The FA's and why!!!!

1) Some people are questioning why we took COOK, but if you listen and read you will find

Cook was taken because you need a quick smart small full back who leads the way in Kubiak's offensive sets. It was deemed by Kubiak that this is one of the people he needed and that is also why the other full back is being looked at. As an added plus the guy is a hard worker and is a very good special team's player who sacrifices his body for the team. He seldom carries the ball but he is also an excellent receiver. Remember, Kubiak emphasized the team aspect of things at the news conference.

2) Some people are questioning why we took the receiver from Cincy, but if you listen and read you will find

He was taken because he is of excellent character, has good to excellent hands, is a possession reciever who does an excellent job blocking down field, and is an above average special teams player. Again, he has fought his way into starting positions and sacrificed his body for his team. He is similar in size and speed to AJ, has way better hands, and will command coverage. Again, Kubiak has emphasized Team play.

3) Some people are questioning why we took Weaver, but if you listen and read you will find

He is a fine young DE who is smart, articulate, a leader, and is talented enough to require two defensive players to stop his penetration into the opposition's back field. Off course we also had a need at that position and again Kubiak in his news conference was more than estatic about this acquistion. The guy is a team player and has a big motor. He will make it possible for previous acquisitions to play where they should be playing.

Again let's emphasize that all of the guys are young, talented, smart, hard working team players of good character. They fit the new schemes that Kubiak and his staff are trying to put in place. These are people KUBIAK wanted and Casserly got them for him. Actually they have been classified as steals by some people in the know. Did we get everyone we wanted, of course not. But we did go get some very good people probably at very reasonable prices considering what is happening in this FA as a whole. Are these people flashy right now, no. But how about most of the people NE picks up. Most are not flashy, but the end results are flashy. Remember, its how they play as a team and not individually that matters.

I think we have done an excellent job so far and am very excited about this fall. Should we reach the play offs this fall, and it could happen, you will really be wondering what happen. The real answer to that will be that was how bad the previous coaching staff was.

Ibar_Harry said:

1) 3) Some people are questioning why we took Weaver, but if you listen and read you will find

He is a fine young DE who is smart, articulate, a leader, and is talented enough to require two defensive players to stop his penetration into the opposition's back field. Off course we also had a need at that position and again Kubiak in his news conference was more than estatic about this acquistion. The guy is a team player and has a big motor. He will make it possible for previous acquisitions to play where they should be playing.

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I recently read the John Feinstein book, Next Man Up. He follows the Ravens from the end of 2003 through the 2004 season. He's allowed full access to meetings, practices, the draft, everything. Throughout the book he discusses various players and their backgrounds. He doesn't talk a lot about Anthony Weaver except he's a high character guy that is extremely intelligent. He speaks well and carries himself professionally.

He's a good fit for a team needing a 4-3 LDE. He's not a Julius Peppers pass rusher, but considering the front 7 last season had a lot of trouble stopping the run this is also a need.

Thanks Ibar, can you please crack the Davinci Code next?

You put some time into this and it is appreciated, but in all honesty what would you expect for him to sign in his first foray into FA, TO?

I agree with this post. I beleive each FA accquisation had a strong point too it and that is not being looked at by people. People wanted another good receiver yet arent satisified with Walters. Why? Because he was not a starter at Cincy when he ran againt Chad Johnson and Houshmashandez. The guy is good. Next Jamel Cook, hes a receiving fullback which because of our weak O-Line that is one thing we could use. Another person for carr to dump too when in trouble. That would also help to get AJ open. Weaver, hes a awesome run stopper and a so-so pass rusher but LE isnt meant to be that much of a pass rusher. More of a run stopper - container. The pass rushing is what we have peek/babin for.

Good to hear this opinion of Walters, whom I could find nothing on but his stunning 19 catch season.

I am willing to chill and trust that Kubiak is going to do what I expect him to do, unless/until he proves me wrong. Personally, while I am not thrilled with anything we have done in the FA so far this year, I do not have any problems with it, other than I feel we overpaid Weaver.

Character guys do go a long way, though (see Patriots.) If Kubes says Walters will get the job done, well good, let's see it.

And it still pisses me off that I haven't heard about Armstrong? Isn't he an RFA? He needs to stay, IMO. Good hands, good guy.

I'm actually a lot happier now that we nabbed a decent WR in FA

As for Cook, well, Norris never did all that much, so I don't mind picking up a FB.

For the record, Walter is nowhere near as talented, fast, or as athletic as AJ. I suspect most of you know that, but just setting the record straight.

Fine, but I still wanna know why we let Bradford go.

Porky said:

For the record, Walter is nowhere near as talented, fast, or as athletic as AJ. I suspect most of you know that, but just setting the record straight.

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Theres not too many people that are :brickwall

Porky said:

For the record, Walter is nowhere near as talented, fast, or as athletic as AJ. I suspect most of you know that, but just setting the record straight.

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He might be better than you think. It appears he is one of the fastest men down field on special teams. The big thing is if he's good enough to command coverage which gives AJ a chance to get open. He is also an excellent blocker and that is an important attribute in the offense that Kubiak will be running. I think we have picked up solid good people. Great, no, but sold and good.

for the HJam,
Bradford was, I think, a UFA (unrestricted free agent) and he signed with the Lions.

66cobra said:

for the HJam,
Bradford was, I think, a UFA (unrestricted free agent) and he signed with the Lions.

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That's not a reason. :

Here's a reason: He sucked.

edit: But thanks for your timely input.

We'll see. # 2 sounds like you are describing Derrick Armstrong to me. You said Walter worked to the starting position. Where? He was cut in training camp with team that drafted him and was #3 @ Bengals according to your post. I'm not arguing just trying to see where you are coming from. Seems like a #3 if that receiver. Hope I am wrong. I would have rather seen Martin Nance from OHIO drafted 6'5" 212 4.35 with great hands.

Any help that we can get in the red zone will be nice. Carr was 24-47 in the red zone, ehich must get better, along with 7 rushes for 28 yards. His 8 TD's against 1 interception is something to be very happy about. More than anything Walter's size is what I like in situational possessions.

Meloy said:

We'll see. # 2 sounds like you are describing Derrick Armstrong to me. You said Walter worked to the starting position. Where? He was cut in training camp with team that drafted him and was #3 @ Bengals according to your post. I'm not arguing just trying to see where you are coming from. Seems like a #3 if that receiver. Hope I am wrong. I would have rather seen Martin Nance from OHIO drafted 6'5" 212 4.35 with great hands.

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6'5" 212, 4.35? Bull****. Link me please, I refuse to believe it but would love to be wrong.

From what I've heard, I'm not real comfortable with Walter as a #2 either. It'd sure be nice if Mathis suddenly had great hands, ran great routes, etc.

Kaiser Toro said:

Any help that we can get in the red zone will be nice. Carr was 24-47 in the red zone, ehich must get better, along with 7 rushes for 28 yards. His 8 TD's against 1 interception is something to be very happy about. More than anything Walter's size is what I like in situational possessions.

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a real TE's going to be the biggest factor in improving those numbers. both in the running game & play action. i just hope walter (or armstrong if he ever gets a chance) can do what gaffney's done ... be the go to guy on third down that's going to help us keep the chains moving.

Ibar_Harry said:

1) if you listen and read you will find

He was taken because he is of excellent character, has good to excellent hands, is a possession reciever who does an excellent job blocking down field, and is an above average special teams player. Again, he has fought his way into starting positions and sacrificed his body for his team. He is similar in size and speed to AJ, has way better hands, and will command coverage. Again, Kubiak has emphasized Team play.

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Who do you listen to and who do you read? I know absolutely nothing about this Walters guy so I'm not for him or against him yet. It does sound like you are way over-hyping a guy who was what, a 7th round draft pick before being cut by the team that drafted him. Then showed those better hands than AJ on the 19 miraculous catches he made last season. He might be good - but I would love to hear an honest analysis of this player and not a wet dream about what would be cool.

Haams said:

Who do you listen to and who do you read? I know absolutely nothing about this Walters guy so I'm not for him or against him yet. It does sound like you are way over-hyping a guy who was what, a 7th round draft pick before being cut by the team that drafted him. Then showed those better hands than AJ on the 19 miraculous catches he made last season. He might be good - but I would love to hear an honest analysis of this player and not a wet dream about what would be cool.

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OK:

He was taken because he has a bad attitude, has stone hands, is a slow reciever who does an average job blocking down field, and is an average special teams player on good days. Again, he has fought his way into 3rd string positions and sacrificed his breakfast for his team. He is similar in size and speed to DD and Pitts respectively (it averages out), has way better hands (than Pitts), and will command (single) coverage (by a middle LB). Again, Kubiak has emphasized Team play (by getting another player for the team).

That is my totally honest analysis, because I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Haams said:

Who do you listen to and who do you read? I know absolutely nothing about this Walters guy so I'm not for him or against him yet. It does sound like you are way over-hyping a guy who was what, a 7th round draft pick before being cut by the team that drafted him. Then showed those better hands than AJ on the 19 miraculous catches he made last season. He might be good - but I would love to hear an honest analysis of this player and not a wet dream about what would be cool.

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Kevin is an Up and Coming WR. He is a player that loves the game and has waited until his number is called. When called upon he has always produced. Each of his years through college and to date, he has improved. he has improved his knowledge of the game, speed, catching, film, etc. He is young, but has proven himself each time given the opportunity.

As far as being cut by the team that drafted him. If you remember, that year the Giants had 9 WR in camp (including vets) for 4 WR spots, virtually 3 locked before camp began with Ike, Toomer, and Carter. He was released and immediately (not even 24 hrs later) signed to Bengals practice squad. Within weeks he was moved to the 53 man roster and started special teams. He worked his way to the #3 WR and due to the #1WR in the NFL last season (Chad Johnson) and TJ, kinda hard to overthow them without injury.

If you look at his situtational stats, you will see 19 out of 30, but that does not show you he ONLY dropped 1 ball last season, the rest were throw aways by the QB, etc. I do remember that one he dropped, he was coming across the middle and started upfield (what should have been a TD) before he had the ball in his hands.

Almost every other pass you see in the situational stats were for 1st downs. Therefore, a reliable WR you can count on to catch in clutch situations (pressure).

If you all watched the 1st playoff game where Bengals lost Carson and another WR, they could have gone to Kelly Washington (Drafted that year in the 3rd round, i believe), but no they appeared to have more confidence in Kevin (7th round pick, cut by the team who drafted him) to step up and play. The result: He did just that moving the ball when looked at, getting separation from WORLD CHAMPION Dbs and Safeties on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not too shabby.

I am not going to "overhype" him, he is the type of guy that will let his play do the talking for him. that is the character he has and will give you all his heart on that field.

Look for great things!!

I know the Bengals were SHOCKED that someone offered more money than they could afford to sit behind Chad and TJ, and that someone offered so quickly!!! But then again, they should not be shocked as they signed him so quickly after the Giants waived him and then started him just a few weeks later.

jerek said:

6'5" 212, 4.35? Bull****. Link me please, I refuse to believe it but would love to be wrong.

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No offense taken as bull**** was my exact reaction also. For the life of me, I can't remember where I found his 40 time. I got good info @ www.muredhawks.collegesports.com (Miami U. at Ohio) under player stats he is like # 12 in the seniors, but no 40 listed. I also had reviewed him under houstonprofootball.com. Under NFL draft war room, then see right margin prospect profiles. Sorry, I am computer illiterate & do not know how to provide better links. I have been trying to find out what I could for months as no one has mentioned him as a prospect. I emailed John Harris the college analyst who is on 610 am months ago & listed his 40 & Harris did not question. Said he was a first round pick if his knee held up after surgery. He was Roesthlistberger's go to guy as a soph in 2003 90 catches for 1,498 & 11 TDs but knee injury in mid 2004 side lined him. Per Harris he has been an "under the radar guy" since. Per the hand wriiten notes I keep he was actually 6' 5" 212 & 4.33. You can understand why I have been saying he might be someone to look at in 3rd round?

Martin Nance's scouting report...

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/martinnance.html

Latest i've seen on Walters is:

6' 3" @ 221 (AJ is 6' 3.5" @ 224)
40 time = 4.55 (AJ 40=4.3)
Good hands (AJ.....still a work in progress)

In summary...looks like a good solid pick up of a hard working well thought of guy with some good upside. Big target that can hold onto the ball. Not a streak to the endzone, but fast enough. Much like Joe Jeraviciouse (sp?) is what comes first to mind.

As for Cook, well, Norris never did all that much, so I don't mind picking up a FB.

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Norris never did much, We are talking about the same Norris right?? THe guy that cleared the holes for DD to get his 1000 yard seasons!! Norris did alot and I respect him for knowing his role....In numerous interviews w/Norris he always says he just loves to LAY GUYS OUT!!! HERES TO YOU NORRIS!! KEEP ON TRUCKING!!

KING_HOUSTON said:

Norris never did much, We are talking about the same Norris right?? THe guy that cleared the holes for DD to get his 1000 yard seasons!! Norris did alot and I respect him for knowing his role....In numerous interviews w/Norris he always says he just loves to LAY GUYS OUT!!! HERES TO YOU NORRIS!! KEEP ON TRUCKING!!

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Norris may be a victum of the new system and not that he hasn't done a good job. This is true of any number of players on the Texans. Wade is another example of someone who might not fit in the new scheme of things.....

HJam72 said:

Fine, but I still wanna know why we let Bradford go.

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He ran bad routes and droppes balls. He should not have been here last year.

good post Ibar. Im really excited about this offense we are going to be running. We are gonna we are gonna have 4-6 receiving threats on the field at all times.. even when we are running the ball .. its gonna be interesting to see what kind of plays Kube comes up with, and how Carr takes to having so many options.

IMO, I don't see Norris leaving, but Wells does. The new guy isn't the HUGE pounding typical FB, but rather a bit smaller with a bit more speed and has hands. From what I have heard (just talk) he hits the hole hard and that's one thing that Wells doesn't do. Wells runs into the hole like he's a 190 lb back. Never moved the pile in short yardage. Hopefully the new guy can. We will see.