I know it’s been awhile since I’ve thrown you a bone to chew in (in the form of my blog), and I apologize for those of you who have been patiently waiting …..

With all the discussions surrounding player holdouts, regular season vs. pre-season length, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations (which are happening this minute)…..I’m working on a blog that will address some of the concerns that many players/coaches are having regarding these issues.

So stayed tuned…..it will be COMING SOON!

Artrell

Artrell Hawkins (AH):  Every athlete has that “ah-ha” moment, when they realize their talents are above average.  Talk about that moment for you.

• Adam “Pacman” Jones (Pacman):  Probably around 9 years old.  I had something like 34 touchdowns in 10 games as a running back.  My team won the national championship that year…and that’s when i knew if I worked hard, I could be pretty special.

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(AH):  Who was your favorite player growing up?

• (Pacman):  Deion Sanders.  I was always a 2 or 3 sport player and my goal was to play basketball and football…I had scholarships for both of them.  But Deion was the best of my time.  There were other cornerbacks out there who were good, but as far as being flamboyant, his punt returns, kick returns–that’s why I was out there.  And Emmitt Smith….I wore #22 as a running back.

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(AH):  What were your impressions of Rod Woodson when he was here helping as a coach last week?

• (Pacman):  He’s a great person, very smart.  I learned a lot from him while he was here.  You can tell the guy worked hard when he was playing.  He knows what’s coming, when it’s coming…..and he’s a great person to be around also.

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(AH):  Through your career, your athleticism goes without saying.  But at cornerback, they talk about your lack of technique.  Do you see your technique getting better by working with Kevin Coyle (Bengals defensive backs coach)?

• (Pacman):  I would say it’s getting better every day.  He makes sure my technique is always right.  Like today, I slipped up and had my eyes in the backfield too long, and in a game I probably could’ve went and got that ball.  But it’s the little things that make you so much better.  So he’s done a great job with me…both him and Zim (Mike Zimmer).  They stay on me every day….and i want to get better, so I like the coaching.

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(AH):  Who’s the fastest defensive back on the team?

• (Pacman):  Me, hands down.

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(AH):  As far as another teammate, who’s been the biggest influence since you’ve been here?

• (Pacman):  Chris Crocker.  He’s been the most positive and professional, as far as helping me on the field and off the field.  I think Crock’s a good person, and even though he hasn’t been through what I have, he’s an older guy and has a lot of respect for others.

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(AH):  Compared to other locker rooms that you’ve been in, how does the Cincinnati Bengals locker room compare?

• (Pacman): It’s more like my Tennessee locker room here…we all get along.  In Dallas, there was more division and the guys really didn’t hang together.  But here, we all get along pretty good.

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(AH):  A year ago, you were out of football and unsure of your future.  This is your first game back…in front of a national crowd…against your former team. How does it feel to be back?

• (Pacman):  It’s a blessing.  I won’t take it for granted this time.  My God is a good God, and I respect and have learned from everything I’ve been through.  That’s the reason I’m here getting another chance.  I’ve bettered myself as a person also.  But i’m gonna let the game come to me on Sunday…work on my technique and do my job, and I think everything will play out well.

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(AH):  What do you want people to know about Adam “Pacman” Jones?

• (Pacman):  I’m not the guy who they think I am.  They consider me a monster.  I’m nothing like that. I had a coach come to me today and say a few words about what one of the referees was saying about me, and I almost went in my locker and cried.  That’s not me. The past is the past, and all I can do is show them what I learned and where I’m going now.  I just want people to not judge a book by it’s cover, and give me a shot.

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(AH):  What are your goals for this year?

• (Pacman):  Staying out of trouble, first of all, and being a good teammate.  Everything else will come.  On the field, there’s not much for me to worry about out there as long as I’m doing my technique.  I’m gonna do my job and make my share of plays.

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(AH):  How do you prepare yourself for game day?

• (Pacman):  Film, film, film!

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(AH):  Any pre-game rituals?

• (Pacman):  I hate for my feet to get wet before a game.

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(AH):  Let’s have some fun and do a few “quick hits” as we like to call them on www.artrellhawkins.com…..

• T.I. or Jay-Z? (Pacman): Jay-Z
• Favorite Jay-Z song?  (Pacman):  The old Jay-Z songs
• Kobe or Lebron? (Pacman):  Lebron
• Facebook or Twitter?  (Pacman):  Neither
• 16 or 18 game NFL season? (Pacman):  18 games but no pre-season
• Brett Favre:  In or out this season? (Pacman):  Out
• T.O. Show or Ocho’s Ultimate Catch?  (Pacman):  The T.O. Show…I love the family factor and how he’s trying to evolve.

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(AH):  Where do you see Pacman in 5 years?

• (Pacman):  Hopefully still here.  Probably on the last year of my deal….maybe about to re-up on another contract….if not, on a boat somewhere fishing.

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(AH):  If you had to pick 3 words to describe your future, what would they be?

• (Pacman):  The sky…promising…and redemption.

With the first pre-season contest out of the way, the Bengals go back to work today in Georgetown….and WORK…is what they must do.

Don’t talk about it, be about it! Expectations for this season are as high as they’ve ever been in Cincinnati. That’s a good thing. However, the pressure that these lofty expectations are real and potentially hazordous to any team ill-equipped to handle them. Its not unusual for fans and media to voice their opinions regarding post-season standings, eventual division-champions, etc… but for coaches or players to do so is dangerous.  There are to many unforeseeable variables, both good and bad, in an NFL season to accurately predict anything. Players and coaches know that.  Plus, it’s understood that every player and every coach’s ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl.  So why talk about it publicly in August?  It serves no good purpose and it distracts from concentrating on what’s most  important: WORK!  I won’t mention names, but I’ve heard and read about several members of the team talking post-season play. I think that’s a mistake and makes it  more difficult to deal with any setbacks that are sure to arise, at some point, during the season.  August isn’t the time to make predictions. It’s a time to tirelessly work on the details (blocking, tackling, chemistry, etc.) that will allow you to reach your goals.

If I had an oppurtunity to address the Bengals today, my message would be:

1) Properly manage expectations

2) Put the team first

3) Ignore the noise

4) Don’t believe the hype!

All of these directives turn the focus toward work ethic, team, and diligence…which is the key to any group of folks trying to accomplish greatness!

A couple quick thoughts about last nights Bengals vs Cowboys game…

First thing first–penalties are still a major problem. Last night, the Bengals had 12 penalties for 90 yards. That’s not winning football. It shows a lack of discipline and concentration, especially when they’re pre-snap penalties like off-sides and illegal-motion. Penalties kill momentum and lose games.

On the D’s first series, an off-sides penalty on Jonathan Fananae negated a fumble caused by SS Roy Williams on the goal-line that would have kept the Cowboys from scoring on the drive.  On the offense’s first drive, Cedric Benson ran for a 6 yard gain to start the drive, then T.O. caught a quick out on 2nd and 4, giving the Bengals a fresh set of downs. On the third play of the drive, Carson again connected with T.O. on a 5yrd in-route. That should have set up 2nd down and 5, but an illegal motion penalty on Ochocinco wiped that gain out and put the Bengals in a 1st and 15 situation. They never recovered, and three plays later were forced to punt.

My point is, both of those early pre-snap penalties greatly affected the flow and eventual outcome of the game. The negative tempo established early by the first units, persisted throughout the rest of the game. Who knows what would happen offensively if their rhythym isn’t interrupted by an avoidable illegal-motion penalty? Who knows what would happen if the fumble recovered by the Bengals in the end zone counted?  The game could have turned out completely different. It’s harder to win games when you shoot yourself in the foot.  The first rule of survival is:  “Never eliminate yourself”.

I get that penalties are apart of the game and happen.  But when they happen at this rate, over and over again, it is unacceptable.  Marvin Lewis has to say enough is enough and take a hard-line, zero-tolerence  type approach if he wants this problem to improve. Maybe start taking  playing time away if your a habitual offenders. Whatever he decides, it has to be soon–the season is right around the corner!

Artrell Hawkins has been selected as one of Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2010 Forty Under 40 recipients!

Members of this dynamic and prestigious group are considered the community’s next generation of leaders and innovators.  Competition for this year’s program was intense, with nearly 420 nominations!  A twenty-member panel consisting of Forty Under 40 alumni made the selections.

Congratulations to Artrell, and the rest of the Class of 2010!

For more information, visit http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/event/14551.

Hello Friends!

Today I’ve launched a new feature on the site called the Question of the Day.  It’s located on the home page under  ”Latest Polls”, and my intentions are to GET YOU INVOLVED!  I want my website to be informative, insightful, and entertaining–but also interactive and fun for you!  This feature was installed so I can hear your opinion and where you stand on popular headlines and controversial topics in the world of sports, particularly the NFL.  New questions will be posted weekly and sometimes daily, so make sure you keep coming back!

Follow me on TWITTER (@artrellhawkins) and FACEBOOK (www.facebook.com/artrellhawkins) so you’re the first to know when a new question has been posted.

As always, thank you for visiting the site…..and I look forward to your feedback as I promise to continue to bring you the latest from the NFL, especially the AFC North.

Stay Blessed!

Artrell

***BEST MATCH-UP***: Ray Maualuga vs Fui Vakapuna–From where I was standing, it looked as though this was a split decesion. The first round I gave to Malaluga, who was more aggressive and in the end made the tackle on the running back. However, the second went to Fui–who got his pads low, drove ray backwards, and finished the block with attitude. I’d watch this battle all day.

***WORST MATCH-UP***: Dezmond Briscoe vs Brandon Ghee–Not to take anything away from Ghee here, because he was solid, but this matchup was probably one of the most lopsided of the day. At the snap, Ghee put his chin down, ran full speed at Briscoe, and lit him up. I mean LIT HIM UP! Looked like Briscoe left his feet trying to absorb the hit. Without a doubt, this rep got the biggest reaction from the players and coaches.

***BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE***: Chase Coffman– Although Chase is not known for his blocking prowess, he held his own today. He went against LB Dan Skuta and had a nice block.  Then, later in the drill Marvin called him out with the 4th round draft pick from Texas, LB Roddrick Muckelroy. Muckelroy was the more aggressive of the two, getting down hill in a hurry. But Chase did enough, not allowing Muckelroy to get his hands on the RB. Not pretty, but it got the job done. So for that I gave the W to Chase.

***WORST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE***: Jordan Shipley–Ok, not a big surprise here I know…but someone had to win it. Some WRs just can’t block. Jordan looks like that type. As impressive as he’s been catching the rock, he was equally as unimpressive stock-blocking today. It got so bad that at one point Adam Jones shouted out, “Come on man! This ain’t no hugging match!”  (Dezmond briscoe could have also won this category with ease).

***THE HIGHLIGHT***: Ocho vs Maualuga: As you would expect, Ray ran at Ocho as fast as he could and initially knocked him back. However, Ocho’s no fool. So, instead of trying to match strength for strength with the stronger Maualuga, Ocho withstood the force of  initial contact, wisely used Ray’s momentum against him, grabbed his shoulder pads, and hip-tossed him to the ground landing on top (like something you’d see watching the WWE).  When I asked Ocho about it, he jokingly asked me, “Did u see me sting him?”. Naw, I didn’t see all that (lol), but I did see a competitor figuring out a way to win an undesirable match-up. Something he has done pretty successfully over the course of his career.

***HONORABLE MENTIONS***: Clinton McDonald–McDonald handled Nate Livings on one rep and made the tackle pretty comfortably…MLB Dhani Jones–Smacked FB Joe Tronzo and made the tackle on Cordera Eason.

That about wraps it up for this morning’s practice.  Very exciting….and a great sign of things to come. Don’t you worry….I will keep you posted from the inside as we move forward through this momentous training camp, as long as you stay right here at www.artrellhawkins.com

With the T.O. hoopla finally behind us (thank goodness!!),  I’ve decided to blog about the Bengals most important Player-#9.

Despite all the fan-fare and media attention that the signing of T.O. has garnered the last couple days, ultimately Carson Palmer is the the guy that really counts. If  he dosen’t play well, none of this other crap matters. So the question that needs answered isn’t “Can Carson handle the “Tocho” (T.O.+Ocho) tandem?”, it’s “Can Carson get back to his pro-bowl form?”. I think he can, and here’s why..

Carson’s sceptics say that in’09, the lack of a Bengals passing game was due in large part to the subpar play of the teams $100million dollar man (Carson). They say the injuries he’s suffered over his career have affected his over all play, namely his accuracy and confidence.   In my opinion, injuries may have played a small part, but the biggest problem for the ’09 slump was a lack of consistency and ability among his pass catchers. Lavernius Coles, Dan Coates, Andre Caldwell, Quan Cosby….not a very intimidating group. Confidence? Put yourself in Carson’s shoes and tell me how confident you are.  Are you confident throwing to L.Coles, who struggled catching the ball from game 1? Does D.Coates one-on-one, versus any linebacker, sound like a good match-up to you? Short answer-NO!  Even with this, he still threw for nearly 3,100 yards.  That’s pretty impressive, considering.

Now, consider this year’s group:  T.O., Ocho, Gresham, Bryant. Are you feeling confident yet? You should. This is a group that inspires just that. They can beat you deep (T.O had a 98-yd TD in ’09)….they can beat you short (Ocho)….and they can move the chains between the numbers (Gresham & Bryant). Not only that, they’ll flat out make more plays at the point of attack because they’re all supremely gifted athletes. I’ll go on record here and now and say that if Carson stays healthy with this group, he’ll be back in the 4,000 yard passing club this season. No problemo!!

Yesterday I spoke briefly with Carson after the morning practice. And like any QB and leader of a NFL franchise is suppose to do, he didn’t make excuses or point the finger about what went on last year. Instead, he talked about how he dedicated this past off-season to improving his mechanics: Play action fakes–Make run plays look the same as pass plays–Eyes, to suck defenders up giving them less time to jump certain routes–Drops, so that his hips and feet are pointed toward his target when he sets to throw the football, which will improve timing and accuracy.

If all that doesn’t make you believe that Carson is feeling more confident in 2010, the challenge he issued to SI.com’s Peter King should…….

Ok, so here’s how it happened. Yesterday, i’m standing in the tunnel at Tiger Stadium chatting it up with Peter King, who is waiting to interview Carson. After speaking, for what seemed to be just a couple minutes (more like 15-20–Peter is a very interesting guy), Carson walks out of the locker room stage right, respectfully reaches out his hand, introduces himself (as if Peter didn’t know who he was) and says, “I got a challenge for you. You do that training camp tour, right? If you can find three other QB out there with a stronger arm then me, I’ll buy you dinner. Deal? ”

That’s a pretty confident guy, who is excited about the future!  Call me a “homer” if you want but I think he’ll be worlds improved this season.

If you don’t believe it, then leave me a comment and I’ll tear your theory to shreds.

Hello Friends & Happy Friday!  Photos from the St. Aloysius Orphanage “Companies 4 Kids” Golf Classic are now posted for your viewing pleasure!  Check out the “In the Community” album under the “Gallery” tab, located on my home page.  HOPE YOU ENJOY…. and thanks again for those of you who supported this great event!