The Lewis and Brown Show is back! Once again this show's resident tricksters have surprised us...yet not surprised us, with moves that are expected and others that leave us with a scrunched up bitter beer face. When I was one of the Belichick faithful and the team would do something a little off, I would shake my head, then shake it off. Obviously, he has proven that he is a Mad Scientist with wins and consistency. Marvin and Mikey, not so much. Instead of shaking it off, I just shake in my flip flops.
When I think of the tandem of Lewis and Brown...well I am not sure what or who I would compare them to. If Belichick is the Mad Scientist then the combo we in Cincinnati have all grown to love would be...hmmm, maybe Abbott and Costello. They are a bucket of laughs with small moments of short lived greatness. They have made some questionable decisions in the past, sure, but after the whole Quitter (for those not up to speed, Carson Palmer) debacle, we thought they were geniuses. I, personally, thought that they had turned the corner. They got some good guys last year in the draft and free agency, picked up a great offensive coach in Gruden, and the guys really straightened up. Then comes 2012. So far, so good, all is great. Then today, they make a roster move, that was expected. This led to a pick up completely unexpected, a real head scratcher.
So, here is your latest Bengals news: As expected, with the new IR Return rule, the team placed injured Center Kyle Cook on IR with the status of "designated to return". He is like the motherboard to your computer and a huge part of the offense. He knows everything and keeps everyone operating correctly. So, he is the obvious IR pick to return after his surgery. With that being said, in as little as 7 weeks he can return to practice and play in 9 weeks. With Cook on IR, a roster spot opens up. The team could really use a Defensive Lineman due to the injuries that have plagued the position. Another route, everyone expected them to take, was an offensive guard or lineman. We are thinned out there and Andy clearly needs more or better protection per the preseason performances.
All this suspense, I know. Let me put your mind at ease. Mikey and Marvin have decided the team, instead, needs another TE. That's right a 4th TE. Wait a minute...the light bulb in my head finally went off. What a great idea! I totally get it now! These guys are still geniuses! They are going to be the new Patriots! Wow!! And, if you believed that, then you too can own and operate the Bengals organization too.
Are these guys kidding me right now? We now have 4 TE? We aren't that type of team and if we were trying to be, we sure as hell would have signed someone that is actually good at the position. They filled the roster spot with a guy named Richard Quinn. You haven't heard of him? Me either. Turns out he was selected in the 2nd round in 2009 by Denver. In the 09-10 seasons, he played in 29 games and had 4 starts. Already sounds promising, huh. Then he was released from Denver in August of 2011 to not be picked up again until December by Washington. He played all preseason with one 1 catch for 9 yards. Ha! In fact, he only has 1 career reception at all! When I read these stats, I am definitely nodding my head saying, "Hell yeah! That's a great pick! Who Dey!" Sarcasm Alert.
I guess, whatever, if you want to waste your time or if you think he is a good guy. I don't know him, maybe he sings songs and bakes brownies at orphanages in his spare time. In fact, I am sure he is great and his personality is probably golden. However, why waste the roster spot when your team has needs at other positions? I appreciate them keeping us on our toes with the element of surprise, but this just doesn't make sense.
I am probably making too big of a deal about this move. I am just getting nervous. The season is starting in less than 24 hours and I want to believe in this team this year. I more than want to, I do believe in this team. I believe that they are playoff contenders. I believe that Andy will be better. I believe the Defense will be in the top 5. I believe we will stand up to the bullies of the AFC North. So when I see stupid, little things like this, I get scared. Will the critics be right? Will there be a sophomore slump? Will we keep up with the Bengals of old and not make it back to the playoffs? Will the Steelers and Ravens still have our number? We need to get the proper personnel in place and a Tight End right now, that no team seems to want, probably isn't the proper personnel. We need beefed up. So, maybe it isn't a horrible move, but it sure as hell isn't a smart move. Especially when there are so many fans that are still doubters and haters.
I had a couple fantasy football drafts this weekend. One of which, was live. This is a good environment to get a feel about what people think of teams and players. These guys are all Cincinnati guys, wearing their Bengals gear, and going to games. It was eye opening to see, that they still don't believe in their own team. It was almost taboo to take a Bengal. In fact, for the most part, they mocked people for taking Bengals players. If your own fans are skeptical, why make the irrelevant move that no one understands. Why not make the smart move and show them you are serious about your future? Until you win a Playoff game for this city, you need to play it safe. These fans, need to trust you. Until they do, you are never going to earn their respect.
Quinn's pick up was not the way to do this. This move, is sort of like breaking your right leg. You hobble in to the hospital with a bone sticking out from your flesh and when the doctor starts to fix it, you say, "No Doc, the leg isn't why I'm here. Why don't you put a cast on my left arm instead. I think that will make it feel all better." Sigh...who knows. Maybe we will be the Patriots this year, maybe he is the best blocking TE in the world. Something tells me, though, that he wouldn't have been available if he was.
Moving along, I suppose. In the wake of roster moves today, the team also decided to drop Bryce Davis TE/LS from the practice squad. This leaves the practice team with 2 openings. Maybe we should all try out! I kid, they aren't that bad. I just sometimes wonder what is going on. Am I right to question?
Who Dey!
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