Rashad Jeanty and Corey Mays signed for 2008

by Kirkendall on Mar 24, 2008 1:56 PM EDT in Contracts

In the article referenced above -- the one where only Glenn Holt signed that was updated to show three ER-FA signed -- the Bengals have Rashad Jeanty and Corey Mays under contract for 2008 -- both linebackers. This gives the Cincinnati Bengals 12 linebackers signed for 2008 -- including David Pollack and Odell Thurman. They are, in no particular order:

Linebacker	Age	Seasons	Games	Started
Rashad Jeanty	24	2	22	16
Ahmad Brooks	23	2	13	7
Dhani Jones	30	8	109	83
Jim Maxwell	26	4	36	--
Corey Mays	24	2	20	1
Anthony Schlegel	26	2	17	5
David Pollack	25	2	14	6
Eric Henderson	25	1	0	0
Odell Thurman	24	1	16	16*
Darryl Blackstock	24	3	46	--
Roy Manning	26	3	21	--
Brandon Johnson	24	2	9	--

Only Brooks, Jones, Schlegel, Pollack and Thurman are signed beyond 2008. The team's linebackers are mostly filled with young inexperienced linebackers -- Rashad Jeanty and Dhani Jones account for 74% of total starts by linebackers signed for 2008.

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LBs

While I repeat that the Bengals have to do whatever it is they need to do in order to get Sedrick Ellis or Glen Dorsey, linebacker continues to be a need.

LB is a very similar situation to what we hd last year. Some assume our linebacker corps is fine but we are still currently in a situation where we are depending on unknowns/what-if's to step up. This got us nowhere last year. Once again, we are relying on Odell and Ahmad to be monsters when they have done nothing the past two years.

If we don't do whatever we need to do to get Dorsey or Ellis (which will anger me), I have a feeling we'll take Keith Rivers. I'm still processing how I feel about this possibility but it is still a need. The problem is that no matter who we have at linebacker, if they are dealing with our inept D-tackles, they don't have much of a chance.

Gotta get Dorsey or Ellis. Got to. (or make some unforeseen trade for a force at DR).

by mp45242 on Mar 25, 2008 2:47 PM EDT 0 recs

DR = DT

by mp45242 on Mar 25, 2008 2:59 PM EDT 0 recs

Dorsey or Ellis

I agree. Looking at a mindnumbing number of mock drafts over the last couple of days, the specualtion is running about 70% that we'd get Ellis without moving up and a minute but growing trend towards Dorsey falling that far- with Rivers, Harvey, and Merling(in that order), being the consolation prizes. Either way, it's not enough of a lock for us to cross our fingers and hope. If you'd have asked me in December, the idea of getting Dorsey would have just thrilled me. But, in the interim, questions about Glenn's microfractures and injuries in general- coupled with watching Ellis manhandle folks in the Senior Bowl, I've now concluded that Sedrick Ellis may be a bigger no-brainer than Carson was when he came out, the missing foundation for our lackluster defense. He's mean, strong, relentless, and disruptive- on the field, and he seems to be a good guy off it. So, yeah, if it takes a move up to get Ellis, then move up we must. Far as LB goes, if Odell comes back hungry and Brooks is healthy, I like our chances with Jeanty, Dhani Jones, Schlegel, Blackstock, and, hopefully, Henderson rounding out the corps. I would be pretty disappointed with Rivers as a first rounder but would like to see maybe Curtis Lofton or Jerrod Mayo in the second- or even Stanford Kegler from Purdue in the 4th or 5th.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 25, 2008 6:12 PM EDT 0 recs

Stability

If we can start fewer than 5 LB's throughout the year, I think our defense will be much better than last year, regardless of which of those 12 it may be. The revolving door at linebacker throughout Lewis's tenure has been the biggest problem. If we have Thurman, Brooks, and Jones healthy, the defense might actually be good.

As for the draft, we need Ellis. A good DT which can collapse the pocket will make everyone else better. I think Rivers is a Lance Briggs type player that can make a good defense great, but would only have a marginal impact with us.

by Smigelskas on Mar 25, 2008 6:55 PM EDT 0 recs

Dorsey or Ellis

Dorsey or Ellis sound great to me but who out there thinks that if the Bengals keep the 9th pick that the player drafted there will be signed in time to be able to play the first game of the season. I don't but I hope I'm wrong.

by toolmaker on Mar 25, 2008 8:23 PM EDT 0 recs