Bengals sign Purify

[Jumpy]

Well, I figured I'd start this thread so no one could accuse me of dodging the issue. The Bengals signed yet another player with a "tainted" past yesterday in Nebraska's Maurice Purify.

By all accounts, the kid was a third round talent, but due to the dreaded "character concerns" he completely fell out of the draft. He has the measurables (6' 3". 4.45-4.6 40-yd dash) and the college production (91 catches and 16 TDs in only 25 college games) but in a five week span in '06, he was arrested oin two counts of assault and one count of resisting arrest and then suspicion of DUI. I can't find any info on the actual incidents that sparked the arrests, or the end results of the litigation (if any).

I know people are going to give them flak for signing the guy, especially after drafting the Shirley kid, and I can't say it is unwarranted. At this point, it is honestly hard for me to defend their actions. However, I reserve judgement on the team and the players. This draft/CFA signing are more than coincidence and prove that the Bengals are consciously bringing these type of guys in. Either they have truly "done their homework" on the guys, or they are the embodiment of insanity. Time will tell.

[XU 87]

It's nothing short of incredible that the Bengals signed this guy. But signings like this are one of the reasons why the Bengals have been to the playoffs one time since 1990.

[Jumpy]

You know, maybe we can just chalk those five weeks up to a "bad run" and we won't hear anything else from him. It's just starting to grind on me that they continue to take guys like these. One, maybe two spread far enough apart won't hurt (the Patriots aren't afraid of drafting guys with character concerns) but the law of averages will catch up to you in the end, and going at the rate the Bengals are, they are going to have a roster full of Pickens', Dillons and Henrys.

[DAllen15]

It may make for a more soulful lockerroom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_&_Bobby_Purify

[Billy]

It may make for a more soulful lockerroom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_&_Bobby_Purify

If the Bengals had any brains, they would've signed Marty Wilde ahead of these guys. I heard he ran a 4.42 at the combine.

[PM Thor]

I'm apathetic to this point. Nothing surprises me anymore. Marvin says he will stay away from guys with "problems", but he doesn't. I understand the need for players immediately, but where is the line? Goodness.

[D-West & PO-Z]

You know, maybe we can just chalk those five weeks up to a "bad run" and we won't hear anything else from him. It's just starting to grind on me that they continue to take guys like these. One, maybe two spread far enough apart won't hurt (the Patriots aren't afraid of drafting guys with character concerns) but the law of averages will catch up to you in the end, and going at the rate the Bengals are, they are going to have a roster full of Pickens', Dillons and Henrys.

Who are the character issue guys that the Pats have drafted? Also, even if they have, that organization is smart enough and experienced enough to be able to handle certain players other organizations might not be able to.

[Jumpy]

Who are the character issue guys that the Pats have drafted? Also, even if they have, that organization is smart enough and experienced enough to be able to handle certain players other organizations might not be able to.


Jerrod Mayo was arrested and charged with assault his freshman year. He was suspended from the team and then reinstated when the charges were eventually dropped because the prosecution's star witness didn't show up for court.

If you read what I wrote, you would see that you are in agreement with me. When you take guys with off-field concerns cautiously and responsibly, it can work. Hence, my New England example.

[BlueGuy]

I doubt this guy will even make the team.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Jerrod Mayo was arrested and charged with assault his freshman year. He was suspended from the team and then reinstated when the charges were eventually dropped because the prosecution's star witness didn't show up for court.

If you read what I wrote, you would see that you are in agreement with me. When you take guys with off-field concerns cautiously and responsibly, it can work. Hence, my New England example.

Yeah, but you used the example to say hey the Pats do this every once in a while so it wouldnt be bad for the Bengals to do so once in a while. You do acknowledge that the Bengals have done it too often and I agree. Where we disagree is that I dont think the Bengals can even take ONE chance at this point with character issue guys, because they have been burned too many times in the past by it and it looks really bad for the organization.

[xavierj]

You can probably find anywhere from 5-10 guys or more on every NFL team who have criminal records but the bengals just get magnified because they had so many guys arrested at one time. Take a look at the Cowboys ann all of the off the field problems guys had and still have but no one every says a bad word about them. Why? because they usually win and were America's team. The Bengals on the other hand do not win and it is easy to kick a team while they are down. Hell the Cowboys have signed Pacman and Tank Johnson within the last 10 months and those are two bad dudes but not a peep is said about the Cowboys. On top of that they are leading the pack to sign Chris Henry. Every team in the NFL is allowed to take character issues except the Bengals. I don't agree with taking problems but if the Packers, Cowboys, Jaquars, Steelers, Seahawks and Chargers can then you have to do what you have to do at times to try and compete.

[Jumpy]

Very good point, J. Perception trumps reality. I found this list on another message board, I can't personally vouche for the accuracy of the numbers, but it comes from a poster that I respect. This is a list of the number of players, by team, that have run afoul of Johnny Law since July, 2005.

Jaguars 12
Vikings 12
Bengals 10
Dolphins 10
Broncos 9
Chargers 8
Steelers 8
Bears 6
Titans 6
Colts 6
Chiefs 6
Seahawks 5
Falcons 5
Patriots 4
Texans 4
Browns 4
Bucs 4
Saints 4
Packers 3
Lions 3
Panthers 3
Bills 3
Ravens 3
Rams 3
Eagles 2
49ers 2
Giants 2
Cowboys 2
Jets 2
Raiders 2
Redskins 2
Cardinals 0 (wow)

This list does not take recidivism into account, so the Bengals' number would increase substantially (so would a couple of other teams).

[PM Thor]

Jump, I would like to see how those numbers change when it is in referance to felonies, or even multiple offenses.

I mean, a guy who gets busted twice for having pot isn't the same as a guy who gets busted for kidnapping, or assault, I believe.

[Jumpy]

Jump, I would like to see how those numbers change when it is in referance to felonies, or even multiple offenses.

I mean, a guy who gets busted twice for having pot isn't the same as a guy who gets busted for kidnapping, or assault, I believe.

Good point. It also doesn't consider league infractions that do not result in criminal prosecution, i.e. steroid use. Considering that alone, the Chargers jump into double digits. This is a very rudimentary list, for sure, but it does help to put "the state of the league" in perspective.

[Stonebreaker]

These guys are gotten at a discount (or value). The Bengals think that:

BEING CHEAP > IMAGE

[Jumpy]

These guys are gotten at a discount (or value). The Bengals think that:

BEING CHEAP > IMAGE

I agree with your initial assessment, but not your conclusion. they like the "value" picks of guys that are around longer than they should be in the draft. they value potential over character. That is not a product of being cheap.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I agree with your initial assessment, but not your conclusion. they like the "value" picks of guys that are around longer than they should be in the draft. they value potential over character. That is not a product of being cheap.

Yeah, thats been working out for them.

[Jumpy]

Yeah, thats been working out for them.

Dude, we get it. You're an elitest Giants fan. I just hope you remember how it feels to lose and have wasted potential on your roster because once the season starts, your Giants will go back to being that team and won't sniff the Super Bowl any time soon.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Dude, we get it. You're an elitest Giants fan. I just hope you remember how it feels to lose and have wasted potential on your roster because once the season starts, your Giants will go back to being that team and won't sniff the Super Bowl any time soon.

I just like ruffling your feathers Jumpy, its just too easy. The thread comparing UD fans to Bengals fans was made because of fans just like you. Its almost like you think the Bengals are doing everything right and they are just a step away from a Super Bowl. Sure you throw in the negative comment about the Bengals and what they are doing every once in a while just to try and show you can be objective, but truth is everyone can see right threw it. I get it, you think the bengals are great and they are doing it right and that they are on the right track. Glad you have faith, but then again so do UD fans.

[AdamtheFlyer]

Purify has had a rough go in recent years. I know he's had to deal with the deaths of a few people very close to him (girlfriend, brother maybe), and he's had some problems himself. Maybe one caused the other and in time he grew up.

But the rush to judgements on the kid that some people make really disturb me, especially when they come as part of an indictment on the Bengals staff. That's ridiculously unfair.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Purify has had a rough go in recent years. I know he's had to deal with the deaths of a few people very close to him (girlfriend, brother maybe), and he's had some problems himself. Maybe one caused the other and in time he grew up.

But the rush to judgements on the kid that some people make really disturb me, especially when they come as part of an indictment on the Bengals staff. That's ridiculously unfair.

No one here is making a rush to judgment on the kid. Everyone who is questioning the move is looking at FACTS. Facts that the kid has had run ins with the law in the past. No one here has said that the kid isnt on the right track now, or that he will always have run ins with the law. What people are saying, is that he has had run ins with the law and that because of that history and the fact that the Bengals have been burned by guys with that history before, that the Bengals should have stayed away from him. He might be a wonderful person and citizen now and in the future, but the fact is he has a criminal background and people were disturbed that the Bengals would take a chance after being burned before.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Dude, we get it. You're an elitest Giants fan. I just hope you remember how it feels to lose and have wasted potential on your roster because once the season starts, your Giants will go back to being that team and won't sniff the Super Bowl any time soon.

Also, I know you dont know me and may not have been at MM before this site, but I am not just now starting to harp on the Bengals just because the Giants won the Super Bowl. I have always ripped on the Bengals for doing certain things and being losers all while I was growing up. I give my friends who love the Bengals a hard time and they gave it right back to me during rough stretches of the Giants. I am not some guy who just decided to start ripping on teams because my team won. I have been ripping on the Bengals for a long time now.

Also, if that is your outlook for the Giants next year, I would hate to see your outlook for your own team, because it would have to be rough, although no one would be able to figure that out the way you talk about the Bengals, considering they have made all the right moves and are doing things just fine according to you.

[Jumpy]

I just like ruffling your feathers Jumpy, its just too easy. The thread comparing UD fans to Bengals fans was made because of fans just like you. Its almost like you think the Bengals are doing everything right and they are just a step away from a Super Bowl. Sure you throw in the negative comment about the Bengals and what they are doing every once in a while just to try and show you can be objective, but truth is everyone can see right threw it. I get it, you think the bengals are great and they are doing it right and that they are on the right track. Glad you have faith, but then again so do UD fans.

Call me what you will. That doesn't bother me. I am a fan of my team, and I will back them. The thing that bothers me is that after one miraculous run, you have already forgotten about where your team has come from. Before last year, the Bengals and giants were often compared. Loads of talent not getting it done on the field. And it will be right back to that once the new season starts.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Call me what you will. That doesn't bother me. I am a fan of my team, and I will back them. The thing that bothers me is that after one miraculous run, you have already forgotten about where your team has come from. Before last year, the Bengals and giants were often compared. Loads of talent not getting it done on the field. And it will be right back to that once the new season starts.

No, no, no. The Giants have been to 3 straight playoffs. Of course they lost in the first round the first two times, and for Giants fans and management that is not good enough and not getting it done, but the Bengals went to the playoffs in 2005 and havent been back since, which obviously isnt a big concern for the Bengals management. The Giants main problem was defense and Eli not progressing as rapidly as expected. Last years draft and free agency the Giants addressed a lot of defensive issues and gave Manning a few new targets in Boss and Smith and the Giants took the next step, well actually the next 3 steps, and thats what an organization is supposed to do.

The Giants are in the toughest, some may say second toughest, division in football, and it will always be a battle for them to win their division and to get to the playoffs, but there is little doubt in my mine they will be right back in the playoffs next year.

[Jumpy]

No, no, no. The Giants have been to 3 straight playoffs. Of course they lost in the first round the first two times, and for Giants fans and management that is not good enough and not getting it done, but the Bengals went to the playoffs in 2005 and havent been back since, which obviously isnt a big concern for the Bengals management. The Giants main problem was defense and Eli not progressing as rapidly as expected. Last years draft and free agency the Giants addressed a lot of defensive issues and gave Manning a few new targets in Boss and Smith and the Giants took the next step, well actually the next 3 steps, and thats what an organization is supposed to do.

The Giants are in the toughest, some may say second toughest, division in football, and it will always be a battle for them to win their division and to get to the playoffs, but there is little doubt in my mine they will be right back in the playoffs next year.


I'll just hold on to this thread and we can revisit it at the end of the year. And since when did the giants join the AFC South?

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'll just hold on to this thread and we can revisit it at the end of the year. And since when did the giants join the AFC South?

You do that. Also notice I said some may say second toughest, although I think any knowledgeable football fan would say the Redskins and Eagles are better teams than the Titans and Texans. The tops of the divisions are pretty equal. I mean c'mon the Titans!? Vince Young was like the worst rated passer last year, and they have NO receivers. Also the NFC East has had 3 teams in the playoffs two years in a row now.

You get back to me at the end of next season though when the Bengals miss the playoffs yet again and the Giants are going to their fourth straight.

[Jumpy]

You do that. Also notice I said some may say second toughest, although I think any knowledgeable football fan would say the Redskins and Eagles are better teams than the Titans and Texans. The tops of the divisions are pretty equal. I mean c'mon the Titans!? Vince Young was like the worst rated passer last year, and they have NO receivers. Also the NFC East has had 3 teams in the playoffs two years in a row now.

You get back to me at the end of next season though when the Bengals miss the playoffs yet again and the Giants are going to their fourth straight.


No, only an NFC East homer would say that. Tennessee was 10-6 and made the playoffs Houston was 8-8, just like the Eagles.

And don't worry, I will bring this back up at the end of the season, and you can eat your crow then.

[D-West & PO-Z]

No, only an NFC East homer would say that. Tennessee was 10-6 and made the playoffs Houston was 8-8, just like the Eagles.

And don't worry, I will bring this back up at the end of the season, and you can eat your crow then.

I will guarantee that the Titans dont make the playoffs this year. Do you disagree?

The Texans wont make it either.

What about the Bengals? Make you prediction Jumpy.

Unless something happens to some key Giants players from here on until the season I will definitely go on record saying that the defending Super Bowl Champs will be in the playoffs.

[Kahns Krazy]

If there was an ignore thread button, I would use it on this one.

[Jumpy]

I will guarantee that the Titans dont make the playoffs this year. Do you disagree?

The Texans wont make it either.

What about the Bengals? Make you prediction Jumpy.

Unless something happens to some key Giants players from here on until the season I will definitely go on record saying that the defending Super Bowl Champs will be in the playoffs.

No, I leave the prognostications up to the loudmouths and talking heads. I just enjoy supporting my team. You should spend more time enjoying yours then trying to belittle others.

[D-West & PO-Z]

No, I leave the prognostications up to the loudmouths and talking heads. I just enjoy supporting my team. You should spend more time enjoying yours then trying to belittle others.

Check out my picture to the left, I enjoy them plenty.

[boozehound]

No, only an NFC East homer would say that. Tennessee was 10-6 and made the playoffs Houston was 8-8, just like the Eagles.

And don't worry, I will bring this back up at the end of the season, and you can eat your crow then.

And as far as the 'top' of the division goes, I don't care who won the superbowl, if the Colts and Giants play 10 games against each other, the Colts win 8-9 of them.

[D-West & PO-Z]

And as far as the 'top' of the division goes, I don't care who won the superbowl, if the Colts and Giants play 10 games against each other, the Colts win 8-9 of them.

Well if you are using that logic, then the Giants arent at the top of the division, it would be the Cowboys who had 13 pro bowlers. Do the Colts beat them 8-9 times out of 10?

[D-West & PO-Z]

The power rankings came up yesterday and I know they dont mean anything, especially this far in advance, but it does support me saying that the NFC East is better, so its not just the opinion of an "NFC East Homer".

All 4 of the NFC East teams are in the top 14 of the rankings.
AFC South all 4 are in the top 20.

2 in the top 5 for the AFC South.
2 in the top 6 for the NFC East.

If you add together all the places the teams in each division are in and divide by the number of teams, the AFC South has an average ranking of 10.75 the NFC East has an average ranking of 9.25. So am I an NFC East homer? Probably. But, my statement isnt off base.

[Jumpy]

The power rankings came up yesterday and I know they dont mean anything, especially this far in advance, but it does support me saying that the NFC East is better, so its not just the opinion of an "NFC East Homer".

All 4 of the NFC East teams are in the top 14 of the rankings.
AFC South all 4 are in the top 20.

2 in the top 5 for the AFC South.
2 in the top 6 for the NFC East.

If you add together all the places the teams in each division are in and divide by the number of teams, the AFC South has an average ranking of 10.75 the NFC East has an average ranking of 9.25. So am I an NFC East homer? Probably. But, my statement isnt off base.

ESPN Power Rankings? Really?

Yeah... this conversation is over.

[D-West & PO-Z]

ESPN Power Rankings? Really?

Yeah... this conversation is over.

Thats usually what happens when one person (you) loses an argument. Its a beautiful thing. :D

[boozehound]

The power rankings came up yesterday and I know they dont mean anything, especially this far in advance, but it does support me saying that the NFC East is better, so its not just the opinion of an "NFC East Homer".

All 4 of the NFC East teams are in the top 14 of the rankings.
AFC South all 4 are in the top 20.

2 in the top 5 for the AFC South.
2 in the top 6 for the NFC East.

If you add together all the places the teams in each division are in and divide by the number of teams, the AFC South has an average ranking of 10.75 the NFC East has an average ranking of 9.25. So am I an NFC East homer? Probably. But, my statement isnt off base.


Power rankings???

Remember last year when the Ravens were ranked #4 in the preseason rankings? How did that work out?

Your beloved Giants were 17 and won the superbowl.

Power rankings in May mean nothing. They mean even less than the preseason power rankings that come out at the end of the preseason, and those don't mean anything. We haven't even had training camp yet.

BTW if you want to call the Cowboys the top of the division that's fine. The Colts would probably only beat them 7 out of 10 times. The NFC east is definitely the best division in the NFC, but the NFC sucks.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Power rankings???

Remember last year when the Ravens were ranked #4 in the preseason rankings? How did that work out?

Your beloved Giants were 17 and won the superbowl.

Power rankings in May mean nothing. They mean even less than the preseason power rankings that come out at the end of the preseason, and those don't mean anything. We haven't even had training camp yet.

BTW if you want to call the Cowboys the top of the division that's fine. The Colts would probably only beat them 7 out of 10 times. The NFC east is definitely the best division in the NFC, but the NFC sucks.

Do you know what those Power Rankings represent? They basically represent last year and those people ranking the teams rank the NFC East teams higher than the AFC South teams. Those guys opinions are just as valid as ours, if not more considering their job is to follow football.

NFC East = Best Division in football.

Texans and Titans? C'mon you guys are reaching now. But as Bengals fans I guess it has sort of become second nature for you to be as delusional as possible.

[boozehound]

Do you know what those Power Rankings represent? They basically represent last year and those people ranking the teams rank the NFC East teams higher than the AFC South teams. Those guys opinions are just as valid as ours, if not more considering their job is to follow football.

NFC East = Best Division in football.

Texans and Titans? C'mon you guys are reaching now. But as Bengals fans I guess it has sort of become second nature for you to be as delusional as possible.

Right. It is someone's opinion. The same people who thought that the Ravens should be ranked #4 last year.

Personally I think it is a toss up between the NFC East and the AFC South. The AFC South has better top 2 teams, while the bottom 2 teams in the NFC East may be a bit stronger.

[Jumpy]

Thats usually what happens when one person (you) loses an argument. Its a beautiful thing. :D


first, it's not about winning or losing. Second, if you are truly going to try and back your argument with something as stupid and inconsequential as power rankings, then, no, I'm not going to bother continuing the conversation. I mean, the fact that you took time out of your life to analyze a meaningless subjective ranking of NFL teams created 4 months before the start of the season is laughable and pathetic. But, yeah, you won. Good job. Here's your biscuit.