NFL NOTES
Rookie wideout Purify signs deal with Bengals
COMMENT: Should the Bengals sign Shaun Alexander?
Friday, May 09, 2008
CINCINNATI — The Bengals signed rookie wide receiver Maurice Purify of the University of Nebraska to a two-year contract on Thursday, May 8, four days after he finished participating in the club's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
The 6-foot-3, 224-pounder caught 91 passes for 1,444 yards (a 15.9 average) and 16 touchdowns in two years for the Cornhuskers. He fell off draft boards because of his 4.56 speed in the 40-yard dash and off-the-field issues.
Extras
Get latest headlines via RSS feedsPurify, a JUCO transfer to Nebraska from San Francisco City College, was arrested in 2007 on two counts of assault and one count of resisting arrest and got arrested five weeks later for suspicion of drunken driving.
"I'm very thankful for this opportunity," Purify said. "It's a fresh start. It means that I'm in here, and now I need to do everything right to stay here."
Alexander's decision
After visiting Cincinnati and New Orleans this week, former Seattle Seahawks star tailback Shaun Alexander has a decision to make. Bengals or Saints? Both teams finished 7-9 and out of the playoffs in 2007. Alexander was released last month by the Seahawks.
Comments
By PedroMecardo
May 11, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
No way signing an aged back with no heart will get your team nowhere.. Alexander is DONE! He runs football the way he takes care of his foundation. Take a look at the YMCA he bought in Florance it still imcomplete and now up for sale. He has lets too many fans and the kids down way too many times can you say KARMA!
By Shawn
May 11, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
No way, I’m not even a Bengals fan but signing Shaun Alexander would be a sensless addition to a team with more pressing needs. This is exactly why the Bengals never seem to be able to have a complete team. They waste there time chasing and pursuing players that aren’t going to fill a need or translate to wins ont he field. If you ask me the Bengals GM and Director of Personnel should both be fired for even entertaining the idea. Whats signing Shaun Alexander supposed to accomplish???
By joey
May 11, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Alexander is a proven back, so sign him? so is jim brown
By Chris
May 10, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
NO!!! The Bengals have enough running backs. If Perry, Watson, Johnson, and Irons (when he gets healthy) can’t combine to have an impact in the running game then there are more serious problems. Dede Dorsey looked pretty explosive at times also. Let these guys earn some of there money and maybe that will push Rudi to step his game back up like he did when he ran Dillon out of town.
By nick
May 10, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
As for Alexander and or Purify or even the Bengals as a whole…..Why? Hey folks…..keep your money! Go see high school kids play. With them, it all comes from the heart and not the pocketbook. Whodey?……………….WHO CARES!!!!
By Dale
May 9, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter who the back is, if the “O” line can’t blow open some holes no running back is going anywhere. Also some creative play calling wouldn’t hurt.
By phil
May 9, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
if he is that good his last team would not have cut him. are we building a viable team or an old age home. GO BENGALS
By Money
May 9, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Yes…for the vet minimum. Don’t overpay because of the name. Although, N.O. would probably pay more. Irons won’t be ready until week 9…unless rushed. Can’t count on Perry. You have to let Rudi have another crack…with Watson and company. The key is the o’line
By Jason
May 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
VietVet and Harvey hitS it right on the nose. Bengals - if these guys aren’t producing whether ON or OFF the field - LET THEM GO !!! Quit babysitting grown men. Chris Perry has to be making the easiest money in the state of Ohio right about now. And Shaun Alexander, with his age and injury, is basically looking for a nursing home at this point, someplace to live out his last few years, with low production and top pay. Rudy is still solid - streaky, but solid, and Irons showed promise.
By Jeff
May 9, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
If thats the case then you don’t need to sign him because Rudi is a proven back as well. Last year was his first season under 1000 except when he platooned with Dillon when he had 950. The point is you are getting the same player in Shaun Alexander, you are getting a question mark. This isn’t fantasy football where you collect big names. Look at the steelers when a player gets older they move on. Thats how you build a winner. Which is probably why we will sign Alexander. :)
By VietVet
May 9, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Nope- too old and won’t produce the running game that the Bungals need. Won’t be any better than what they have now. Perry, another Kijan. Carter injury prone back, needs to go. Too much injury time- not enough playing time. Let Rudy play out his contract and have a younger back play the 2nd half of the season if they end up going 8-8 or worse. Then goodbye to Rudy and the younger back is ready to take over.
By joe
May 9, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
It won’t matter who this team signs. they will finish 6-10.
By Mike
May 9, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
ARE WE KIDDING? RUDY HAS ONE DOWN YEAR AND YOU ALL ARE LOOKING ELSEWHERE? GET A GRIP. PLUS WE DON’T KNOW WHAT KIND OF BACK THAT IRONS’ IS GOING TO BE. IN THE WORDS OF R.E.M….DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE, that’s where the money needs to go. Along with finding something to shut up Chad.
By DONZER
May 9, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
the bengals should sign shaun alexander. he is a proven back in the nfl.
By DONZER
May 9, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
the bengals should sign shaun alexander. he is a proven back in the nfl.
By Harvey
May 9, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Does Chris Perry still play for the Bengals? They’re paying him how much money and he’s played how many plays on the field? Can someone break that down on the cost per play? Cut that yutz, he’s been a broken down pick since day one.
By Harvey
May 9, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
No, do not sign him. We need the money to plug the holes in the defense. We also need to make sure our offensive line is in tact or it won’t matter who runs the ball. I agree with one of the other post, Rudi has seen his best days. He used to run hard before he signed the big contract, now he’s on cribs and doesn’t need to worry about his job. Bring on the new guys and give Watson and Perry a fair shot. Let’s face it, our scheme sucks. We need more plays from the same set, run or pass!
By BengalsFan
May 9, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Definitely. Rudi should go. He had his day and is no longer the player he used to be. He gets the ball and runs towards the biggest group of guys he can find. Kenny Watson is great and deserves to play more. A team of Alexander and Watson would be great.
By Jeff
May 9, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Signing alexander is a mistake. 3 years ago sure! No you have the same player in Rudi Johnson. Alexander is going to want about 3.5-4 million a year and this team needs to use that money to sign their own guys. A running back is only as good as the Oline anyways so whoever is back there needs to follow the holes. I have always liked shaun but signing him would be just another proof of the bengals front office of incompetence
By Brad
May 9, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Definitely yes. And, if he can bat leadoff, let him play for the Reds too.
By Bob in Alabama
May 9, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
It seems like these kind of dollars can be spent on a more worthy contributer to the team.
By Corey
May 9, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
yes, Yes, and YES! As of right now we have an overrated starting TB, 2 young guys who are explosive but can’t stay on the field, and 2 backups who are solid, but not great. Why would you not sign a guy who was an elite back two years ago? Last year he looked broke down, but take a chance on this guy. We don’t need a feature back, we just need someone to open up the air game. Alexander is both.