Thomas Howard (1 Viewer)

Is now a FA. At one point he was highly productive for Oakland but got sidelined, latterly. Do we know what happened? If he has not declined in skills terms he could be a useful addition for a team.

Has now been signed by Cincinnati. He's getting too much money not to start. Could have some value IMHO.

I think he's starting in place of Keith Rivers at WLB

He fell out of favor when the Raiders started playing more 4-3. Before that, he was very good in my IDP league. He had one down year due to injury but around that two very good top 15LB ish years.

The guy (at least used to be) very fast. There used to be reports of foot races in camp where Howard was running down McFadden. Pretty impressive. I think he needed the change of scenery and would be ideal as the WLB.

Per Rotoworld,

"Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is projecting Thomas Howard as a weak-side linebacker who will play in nickel packages."

Since Rivers is WLB, this implies that Howard will replace Rivers on passing downs (which I doubt), or will simply be his backup, and will come in on passing downs at another position, like SLB.

'BearsFan said:

Per Rotoworld, "Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is projecting Thomas Howard as a weak-side linebacker who will play in nickel packages."Since Rivers is WLB, this implies that Howard will replace Rivers on passing downs (which I doubt), or will simply be his backup, and will come in on passing downs at another position, like SLB.

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Correct. Saw this quote out of context initially on Twitter and thought it was evidence that Howard would be the WLB in one of those confusing underfronts Zimmer uses. Since seeing the entire interview, I think that Howard is the new Brandon Johnson. Whether that means Rivers or Maualuga sits in the nickel is yet to be seen, but I don't think Howard is expected to start unless there's an injury. I also don't know what that means for the SLB spot, but I still think there's a chance another veteran is signed to compete.

I keep reading that Howard is currently starting in place of Rivers, due to Rivers' wrist injury. Geoff Hobson of bengals.com says that Rivers' injury could potentially keep him out for up to two more months. Manny Lawson was also brought in to add depth. Hobson also speculates that with the Lawson signing, the starting lineup would most likely be Lawson (SAM), Maualuga (MLB), and Howard (WILL).

What are the odds/liklihood of Maualuga getting snaps in the nickel and being a 3 down LB in this defensive setup? How do things look once Rivers is added to the mix?

Lawson Signs, Rivers Out

Lawson also has the build to play DE as well.

'RavenCRH said:

I keep reading that Howard is currently starting in place of Rivers, due to Rivers' wrist injury. Geoff Hobson of bengals.com says that Rivers' injury could potentially keep him out for up to two more months. Manny Lawson was also brought in to add depth. Hobson also speculates that with the Lawson signing, the starting lineup would most likely be Lawson (SAM), Maualuga (MLB), and Howard (WILL).

What are the odds/liklihood of Maualuga getting snaps in the nickel and being a 3 down LB in this defensive setup? How do things look once Rivers is added to the mix?

Lawson Signs, Rivers Out

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With Rivers hurt and Howard playing in the nickel, I can't imagine Maualuga playing in the nickel over Brandon Johnson.

'Anthony Borbely said:

'RavenCRH said:

I keep reading that Howard is currently starting in place of Rivers, due to Rivers' wrist injury. Geoff Hobson of bengals.com says that Rivers' injury could potentially keep him out for up to two more months. Manny Lawson was also brought in to add depth. Hobson also speculates that with the Lawson signing, the starting lineup would most likely be Lawson (SAM), Maualuga (MLB), and Howard (WILL).

What are the odds/liklihood of Maualuga getting snaps in the nickel and being a 3 down LB in this defensive setup? How do things look once Rivers is added to the mix?

Lawson Signs, Rivers Out

Click to expand...

With Rivers hurt and Howard playing in the nickel, I can't imagine Maualuga playing in the nickel over Brandon Johnson.

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except for the fact that Brandon Johnson is currently a free agent. (unless I somewhere missed the fact that he re-signed)

'MindCrime said:

'Anthony Borbely said:

'RavenCRH said:

I keep reading that Howard is currently starting in place of Rivers, due to Rivers' wrist injury. Geoff Hobson of bengals.com says that Rivers' injury could potentially keep him out for up to two more months. Manny Lawson was also brought in to add depth. Hobson also speculates that with the Lawson signing, the starting lineup would most likely be Lawson (SAM), Maualuga (MLB), and Howard (WILL).

What are the odds/liklihood of Maualuga getting snaps in the nickel and being a 3 down LB in this defensive setup? How do things look once Rivers is added to the mix?

Lawson Signs, Rivers Out

Click to expand...

With Rivers hurt and Howard playing in the nickel, I can't imagine Maualuga playing in the nickel over Brandon Johnson.

Click to expand...

except for the fact that Brandon Johnson is currently a free agent. (unless I somewhere missed the fact that he re-signed)

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He is a free agent. I thought he re-signed but he didn't. I still think he will. If not, then it's wide open.

'Anthony Borbely said:

'MindCrime said:

'Anthony Borbely said:

'RavenCRH said:

I keep reading that Howard is currently starting in place of Rivers, due to Rivers' wrist injury. Geoff Hobson of bengals.com says that Rivers' injury could potentially keep him out for up to two more months. Manny Lawson was also brought in to add depth. Hobson also speculates that with the Lawson signing, the starting lineup would most likely be Lawson (SAM), Maualuga (MLB), and Howard (WILL).

What are the odds/liklihood of Maualuga getting snaps in the nickel and being a 3 down LB in this defensive setup? How do things look once Rivers is added to the mix?

Lawson Signs, Rivers Out

Click to expand...

With Rivers hurt and Howard playing in the nickel, I can't imagine Maualuga playing in the nickel over Brandon Johnson.

Click to expand...

except for the fact that Brandon Johnson is currently a free agent. (unless I somewhere missed the fact that he re-signed)

Click to expand...

He is a free agent. I thought he re-signed but he didn't. I still think he will. If not, then it's wide open.

Click to expand...

Brandon Johnson re-signed with the Bengals today.

'Anthony Borbely said:

'Anthony Borbely said:

'MindCrime said:

'Anthony Borbely said:

'RavenCRH said:

I keep reading that Howard is currently starting in place of Rivers, due to Rivers' wrist injury. Geoff Hobson of bengals.com says that Rivers' injury could potentially keep him out for up to two more months. Manny Lawson was also brought in to add depth. Hobson also speculates that with the Lawson signing, the starting lineup would most likely be Lawson (SAM), Maualuga (MLB), and Howard (WILL).

What are the odds/liklihood of Maualuga getting snaps in the nickel and being a 3 down LB in this defensive setup? How do things look once Rivers is added to the mix?

Lawson Signs, Rivers Out

Click to expand...

With Rivers hurt and Howard playing in the nickel, I can't imagine Maualuga playing in the nickel over Brandon Johnson.

Click to expand...

except for the fact that Brandon Johnson is currently a free agent. (unless I somewhere missed the fact that he re-signed)

Click to expand...

He is a free agent. I thought he re-signed but he didn't. I still think he will. If not, then it's wide open.

Click to expand...

Brandon Johnson re-signed with the Bengals today.

Click to expand...

There didn't seem to be a market for him, but I doubt he would re-sign with Cincinnati if he thought he'd have to outplay Howard for a roster spot. I think this makes it very difficult for Rey Maualuga to find a role in the subpackages. Not impossible, but he'll have to be impressive to earn a nickel job.

Does this make Howard a buy-low candidate? Can he be a 3 down linebacker? Is he starting at WLB? It's hard to follow this thread as different news was introduced over time.

Overview of my thoughts:

Ideal depth chart (in eyes of coaches)

Base -- SLB Lawson / MLB Maualuga / WLB Rivers

Nickel (my speculation) -- LB Howard / LB BJohnson

Current depth chart

Base -- SLB Lawson / MLB Maualuga / WLB Howard

Nickel (my speculation) -- LB Howard / LB BJohnson

It would appear that Rivers' wrist injury is significant enough to keep him on PUP when the season starts. It would appear that the Bengals have no intention of bringing back Dhani Jones. Zimmer has said that Howard was signed to play Will (though the starting job was likely his only due to Rivers' injury) and in the nickel package. I think it's unlikely to expect that Howard or Johnson would be cut; Johnson was the team's best nickel defender last year and they wanted him back.

More speculation: Don't be surprised to see another vet signing. There's really no one rostered that's a good fit to play MLB. And I think this back seven is really iffy. If Maualuga can play to expectation, he could be a very nice IDP despite not playing in the nickel. So will the SS, though I can't get behind Crocker. If the Bengals get back on Whitner, there might be 90 solo tackle upside for him.