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XPetey
07-19-2005, 12:45 PM
http://img68.echo.cx/img68/5227/bengalswall229qx6if.jpg

Well, after a long hiatus, the Jungle Report is back. I abandoned to idea of talking about other football teams because I just don’t know enough about other teams, so it’s back to the Bengals. But before I start, let me remind you all, I am conducting a PSH census, so you all should head over and post your favorite team in there, if you haven’t already.

http://ourworld.cs.com/shoey9200/pshc.gif (http://www.pigskinheaven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10527)

Anyway, onto the Bengals. I thought I’d give a little run down of some of the position battles that will be heating up in about a week when training camp starts (ah, that’s music to my ears).

Strong Safety
The Candidates: Kim Herring, Anthony Mitchell, Kevin Kaesviharn and Reggie Myles.

SS is the only starting spot that is wide open on either side of the ball. Herring seems to be the front runner, since he is a veteran who has proven (to some extent) that he can help stop the run. However, Kim has had injury problems in the past two years, so durability is an issue. Mitchell is also a veteran safety, who might have a slight edge with Marvin Lewis because he played on his Super Bowl team in Baltimore. He was a solid special teams player last year, who should get a good look in training camp because of his good instincts to get to the ball and make tackles. Reggie Myles is who I’d like to see starting at safety when the Bengals open against the Browns. Myles, A perennial special teams stud, was considered a CB, until he put on weight so he could play safety. He also has a nose for the ball, and good enough cover skills to be a back up CB.

My pick: Reggie Myles (but don’t be surprised if the team starts off with Herring, who will likely be hurt at some point)
http://www.bengals.com/team/img/players/myles_roster.jpg



[B]Wide Reciever (4th, 5th, and 6th)
The Candidates: Chris Henry, Tab Perry, Cliff Russell, Kevin Walters, Jamal Broussard, Kelley Washington

Marvin Lewis has said that the Bengals would carry six WR. It’s a given (in my opinion) that Chad Johnson, TJ Houshmanzedah, and Peter Warrick are the first three. Now, who the last three WRs will be is tough to decide. I’m 100% sure Chris Henry will be one of them. He’s a steal in the third round, who will do big things, and he might even play over Warrick. After that, Tab Perry looks to have a good shot because he was a great kick returner at UCLA. However, Kevin Walters is also a good return guy, who has apparently impressed Coach Lewis with his good route running abilities. Kelley Washington, a 3rd year receiver, will have trouble seeing the field in this talented group. I believe he will make the team, but could also be traded.

My picks: Chris Henry, Kevin Walters, Kelley Washington. (Tab Perry will be this years Maurice Mann)
http://www.bengals.com/team/img/players/henry_roster.jpghttp://www.bengals.com/team/img/players/walter_roster.jpghttp://www.bengals.com/team/img/players/washington_roster.jpg



[B]3rd String Quarterback
The Candidates: Casey Bramlet and Craig Krenzel

This was a non issue until a couple of weeks ago when Krenzel was signed off waivers from Chicago. Each player has his pros and cons. Bramlet has had a year to learn the system, and get to know his receivers better. He also played pretty well in Europe this year. However, Krenzel is a very smart QB, with some NFL experience. He played decently well for a rookie with no offense in Chicago, but his accuracy was very questionable. I think Krenzel was brought in to light a fire under Bramlet. However, I see Krenzel working really hard to prove to every team, including Chicago, that he can be a good QB.

My pick: Craig Krenzel (Hopefully no one claims Bramlet off the practice squad, he’d be good to have after Kitna retires)
http://www.bengals.com/team/img/players/krenzel_roster.jpg

Those are the three biggest battles. Another battle may include MLB, where Odell Thurman, Landon Johnson, and Nate Webster all would like to be starting. However, seeing as the team should play more 3-4, all of these guys will get their playing time.

http://www.dack.com/images/weblog/vanilla-ice.jpg
I'm killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom

XPetey
07-19-2005, 06:36 PM
Let me know what you all think

JungleBoogie
07-19-2005, 07:21 PM
Good stuff Petey.

My pick at safety is Kim Herring, because Marvin seems to be real high on him. He was the reason we didn't take a safety in the draft this season. At WR, I also think Walter will beat out Perry, and at QB I got Bramlet taking it.

XPetey
07-19-2005, 07:50 PM
I like both Bramlet and Krenzel, but honesty, I think Krenzel will end up being the better backup once Kitna is gone. If Bramlet can stay on the practice squad, great, we'll have him again next year to battle with Craig for #2

Schaddy
07-19-2005, 07:59 PM
I've watched Krenzel in college and with the Bears last year, and believe me; you want Bramlett. Krenzel is a smart guy. He's a tough guy. He wants to win. He's a coach's dream. He also has zero athletic ability and has to be surrounded by awesome talent to be anything more than slightly below average. He lacks arm strength, mobility and even though he didn't do it in college, last year with the Bears he made some terrible throws into the middle of coverage. In his 5 starts with the Bears last year, he completed 45.8% of his passes, with 6 INTs and a 51.8 QB rating. Granted, he wasn't surrounded by much talent, but when a guy who is supposed to be a cerebral QB who doesn't make mistakes and manages games well puts up those kinds of numbers, it throws up red flags. I don't think he can cut it as an NFL signal caller. At least Bramlett has plenty of raw talent.

XPetey
07-19-2005, 08:04 PM
I'll agree that Bramlet has raw talent, but I also think with the WR corp we have, Krenzel's completion % will go up.

This was one choice I'm not too worried about. Neither should have to see any playing time unless we're up by a lot, so either player will just spend the year learning from Carson and Kitna (hopefully)

Schaddy
07-19-2005, 08:06 PM
I'll agree that Bramlet has raw talent, but I also think with the WR corp we have, Krenzel's completion % will go up.




That's true, your WRs could probably make Rick Mirer look like a Pro Bowler :D

XPetey
07-19-2005, 08:09 PM
We'll have to see. Hopefully I can get down to Georgetown to see these guys in person and come back with a full report.

CatClaw
07-19-2005, 11:38 PM
Good article XPetey. The krenzel vs. bramlet battle is going to be tough to call and will come down the last pair of preseason games...Bramlet has the edge of just getting back from europe where he lead the league in passing early on, but the new franchise just couldn't keep at it. It's amazing Washington has a chance to get cut. I really wish this kid would step up....again good article.

XPetey
07-20-2005, 07:21 PM
By the way...I know atleast one person has asked, but I think it'd be cool if different fans from each team did this kind of concept.

BigBenCan7
07-20-2005, 07:24 PM
By the way...I know atleast one person has asked, but I think it'd be cool if different fans from each team did this kind of concept.

I would, but the Steelers depth chart is pretty much set.