2006 Bengal Grades

Rating the Bengals by position group for 2006


It’s that time of year. The Bengals are sitting at home, and it is time to evaluate why.
Changes definitely have to be made. So let’s plunge in.

The Offensive Line-Grade A-

In my opinion still the best O-Line in Football.

Levi was out for a good deal of time. When he is in, he is maybe the best LT in football, can’t be speed rushed, can’t be bull rushed. Levi blocks very well on running downs, and maybe the smartest guy on the team. He totally shut down Dwight Freeny, Grade A

Eric Steinbach-will probably leave in free agency to play LT and gain his cash bonanza. I wish Eric well. Andrew Witworth will probably take over and will be an excellent addition to the team. Grade A

Center-Rich Braham a great old Bengal ended his career. I hope he stays around the team. Eric Ghiaciuc was his replacement for me he is weak at 300 lbs. and was dominated at times by nose guard or DT that line up on the nose. What ever this must stop! Ben Wilkerson also did a great job filling in. Grade C-

Bobbie Williams is a great power blocker who quietly but significantly improved his pass blocking this year. When he went out, the RG position was manned by the huge Stacey Andrews-who should be resigned-for the stellar job he did. Grade A+

Willie Anderson-the soul and conscience of the Bengals-going again to Honolulu-Grade A+

Tight End

Reggie Kelly is greatly wanted back by Carson Palmer. He is a great team mate! Unfortunately, Reggie is not what the Bengals need at tight end especially if they want to continue to run the no huddle. Eric Johnson of the 49’ers and Daniel Graham of the Patriots are out there. The Bengals must sign one of them considering the abysmal class of tight ends in this years draft, boy these guys suck! Tony Stewart normally blocks and plays special teams, He had a huge catch against Pittsburgh, but is truly the man with the hands of stone. He is a keeper as blocking TE. These guys played well, but there is not a lot of big play ability. With the Bengals wanting to do this no huddle, they can not afford a non descript Tight End. Yeah I know Gonzales is out there but there is no way Marvin will break the bank for him considering all the other holes he has to plug. Grade C+

Full Back

There can be only one-oops that highlander-The Bengals have only one. Jeremy is what he is. He is not going to make anyone forget Moose Johnston or Tom Rathman but he does well with what he has. He is a good lead blocker. Grade B

Running Back

Rudi seems to me to be slowing down, not that he was ever all that explosive. He can’t get around end, nor does he have shimmy shake in the open field. His hands are marginal which makes him a poor fit for the Bengal no huddle. He does excel at power running and has excellent ball security overall. Chris Perry, who has all the things that Rudi lacks, is proving to be very, very brittle. Next year must be his year or the Bengals must replace him (and Rudi too do to age). Kenny Watson turned out to be extremely valuable and played with heart. I hope he comes back. Grade B-

Wide Receivers

Chad is going to Honolulu again. He did tail off at the end and needs to keep his mental game high. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a pass catching machine that is also going to Honolulu (hopefully). He is also a tremendous force in the locker room. If you want straight truth- no coach speak, no bullshit, ask T.J. He is my favorite Bengal. Yes he chucks his helmet, but I am really fucking tired of the Bengals giving a free pass to bad officiating. My only qualm is I am very afraid of the Helmet taking a bad bounce and winging a Zebra. If that happens, T.J. will be out a great number of games as Commissioner Roger Goddell is looking for a reason to really smash the Bengals bad behavior and this would be an excellent opening to do just that. Chris Henry, immense talent paired with itty bitty common sense. Good god could this guy please stay out of trouble. Who knows what will happen this off season? He could be in jail; he could be suspended for a good amount of time. Antonio Chapman was hurt all year; he should bring a new dimension both to the passing game and punt return next year. Good luck to Kelly Washington who played with class even though the dance was really bad. Tab Perry and Benny” the flash” Brazil will be back. Glen Holt might be a keeper as well. Reggie McNeal, don’t let the door hit your on the ass on your way out. Grade A-

Quarterback

Carson leads, he follows his coaches wishes, is a great team mate. He cooks, he cleans, he sings- badly. He threw for 4000 yards! He blew out his knee and returned in 8 months. Unless you have the man from Krypton, he is the man. Yes he did over throw guys, but consider the huge lack of snaps. He will be back next year. Grade A

Place Kicker

Plain and simple, Shane Graham can not miss big field goals and extra points, Draft a place kicker! Grade C-

Punter

Kyle Larson is an average punter in the NFL. He saved the Bengals a number of times with his fast hands on place kicks. We should draft a punter. Grade C+

Long Snapper

Brad St. Louis has been a credit to this team, but its time to go. Errant snaps can not happen in big games. Grade D-


Kick Returner

Tab Perry is very good. Chris Perry bless his heart gave his all for the team. Glen Holt seems like a very good addition as well. No game breakers but Bennie Brazil looms in the future. All of these guys have other roles on the team-a great bonus. Grade B

Kick Coverage

Kick coverage was excellent and we played some teams with very dangerous return men. Grade B

Punter Coverage

Punt coverage was excellent and we played some teams with very dangerous return men. Grade B

Punt Returner

Ratliff was abysmal. All and I do mean all he could do was catch the freaking ball. His decision making was very poor. Grade F



Defensive Line-Tackle

Sam Adams is still a positive force at defensive tackle although he seem to have lost a little. Domata Peko looks like a star in the making at the other tackle. John Thornton, is what he is, a penetration type DT. John did not have a very good year. Bryan Robinson can play DT as well. The DT’s were solid but unspectacular. There is not a difference maker unless it is Peko. In the NFL, they are a bunch of guys. The Bengals need an upgrade. Grade C+

Defensive Ends

Justin Smith will leave in free agency. He did not fulfill his promise of being selected fourth overall. He was an excellent team mate and was dedicated to his profession. Considering his numbers, he will be greatly missed and is a candidate for the Franchise Tag. Jumpy Junior, Robert Geathers is an excellent speed rusher. Bryan Robinson plays on run downs and then moves inside on passing downs. This has not seemed to work very well, but this may not be totally the lines fault. This team needs a difference maker at D-Line. Grade C-

Linebacker

There were times this season that not a single projected starting line backer from last years squad was on the field. Further, Odell Thurman and David Pollack have both probably played their last games in Stripes. One do to an awful injury (I was very thankful that David can still have a normal life-good luck and via con dios-I hope he stays around our town because he makes it better), and the other was a complete shit head. Regardless they are done! So too should be Brian Simmons. It is retirement time for this Bengal who has been a stand up guy. He was out a great deal of the time and constantly dinged up. Good luck Brian, but it is time to go. Landon Johnson and Caleb Miller are too small to play linebacker in the NFL both are weak side pass coverage linebackers but neither rivals Simmons when he was his best, in fact they are not close. Both are restricted free agents, I say let at least one or both go. Ahmad Brooks looks like he might be a player. He needs an off season to really learn the scheme. A.J. Nicholson might be a guy for the future we will see. Something must be done! Frankly, Adalius Thomas is out there; break the freaking bank to get him. Grade F


Safety

Madieu & Dexter played well, so did Kevin who maybe the best nickel guy in the league. I hope we can keep him as he is a valuable asset, and a good teammate. Frankly, I would not change a thing except to keep them on the field more. Grade B

Cornerbacks

These guys sucked! They sucked like a freaking shop-vac! To make matters worse James and O’Neal quit, they fucking quit on their teammates, their coaches, their ownership which paid them like fucking kings, and their fans. Keiwan Ratliff is a Corey Sawyer clone. He is too small, too slow. All of them should be shown the door before the damn Super Bowl is even played. Jonathan Joseph was the lone bright spot, and may be a star in the NFL in just a few years. A top shelf free agent CB would be a great boon to this team. Grade F

Coaching

Marvin had a disastrous year, but it was not of his own making. How could he have know that 2 guys that went to Honolulu in recent years were going to quit on him at corner? How could he have known that his two prized linebackers were going to be lost to his team, probably for good? I never really appreciated Marvin and his lack of shown emotion, but after watching Mora Jr. pout on the bench, head in his hands, I understand why a head coach can not afford that. When he gets down, the whole team deflates, defeat is inevitable. Marvin’s time management stinks! Marvin sometimes plays not to loose. Marvin is confrontational with his local press and they have nailed him to the cross. Frankly, Marvin needs to watch the Wayne Huisinga press conference over and over again until he gets it down. This is how you do it! Marvin has been very trusting; Marvin has been generous to his players. Marvin needs make some examples. He has ample opportunity to do this without hurting his starters or key role players. Some guys need to be put on the cross with rusty nails, I hope Marvin doe this, and soon. Grade C-


Offensive Coordinator

I am a Bob Bratkowki fan. His offense is balanced and exiting to watch. He was limited by personnel injuries this season. When he gets his tool belt back, and has a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bengals offense will again be feared. Grade A-

Defensive Coordinator


Much of what was said about Marvin goes for Chuck. Chuck could not have known all that was going to transpire. Chuck must also learn to mask his feelings, When Graham missed the field goal; He looked like a close relative had died, not acceptable. Still in all I would like to see him back, He brings great energy and drive. Grade B+

Ownership

The management did sign Sam Adams. I was leaping for joy. They have kept the team core together. Hopefully, Mike, Katie and the rest will continue to do what needs to be done. Grade B

Fans

Yep, we are civilized, no jerks here. We also have very little home field advantage too. Large hotels downtown offer these get away packages to out of town fans. Well that’s great for them and the hotels but lousy for the rest of Bengal fans. This is situation needs to be addressed by Marvin and the Brown family. So too, the Zebra’s are very comfortable at PBS, too comfortable. The Bengals get bad calls all the time and nothing from the fans. Maybe we need a little Cleveland here in Cincinnati!

Media Coverage

1530 the Sports Animal can not really go wrong with Brad & Lap. They are Cincinnati icons, however; the Sports Animal loves to brag about the 50,000 watts of power, too bad it is all beamed into KY. Frankly, what is the fucking Jones with KY and 1530? We in northern suburbs can barely get the station at times, same goes for people in Indiana or toward Columbus. Wildcat this- Louisville that-many of us do not give a RATS ASS about Kentucky or Louisville. We do care that we miss the pregame because we can’t pick it up, or there is interference from some bible thumping station from Dayton! Frankly if there was another sports talk station I would listen to it especially after they showed Pic and Waddell the door. So a split rating Brad & Lap A+, Angry Guys A, Breecher and all the old Bengals A, /1530 F