What about Dexter Jackson?

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 26, 2008 11:35 PM EST in Analysis

Towards the end of the season, there was talk that Dexter Jackson could be a roster causality. While viewed as an on-field leader and decent blitzer, Jackson has struggled against the pass his entire Cincinnati career. Figuring the team is hitting their stride on their youth movement in the secondary, the Bengals would have likely used Jackson as a mentor to apprentice the younger safeties anyway. That was based on the assumption that the team could re-sign Madieu Williams.

With reports that negotiations between the Bengals and Williams are going nowhere, it seems likely Marvin Lewis would keep Jackson on board for 2008 with a cap friendly $1.7 million. Jackson is scheduled to make $1.3 million for 2008 and $1.5 million in 2009.

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Dex probably sticks...

...but mostly to give a little more time for Chinny to learn; Nduke is the future at SS and if he keeps playing like he did last season the future won't be long in coming. Asuming that hapens look for Dex to get cut loose next offseason and for recently re-signed Indiana Jones to move into the No. 2 SS slot.

As to a replacement for Madieu, I think that the leading candidates would be White and The Most Overhyped Backup DB In The History Of Football, aka Kaesviharn Jr. aka Ethan "Killer" Kilmer. (And hey, I like Kilmer but can we see him play for more than a few games before we declare him the Second Coming and waste active roster spots on his injured arse?)

They could also move Deltha to safety...

by BeerRun on Feb 27, 2008 9:55 AM EST reply actions

Re:

My thought is that if they're purging the defense this year (don't you just love Hobson's column on this) then surely Dexter, Williams and O'Neal would be gone too.

Gee, it could be just like last year where they came out of training camp and then cut the LBs that played the 4 exhibition games so that they didn't have enough backups.

My thinking is that as a norm, Cincy is cheap and therefore we're bound to see alot of new players this year. Maybe the reasoning is that the Browns figure that they will raise fan enthusiasm by having a bunch of new talent on hand that way all of us can say....wow, as soon as these players get experience Cincy will be a contender.

I know it sounds kind of negative but I think it's all about right now and not next year or the year after. It's always right now in football.

by davidincincinnati on Feb 27, 2008 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

Dexter and Deltha

People continually say to cut these guys but they both have one year left on their contract. Guys perform in contract years. We need both a third safety and a third corner and there is no reason to get rid of these guys. Deltha is going to be better than any third corner that we get at this point. Dexter is needed because Madieu will be gone. The young safeties did play well but it was against some pretty average to smelly offenses.

by mp45242 on Feb 27, 2008 11:49 AM EST reply actions

Argument Against Deltha

Has always been his attitude. I agree, keeping Jackson and O'Neal would benefit this team based on depth. But since 2006, we keep hearing about O'Neal being unhappy -- either because of money after a career year or essentially being demoted via Leon Hall.

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 27, 2008 12:17 PM EST reply actions

Madieu is expendable.

I'd like to see them ink Williams to a long term deal which would allow him to be the veteran presence in the backfield for several years. He can play both CB and Safety and would make a nice nickelback.

But given the current situation, the Bengals are in a good bargaining position, with four young bloods and two veterans under contract beyond Madieu.

Unfortunately, it may be time to bid Madieu, adieu.

by goffchile on Feb 27, 2008 1:38 PM EST reply actions

Re

bid Madieu, adieu.

You worked on that, didn't you. LOL

You sound like a Hobson with that one. LOL

by davidincincinnati on Feb 27, 2008 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

Deltha

I'm just saying there is no reason to create needs at this point. We have enough in TE, C, D-line (x2 or 3), LB and maybe even RB. There's no reason to add CB and S to this.

Given Deltha's motiviation (money), he'll come to play this year.

Cutting O'Neal would make us have to rely on Blue Adams.

by mp45242 on Feb 27, 2008 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Kenny Phillips?

Been crunching all the mock drafts I could find and one intriguing speculation has us taking Miami safety, Phillips- who could be an Ed Reed type playmaker, followed by Pat Sims(DT) and Trevor Laws(DT) in rounds 2 and 3. Ndukwe, I'm sold on, not so much Marvin White. If we kept Dexter and let him groom the Phillips? Also, three or four mocks have Glenn Dorsey falling to us because of concerns over the microfracture in his leg. That, I could handle.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Feb 27, 2008 7:51 PM EST reply actions