Bengals Ready to Purify Their Souls (Again)

They can't be serious, can they?

The Bengals have once again opened themselves up to a season of headaches, embarassment, and lack of production by signing college free agent WR Maurice Purify out of Nebraska.  If another team would make a signing like this, it is not as big of an issue.  The Bengals, however, have forfeited their right to take chances on high talent, low quality players like Purify or their 2008 5th round draft pick, Jason Shirley.  As years continue to pass by without a playoff win for the Bengals, it is becoming harder and harder for the organization to hide behind the cloak of "wanting to give a guy a second chance at life".  The supreme arrogance of this organization to stand in front of their fans and say that character matters, and then turn around and hire players like Shirley and Purify is astounding.

It's not like Purify was pulled over for a broken tail light, this guy is accused of doing some serious damage, and he sounds a lot like Chris Henry Lite.  Even if he is the next Billy Graham, why on Earth would you risk messing around with a guy you can't count on...AGAIN?

When you have an organization that leaves their head coach impotent to discipline players when they misbehave, and a lack of commitment from the top to win football games, you receive the result that has plagued the Bengals for years. 

Bengals management doesn't understand the point.  It's not about whether Purify (or Shirley) stay out of trouble.  It's about making a statement that this kind of behavior won't be tolerated anymore.  One of the most 'talented' teams in the league the last two seasons went a combined 15-17.  This team needs leaders.  This organization needs a leader.  This town needs a leader.

If the Bengals wanted to make a statement to their players, their coaches, and their fans...their signing of Purify did just that.  I hear it loud and clear.

Comments

[DC WhoDey]

Did anyone read the comments at the end of the link to the Purify story? Even in Nebraska they know the Bengals seek out criminals.

[DC WhoDey]

Did anyone read the comments at the end of the link to the Purify story? Even in Nebraska they know the Bengals seek out criminals.

[raindogzilla]

I can almost understand taking a flyer on a guy with the potential upside of Jason Shirley. The guy's a freak of nature. But Purify, as a receiver, has barely average speed and sub-par hands- and we've already drafted Urrutia ;-) . He ranks high on the all-time receiving lists at Nebraska, which means exactly nothing. Maybe I want a beast in the middle of that D-Line so bad that I'm willing to give Shirley the benefit of the doubt but Purify makes no sense, whatsoever. Then, nothing Mike Brown has ever done makes much football sense.