tryout at their upcoming weekend minicamp for drafted rookies and college free agents.
By doing so, the Browns have become the favorite NFL team in the village of Coldwater, Ohio, Hoyng’s hometown.
“I appreciate the opportunity the Browns have given me,” Hoyng said. “I’m going up to Cleveland with the goal of making the Browns roster.”
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Bengals sign 2 college free agent fullbacks
ELDER’S GLATTHAAR IN THE HOUSE; GO YOU PANTHERS, GO!
As a proud graduate of THE Ohio State University (1976) and Cincinnati Elder High School (1972), “Ludwig At Large” is pleased to announce the Cincinnati Bengals have signed a pair of fullbacks from both my alma maters to free agent contracts.
They are Bradley Glatthaar of the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Elder Panthers, and Tyler Whaley of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Both players improve the depth at a position occupied by incumbent starter Jeremi Johnson, who enters his sixth season with the Bengals.
Glatthaar is a 5-foot-11, 242-pounder who looks and plays even bigger. He has a chance to stick because he’s a bruising blocker who served as the Bearcats’ short-yardage specialist, especially at the goal line, scoring 21 career rushing TDs.
At UC’s Pro Day, he unleashed 26 repetitions at 225 pounds in the bench press.
BUCKEYE BRUISER
Whaley is a 6-1, 265 pounder who also saw action at center. He walked on the Buckeyes’ squad out of Ironton High School and was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2007 season.
His bio reads: “He could been a starter at a lower level, but wanted to play for Jim Tressel at Ohio State. He does not know the meaning of quit.”
See Glatthaar’s bio at:
http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/glatthaar_bradley00.html
See Whaley’s bio at:
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87746&SPID=10408&DBOEMID=17300&ATCLID=1059374&Q_SEASON=2007
For an early unofficial list of NFL undrafted college free agent signees, go to:
http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2008/04/2008-undrafted-free-agent-signings.html
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Draft analysis: Bengals earn a B-
TRADE UP TOO EXPENSIVE
If I know Cincinnati Bengals fans — and I think I do — then the anger and depression you went to bed with on Saturday night, April 26, evaporated 24 hours later.
Yeah, you were upset that the team didn’t trade up in the first round to get Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey.
And you were further irritated to the point of belligerence that the club had the audacity to select a Coastal Carolina Chanticleer wide receiver named Jerome Simpson in Round 2 after grabbing USC linebacker Keith Rivers in Round 1.
Well, rest your weary souls, studs & studettes.
I got some good news for you via email from an NFL coach and personal friend of mine that I received upon reporting to Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, April 27.
“Rest easy on Simpson. I loved him. Great character, competitor, tough. Has the unique ability to “high point” all throws, excels at attacking the deep ball. Has not been asked to block at all. Big question is acclimation into the Chad Johnson Big Top. Probably reached one round early for him, but I think everyone is going to be happy in 2-3 years.”
So there.
As for why the club didn’t trade up for Ellis or Dorsey, the answer is simple. Too expensive.
The Bengals would’ve had to give up their No. 1 and No. 3a, which turned out to be Rivers and defensive tackle Pat Sims.
Folks, believe me, I’d rather have Rivers and Sims — both great value picks at Nos. 9 and 77 overall — than Ellis. I’ll take an A- (Rivers) and B+ (Sims) instead of an A+ (Ellis) any day.
WHAT HAPPENED IN TWO DAYS?
A new era is getting ushered in. At linebacker. At defensive tackle. At wide receiver.
All thanks to a 10-pick makeover designed to shake up and wake up a roster that had gone stale since 2005.
Rivers is a stud. And I’m starting to warm up to wide receivers Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia because of their play-making ability.
Folks, the NFL is about speed. And they’ve got it.
I like the Sims’ pick because he’s an active, intense, hard-working DT who will penetrate the backfield.
I don’t like DT Jason Shirley’s DUI arrest — not even a little bit. But from what I can tell, he’s the only dude out of 10 draft picks with a blemish. And even though it’s a HUGE blemish, which nobody can excuse, I’m willing to cut the guy a little slack because he showed remorse, accepted responsibility, held himself accountable and promised to straighten up his act. Yeah, he’s got a lot to prove. But I’m willing to give him a chance. If he screws up again, he’s gone.
Anybody who heard Appalachian State free safety Corey Lynch’s interview couldn’t help but be impressed with the kid. He’s been crowned an Ohio legend for blocking the field goal that beat Michigan. And now he’s coming to Cincinnati.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
I’m still concerned about four areas.
1. Running back. The refusal to draft a tailback means the Bengals are counting on Rudi Johnson to return to form after an injury-plagued 2007. If he can’t regain his durability, a tailback-by-committee approach will be unveiled with Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and upstart DeDe Dorsey all heavily involved. (Pssst! Rudi. You can stop celebrating now that the club didn’t draft at your position).
2. Center. The team didn’t draft a center, which remains the weakest spot on the O-Line with unproven Dan Santucci, Nate Livings and Kyle Cook pushing incumbent Eric Ghiaciuc, who must improve his strength and foot speed.
3. Defensive end. The defense lacks an impact edge rusher behind starters Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom. I’m happy that UC’s Angelo Craig was drafted at 7a. But he’s tortoise-slow, and that’s a problem. Third-year pro Frostee Rucker better blossom or the unit could struggle getting more pressure on the passer.
4. Chad Johnson. The Ocho Cinco fiasco needs a peaceful resolution. If not, the distraction Johnson has created with his trade demand and expected holdout could destroy the team.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2008 DRAFT PICKS
1. Keith Rivers, LB, 6-3, 237, Southern Cal…Fast, physical enforcer, immediate starter.
2. Jerome Simpson, WR, 6-1, 190, Coastal Carolina…A burner who makes circus catches.
3a. Pat Sims, DT, 6-4, 314, Auburn…Rugged run stuffer who will push the pile.
3b. Andre Caldwell, WR, 6-0, 203, Florida…Speedy receiver and physical blocker.
4. Anthony Collins, OT, 6-5, 311, Kansas…Road-grading RT gives O-line depth.
5. Jason Shirley, DT, 6-5, 329, Fresno State…Physical specimen, but a risky pick.
6a. Corey Lynch, FS, 6-0, 206, Appalachian St….Specialty is blocking kicks.
6b. Matt Sherry, TE, 6-4, 255, Villanova…Improving blocker, excellent receiver.
7a. Angelo Craig, DE, 6-4, 257, Cincinnati …Edge rusher who must improve speed.
7b. Mario Urrutia, WR, 6-5, 232, Louisville…Big target, will be a factor in the red zone.
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