I just don’t trust that management is strong enough to deal with character issue after character issue. Sure, they have more experience than any other team but the Raiders, but I wouldn’t call them successful at it.

I still don’t think the LJ signing is a good one…everyone wants to point to his success while Benson was out, but personality issues come out over time….anyone is able to keep their mouth under wraps for awhile, but the more weeks that go by with LJ sitting on the bench increase the possibility of his mouth starting to twitch.

So..the question is, do you really think that Shaun Smith has really changed his ways? do you think the guy that outed Ocho, baited Brady, badmouthed his GM, mouthed his way out of Detroit, has suddenly seen the light? I think both of these guys will be fine right up until things start to implode. Then they will be the first ones getting their quotes in the newspaper or up on their Twitter accounts.

we need a back up plan incase Peko doesn’t make it back this year. Besides, he might butt heads with Tank and we could get a really good cage match out of the deal. as long as he doesn’t puch Carson, I’m ok with it. hopefully it’s only needed for 3 or 4 games. the question is who looses a seat when the music stops. Not only do I vote for Daniel Coats, I thinks he should get a cherry belly for every dropped pass this year.

Why is it if the guy has a troubled past, he must be MB’s idea to sign him. This past off season the Bengals went out and signed Tank and Roy W. From what I have read they wanted to come here because of Zim.And Zim has played up the “nobody wanted you” very effectively. Peko is a run stuffer. The only one close to Peko in size is Sims. Harris is built more like Tank. Fanene and Rucker can play DT, but they are really needed at DE. Smith like LJ is a short term stop gap in the event that Peko doesn’t recover by year end. What other run stuffers are out there ? They must think Smith is a better choice than Langston Moore.

I think some would be needed against the vikings with all of their talent.

The difference between now and a few years ago: Guys we heavily depended on let us down. Took two years for us to recover from Odell Thurman. “Old” Chris Henry left us without a viable 3rd receiver in at least half the games. It’s a matter of depth and solid leadership already in place. If LJ wants to call Marv a fag and Shaun Smith wants to be a big fat baby….that’s great. The majority of the team WITH character will feed it to them like no one’s business and, ultimately, the Bengals will cut them with little or no financial loss. We’re not asking much. If they don’t pan out, not a big deal. And anyone thinking two dudes off the street are going to take over this lockerroom….look in the mirror….get serious.

not so cool…
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/12/09/bengals-sign-smith-put-coffman-on-ir/