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Leon Hall Arrested for DUI

Posted: Apr 8th 2009 9:00PM by Chris Burke (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, NFL Police Blotter

Cincinnati tempted legal fate on Tuesday by signing Tank Johnson, and on Wednesday, karma evened the score. Cornerback Leon Hall, who had a solid 2008 season, was charged with a DUI and driving left of center in Ohio.

As Ryan Wilson reminded us, the Bengals have been trying to clean up their image since a ridiculous stretch of arrests between June of 2007 and April of 2006. While the frequency of run-ins with the law has slowed, I don't think anyone will be confusing Cincinnati with a Boy Scout troop anytime soon.

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NFL FanHouse Mock Draft 1.0

Posted: Feb 9th 2009 1:00PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Draft, NFL Fans, NFL

32 COMMENTS

The draft has become one of the biggest events of the year for NFL fans. Maybe because everybody's a winner on draft day, or maybe because hope springs eternal and all that. Whatever the reason, we're fully trying to horn in on the action. Hence our first FanHouse mock draft of the '09 offseason. And we'd like to stress "mock."

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Studs and Duds Week 16: Matt Cassel's Resume Just Became a Lot More Polished

Posted: Dec 22nd 2008 12:03PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Fans

13 COMMENTS

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 16 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory. (Disclaimer: This will only be for the Sunday games, since you probably can't even remember the Thursday gaes at this point.)

Studs

Matt Cassel, QB New England (20-for-36, 345 yards, 3 TDs) -- If you had to grade Cassel's performance this season after being tossed to the wolves, I'd say it is an "AAAAAA+++++++." Sure, he has looked mediocre at times, but when Tom Brady went down in the first week of the season, every Patriots fan I know mailed in their playoff or Super Bowl hopes. His game against the Cardinals in the snow was his second straight with three touchdowns or more and his fourth in the last six games with a passer rating of 103 or more. Whatever happens next week with the Jets-Dolphins, one thing is quickly being a certainty -- Cassel could make Washington/Chicago/Minnesota a pretty scary team next season.

Continue Reading Studs and Duds Week 16: Matt Cassel's Resume Just Became a Lot More Polished

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

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Derek Anderson Implodes at the End of First Half Against Cincinnati

Posted: Dec 23rd 2007 2:24PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, Browns, AFC North, Cleveland, Cincinnati

2 COMMENTS

It is a cold, windy day in Cincinnati as the visiting Cleveland Browns attempt to clinch a playoff spot. Unlike the first meeting between these two teams, the weather has slowed the game down quite a bit. Cincinnati, heading into halftime were hanging on to a 6-0 lead.

Then Derek Anderson became the Bengals best player.

Of course, Anderson is the QB for the Browns, but he was busy giving up the ball to the Bengals. With the Browns getting the ball just 87 seconds left until halftime, Anderson threw an interception on the first play of the series. The pass ... which was intended for Jason Wright ... was intercepted by Nedu Ndukwe who returned it inside the Browns' five yard line. That ended up with a Carson Palmer TD pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

On the ensuing possession, Anderson again used the first play of the series to throw another pick; this one to Leon Hall. A few plays later, Kenny Watson punches it in for another TD and a Bengals 19-0 lead.

Anderson has had a great year - a Pro Bowl worthy season. However, that was about as bad as you can get.

UPDATE: Anderson has thrown two interceptions since then - both in the redzone. Also, in a very questionable decision, Anderson scrambled the ball out of bounds ... barely leaving a second left on the game clock. His final pass sailed incomplete.

Bengals' 2007 Preview: Put Up Or Shut Up

Posted: Aug 27th 2007 3:00PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

0 COMMENTS

To get you ready for the season, FanHouse is previewing all 32 NFL teams. Here's Cincinnati's outlook.

2006 Record: 8-8

2006 Offense: Carson Palmer was coming back from a knee injury and looked pretty darn good. Rudi Johnson continued his record setting running for the Bengals. Chad Johnson led the league in receiving yards; TJ Houshmandzadeh was 16th [they were 11th and 7th, respectively, in receptions]. Yet the team really bogged down at times.

2007 Defense: They had the third worst defense ... including the worst pass defense in the NFL. They did a decent job getting to the opposing QB and a great job forcing turnovers. However, they are a hard hitting team that doesn't cover well. Of course, injuries and 'other things' contributed to this. Brian Simmons struggled with injuries, David Pollack was lost for the year in Week 2 and Odell Thurman never even saw the field.

Continue Reading Bengals' 2007 Preview: Put Up Or Shut Up

Bengals Sign First Round Pick Leon Hall

Posted: Jul 28th 2007 7:52PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

0 COMMENTS

The Bengals have signed cornerback Leon Hall to a deal, meaning he should be in camp tonight.

Doug Hendrickson, one of the agents for Leon Hall, said his client is "ecstatic," after reaching what is believed to be a five-year deal, and then got on Interstate 75 in Cincinnati for the trip here. "He'll be there in about an hour in time to practice," Hendrickson said. "Leon didn't want to miss a day, but he also wanted it to fit and he's just excited to get started."

Hall will be in a battle with Deltha O'Neal for a starting job opposite Johnathan Joseph. He was the 18th pick in the past NFL Draft and the final Bengals pick to get signed.

Bengals Training Camp Battle: Deltha O'Neal vs Leon Hall

Posted: Jul 25th 2007 8:30AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati

0 COMMENTS

Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.

Deltha O'Neal is certainly in a make or break season in Cincinnati. O'Neal picked off just one pass just one season after setting the franchise record by intercepting 10 [which also tied for the NFL lead that season]. On the other side, rookie Johnathan Joseph picked off zero passes, but wasn't getting starter's snaps as he will this season. So having a proven guy on the other side would be preferred.

However, O'Neal missed four games last year and hasn't really endeared himself to head coach Marvin Lewis. O'Neal also peeved off the coaching staff by missing the 'voluntary' workouts. He's also on the list of Bengals who've run afoul of the law ... by getting picked up for a DUI last December.

Leon Hall was drafted for a reason. He's smart and has an excellent gauge of what's going on around him on the field. He's not the biggest or fastest guy, so using his techniques and knowledge puts him in position to make plays. You don't use the #18 pick on a corner and not plan on him being the guy for the future ... so it's only a matter of time before Hall gets the nod.

Most likely, O'Neal will start the season as the starter ... but if his poor play acts back up, expect Lewis to place him into the doghouse and use Hall. The Bengals have a lot riding on this season and they desperately need their defense to step up this year. Lewis will use whomever can get the job done to do so.

Keiwan Ratliff may get into the mix as well. Ratliff is in the final year of his original contract he signed back in the 2004 season.

Training camp battles: See them all

Previously at FanHaus:
Deltha O'Neal Arrested for DUI
What Can The Bengals Expect From Leon Hall

College Eye: What The Bengals Can Expect From Leon Hall

Posted: Apr 28th 2007 3:35PM by Brian Cook (author feed)
Filed under: Michigan Football, Big 10, NFL Prospects

1 COMMENT

Michigan fans liked Leon Hall plenty before the 2007 season rolled around, but when he started getting named to preseason All-America teams and touted as one of the top cornerbacks available for the NFL draft, we were surprised. Hall was always a good player, but the most touted Michigan corner since Woodson didn't seem right.
PROS: Hall's best attribute is his tackling. Whenver tested on the short routes all the rage across football, he would come up, form up, and make the tackle without fail. He's a smart player who makes proper breaks on the ball. He's not a gambler, preferring to make the safe tackle, but when given the opportunity will break hard to break up or intercept a pass. At nearly six feet and in possession of fantastic leaping ability, Hall's less vulnerable to jump balls than most corners. Critics will point to a couple of long touchdowns Hall gave up against Ted Ginn and Dwayne Jarrett, but the Ginn touchdown was more of a safety error. Hall expected help over the top; when his help bit on play action he was toast through no fault of his own.

CON: Hall was never really a shutdown corner on the college level and won't be one in the NFL. Though he ran very well at the combine he never played that fast. The Jarrett touchdown was troubling, especially since Jarrett's lack of speed has him falling down draft boards.

OVERALL: Hall's a good bet to be a solid starter in the league for a long time but is not likely to be a star. He'll never rack up a lot of interceptions or pass breakups and isn't going to shut down half the field; he will make a lot of small plays that help teams quietly. Also he's never going to get arrested for anything.

18. Bengals: Leon Hall, Cornerback, Michigan

Posted: Apr 28th 2007 3:34PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, NFL Draft, Cincinnati

5 COMMENTS

If you're a Cincinnati fan, you've got to be quite pleased that Hall was still on the board: He wasn't around this late in any mock drafts I saw. Of course, the Bengals also took a cornerback, Johnathan Joseph, in the first round last year. This pick isn't much of a show of faith in Joseph.

There's been a lot of talk that USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett got the better of Hall in the Rose Bowl, and that therefore Hall shouldn't have been drafted before Jarrett. This YouTube is a brief example:

But let's stipulate that Jarrett outplayed Hall that day. Does that really mean Jarrett will be a better pro? Shouldn't we consider other factors when assessing each player, like what they did in their other college games, their athleticism, etc? I feel fairly confident saying that Hall was chosen about where he should have been, and that Jarrett will be chosen about where he should be.

Note: Prior to the 2006 season, our resident Michigan man Brian Cook wasn't impressed with Hall. Now he's somewhat more optimistic about his future.