AntwanOdom Posts -- FanHouse

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It's a 'Hard Knock' Life, But This Year's Bengals Can Take It

Posted: Oct 19th 2009 10:00AM by Dan Graziano (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, NFL Analysis

It's never easy being a Cincinnati Bengal, but the 2009 group is determined to change the culture.

CINCINNATI -- As losses go, this one was a stinker. Flying high off yet another last-minute intra-divisional win, the Bengals showed up for a home game Sunday against the Texans and had just about everything go wrong. They lost, 28-17, most important, and they also saw key defensive lineman Antwan Odom and Domata Peko go down with injuries. Odom's is a torn Achilles' tendon, which means they've lost him for the season. Bad, bad loss.

But the message Bengals coach Marvin Lewis delivered to his team in the wake of this bad loss was the same, simple two-word mantra he delivered on the first night of the season, after a goofy last-minute bounce cost the Bengals a game against the Denver Broncos:

"Don't flinch."

Continue Reading It's a 'Hard Knock' Life, But This Year's Bengals Can Take It

What to Watch for in the Steelers-Bengals Game

Posted: Sep 26th 2009 9:33PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, Steelers, AFC North, NFL Analysis

6 COMMENTS

After rewatching the Bengals-Packers and the Steelers-Bears games, here are some things to keep an eye on this Sunday:

• If the Bengals have some pass protection problems on the offensive line with right tackle Anthony Collins and left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Collins gave up two sacks against the Broncos in Week One while Whitworth gave up two sacks in Week Two against the Packers. ~~Collins~~ Whitworth (got my linemen mixed up there initially) has some problems with his footwork (he slipped and fell down a couple of times while blocking last week). That should give outside linebackers LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison a chance to create some havoc. For Steelers fans who don't follow the Bengals, first-round pick Andre Smith is out with a broken foot.

Continue Reading What to Watch for in the Steelers-Bengals Game

Ocho Hurt? Rudi Traded? Chris Henry? Bengals Just Can't Change Their Stripes

Posted: Aug 26th 2008 11:58AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Fans

0 COMMENTS

Man, what a month to be a Bengals fan.

I'm not going in order here -- just gonna start anywhere:

Chad Johnson: After a spring and summer of him mouthing off, he gets into camp with an ankle problem. After finally getting that taken care of (and calling out Michael Phelps ... oh, and wanting to change his name to "Ocho Cinco"), he dislocates his shoulder that puts his season in jeopardy.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh: All this while T.J. Hows-ya-mamma is nursing his hamstring. The injury has been highly criticized around Cincinnati as T.J. just milking it so he doesn't have to practice or play in the preseason (judging by what's happening around the league, it isn't a bad move). Housh is in the final year of his deal, which points more fingers at what he's doing.

Chris Henry: With their receivers banged up, the Bengals signed Chris Henry for help. This has really pissed off Bengals fans to the point that ... well, if they haven't given up their tickets by now, they never will. Henry has yet to practice and will be suspended for the first four games on the season.

Continue Reading Ocho Hurt? Rudi Traded? Chris Henry? Bengals Just Can't Change Their Stripes

FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Cincinnati Bengals - Changing Their Stripes?

Posted: Aug 9th 2008 9:00AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North

1 COMMENT

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: If there is one constant on this team, it is Carson Palmer. Sure, Palmer didn't have his best season a year ago, but his off seasons are better than many QBs best years. In reality, other things factored into his poor season (injuries to the line, injury to Rudi Johnson, receivers pouting). The only issue here is what happens in Cincinnati if Palmer gets hurt. They have no one groomed to come in. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe are in their second seasons with the team and Carson's brother, Jordan, is fighting for a spot. Heat Index: 8

Running backs: Injuries have hurt this unit in the past couple of years. Workhorse Rudi Johnson finally hit a wall; Kenny Irons blew out his knee in his first preseason game; Chris Perry has never been able to stay on the field. Well, Rudi and Perry are healthy again, with 2007 surprises Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey around to give the offense a different dynamic. Cincy needs this unit to get back to form to allow the entire offense to explode. Heat Index: 4

Receivers: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best receiving combos in the NFL. T.J. tied for the lead in receptions; Chad was third in receiving yards. However, this could be the last season either is in Cincinnati. Johnson's issues with the team are well documented. T.J. is in his final contracted season. Chris Henry is finally gone and there are several guys trying to step into that #3 spot. Rookie Jerome Simpson will get a strong look, as will Andre Caldwell and Antonio Chatman. Chatman is the only one with experience and could get the nod. Heat Index: 8

Continue Reading FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Cincinnati Bengals - Changing Their Stripes?

Chillin' at the Water Cooler With Bengals Fans: Camp Raises Hopes and Concerns

Posted: Jul 31st 2008 11:15AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Fans

0 COMMENTS

I live and work in the Metro Cincinnati area and the Bengals are usually on everyone's brain. During the season, I will gather a few of my co-workers (Tom Otten, William Morgan and Dave Chandler) together "at the water cooler" and discuss some Bengals topics.

Sportz: Last year, we all talked about a variety of topics during a disappointing 7-9 season. Now that camp has started, what are your expectiations for the upcoming season?

Tom: It's the Bungles. You scream and throw your beer at the TV. It's a rollercoaster ride of pride, pain and pathos.

Dave: As usual, just good enough to miss the playoffs. Sad life of a Bengals fan.

Tom: Just beat Cleveland

William: Playoffs.

Sportz: Man, that schedule is a beast. I think they'll be better than last year ... but their record may not prove it. That being sad, is this a make or break season for Marvin Lewis?

Dave: Break. And a scary thought because who will [Bengals owner Mike] Brown replace him with?

William: I think so. Marvin Lewis doesn't have to win the Super Bowl ... but I think he needs to make the playoffs.

Tom: Uh, is his contract up? Talk to me then.

Continue Reading Chillin' at the Water Cooler With Bengals Fans: Camp Raises Hopes and Concerns

Bengals DE Antwan Odom Injured His Foot During Practice; Carted Off the Field

Posted: Jul 28th 2008 1:25PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Injuries

0 COMMENTS

One of the Bengals biggest offseason acquisitions (and the richest free agent in franchise history) has gone down.

DE Antwan Odom hurt his left foot and was carted off the field. The seriousness of the injury isn't yet known (UPDATE: Marvin Lewis has called it a foot sprain and that he will be ready by the season opener).

Odom has played in all 16 games in three of his four seasons (in 2006, he played just four games due to a knee injury). Because of his breakout performance last year, the Bengals lured Odom away from the Titans to make him the biggest free agent signing in team history (which isn't saying much).

I guess he'll have to wait to practice with Muhsin Muhammad.

Some other minor Bengals news ...

Continue Reading Bengals DE Antwan Odom Injured His Foot During Practice; Carted Off the Field

Never Too Early: Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Football Preview

Posted: Jul 8th 2008 11:30AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Fantasy Football

1 COMMENT

Hear that? It's the pitter-patter of fantasy football season approaching. Fantasy FanHouse is here to get you ready by previewing every team from a fantasy perspective.

Meet The ...
Chad Johnson media circus. Seriously, dude, just shut up and play. Other than him -- though I doubt he thinks we're all aware there are actually other players on the team -- there's a decent crowd of players here with whom fantasy owners are quite familiar. Rudi Johnson and Carson Palmer are traditional high picks, and T.J. Houshmandzedah has really come on strong as an elite wideout.

The Breakout
As much of a punk as he is, Chris Henry put up numbers in this offense when he was actually on the field. Palmer doesn't utilize his slot receiver like Peyton Manning, but he does it quite well. So will it be Jerome Simpson or Andre Caldwell? Palmer's already raving about the maturity of Caldwell and is weary of the rawness to Simpson. That's enough for me. Andre Caldwell is your Bengals breakout for '07. It's gotta be late in a bigger league before you decide to take him, but he's still got a chance to hit it quasi-big this year in the slot.

Continue Reading Never Too Early: Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Football Preview

FanHouse Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Select Sedrick Ellis No. 9

Posted: Apr 4th 2008 8:00AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Draft, Cincinnati

0 COMMENTS

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

Well, it has been a very interesting offseason for the Cincinnati Bengals. The team has had to deal with Chad Johnson's nonsense, they've cut Chris Henry after an arrest for assault and last night, word came out that Domata Peko and Chris Perry were involved in trashing a nightclub. Needless to say, Cincy needs something to feel good about right now.

Sedrick Ellis is a guy they can feel good about. He's one of those rare guys that is a playmaker at the defensive tackle spot. He's also a prime guy to play the nose guard position if Cincinnati does decide to transition to a 3-4 defense.

Ellis brings something that the Bengals don't have ... a pass rushing defensive tackle. This alone will help the entire defense so much. Sure, the defense isn't very good, but they are talented and very, very young. Adding a guy who can get pressure up the middle helps the coverage teams and makes the secondaries job so much easier (the Bengals were starting three rookies and a 2nd-year guy in the secondary at the end of last year).

Continue Reading FanHouse Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Select Sedrick Ellis No. 9

Newest Bengal Antwan Odom Happy to be Playing With 'Muhsin Muhammad'

Posted: Mar 5th 2008 1:30AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

2 COMMENTS

Newest Bengal Antwan Odom was introduced to the media today and he seemed a bit nervous. This is a big deal and a big move for both he and the Bengals. So, excuse him as he let one slip

"Uh, when we prepared against them ... they was a ... I mean they was a ... we knew they was a high powered offense. And uh, we was uh ... we had to stop two receivers. I mean, they got Muhsin Muhammad and Chad Johnson and they got Carson Palmer."

Okay, Muhammad never played for the Bengals (he's a former Bear and a current/former Panther). Methinks he meant TJ Houshmandzadeh. Again, Odom is a soft spoken guy who grew up on a shrimp boat. He probably hasn't felt that nervous in quite a long time.

Still, it has to suck that in T.J.'s best season, even his new teammates don't know him.

You can hear the slip here at the 11:30 mark.

Bengals Aren't Very Good at Free Agency, Dewayne Robertson Trade Is Off

Posted: Mar 3rd 2008 8:49PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, Jets, NFL Fans, NFL Free Agency

6 COMMENTS

During the early part of this decade, the Bengals were known for being particularly inept on the field. The 12-36 record confirms as much. While things have improved under Marvin Lewis, there have still been problems, mostly of the off-field, illegal variety. Until this week, anyway.

Since free agency began on Feb. 29, the Bengals have twice tried to to consummate trades for a defensive lineman, twice agreed in principle, and twice had the deals fall through. Doesn't do a whole lot for the perception that the personnel department is run by a monkey. (Because owner Mike Brown is so notoriously cheap, he refused to pay for a second monkey.)

Most recently, Dewayne Robertson, just like Shaun Rogers before him, was traded to Cincinnati before he wasn't.

Another source close to the situation told The Enquirer late this afternoon that Robertson, who was believed to be in Cincinnati today, does not want to re-negotiate the final two years of his contract.

And why would he? He is due to make base salaries of $9.8 million in 2008 and $8.29 million in 2009, according to the New York Daily News.

The fact that the Bengals weren't jazzed about paying Robertson $18 million doesn't necessarily reinforce their cheapness; that's a lot of coin for an underachieving player. But it does make you wonder why they didn't find out Robertson's contract demands before, you know, trading for him.

Whatever, the organization finally got a defensive player to commit to coming to Cincinnati: former Titans defensive end Antwan Odom. Adding a pass rusher should do wonders for that porous run defense.