Bengals Work Out

The Bengals hit the practice field today for the first of their offseason voluntary workouts.  The running back corps was well represented with both Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry on hand.  Johnson has beefed up and Perry returned to the field for the first time since late in 2006.  Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh did not show up for the practice.

Talks Between Alexander and Cincy to Continue

Running back Shaun Alexander spoke with the Bengals Monday and the Saints on Wednesday.  The Cincy Enquirer is reporting today that talks about bringing Alexander in to play for the Bengals in 2008 will continue, and the Florence native for now will remain unsigned.  “We’ll be talking to Shaun today and in touch with Bengals today or tomorrow,” Alexander’s agent, Jim Steiner said this afternoon in an e-mail to the Enquirer.

The Bengals already have a feature running back in Rudi Johnson, and last season when he got hurt they found another solid back on the roster when Kenny Watson took over and did well in the role.  It would be interesting to see if Alexander would fit in with the team, and just how much playing time he would get.  He was the MVP of the League back in 2005, when he was a big reason the Seahawks made the Super Bowl, but for now, he’s a player without a team.

Other possible spots for Alexander could include the Lions, Cardinals, Jets, and Eagles.

Henry Allowed Off House Arrest to Tryout

Seems that as long as former Bengals wide out Chris Henry can land a job with another team, his time under house arrest will be lessened even to the point where he may be able to play. A judge ruled on Monday that Henry will be released from house arrest and court-ordered electronic monitoring so that he can go and try and revive his NFL career with another club.

Henry’s attorney, Perry Ancona, told a judge that his client had a tryout with a team, asking him to be allowed to get off house arrest to go. The team was not identified. The 24-year-old Henry was released last month after an issue in March where he was accused of assault and criminal damaging. Henry has pled not guilty to the charges.

He spent the first eight games of the 2007 season suspended for prior arrests. When he was able to get on the field last year, he caught 21 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns. He has a career 88 catches for 1370 yards and 17 touchdowns. He caught 9 TD’s in the 2006 season.

Bengals Cut Two Linebackers

The Bengals have dumped a pair of linebackers off the roster.  Ohio State product Anthony Schlegel and Roy Manning were both cut today.  Schlegel started five times in 2007 recording 34 tackles.  Manning played mostly on special teams.

Alexander to Be in Town Monday to Visit Bengals

The rumors about former Seattle RB Shaun Alexander being interested in the Bengals must be real, as he will be visiting the team on Monday.  Their official site stated today that Alexander will be in to visit the team.  “Shaun wants to get an idea how the Bengals would use him and I’m sure the Bengals would like to talk to him,” Alexander’s agent, Jim Steiner said. “But there is interest on both sides.”  Alexander will be 31 when the season starts, and if he can get back to somewhat of the form he had during his MVP season in 2005, it could be a great fit for the cats.

Brooks to Appear in Court After Being Accused of Punching Woman in Face

The Bengals are back in the headlines, but once again - for all the wrong reasons. A story is out that linebacker Ahmad Brooks is facing fourth-degree assault charges after he was accused of punching a woman in the face last month.  The complaint was filed by Destiny Rosich, and it states that Brooks took a swing and connected with her after a disagreement between Brooks and a neighbor in Kentucky back on April 9th.

It states that Brooks punched her in the eye, and that she was unconscious for a few moments.  Police came to the scene and at that time they told her that she could file a complaint, and she did.  The Bengals haven’t commented about the incident since it just took place.  The linebacker was a non-factor last year for the Bengals with a torn groin muscle that cost him a majority of the season.

Brooks has been ordered to appear in Boone District Court on June 6th.

Alexander Interested in Coming to Cincy?

While the Bengals seem to have a solid pair of running backs in Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry, there may be room for more, as the team may take a look at bringing in former Seahawk RB Shaun Alexander.  Jim Steiner, the agent for Alexander, told the Cincy Enquirer in an email - “Making calls to teams. Bengals are on our list!”

Now who really knows the interest level on the part of the Bengals, but Alexander if he can get healthy and back to form is going to help some team in 2008.  He has run for 9.429 yards in his career, and despite turning 31 on August 30th he appears to be ready to move on and continue his career elsewhere.

Other teams that may be in the mix for Alexander could be the Cardinals, Colts, Eagles, and Lions.  If Cincy is serious though about Alexander, he would give that offense an extra boost should he get near his MVP form of 2005.

Bengals Cut Safety Turnbull

The Bengals trimmed a player from their offseason roster.  Nick Turnbull is no longer with the team after he was released.  The safety was with Cincinnati on the practice squad for a couple games last season but was never active.  Meanwhile, the team is in the process of signing college free agents.  That list will be announced once signings are complete.

Bengals Select OLB Keith Rivers With The Ninth Pick

Going Defense; Bengals Take LB Rivers with 9th Pick

Big, fast, and strong.  Those are the words thrown around when talking about linebacker Keith Rivers, who was the Bengals first pick in Saturdays draft with the number 9 pick.  Rivers’ pick got little to no reaction at the Bengals draft party, but that does not matter to Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who knows that the team and specifically the defense, has to get better, and Rivers may be the first start to that D getting better in 2008.  He should and will fit in the Bengals system nicely.

Here is a scouting report on Rivers from NFLdraftcountdown.com

Strengths:
Excellent athleticism…Great speed with a burst to close…Quick and agile…Terrific range and makes plays sideline-to-sideline…Does a fantastic job in pursuit…Good frame with long arms…Motor runs non-stop and he is really active…Fluid and does a terrific job in coverage…A big hitter who can lay the lumber…Decent pass rusher and blitzer…Aggressive and plays with an attitude…Works through the trash and traffic well..Good instincts and recognition…Offers some versatility..A hard worker.

Weaknesses:
Could stand to add some weight…Needs to get stronger..More of a finesse player and is not overly physical…Plays out of control at times…Doesn’t take on or shed blockers all that well…Is not stout and can be run at…Needs to keep his pad level down…A playmaker in coverage?..Goes for the knockout rather than wrapping up.

Notes:
A elite recruit coming out of high school…Wore the #55 jersey for the Trojans that was made famous by guys like Junior Seau, Willie McGinest and Chris Claiborne…A outstanding all-around linebacker who shouldn’t ever have to leave the field…Has an ideal blend of natural talent, physical tools, and intangibles…Prototypical WILL.