Health and Depth

We all witnessed the likely end of an era in Bengals football. Longtime, productive, and popular players, Rudi Johnson and Willie Anderson were released. Both were battling injuries and neither was able to prove to Marvin Lewis that they could be counted on. Marvin has mentioned on multiple occasions recently that he needs healthy players. Too often in the past, the team has held spots open for injured players, crossing their fingers in hopes that they can play.

Now many fans will speculate that these were cap casualties more than anything. That is likely, but at the same time, that is a lot of money invested in players that may or may not be ready to start. Willie was a #2. He had many chances to beat out Andrews. Andrews has not been spectacular and a truly healthy Willie should have been able to unseat him. Rudi just plain couldn't get on the field, and his salary just wasn't worth the uncertainty. Solid, healthy, productive RBs can be found at bargain prices (ask the Packers, Broncos, and Giants). Deltha got out played by David Jones and 3mil is just too much for a #4 CB.

The Bengals had high hopes going into 2006, only to be derailed by an almost unprecedented amount of injuries. The team was so decemated at LB and RB that they were signing players off the street. The team now has an opportunity to learn from those mistakes. They still have injury questions, but the cap money and roster spots will allow the team more able to sign better, healthier depth.

Good teams don't mess around with players that they deem won't be productive. The Bears released last season's 2nd round pick, Bazuin, because he couldn't stay healthy. They released Cedric Benson and Tank Johnson previously because they couldn't be trusted off the field. The Ravens also released a recent 2nd round pick, Dan Cody. The Pats released veteran LB Victor Hobson because he wasn't picking up the scheme as fast as they expected, therefore he wasn't worth the money they were paying him. They also let Roosevelt Colvin go this past offseason because they were tired of waiting on him to get healthy. The Seahawks released Alexander for many of the same reasons we let Rudi go.

It pains me to see Rudi and Anderson go. It concerns me that a talented prospect like Brooks was released, and that we are now so inexperienced in the secondary. On the other hand, a new generation of leaders now have to step up. This is going to have to be Palmer's team. Guys like Whitworth, Hall, Joseph, Peko, and Geathers are going to have to step up and be leaders. Young hungry players like Brandon Johnson, Collins, Sims, Shirley, and others are going to get more opportunities to show their stuff. I expect the team to scour the waiver wire for guys who can add depth where we need depth. I expect the Bengals to field a team with healthy, hungry players that we can count on.