MVN - Most Valuable Network

Earning Their Stripes: C Eric Ghiaciuc

While the off-season storylines have focused on WR Chad Johnson and to a lesser degree the comebacks attempts of Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry, the key to the Bengals offensive improvement may be the play of C Eric Ghiaciuc.  A 4th year C out of Central Michigan, Ghiaciuc has struggled in his two years in the middle of the Bengals offensive line.  At mini-camp a stir was caused when G Bobbie Williams took snaps at center.  Rumors quickly started that Williams could move over to make room for franchise G/T Stacy Andrews.   The coaches were quick to squelch the rumors stating Williams was the team’s emergency center.   While the move is intriquing it would probably be a stretch for Williams as the move from guard to center is not an easy one.    In addition, backup centers Dan Santucci and Kyle Cook have been slow to pick up the position as well meaning the team will likely sink or swim with Ghiaciuc.

It can take years to learn the center position and entering his third season as the starter, Ghiaciuc will face his stiffest test.  Division rival Cleveland added Big Shaun Rogers to fill out a strong DT contingent in the AFC North.  Out of division opponents will include Amobi Okoye (Hou), Albert Haynesworth (Ten), John Henderson (Jax), Mike Patterson (Phi) and even some Justin Tuck (NYGiants).   When you watched Ghiaciuc play last season, he was often pushed into his own backfield.  This inside push made for tough sledding between the tackles, esp. for an interior rusher like Rudi Johnson.  Ghiaciuc held up better in pass protection but he still need lots of help and the pocket collapsed taking away Carson’s ability to step up. 

Despite his struggles Ghiaciuc is far from a lost cause, centers often take years to develop due to the mental and physical demands of the position.  A good off-season in the weight room could pay huge dividends as well.  It is important for Ghiaciuc to take these next steps because improving the ground game and rediscovering offensive balance is one of the keys to the Bengals season.  While this improvement is a team effort, Ghiaciuc’s play will go a long way in determining the units success.  It is time for him to earn his stripes.

Chad Johnson Opts For Ankle Surgery

After listening to his former junior college coach call him “rusty” at last week’s mini-camp, outspoken WR Chad Johnson underwent ankle surgery today.  The surgery is believe to have been to remove bone spurs and chips and is similar to a procedure he had two years ago.  Having the surgery now could allow him to participate in Coach Collins’ passing camp in a little over two weeks.  More importantly, having the procedure done now is an indication that Chad is making preparations for the up-coming season.   Time will only tell how the Ocho situation will work out but bringing in Coach Charles Collins as part of the minority coaching intern could prove to be the one of the team’s best moves of the off-season.  After all, who else is going to get away calling Chad “rusty”.

Bengal Bites: Mini-Camp Notes

Aside from Chad Johnson’s gradual mood adjustment (Happy???), the Bengals actually held a mini-camp this past weekend.   Partially due to the Chad Johnson sideshow (or lack there of), the non-Ocho news was a little on the light side.  Below are some observations including one key change on defense:

• The big story from mini-camp has to be the team’s talk of using “bump ‘n run coverage”:

It’s more bump-and-run. It’s your guy on you. You on him. Lock up your guy and go,” (Jonathan Joseph)

This year, zone is even bump-and-run. Now, every play it’s just me and the receiver, as opposed to kind of reading and reacting to the receiver. Now, you just go out and play.” (Leon Hall) Quotes courtesy of Bengals.com

After watching the team play 5-10 yards off of opposing wide receivers this is easily the most pleasant and encouraging news of the off-season.  Teams don’t spend back-2-back 1st round picks on cornerbacks to play safe zone coverage.  Getting Hall and Joseph up on receivers would at a minimum cut back on the numerous 5-10 yard hitch and slant plays teams have run against the Bengals repeatedly the past few seasons.  At a minimum opposing QBs completion percentages should drop from tighter coverage.   While I will believe it when I see it and have some concerns about Hall’s ability to cover speed receivers deep, I am excited to hear the change.

• Speaking of defensive backs, one name to watch is former Saints 5th rounder (2007) David Jones who could potentially push moody Deltha O’Neal for the nickel cornerback job
• Staying in the secondary, the safety battle is one to watch as Ndukwe, M.White and D. Jackson will battle for 2 starting spots.  Jackson has the experience, Ndukwe the big hits and nose for the football and White the range.  Expect this to be a wide open battle.  The backup slots will be competitive too with Daze-Jones, C.Lynch, E.Kilmer, Hebert and others duking it out.   With so many special teams standouts among the safeties expect a minimum of 5 safeties to be kept.
• Linebacker Keith Rivers was easily the most talked about rookie and his starting job is pretty much assured.  Aside from Rivers though the rookie talk was a little quiet.  Among the plethora of receivers Andre Caldwell appears to have a slight edge.   T Anthony Collins also appears to be making a positive impresssion.  The lack of conversation about DTs Pat Sims and Jason Shirley is a bit of a concern.
• Could Bobbie Williams be getting groomed to become the utility backup or even surprise contender at Center.  Eric Ghiaciuc is easily the line’s weakest link and going against rugged AFC North foes with hulking DTs, it would not be a surprise if Williams gets a look.  Moving Williams to center is the only way for the team to get its 5 best O-linemen on the field at the same time.  Unfortunately, moving to center is much harder than moving from tackle to guard.
• Expect the team to be cautious with Kenny Irons, while he worked with the training staff, the Bengals are in no hurry to lose his PUP eligibility. 
• Losing DeDe Dorsey to a hamstring injury is not a good sign for the oft-injured scatback.
• Marcus Maxwell continues to get the most pub of the backup receivers.
• Backup and injury risk Antonio Chatman continues to get talk of near-roster lock status and I don’t get it.  He has proven nothing in his two seasons with the team.   I find it hard to believe there isn’t another punt returner possibility.
• It is a little bit disconcerting to hear backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled.  There has not been much talk of Jeff Rowe’s performance.  I am not ready to consider Jordan Palmer as anything more than a 4th arm until one of the other two QBs fails.
• Jeremi Johnson is on his last legs with the team.  Year in and year out he comes into camp out of shape.   If the new staff is serious about its get tough stance, they should give Jeremi an ultimatum of where he needs to be come training camp or he needs to be cut.  Daniel Coats is worth the look as are the two rookie free agents.  Also, don’t forget veteran free agent FBs are often easy to find on the waiver wire (and cheap too).
• With the roster currently standing at 86 players, 6 guys need to be cut prior to training camp and/or rookie signings (whichever comes first - in other words training camp)
• Is there a rookie draft pick being talked about less than WR Mario Urrutia??? (even  for a 7th rounder that is not a good sign)

Stalemate! Chad Returns to Bengals; Barely Practices

Ever since the Bengals passed on trading Chad Johnson on draft day, Bengals fans and the media have had June 12th circled on the calender as Decision Day.  Here we are on June 12th and nothing happened.  Or almost nothing.  No Chad Johnson sound bites.  No Marvin laying down the law.  No Chad practicing in the morning, then sort of practicing in the afternoon.  The biggest drama of the day turned out to be whether or not Ocho was injured or not and if so what part of him hurt.  

All the media networks tried to make the most of the non-activity by talking about what a distraction it was at camp.  Yet, Chad said nothing, the team said little to nothing and practice seem to go fairly well.  From the Bengal’s perspective it probably went better than expected.  Sure the media disected every detail and said they need to do something to resolve the situation.  When the morning session started, the team practiced (Wow!).  After showing up 10 minutes late, Chad refused the urge to talk to the media and watched without causing much of a stir (He even managed to talk to a few teammates. Stop the Presses!)  The team even tried to diffuse Chad’s silent protest by saying he had an ailment.

In the early afternoon, the drama heated up.  Word had leaked that Chad supposedly told the team his back was hurting or was it his ankle hurting. Hey it wouldn’t be the Chad Johnson Saga without him contradicting himself. The team followed up by issueing a statement:

Chad Johnson was given a physical this morning by one of the Bengals’ team doctors. He did not report any physical problems to the doctor, and he was cleared by the doctor for practice. Later, after the physical was concluded, Chad told our training staff that his back was sore. He refused to practice. (ESPN.com)

If Chad passed a physical then begged out of practice due to injury, a collective bargaining agreement issue is always a possibility.   The team’s statement is proof the Bengals are documenting everything Chad does in the event they need to protect their rights.  Drew Rosenhaus tried to diffuse the situation by saying the team recommended Chad have arthroscopic ankle surgery to prove the pain was real.  Unfortunately, the team agreed with the assessment but noted that was immediately after the season and Chad refused surgery.  He then passed a team physical today.  Sorry, Drew but there is no sympathy for passing on surgery in February to make an issue out of it in June.   Realizing he was backed into a corner, Chad worked out in the afternoon or at least went through a few motions.

All in all, the situation could have been much worse.  The circus has only just begun but thus far cool head’s have prevailed and the team has been able to practice and Chad is staying quiet.  How long it will last is anyone’s guess.  Thus far it is looking as if both sides are trying to see which side will flinch first.  Odds are Mike Brown won’t be the one flinching.  Based on today’s events could injured reserve be a way to resolve the issue?  Talk about an odd solution.