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2008 Browns training camp
Having fun at the Clark County Fair
Fire in Park Layne
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 > 14 > Entry
NFL schedule alert & Bengals draft backlash
NFL SCHEDULES RELEASED TUESDAY, APRIL 15
===LUDWIG AT LARGE ALERT: 2008 NFL regular-season schedules will be unveiled on NFL Network and NFL.com on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 2 p.m. (Eastern time)
The Bengals will play home games against Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Washington.
The Bengals’ road schedule consists of Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Indianapolis, New York Jets, New York Giants and Dallas.===
UGLY BACKLASH
I absolutely, positively can’t believe the brutal backlash and negative reaction I’m receiving about the Cincinnati Bengals picking an offensive tackle with the No. 9 overall selection in the April 26-27 NFL draft.
So … class … let’s go over this again. I don’t mean to talk down to anybody, but wake up, peeps!
LEVI & WILLIE
Left tackle Levi Jones and right tackle Willie Anderson, who turn 29 and 33, respectively, this summer, have bad knees. That’s a fact, Jack. Both arrived injured at training camp 2007 and were unable to practice the entire camp.
The good news: Other guys (Stacy Andrews & Andrew Whitworth & Scott Kooistra) gained valuable experience.
The bad news: Willie & Levi’s hiatus messed up the chemistry, continuity and cohesiveness of the offensive line.
The unit staggered from the punch to its gut, and never recovered.
Willie played in seven games, starting five, while Levi played in 15 games with 13 starts.
Do you trust them to get healthy and remain healthy through 16-plus games in 2008? I certainly don’t.
STACY ‘BIG COUNTRY’ ANDREWS
Stacy Andrews is an outstanding player who started 14 games in 2007 — three at left guard, 11 at right tackle.
Andrews became an UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT after the ‘07 season. In order to keep him for another year, the Bengals awarded “Big Country” the franchise tag worth $7.455 million.
Folks, the franchise tag is good for only one year, so unless Stacy signs a long-term contract this season, he will be an unrestricted free agent again in February 2009. And just like Justin Smith, he’ll be GONE!
Stacy claims he wants to stay, but his agent, Richard Moran, seems determined to chase the cash like Joe Namath used to chase skirts.
Do you trust Andrews to sign a long-term deal before the draft? I certainly don’t.
ANDREW WHITWORTH
Andrew Whitworth is a fine offensive lineman with 28 starts (13 at left tackle and 15 at left guard) in 32 career games.
But do you trust him to consistently block speed rushers such as Dwight Freeney? I certainly don’t.
BOTTOM LINE
There are five outstanding offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft — Michigan’s Jake Long, Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams, Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Pitt’s Jeff Otah and Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus.
All of ‘em are top 20 picks.
Better get one NOW while the gettin’ is good.
As for all the talk about having too much cap money locked up in OTs …
Don’t make me laugh … uncontrollably.
Get your franchise quarterback protected or it’s curtains.
And I’m not talking shower curtains.
FOND BROWNS MEMORIES
From Ted in Kettering: “Thanks for your piece about the “old” Browns. I’m 69 years old & having been born & raised in Youngstown, you can imagine I’m a lifelong Browns fan. I remember sitting in Municipal Stadium & watching Dub Jones score 6 touchdowns against the Bears in a blinding snow storm. We would go to Hiram College & watch training camp practices & have access to the players as they walked to & from the practice field. The names you mentioned in your piece brought back pleasant memories.”
From Jim in Beavercreek: “Your commentary on the 1964 Browns brought back lots of memories. I was a director at WJW-TV in Cleveland in those days, and the station fielded a team of would-be athletes called “The Ghoulardi All Stars” led by by the infamous Ernie “Ghoulardi” Anderson. We played softball, basketball and touch football games for charity around town against various teams of celebs, high school coaches, etc. We were playing the Browns once, and I remember at one point being in the paint under the basket with Jim Kanicki on one side of me and John Wooten on the other. I was a not-so-intimidating 6-1 and 185 pounds back then and suddenly realized that if those two behemoths came together, I would be a sweat spot on the gym floor. Later in the game my mouth came in accidental contact with the steel-hard forearm of Mike Lucci, and it still hurts just thinking about it. At one point I was trying to make an in-bounds pass, but everyone had gone down court. Paul Warfield was guarding me and said, ‘Pass it to me, and I’ll pass it right back.’ I did, and he passed it back. Then I took about three steps, he stole it and dunked one, leaving the floor at about the free throw line. He was probably the most graceful athlete I’ve ever seen. So thanks for the memories, and I forgive you for cracking on Coach K a few weeks ago.”
email Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: NFL
Comments
By More backlash
April 14, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
We need to draft a guy at #9 that will help immediately! An OT wouldn’t even be second string with Whitworth and Andrews as the backups. If Andrews isn’t going to sign long-term then he should be traded on draft day for a 2nd rounder. There is no point to pay him 7.5 mill to play RG and then let him walk after the season.By Ft. Myers Foursome
April 14, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
I agree with you to some degree Chick. I was a huge Dan Fouts fan whose Charger’s team frequently gave up more than the mega points Fouts put up. In the Bengal’s case, they need help on the offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver, linebacker, defensive backs, and maybe even running back. The needs are so great, to me it means another ho-hum season. Makes you wonder why the Bengal’s needs always out weigh their ability to draft. Quite frankly, I think we’d be better trading all our draft choices to a team for a front office guru who can build a competitive team. It’s apparent the Bengal’s front office hasn’t a clue, including Marvin.By Brian
April 14, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t put it past the Bengals to franchise tag Stacy again next season, much like St. Louis tagged Orlando Pace and Seattle tagged LT Walter Jones for multiple seasons. It’s not the best case scenario salary cap wise, but there is precedence. And seriously Chick, even if they added the second coming of Anthony Munoz, if the defense continues to be a sieve they’re still going to lose more than they win, franchise QB or not.By Dennis
April 14, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Chuck or Chick??? Never emailed you before and really never gave much thought to anything you post before. But, something bugs me about your post? I mean how dare you say the Browns are not the Browns? Is this some jealously I am reading? I mean the Browns are not the only team that has valet parking? Why the hatred? I could give a ratazz about the players greeting me before the game. All I care is the Orange and Brown is up north and The Historic franchise is winning again! I think because you live in this region and have to deal with the “BUNGALS” there is not much for you to report. Except when Chad Johnson is crying gain or another “BUNGALS” is arrested or the fact that Mike Brown does not know football like his DAD or the fact you have a head coach who likes criminals! Nobody cares about Valet parking or players not being more accessible?. Have you ever been to Cleveland Browns training camp???? It is so easy to get autographs and meet players. I think you wrote the column cause you would like to p**s off “REAL BROWNS FANS” We could careless what you think is the real Browns?? Your missing what being a Browns fan is…and you proved to me with your column that you would like to spread garbage and not the truth!!! GOOD DAY. Dennis "A REAL BROWNS FAN"By Uncle Carl
April 14, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Dennis. I will start listening to Clowns’ fans when I can live within 50 miles of Cleveland and get anything resembling decent coverage of the Bengals. Don’t get too caught up in the whole 10-6 thing, it just gives the Flush em downs a bit further to fall.By Uncle Carl
April 14, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Hey Dennis. I will start listening to Clowns’ fans when I can live within 50 miles of Cleveland and get anything resembling decent coverage of the Bengals. Don’t get too caught up in the whole 10-6 thing, it just gives the Flush em downs a bit further to fall.By wildman
April 15, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
chick. the webn dawn patrol would like to have you on next thurs at 830am to talk about the nfl draft and what you think the benagls will do with the 9th pick. e-mail me back with a phone number to call you. the studio number in case you want to do it with out us calling you 513-241-2823. rock on wildman/webnBy wildman
April 15, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
chick. the webn dawn patrol would like to have you on next thurs at 830am to talk about the nfl draft and what you think the benagls will do with the 9th pick. e-mail me back with a phone number to call you. the studio number in case you want to do it with out us calling you 513-241-2823. rock on wildman/webnBy wildman
April 15, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
chick. the webn dawn patrol would like to have you on next thurs at 830am to talk about the nfl draft and what you think the benagls will do with the 9th pick. e-mail me back with a phone number to call you. the studio number in case you want to do it with out us calling you 513-241-2823. rock on wildman/webnBy Howie Feltersnatch
April 15, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Chick O-line would be a good safe pick but I think it all depends on how the draft plays out but the defense contimues to be the Bengals weakness. I think we may be able to pick up one of the guys you mentioned in the second round. As for Dennis the Brown-eye fan in the words of Wildman Boomer Esiason forever Bernie Kosar never!!By DREW
April 15, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Chick…I agree that O-line is always a need, but, the defense has not been addressed enough in free agency. It is obvious they need help at d-line considering that they didn’t get any of the two lineman they sought in free agency. Is Thurman going to back? Will Ahmad Brooks be healthy? How about the secondary (safety) and wide receiver. Isn’t O-line one of the deepest areas that you could address in round 3 or 4.By Doco
April 15, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I see where you’re coming from, but I still disagree. O-line should always be a team’s 1st priority and I can appreciate looking ahead, but I can’t imagine they would specifically TARGET O-line in the top ten. If they are going to target a position it should be defense. Now, I can agree with getting the best player available. If that ends up being Clady then so be it. But don’t pick the 4th best O-lineman and pass on the 3rd best DT or the best LB.By Mike
April 15, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Chick…sure, we probably need to draft one but not at 9…not when DT, LB and DE have been a problem for years. We should take the best available of: -Glenn Dorsey -Sedrick Ellis -Vernon Gholston -Keith Rivers -Derrick Harvey The following Offensive Tackles from solid programs will be available in rounds 2 or even 3: - Sam Baker (USC) - Anthony Collins (Kansas) - Duane Brown (Va Tech) - Carl Nicks (Nebraska) - Chilo Rachal (USC) OT is deep this year just like WR is. There’s no need to take one at 9 when we have so many pressing other needs. Use your head.By Brian
April 15, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Or, back to beating the dead horse, dangle Chad to Dallas for one of their first rounders and nab one of the offensive tackles there if they’re still on the board. Just not at #9.By jimelyyes
May 10, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.By jimelyyes
May 11, 2008 2:02 AM | Link to this
there is the professional world of warcraft power leveling here. welcome.