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 > March > 16 > Entry
Bengals in winter: ‘I have a dream’ speech
I have a dream for the 2008 Cincinnati Bengals.
Antwan Odom rushing from the left outside.
Robert Geathers rushing from the right outside.
Odell Thurman wreaking havoc in the middle.
And Ahmad Brooks roaming the line of scrimmage on third down, timing the snap, knifing through an opening and sacking the quarterback.
In other words, folks, the defense resembling a stone wall, not a spaghetti strainer.
It’s automatic: When you hire a new defensive coordinator (Mike Zimmer) and new linebackers coach (Jeff FitzGerald) like the Bengals did this offseason, you reward them with more talent to work with.
So the Bengals went out and grabbed Antwan Odom, signed linebacker Darryl Blackstock and re-signed linebacker Roy Manning.
Then they did the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the incredible, the unbelievable … they signed tight end Ben Utecht to a three-year, $9 million offer sheet, which the Indianapolis Colts have a week to match.
Know this: Cincinnati WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED UTECHT if they didn’t think they could get him. Teams research other teams’ needs, salary cap figures, etc. The Colts are tight under the cap, so it’s highly unlikely they’ll match Utecht’s offer, sheet especially after they just dropped $40 million on Dallas Clark.
Blackstock and Manning aren’t stop-the-presses signings. They’re guys who will add depth to the unit and contribute on special teams.
Odom is the alleged difference maker. I say “alleged” because I see better than I hear. But my gut feeling is that Odom will be much more productive than Justin Smith, whose only crime was being the No. 4 overall pick of the 2001 NFL draft. NO WAY did he deserve being that high a pick.
One of my good friends in this business, the Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon, wrote a piece titled, “Bengals to Zimmer: Pimp our defense”
It’s a great read on Zimmer (AKA “Mr. Goodwrench.” Check it out at:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=355878
GETTING DRAFTY IN HERE
Back in 2002, the Bengals were ripped to shreds by Mel Kiper Jr. & Co. for drafting left offensive tackle Levi Jones No. 10 overall.
Turned out to be a very, very good selection for the Men in Stripes.
Could they do it again?
Conventional wisdom says, “Pick a defensive tackle” with the No. 9 overall selection.
LSU’s Glenn Dorsey or USC’s Sedrick Ellis should be there.
But don’t rule out an offensive tackle such as Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Vandy’s Chris Williams, Pitt’s Jeff Otah or Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus.
Why? Because right tackle Willie Anderson and left tackle Levi Jones are hobbling around the campfire at Wounded Knee.
The Bengals’ NO. 1 priority SHOULD always be, and WILL always be, keeping quarterback Carson Palmer well-protected.
I’ll say it right here right now: Head coach Marvin Lewis MUST hold true to his offseason promise of beefing up the offensive and defensive lines.
AWESOME EMAIL I
From Brian Lindemann: “What happens if Stacy Andrews doesn’t sign the one-year tender as the club’s franchise player ($7.455 million) and sits out the year? Can he be tagged again next year?”
The Chickster’s answer: According to the NFL, the time period for a franchise player signing goes from Feb. 29 (opening day of free agency) until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season (November 11). A club can withdraw its franchise designation and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent. The club cannot name a new franchise player that year. It can name a new franchise player the next year.
In Stacy’s case, Bengals fan don’t need to worry. One way or another, Andrews (AKA “Big Country”) will be in a Bengals uniform this fall. He should sign a long-term deal. If he doesn’t, he’ll sign the one-year tender. Here’s why: HE WANTS TO GET PAID!!! Sitting out 10 weeks would cost Andrews a whopping $4.38 million! No way he’s gonna forfeit that kind of cash.
AWESOME EMAIL II
From Pete Brucken in New Carlisle: “Hi Chick. You mentioned, ‘Every day is Armageddon on the Bengals beat.’ Can you elaborate on that, please? Also, what does your gut tell you about David Pollack? By the way, I hear you occasionally on Lance McAllister’s radio show, I could listen to you talk about the Bengals all day. Your insights and knowledge are fascinating.”
The Chickster’s answer: Pete, I appreciate the compliments. Please know that Marvin Lewis and Ken Zampese would disagree with you. First off, my gut tells me nothing about Pollack. He WANTS to come back and play. But he would be better served to walk away from the game he loves. Anyway, I like to say it’s “Armageddon” on the Bengals’ beat every day because something new, interesting and chaotic happens. And it’s usually late in the afternoon. SERIOUSLY, EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO WALK OUT THE DOOR FOR A FAMILY FUNCTION OR A TRIP TO UD ARENA OR THE NUTTER CENTER FOR A BASKETBALL GAME OR AN IN-STUDIO VISIT TO A RADIO STATION, THE TELEPHONE RINGS—-hey, it’s the Bengals!—-and all hell breaks loose. My dad was a Cincinnati firefighter for 25 years. He drove the back end, and then the front end, of the ladder wagon. I feel like a firefighter, too. When the phone rings, I jump outta bed, slide down the pole, grab a hose and put out a Bengal blaze. I also feel like Sly Stallone in the movie “Cobra.” Bridgette Nielsen asks Sly: “What do you do to relax.” Sly’s response: “Look for TROUBLE.”
AWESOME EMAIL III
From Dave Marnell, UD Class of ‘84: “Hello again, Chick. I have been running an Internet search almost every day in order to keep up on Kevin Hoyng’s NFL quest. The best information is always your reports! I was glad to see that Kevin did well at his pro day, and for the Bengals and Giants scouts! I was unable to hear his interview on 980 AM as I live in Detroit and they do not seem to have an Internet broadcast. Bummer! If you had to take your best guess at this point, whose camp do you think Kevin will attend? Please keep up the excellent work. I look forward to each and every report! Best regards, Dave.”
The Chickster’s answer: My best guess is that Kevin will wind up with the Bengals because they’ve shown the most interest. But don’t rule out Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Houston or Detroit. Jim Lippincott, the Bengals’ director of football operations, has a very good relationship with the University of Dayton. His son, David Lippincott, is a 2000 graduate of UD, currently serving as assistant defensive line coach for the Richmond Spiders. While at UD, Lippincott served as an undergraduate defensive assistant for Flyers coach Mike Kelly. As for Tampa Bay, Bucs head coach Jon Gruden is a former UD quarterback—-just like Hoyng. Unlike Hoyng, who holds all of UD’s career passing records, Gruden seldom saw the field. He was a self-proclaimed “fourth-string, mop-up, ham and egger.” Look for “Chucky” to give “The Coldwater Kid” a shot if the Bengals don’t. Gruden & Hoyng would go together like peanut butter & jelly, mustard & hot dogs, peas & carrots, hands & gloves, apple pie & vanilla ice cream.
AWESOME EMAIL IV
From Frank and Linda Mueller and their puppies Bogey & Coco: “Hello from sunny and I might add WARM Fort Myers, Fla. This is a little off topic, but how about replacing David Pollack’s photo on the Web page. It seems like it’s been up there forever.”
The Chickster’s answer: “I’ll ask our Web Team about the Pollack photo. As for warm & fuzzy Fort Myers, I’m jealous as h-e-double-golf-stick!!!
AWESOME EMAIL V
From Beth Mader in Green Bay, Wis.: “Chick, I’ve been checking out your blog regularly and loved the debate you stirred up with the whole Brett Favre/Cal Ripken Jr. thing. Of course, being in Green Bay, you know whose side I’m on! I’m glad to hear the Bengals are getting some visible Christian players again such as Ben Utecht. Hopefully, they’ll have the same impact Reggie White had in GB. Since I’m a fan of Christian music, I had to correct the info about Sandi Patty. She’s more of an “adult contemporary-ish” Christian artist. If you asked any high school kid or 20-something who listens to Christian radio who she is, they wouldn’t know. Her demographic is probably women in their 40s and older. She was REALLY popular in the ’80s before there was much variety in Christian music. Not to dismiss her talent at all … she has a GREAT voice. I’d recommend her version of “Via Dolorosa” (GREAT Easter message). “More Than Wonderful,” “How Majestic Is Your Name,” and “We Shall Behold Him” are great, too. Her most recent album appears on the Billboard Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart, peaking at No. 51.
For what the 30-and-under set considers contemporary Christian music, look here:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chartdisplay.jsp? g=Albums&f=Top+Christian+Albums http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chartdisplay.jsp? g=Singles&f=Hot+Christian+Adult+Contemporary
The Chickster’s answer: Thank you, Beth, for setting me straight on the Christian music scene. Hoping to see you on GB’s frozen tundra when the Bengals visit Lambeau Field in 2009.
Until next time, this is “The Chickster” saying: Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.
email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
March 16, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
I sometimes dream of a Bengals defense that can actually stop an opponent on third and long. Or a defense that doesn’t make a rookie/scrub QB making his first NFL start look like Johnny Unitas. Maybe someday that dream will come true…By ms
March 16, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
You’re right Chick…it is a dream…Most guys dream about females and you dream about The Bengals…Things that make you go Hmmmm……..By ps
March 17, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
“…Justin Smith, whose only crime was being the No. 4 overall pick of the 2001 NFL draft. NO WAY did he deserve being that high a pick.” If memory serves, the pre-draft chatter had Smith as a “rare combination of size, speed, and strength” or something like that. All the mockers had him going very high, and the Bengals created no waves when they selected him at 4. Even that guy who covers the team for the Dayton Daily News seemed to be on board, or have I totally lost it? I’ve never been on the anti-Smith bandwagon, and I wish the guy well. But how didn’t he “deserve” being an elite pick?By Brian
March 17, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Taking Justin Smith at #4 was a total reach, but that’s not his fault. At the time it was practically a foregone conclusion the Bengals would take OT Leonard Davis with the #4 pick, but Arizona muffed that by taking Davis at #2. I remember the spin for taking Smith at #4 was that he had gotten one of the only sacks given up by Davis in college. Smith was portrayed as a high-motor workout warrior, but not as a surefire game changing playmaker. I think the Bengals always hoped something would suddenly click in Smith that would elevate his game, instead he plateaued at average. You could tell Justin wasn’t comfortable being portrayed as “the man” when ESPN focused on him during the Monday Night Football game with the Patriots. Guys taken that high in the draft carry a heavy burden that goes along with the $$$. $8.644 million got the Bengals two sacks last season and once again they learned you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.By ps
March 17, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
It’s a very minor point and probably not worth the effort, yet I remember it clearly. Justin Smith was considered to be a descent selection at No. 4 overall in the 2001 draft. It was not a reach, at least not according to consensus opinion. The Mike Mamula comparisons and the Bengals preference for Leonard Davis did not alter that basic fact.By dale 78
March 18, 2008 5:26 AM | Link to this
Iagree on your most overrated coaches especially Mr Gregory .I get tired of hearing what a great recruiter he is but the flyers stink ,they cannot beat Xavier .I had high hopes when they started they season so well . But they couldnt win in the A10. They were lucky to get into the NIT.