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NFL rosters will be trimmed to 75 on Aug. 28, then get sliced to 53 on Sept. 1 — "Cutdown Day." With 21 days remaining until Cincinnati's 2007 NFL opener against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, it's time to take a look at how the Bengals' 53-man roster shapes up. But first thing's first. Please allow me to step out on a limb with ...
Five bold predictions
1. QB Carson Palmer will keep the momentum going by throwing for 4,000 yards for a second straight year to go with 36 TD passes and 18 interceptions. He deserves mention in the same breath with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. 2. WR Chris Henry's eight-game suspension will be devastating, causing the Bengals to lose at least three games. No other candidate for the No. 3 receiver role can approach Henry's talent. 3.Rookie first-round draft pick Leon Hall will replace Deltha O'Neal as the starting left cornerback by Game 5. Hall's coverage technique, ball skill and toughness in run support are exceptional. O'Neal's contract runs through 2008, but he'll be gone after 2007.
4. The 30th-ranked defense will remain in the bottom third of the league because it's too inconsistent and lacks an identity. The line is too soft, the secondary is too young and the linebacker corps is too unstable. 5. Before the Sept. 10 opener, the Bengals will pluck a receiver, tailback and cornerback off the waiver wire.
Ludwig's mock 53-man roster
Quarterbacks (2): Carson Palmer, Jeff Rowe. In his limited opportunities, Rowe has shown more ability, poise and savvy than Doug Johnson. Running backs (4): Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson, Jeremi Johnson, Chris Manderino. The club needs Manderino, a sturdy Golden Bear from Cal, as a bridge until Jeremi Johnson's hamstring is fully healed. Wide receivers (6): Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tab Perry, Reggie McNeal, Glenn Holt, Skyler Green. McNeal and Green survive because of their kick-return ability. Holt, who has a pulled hamstring, deserves some slack because he's a proven winner on special teams. Antonio Chatman can't stay healthy and Bennie Brazell doesn't stick because he's a fragile, one-dimensional speed receiver with questionable hands. Tight ends (2): Reggie Kelly, Nate Lawrie. Nicknamed "Senator" because he holds a political science degree from Yale, Lawrie has more experience than upstart rookie Daniel Coats. Offensive linemen (10): Levi Jones, Stacy Andrews, Eric Ghiaciuc, Bobbie Williams, Willie Anderson, Andrew Whitworth, Scott Kooistra, Nate Livings, Dan Santucci, Adam Kieft. Kieft's comeback from a devastating knee injury in 2005 is one of the team's feel-good stories. Defensive linemen (9): Bryan Robinson, Domata Peko, John Thornton, Justin Smith, Robert Geathers, Michael Myers, Jonathan Fanene, Kenderick Allen, Matt Toeaina. It's time to send injury-riddled Frostee Rucker packing. Linebackers (7): Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks, Landon Johnson, Andre Frazier, Ed Hartwell, Caleb Miller, *Eric Henderson. Don't be surprised if Hartwell beats out Brooks as the starting middle linebacker. Secondary (10): Deltha O'Neal, Johnathan Joseph, Dexter Jackson, Madieu Williams, Leon Hall, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, John Busing, Herana-Daze Jones, Ethan Kilmer. Where's Keiwan Ratliff? Long gone. Specialists (3): Kicker Shayne Graham, punter Kyle Larson and long snapper Brad St. Louis. The "Three Amigos" live. Practice squad (8): TE Daniel Coats, LB Matt Muncy, OT Alan Reuber, TB Curtis Brown, FB Stan White, LB Earl Everett, CB T.J. Wright, DE Xzavie Jackson. *Note: If Henderson (wrist) goes on Injured Reserve, the club should keep CB Brandon Williams. Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2007/08/19/ddn082007benglance.html |
