Bengals Try Out Defensive Lineman Kentwan Balmer

by Anthony Cosenza on Oct 5, 2011 12:58 AM EDT

The Cincinnati Bengals usually have an off day on Tuesdays and use those days to tryout free agents they are looking at bringing on the roster. This Tuesday was no exception as they brought in another player to try out and possibly add to their already potent defense.

According to Aaron Wilson of The National Football Post and scout.com, the Bengals tried out former Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman, Kentwan Balmer. Balmer was a former first round pick of the 49ers in the 2008 NFL draft. He played for the 49ers until 2010 when he was traded to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick.

After recording a career high in tackles in 2010, the Seahawks cut Balmer during this year's preseason. After that, he was claimed off of waivers by Carolina. He was then let go by the Panthers during their final cuts and ended up trying out for Cincinnati on Tuesday.

Balmer played multiple positions for the 49ers along their defensive line in their 3-4 defense while in San Francisco, so the Bengals obviously like the fact that he's a bit versatile at 6-4, 315 pounds. The move makes sense because the Bengals only have three true defensive tackles on the current roster and they could use depth there. It also makes sense because Balmer is a former 49er defensive player, and this offseason proved that they love those players.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Balmer was a Beast at Carolina!

And if ANYONE can find his skill set, then it is Mike Zimmer!

Sign Him!

by Bengal Bruce on Oct 5, 2011 1:21 AM EDT reply actions

no room

I wouldn’t get rid of any of our dline for him.

by JCompton41 on Oct 5, 2011 1:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

But I would get rid of Peerman, considering they must think he's useless anyways.

by Cry on Oct 5, 2011 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Peerman is likely gone already.

He’s probably one of the first guys out, and we already need to make space for Williams, Rivers and Adam Jones (provided neither Rivers and Jones head to IR).
I wouldn’t take Balmer over any of our current D-line players, either, but it’s always good to be looking for players to improve our team. It’s possible that he provides more value as our 9th DL than another player further down the roster at another position (although less likely, as DL tend to contribute less on STs). It’s also useful for us to have taken a look at possibilities in case we sustain an injury (or suspension).

by Aether on Oct 5, 2011 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Geathers may not be healthy

"At the very end, somebody took a dump right where I stood in the dugout every day." Dusty Baker

by featherman on Oct 5, 2011 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions

im taking 3 people out for bobbie, rivers, and pacman

So peerman, mcglyn, and miles, after that I wouldn’t see who can be cut for anyone. To thin in secondary to lose another player, linebackers special teams players, dl no, ol is to thin if we cut mcglyn or otis to ps, wr to thin now. So after peerman we don’t have an expandable spot for anyone. Unless rivers gets ir’ed I guess.

by JCompton41 on Oct 5, 2011 9:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The Bengals will now have

The best former 1st round draft pick defense

by DTFCPDX on Oct 5, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I think they just like collecting former high draft picks

if he was so good why would he get cut?

by occams_tiger_teeth on Oct 5, 2011 1:51 AM EDT reply actions

What's the difference

between Balmer, Rucker, and Fanene? Is it worth the resulting discord to replace one of those two – either on the roster or reducing PT? Maybe Zim isn’t happy with the play of the current backups.

Joel, get off the babysitter

by LookingDeep on Oct 5, 2011 7:39 AM EDT reply actions

he cant be unhappy with backups

They have more sacks than the starters!

by JCompton41 on Oct 5, 2011 9:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The seem to have good luck with first round picks that didn't work out

for other teams. Who are the dline that only signed 1 year deals? Also Geathers hasn’t been healthy if I’m not mistaken.

by Luke on Oct 5, 2011 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

In Zim I trust

At this point, I don’t question anything the Zim does. He’s one heck of a defensive coordinator and I hope the Bengals find a way to keep him around for a long time.

by M Shop on Oct 5, 2011 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

Amen!

Give pizza chants.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Oct 5, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather bring up Shirley

I’d love to have a fourth DT, but I don’t think it should be Balmer. If he couldn’t even make it onto (god-awful) Seattle’s roster…

by Big Sky Bengal on Oct 5, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

It's a tryout

most of them end up being just that. The possibilities are endless: does he fit the system, would he be a good fit if one of the DLs goes down, what’s his attitude like ? . What are the odds of not having a major injury before year end. You need to have back up plans in the event someone is needed. I don’t get this tryout as a sign that Zim is dissatisfied with someone’s performance.

by redberkey on Oct 5, 2011 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

Or maybe

Geathers is injured badly enough to be put on IR

by DTFCPDX on Oct 5, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this says something about what Zimmer is doing

Neither Peko or Sims are true 3-4 D tackles. Balmer is a guy who has played NT in a 3-4 scheme. My guess is that Zimmer wanted to look at him as someone who can give him more options (ie…a 3-4 to get an extra LB on the field, maybe Moch).

by WOOD98 on Oct 7, 2011 2:00 AM EDT reply actions