Levi Jones Query

by MattRichWarren on May 16, 2009 10:28 AM EDT Comment 23 comments

Hey Cincy Jungle. Matt from Buffalo Rumblings here.

Why get rid of Levi Jones when you have problems at RT? I am aware of his injury history but even with that the guy is better than your current RT isn't he? I ask because some people over at Rumblings are talking like Levi Jones would be the answer to our prayers at LT but the Bengals didn't want him at RT.

I know you may not always agree with the front office but is there any reason to believe he will be healthy in 2009?

Any response I get is appreciated. Thanks guys.

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Levi is a LT, and a good one when he’s healthy. The problem is that he’s gone 3 years without being healthy for more than a few games at a stretch. Marvin has very little patience for anyone who doesn’t play, for any reason, unless they’re a superstar talent.

by indesignkat on May 16, 2009 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RE:

Hey Matt,

There’s several issues with Jones. Injury is the top concern. However, because of the injuries, he’s slowed down. He’s not as fleet footed, and he’s had problems with speed rushers. In truth, he’s a shell of what he was.

Kat is right though. If Jones is completely healthy, he’s really good. The problem is that Cincinnati had to move on to rebuild the foundation of their offensive line. Keeping Jones meant that he’d start. Otherwise, we’d be paying a guy nearly $5 million a year to sit the bench. It just wasn’t feasible.

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

by Kirkendall on May 16, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the response.

I have been against bringing Jones in because of the injuries. It’s not a shoulder or something like that. The pass rusher who is known for his great feet and legs has a bum knee and can’t move like he used to.

I will pass on the info.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 16, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember that he played 4 days after surgery

by cincyboy on May 16, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another Rumblings Blogger here.

If he played 4 days after an injury, doesn’t that show a little bit of a lack of judgement on his (or the Bengals’ coaching staff) part. I mean you just had surgery, take a week off.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 17, 2009 6:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes and No

If I remember correctly, Jones suffered his injury in 2006 while the Bengals were pushing for the playoffs. They just lost their veteran center for his career, and a rookie left tackle was taking Jones’ place. It showed a lot of grit with Jones, impressing the hell out of everyone that he could return so quickly.

Was it smart? No, probably not. Was it impressive as hell? Yea.

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

by Kirkendall on May 17, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah ok I thought it was a regular season game. I can see himself (perhaps unintelligently) pushing himself back into action for the playoffs.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 17, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s expected of players to want to play, even when they’re not ready to come back yet. It is the norm, and players that refuse are considered whiny quitters. That’s just the mentality in the NFL. Go back and look at any of the interviews with coaches when someone asks about an injured player, without fail they say “If it was up to him (player), he’d be back in there already.” It’s up to the staff to get them ready to play again and to make the right call on when to put them back in.

by indesignkat on May 17, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutly agreed. That being said, it doesn’t mean that going back in is the smart thing to do. Just about the only reason why I’d go back in that early is if it gave me a chance to win a championship… which it did for Jones.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 17, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ross Tucker talked about this is his article on Javon Walker.

Go check it out at SI.com. It’s the article about secret surgeries and keeping medical info from the team. It talks about the pressure to come back in even if you are not ready.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 18, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

cool, thanks.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 20, 2009 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is he better than out other guy? Not anymore

We drafted a LT in the 4th round last year and when Levi went down for good last year, Anthony Collins stepped in and played excellent. So we were not suprised when Levi was cut. Hes a very good LT when healthy. i wouldnt play him at RT. It was time for us to move on.

Would i say sign him? Well i live in Buffalo and i know the Bills. So i would say yes. Your really dont want Langston Walker at LT. but Levi WILL miss a game next year. so plan for it

by firstPick on May 16, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well that's the thing...

Walker will at least be consistent and has proven to be durable. Our staff will be able to plan for Walker’s shortcomings. They won’t be able to plan for an injury to Jones. Then do you really end up with the best OL?

I’m not saying Walker will handle the role swimmingly. I’m saying he should be adequate at the role. Mike friggin’ Gandy was the LT on the Cardinals last year and they made it to the Super Bowl.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 16, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true. Go with Walker this year and hopefully Demetruis Bell can continue to improve and be the eventual LT someday

by firstPick on May 16, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is the plan as of right now.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 16, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way...

Why live in Buffalo and root for the Bengals? The Bills might not be great but come on! :-)

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 16, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha. well im 22 years old. So the first vision i had of football was the Bengals VS 49ers superbowl. and my mom had a crush on Boomer Esiason. Everyone else in my family is die hard Bills fans. I still follow them and root for them.and i go to games

by firstPick on May 16, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am 25.

And my first memory is Jim Kelly to Andre Reed. You grew up in a town that was ~~drooling~~ foaming at the mouth over a team of Bills. That’s just wrong. :-)

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 17, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s a good guy and still has the passion (in my opinion) but just can’t physically handle it anymore.

by smoormandiddy on May 16, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 16, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One other thing about Levi.

Beyond the injury, Levi had what may or may not have been a legitimate gripe with the coaches and medical staff here- concerning pressuring him to come back from a knee problem(I think) before he was ready. This, of course, made the injury worse, made him lose playing time, eventually kind of drove him out of the starting line-up. What really transpired, I couldn’t say but I wouldn’t be shocked to find a rejuvenated Levi in a different environment. Just food for thought.

by IgnatiusJReilly on May 16, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs