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Bengals look to upgrade at TE; Browns seek pass rusher
By Chick Ludwig
Dayton Daily News
Maybe it'll be UCLA's Marcedes Lewis or Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein. It could be Southern Cal's Dominique Byrd or N.C. State's T.J. Williams.
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Then again, it might be Georgia's Leonard Pope, Maryland's Vernon Davis or Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano.
Rest assured the "Magnificent Seven" are on the Cincinnati Bengals' radar because the club desperately needs a tight end. This year's NFL draft class, laden with depth and talent, should yield a future Bengals starter — if not in the first round with the 24th pick, then in the second or third.
Cincinnati's 2005 tight end trio of Reggie Kelly, Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart combined for 37 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers alone tell you an upgrade is needed.
A quality receiving tight end forces defenses to close down the middle, allowing the wide receivers to get more one-on-one coverage.
Scoring a safety
Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Boyle and sidekick Louie Cioffi were all over the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala., last week. The objects of their scrutiny were strong safeties Greg Blue (Georgia), Pat Watkins (Florida State), Roman Harper (Alabama) and Anthony Smith (Syracuse).
Smith appears to be making the biggest leap. Once thought to be a fifth-rounder, the 6-foot, 190-pounder should be a solid first-day choice because of his range, coverage and ability in run support.
Elvis sighting
The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a pass rusher with the 12th pick. If they can't get N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams, they'll look hard at Manny Lawson and Elvis Dumervil.
Lawson (6-4, 240), who was Williams' teammate with the Wolfpack, is an impressive speed rusher. His credentials include an ACC indoor long jump title. Dumervil's size (5-11, 258) is a concern, but the Louisville star is a sack machine. Both are ideally suited for outside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 scheme.
Rumor mill
• The Atlanta Falcons are willing to part with backup QB Matt Schaub for a second-round pick. If the Bengals choose not to re-sign free agent Jon Kitna, Schaub could emerge as a candidate to bridge the gap until Carson Palmer's return from a left knee injury.
• Bengals WR coach Hue Jackson and QB coach Ken Zampese are being mentioned as offensive coordinator candidates in Detroit and New Orleans, respectively. Both are under contract with the Bengals through the 2006 season.
• The San Francisco 49ers, who need help everywhere, are interested in WR Kelley Washington and CB Tory James should the Bengals dangle them as trade bait.
By Chick Ludwig
Dayton Daily News
Maybe it'll be UCLA's Marcedes Lewis or Colorado's Joe Klopfenstein. It could be Southern Cal's Dominique Byrd or N.C. State's T.J. Williams.
Tools
Print this page
E-mail this page
Most popular
Top 5 stories
Seahawks face Steeltown II
The Super Bowl, or pay your taxes?
Tom Archdeacon: Rupp's Olympic memories are his best of all
White wins EBS Dayton Open
Bombers fall on the road to Wheeling
RSS headlines available
Then again, it might be Georgia's Leonard Pope, Maryland's Vernon Davis or Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano.
Rest assured the "Magnificent Seven" are on the Cincinnati Bengals' radar because the club desperately needs a tight end. This year's NFL draft class, laden with depth and talent, should yield a future Bengals starter — if not in the first round with the 24th pick, then in the second or third.
Cincinnati's 2005 tight end trio of Reggie Kelly, Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart combined for 37 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers alone tell you an upgrade is needed.
A quality receiving tight end forces defenses to close down the middle, allowing the wide receivers to get more one-on-one coverage.
Scoring a safety
Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Boyle and sidekick Louie Cioffi were all over the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala., last week. The objects of their scrutiny were strong safeties Greg Blue (Georgia), Pat Watkins (Florida State), Roman Harper (Alabama) and Anthony Smith (Syracuse).
Smith appears to be making the biggest leap. Once thought to be a fifth-rounder, the 6-foot, 190-pounder should be a solid first-day choice because of his range, coverage and ability in run support.
Elvis sighting
The Cleveland Browns are in the market for a pass rusher with the 12th pick. If they can't get N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams, they'll look hard at Manny Lawson and Elvis Dumervil.
Lawson (6-4, 240), who was Williams' teammate with the Wolfpack, is an impressive speed rusher. His credentials include an ACC indoor long jump title. Dumervil's size (5-11, 258) is a concern, but the Louisville star is a sack machine. Both are ideally suited for outside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 scheme.
Rumor mill
• The Atlanta Falcons are willing to part with backup QB Matt Schaub for a second-round pick. If the Bengals choose not to re-sign free agent Jon Kitna, Schaub could emerge as a candidate to bridge the gap until Carson Palmer's return from a left knee injury.
• Bengals WR coach Hue Jackson and QB coach Ken Zampese are being mentioned as offensive coordinator candidates in Detroit and New Orleans, respectively. Both are under contract with the Bengals through the 2006 season.
• The San Francisco 49ers, who need help everywhere, are interested in WR Kelley Washington and CB Tory James should the Bengals dangle them as trade bait.
