Senior Bowl, Day Three: Bengals Consultant John Cooper Speaks With Shane Hallam

by Anthony Cosenza on Jan 25, 2012 5:00 PM EST

When recapping the Bengals activity at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday, we looked toward Shane Hallam of www.draftcountdown.com to get a rundown of all of the players that the Bengals staff spoke to. Shane is quickly becoming a great Twitter follow this offseason (@ShanePHallam), as he's become a good resource to get a glimpse of the mindset of certain teams in Mobile.

Shane tweeted today that he spoke with former Ohio State University Head Coach and current Bengals scouting consultant, John Cooper. They exchanged thoughts on some prospects, especially about the running back position since that seems to be the hot topic surrounding the Bengals this offseason.

@ShanePHallam
Shane P. HallamMyself and @rookiedraft talking prospects with former #OhioState coach J. Cooper who is consulting for the #Bengals 1 hour ago via txt · powered by @socialditto

@ShanePHallam
Shane P. HallamCooper likes #BoiseState RB Doug Martin, but doesnt think #Bengals pull the trigger in the 2nd round #seniorbowl 1 hour ago via txt · powered by @socialditto

@ShanePHallam
Shane P. HallamCooper slightly insinuated Martin wont be taken by them due to "2 first round picks. can i speculate they take a RB in 1st? #seniorbowl 1 hour ago via txt · powered by @socialditto

Cooper and Hallam also touched on a couple of Ohio State prospects, including offensive tackle Mike Adams and wide receiver DeVier Posey. It was an interesting exchange between the two, it would seem.

While Cooper isn't going to divulge the exact Bengal draft plans to Hallam, there probably is some truth to what Cooper is saying. It sounds like they like Doug Martin, but not as a first round prospect. They'd likely think about him in the second, though Cooper sounds as if he thinks Martin won't be there when the Bengals pick late in the second round.

Reading between the lines from Cooper, it sounds as if we Bengals fans may want to start expecting the team to look at a running back in the first.

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Comments

That's exactly what I took from it

I’m going to try and talk to Shane later, see what else I can find out.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 25, 2012 5:04 PM EST via Android app reply actions

Initially Trent Richardson was the only running back I would consider taking in the first round

But I’m starting to think more and more about going after Martin in the first as well. Other than those two there is ABSOLUTELY NO other RB’s, I’d even consider taking in the first round!!!

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 5:06 PM EST reply actions

Miller and Polk are the two to watch

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 25, 2012 5:12 PM EST via Android app reply actions

Joe, I really hope not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

I just hope it's not David Wilson

some teams love him

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 25, 2012 5:22 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Why?

Fumble issue or more?

by Mexal on Jan 25, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

I don't have a 1st round grade on him

for various reasons. Fumbling, vision, feel, risky running style.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 25, 2012 7:48 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

vision is horrible!

thats the truth! lol he doesn’t like to cut that much

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 26, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

Seems Polk's stock is dropping after relatively poor practices

I’d definitely rather have Miller.

by Mexal on Jan 25, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think it's fair criticism

He will look better in the game. Let’s wait for that. He does have a soft body. That’s fair.

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 25, 2012 7:49 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

I noticed that

He could firm up a bit. For me that just says he has more upside.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 25, 2012 9:37 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

To me that's very much a negative

To be out of shape when your career is on the line doesn’t bode well for effort.

by emeybee on Jan 25, 2012 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

Why?

He’s a kid/young man. Maybe that’s his comfortable playing weight. Alot of guys coming out of college were (soft) and the NFL regiment made them monsters. He’s already playing at a high level and obviously has room to improve unlike some backs that are maxed out.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 25, 2012 10:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Never been in-shape. I noted it when I watched his games. Needs an NFL workout

CincyJungle.com Contributor for the NFL Draft

Follow me on Twitter @JoeGoodberry for Bengals & NFL Draft talk

by Joe Goodberry on Jan 25, 2012 10:41 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Right

That’s what I was thinking. With an NFL workout he could get better.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 25, 2012 11:42 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

aside from richardson, a 1st round back appears to be a reach

i liked miller in the late 1st, with his injury, he’s a reach now in the 1st.

miller, wilson, polk, martin, james, pead are all 2nd-3rd round picks in my book now.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 25, 2012 5:13 PM EST reply actions

Yeah I agree

If the Bengals can’t get TRich, I hope they don’t reach for one in the first round.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 25, 2012 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

+2

by M Shop on Jan 25, 2012 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

With ya......if no T. Rich I think we wait.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 25, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

That's never stopped Mike Brown before

I won’t be surprised, if he has the call, to see two running backs taken in the first. He flat loves the skill postion players (probably thinks of himself as one since he played QB at Brown).

by dingle on Jan 26, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Still want Pead in the 2nd

by Touhue Cha on Jan 25, 2012 5:18 PM EST reply actions

It still seems as though most of there attention this week has been on Martin

And since they are obviously are not going to give us idea of what they want to do if you look at there actions this week they tell us they are more interrested in Martin than any other back at the senior bowl. I guess will have to wait and see how it pans out

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 5:25 PM EST reply actions

What I gather is..

They believe if they don’t take a RB in the 1st, one they like won’t be available in the 2nd. I’m not sure I like that line of reasoning. Look at our positions of need: OG, CB, RB, S. At 17, who do you take? DeCastro won’t be there. TRich might be. Too early for guys like Barron or Konz. I think that has to be a CB pick. At 21 then they are saying they’ll take a back. Polk, Miller, Wilson, but not Martin? If you failed to land a guy like DeCastro, Konz, Glenn, you’re going to miss out on guys like Osemele and Zeitler in the second by pick 21. Just a real tough spot.

by Cry on Jan 25, 2012 5:28 PM EST reply actions

decastro could fall to 17

depends on how the draft runs, if teams start the DB attack, will shift the draft around. the possibility of someone good falling to us at 17 starts with the whole cleveland RG3 scenario. no way to know if the browns get him at #4 or someone trades in front of the browns, if RG3 is gone, cleveland could screw up our draft board by taking a DB or RB (richardson). once that happens, or doesn’t, the draft will shake out in a way most mocks can’t speculate on this far out. 90 days to go until the draft more or less..

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 25, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

At this stage names and slots is impossible to know

but positions and slots can be speculated. At #17 and #21, what sort of player is likely to be around?
Pretty good CB’s, but not the best.
Real good interior linemen, defense and offense if not the best
Real good RB’s if not the best
Pretty good WR but not the best
Best safety

All positions of need for the Bengals, If they want to get the best athletes, I expect they will go safety, RB and interior linemen.

by BENGALS69 on Jan 25, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting comments from Cooper

Could be just talk though. If true though, it fits into what I’ve been thinking the Bengals are all about. Taking the offense to whole new level far beyond Pittsburg, Cleveland and Baltimore. Get a top RB, WR and Guard in the first three picks to marry with Dalton, Green, Gresham, Shipley.

Now that is a heck of a offense!

Leave FA and rounds 3 to 7 to Zimmer.

by BENGALS69 on Jan 25, 2012 5:29 PM EST reply actions

I asked Shane on Twitter

who else besides Richardson would go in the first and this was his response:

Shane P. Hallam @ShanePHallam
Some have David Wilson there RT @OregonBengalFan: @ShanePHallam What RB besides Richardson is projected to go in the 1st?

And Ryan Lownes said:

Ryan Lownes @ryanlownes
@ShanePHallam @OregonBengalFan Despite his shoulder injury, I still think Lamar Miller grades out there on film. Teams will need to do HW.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 25, 2012 5:43 PM EST reply actions

Another response from someone else

Jordan Mearns @DisposableHer0
@ryanlownes @ShanePHallam @OregonBengalFan agreed. Miller’s vision trumps Wilson’s. Also not a fan of DW’s instincts

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 25, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

both backs dont have the greatest vision IMO

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

I think Miller has pretty good field vision

Not the greatest but it’s good IMO.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 25, 2012 6:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

yea its just his speed that kills... i think he runs so fast he doesn't have time to really think about cutting lol

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

Lolol he is a nut when he runs, isn't he?

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 25, 2012 6:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

See, I've watched Wilson play a bunch this past season

And I just wasn’t REALLY impressed. I was more like, “Mmeh….”

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 25, 2012 5:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Thanks for sharing that brother,

God I love this Blog

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 25, 2012 5:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think they don't pick a back in the first unless richardson falls. I think thats what the bengals are insinuating

with their comment about not taking back in the 2nd. Which will be the round they most likely take a back.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 6:00 PM EST reply actions

Lets take your chances doug martin is there in the 2nd...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4yCMXMK-bY

There are bigger holes then to worry about then rb in the first. Unless we grab a guard in free agency, that’s where one of our first round picks has to go. perfect world decastro is there for us at 17 . If not, heard cody glenn been having a good week at the senior bowl.He could be there at 21. The other first round pick needs to be DB. dre kirkpatrick stock is falling…. should we dismiss the characther issue (hasn’t stop us in the past) and focus on athletic ….“yes”…….isn’t Kirkpatrick or Jenkins (top 10 pick before leaving florida,also an asset in the kick return game) a steal at 17. Look wha teamst makes it to the playoffs, how do they win? ..quaterback play & pass rush, good think for us, we may of found our quarterback and our DL is one of the best in leagues (barring injuries). So spend the picks on, helping keep our quarterback upright and improving our secondary.

by 740WhoDey on Jan 25, 2012 7:38 PM EST reply actions

our*

by 740WhoDey on Jan 25, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

I really hope we trade one of our first round picks

for a couple 2nd round picks (one would have to be pretty early… do the Browns have 2 2nds this year or no?). That way we could use r1 pick on DeCastro or Kirkpatrick or Richardson if any of them fall, or if there is a really good BPA there that is going to be a gamechanger like Brockers or something. Then with the 2 second rounders we get we can take Stephon Gilmore or Glenn or Zeitler or Osemele and Doug Martin.

Either that or I hope we use some of our later round picks to move our 2nd round pick up. That is really the scenario that I hope happens because we have a lot of young projects or depth that will be around this year and late round picks probably wont make the squad. Doug Martin is the guy I really hope we pull the trigger on and I wouldn’t be upset if it was with #21. If we CAN though it would be nice to get a little more value and trade down a round 1 pick to get early to mid 2nd + somethin else, or trade some late round picks to move up our 2nd to early to mid 2nd. I don’t really know if those trades are fair value or whatever, but that’s what I am hoping for.

by Luke on Jan 25, 2012 9:36 PM EST reply actions

+1

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Miller's shoulder wont make him slide.

Im my opinion, Miller has the highest upside out of any running back in the draft. He has elite speed and a great frame and that alone will make him a first rounder. Even with the shoulder, no way he doesnt go in the first round.

by EPK1979 on Jan 25, 2012 9:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Miller is not high on my list

And I really hope we do not take him in the first, should be able to get much better value in second

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 10:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Miller has the potential to be an absolute game changer just keep that in mind

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 26, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

I just want to say that I am probly the only bengal fan in idaho lol and I do believe doug martin is going to be a great running back in the NFL to me he is a lot like ray rice. I hope we don’t get too wrapped up in the idea that trent richardson “might” fall to us at 17. First and foremost we need to get some help on our o line via the draft and FA.

by towery10 on Jan 25, 2012 10:37 PM EST reply actions