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Bengals interested in defensive back prospect Akwasi Owusu-Ansah

We've talked about in the past. But I honestly believe that the Bengals have one of the league's best cornerback duos in Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. Enabling the defense to be more aggressive, both corners held their own, even shutting down, some of the league's best receivers. While Morgan Trent showed he could play ball, he never came across to me as the type of cornerback that could start with this team and flourish. Good role player. And that's not a bad thing. However, he's likely one nasty hit away from being a starter and that could put a severe depression into the confidence of the team's passing defense.

Yes, depth at cornerback is suspect. Trent shows he's decent and David Jones is, at best, a career nickel corner. There's also a reason that the Bengals expressed interest in Phillip Buchanon, who was released by the Detroit Lions last week. The Minnesota Vikings are also interested.

However, free agency isn't the only goldmine to find cornerbacks that could help the team's cornerback depth.

Carlos Holmes writes that the Bengals are checking out defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (I'm worn out) from Indiana University Pennsylvania. NFL Draft Bible projects him between the fourth and fifth rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft writing, "He has the athletic ability to succeed, combined with his speed, it makes him a tough shut down cover corner. He is a great on special teams as both a kick and punt returner, which will help his stock come draft day."

In 2008, Owusu-Ansah recorded eight interceptions, following that up his senior year with a pair. NFL.com writes:

Owusu-Ansah is an outstanding player at the division II level that will need to make the transition to the talent in the NFL. He is an athletic defender that can play as a rolled up corner in cover two or possible a safety in the box. Owusu-Ansah has excellent instincts and ball skills to maintain leverage as a run defender as well as making plays in the passing game. He is as solid rap tackler and can contribute on coverage units (special teams) as well as being an excellent return specialist at this level. Owusu-Ansah is a prospect that may take a year or two to make the jump to the next level but has the raw athleticism, attitude and measurables to develop into a solid NFL player.

His 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine ranked third amongst cornerbacks -- by two hundreds of a second -- and his 11.23 60-yard shuttle ranked inside the top ten at his position.

Holmes writes that the Browns are also interested.

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Hopefully this guy doesn't catch Jerome Simpson-itis

Some say a comet will fall from the sky. Followed by meteor showers and tidal waves.
Followed by faultlines that cannot sit still. Followed by millions of dumbfounded dips**ts.

by btcoop71 on Mar 11, 2010 12:25 PM EST reply actions  

A lot of teams will be interested in Uwusu-Ansah because of his size,strength,athleticism,speed and return ability. He is also considered versatile because he could project as a free safety or nickle corner as a rookie. He had a great combine and could go as high as Rd 3. Would be a nice pick-up for the Bengals in Rd 4.

by virginiastripes on Mar 11, 2010 12:54 PM EST reply actions  

I hope

Earl Thomas is there at 21.

by sgiridharan1982 on Mar 11, 2010 12:57 PM EST reply actions  

That, my friend is wishful thinking.

Taylor Mays might be around at 21, but he may have just shot into the Al Davis wildcard with his combine.

Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Mar 11, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Prediction

The Bengals will use either their 3rd round pick or their compensation 3rd rounder, if they get one for Housh, or Stacy Andrews, on this guy to keep him away from the browns in the 4th.

Proof it’s happened before, Klingler.

by JoseOle on Mar 11, 2010 1:01 PM EST reply actions  

I think they will address CB in the first two days of the draft

both to fill the nickel need with teams like SD, Indy, and NOLA on the schedule and to have a potential replacement option if the Bengals do not re-sign JJ or Leon as their contracts come up in the next few years.

A late third or fourth rounder for a guy with all the CB measurables that may need seasoning isn’t bad, especially since small school CBs seem to have the easiest transition to the NFL for all small school players.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Mar 11, 2010 1:04 PM EST reply actions  

I also like that...

he could potentially play free safety/corner. That gives him a lot of versatility and upside.

by The Dealio on Mar 11, 2010 1:18 PM EST up reply actions  

In this draft, there are several interesting college CBs who are considered to have the versatility to play some Safety in the NFL, e.g., Chris Cook,Ansah,Myron Lewis and Brian Jackson. These guys could play nickel corner and could provide the kind of exceptional coverage ability that Zimmer is looking for in a safety. However, this draft is so deep that some pretty good pure CBs may be around on Day 3,e.g., Donovan Warren,Chris Hawkins, Walter Thurmond,Walter McFadden, and A.J. Jefferson.

by virginiastripes on Mar 11, 2010 1:50 PM EST reply actions  

Hey,wait a minute!

If I remember correctly, last year at this time this Holmes fellow wrote that the Bengals were interested in drafting Rashad Jennings, the RB from Liberty U. As it turned out, however, the Bengies passed on 5 opportunities to select Jennings in the last 2 rounds. Okay, Carlos, what gives?

by virginiastripes on Mar 11, 2010 2:31 PM EST reply actions  

Akwasi is potentially a good player

But we had better give Safety some consideration, not to the point of reaching, but we have a need for another Safety that can play to the level of the rest of the D against both the run and pass. We do need another CB as insurance but we need a better Safety to give some quality service this year. Ndukwe is too much of a liability in coverage on passing downs.

"Coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Mar 11, 2010 2:55 PM EST reply actions  

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