Otis Hudson, Future Hall of Famer, Close to Signing

by BeerRun on Jul 6, 2010 9:23 PM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals 2010 fifth-round draft pick Otis Hudson is close to signing, according to bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. This will come as welcome news to fans who are getting antsy over the lack of activity in Cincinnati, but as a long-time observer of the team I'm resigned to that. The Bengals are rarely particularly proactive, a trait that often comes back to haunt them, but as the saying goes, "it is what it is."

I'll be surprised if there are any serious problems getting draft picks signed this year, but as Hobson suggests, expect most of the action later this month.

As for Otis, I am officially adopting him as "my man." (h/t Animal House). Hudson got an inordinate (IMHO) amount of crap after he was drafted because no one knew who the hell he was (so of course this must be another example of the front office's incompetence), so for no reason whatsoever I am predicting Otis to be a future Hall of Famer. Remember, you heard it here first.

Of course, if these guys have any idea what they're talking about, then Otis has a tough nut to crack: the seventh-best offensive line in the league. Initially I thought that was a bit high, but then I caught this over at RealGMFootball which, at least every time I ever visit, always seems to be hating on Cincinnati.

Respect? Well, not so fast. Others here have already pointed to the Baltimore Sun "analysis," and Walter isn't giving the Bengals any love, either. Of course, he also predicts that the only AFC North team with more than seven wins will be the Ravens. If that's the case, it will be the first time in the post-realignment era that the division has had just one team with a winning record. So I feel safe in saying that I think he's being a bit pessimistic about at least one of the AFC North teams this year (and I don't think that team plays in Cleveland or Pittsburgh).

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God Please NO!

Do not refernece Walterfootball.com… Its mainly Matt McGuire but the site in general is not the greatest place for football opinion.

by Jaydolla on Jul 6, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

I've always found it insightful

Walter was, after all one of the few pimping Cincy last year. But I think he’s gotten too sucked into the “Carson is done/Baltimore is teh awsome!?&^#!!!” meme this year.

by BeerRun on Jul 6, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I still think Walter's great

and he lists his reasons why they won’t necessarily succeed, chief among them the schedule. We can’t argue that.

But the other two things are “Big IF’s,” and they take Cincy to 7-9. He lists three Big IFs for the Ravens and they’re 12-4. You can’t convince a guy who’s convinced about “his team” anything to the contrary. Love Walt to death, but he is one stubborn SOB.

by Pardon_My_French on Jul 6, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Brutal prediction

That was surprising. I’m not sure I can agree that Carson is a shell of his former self, or that Dhani is obviously in rapid decline.

Then, this one is a bit of a limitied sample size if I say so;

(Antonio Bryant)has always disappointed after signing a new contract.

Really? He’s had what, 2 contracts including his rookie one?
Lastly, are Tank and Sims really that bad as a rotation and Ndukwe and Williams as well? I mean I would estimate solid plus for either of those rotations, being solid vet paired with 3rd year players who have been effective in the past. Seems like an enviable way to develop younger players without the risk of having them completely sink.

I think the points about the difference in schedule are solid. But what people overlook is the fact that the only real difference between the Bengals and Ravens is San Diego and Indy vs Denver and Houston. It’s just 2 games, and there is a difference between them, but it’s not like any game is out of reach for any team.

One funny thing is that they mentioned 5 very easy teams from last season, Chicago being one of them, and how they edged 3 of them by only 7, 9 and 10 points. Beating a team by 7 or more is pretty solid, so I’m not sure how he was using those scores against weaker teams in his argument against the Bengals. Yet they threw Caroline this season in the list as a team that will be difficult to beat. If you include Carolina or par with the Bears of last year (people thought they were winning the SB before the season), that gives you Browns x2, Bills, Panthers and Bucs. That’s 5 games where it should be pretty easy, some of which could be more than a 7 point spread, which (again) is a hard line to beat.

I get that this site predicted how well the record last season, but that doesn’t mean that they are going to bat 1.000 two years in a row. And though they really seem to know what they are talking about, they take way too much liberty in some of those rationalizations that they base thier decisions on.

Honestly, it is going to be difficult for any team in the AFC north to get a bye in the playoffs. But every year some teams do much better than expected and some teams do worse. The Bengals will probably be looking at at least a couple of teams not being as tough as people are thinking due to the fact that they will have a 12 of the projected top 10 teams they play against on thier schedule (yes, I know how that is worded, but seriously, every site is different in who they think will be the top 10 teams this year). I have seen mized reviews about nearly every one of the supposed strong teams. The season will be a challenge, but the balance really hinges on the first 2 games in my opinion. And both of those games are winnable for the Bengals.

It turns out I overestimated my apathy, but not enough to matter.

by einman77 on Jul 6, 2010 11:48 PM EDT reply actions

Waiting for the Elevator.

I’m getting really ancy about Andre Smith already. The closer the season gets, the more I’m going to be pushing the “up” button in the elevator lobby.
“C’mon…. Come on already!!!”

2010 - The Year of the Tiger.

by UpStateMike on Jul 7, 2010 9:12 AM EDT reply actions