Bengals Add Guard Otis Hudson to Practice Squad; Cut Defensive Tackle Jason Shirley

by Anthony Cosenza on Oct 7, 2011 6:16 PM EDT

With offensive guard Bobbie Williams' return to the Bengals after his suspension, there's since been some re-shuffling of the roster. When Bobbie was re-activated, the Bengals opted to waive his backup, Otis Hudson, to make room for the veteran. As they waived Hudson, the team had their fingers crossed that Hudson would clear waivers and make it to their Practice Squad.

Well, according to the Twitter account of Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson, the team got their wish. Hudson cleared waivers and will be added to the Practice Squad. He had been dealing with an injury through the early part of the season which makes this move very logical. The move leaves the Bengals with two other active backup guards in Mike McGlynn and Clint Boling.

In order to retain Hudson, the Bengals opted to cut defensive tackle Jason Shirley. He's had an interesting Bengals career since coming here in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He came in as a "troubled player" with a lot of upside out of Fresno State University. Unfortunately, he never met his full potential while in Cincinnati.

He bounced to and from the Practice Squad over the years and was also out an entire year due to an offseason injury. He also famously was switched to the offensive line during the Training Camp of 2009, which ended up being a storyline of that year's "Hard Knocks" documentary on HBO.

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We'll miss you Big "don't call me" Shirley

Good luck

"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius

by TarZander on Oct 7, 2011 8:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I hope

He can be re-signed sometime in the future if the Bengals need him

by DTFCPDX on Oct 7, 2011 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I recall thinking Shirley looked really good in the preseason.

I expect there must be something else that factored into the decision, because he certainly seemed to get the job done as defensive tackle when he played.

by no kidding on Oct 7, 2011 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Inconsistent.

There were times in the preseason when he look flat out dominant, but there were also many times when he looked like he was putting in half (or less) effort. If he put in the effort all the time (he might have needed further conditioning), then he could be a beast, but that unfortunately never seemed to be the case.
There were also problems with technique. I remember JT saying this year that Shirley’s technique had improved, but it still wasn’t great. He also said that the D-line guys were glad he was moved from guard again, because he was so powerful in run-blocking.
So it seems like all the physical attributes are there, but missing technique and motivation, and the coaches don’t like that.

by Aether on Oct 7, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe

Shirley should be moved back to guard then and cut McGlynn

by DTFCPDX on Oct 7, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree there had to be something else

He seems immensely more talented than Otis and would have been my pick to develop verses spending time developing Otis. I’m not sure the Otis Hudson experiment is working out or if his upside is worth losing a guy who might finally “get it”. Its possible. Andre finally “got it”.

I was surprised Shirley made it through to the PS. With injuries around the league I would expect him to get picked up.

by WOOD98 on Oct 7, 2011 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

Shirley was a decent player and

it is refreshing to see that players like him aren’t good enough to stay on. It means that decent players just can’t make this team That would indicate to me that the overall talent level is improving. I am confident that there is a place for him somewhere in the NFL.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 7, 2011 11:34 PM EDT reply actions

B U S T

I was excited when Shirley was drafted, but he never met his potential. Furthermore, after attending 6 days of Training Camp in G-Town, the little I saw of him was very unimpressive. Think he has the talent, just not the brains. {See Jamarcus Russell}

by redrifle14 on Oct 8, 2011 8:27 PM EDT reply actions