Bengals release lineman Scott Kooistra; making the argument that Fui Vakapuna signing makes sense

by Kirkendall on Nov 3, 2009 4:40 PM EST in Contracts Comment 10 comments

While the Bengals weren't happy enough to keep Fui Vakapuna on the team's 53-man roster in early September, they've signed him to the team's 53-man roster on Tuesday. However, that's yet to be announced as of this post, but his agent confirmed nonetheless. That left the Bengals with 54 guys on the roster, which is, you know, bad. To make room, the Bengals elected to terminated "the contract of long-time backup offensive lineman Scott Kooistra."

Here's where I think signing Fui Vakapuna makes sense.

Vakapuna brings you versatility. With Bernard Scott and Jeremi Johnson coming off injuries, the Bengals are in optimistic flux. If Jeremi Johnson can't go, throw Vakapuna in there. If Bernard Scott can't go, then Brian Leonard probably goes. But Vakapuna could be a second backup running back. If Bernard Scott and Jeremi Johnson can't go, wham. You have Vakapuna, who could play both spots. Not at the same time, of course. Someone like that would be drafted at least in the third round.

Along with being able to play fullback, Vakapuna is also an accomplished running back, scoring 18 touchdowns (14 on the ground) in four seasons (42 games) with the BYU Cougars. He averaged 4.7 yards-per-rush in his collegiate career. For the sake of a pointless (now) argument, Chris Pressley was a nasty fullback, and if we're looking to have a backup fullback in the category of "oh boy, Johnson is hurt", then Pressley is obviously your guy... if he wasn't already with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But Pressley carried the football 25 times in his career at Wisconsin and scored one touchdown. If the Bengals were in desperate need of a running back (ala against Chicago Bears), Pressley doesn't give you much. Vakapuna gives you more.

I would go so far as to say that even if Pressley were with the Bengals practice squad, Fui Vakapuna is still signed with the Bengals. If Marvin Lewis likes anything (besides busted garage gates at five in the morning), he loves versatility with his players. And since Vakapuna brings that by being able to play fullback and running back, it makes sense to have one guy to fill in both roles while guys work on recoverable injuries.

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who is the guy we signed to the practice Squad?

some college free agent OT from Penn State

CB85......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on Nov 3, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You meant to say

If Marvin Lewis loves anything it’s Samoans

by brandone on Nov 3, 2009 5:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

why shouldn’t he? they’ve been the best part of our team the last few years. in fact, we ought to just scout exclusively in samoa from now on.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Nov 4, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with you saying they would have signed Vakapuna if Pressley was still around.

Why would they? They already chose Pressley over Vakapuna in preseason, and he proved to be a more intense blocker while Fui appeared to be a little hesitant to be aggressive enough at the point of contact. But I do agree he brings more to the table in terms of an offensive threat. He can probably catch the ball better than Pressley and even Jeremi which is a real luxury in our offense, Jeremi’s already dropped a couple passes this year. I doubt he gets many carries unless Scott is out, and in that case I hope he doesn’t.

Jeremi’s injury must be more cause for alarm than we thought, because after all they already have an experienced fullback in Coats, right?

by St. Esiason on Nov 3, 2009 8:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

RE:

For the most part, I agree. But I doubt the Bengals would have kept two fullbacks on the 53-man roster. And my thinking, which is speculation if anything, is that Lewis would have signed Fui even if Pressley were on the PS, to fill two roles. If the question is strictly the team’s primary fullback, then Pressley would have that job hands down.

So I think this is in response to two injuries at two positions that Fui can fill, rather than Pressley who would have been a backup fullback — and thus inactive most of the time anyway if JJ were active on game day.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Nov 3, 2009 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs