Well, it’s November and 11 weeks are in the books. What time is it Bengals fans? That’s right, time to start the draft watch. Cincinnati managed there first win a few weeks back, and according to Ocho Cinco, they’re on their way to 8-8!..errr, umm, 7-8-1 (sorry guys, I started this one a few weeks back and didn’t get a chance to finish until now). It has been a rough year for the orange and black full of what might have been’s, if’s, and maybe’s. Either way, football despair is back in the queen city complete with all the not-so-classic jokes about no touchdowns at PBS and handing out tickets as punishment. The ’08 team is even showing signs of duplicating the stunt perfected by past Bengals squads from the “glory” years: render themselves irrelevant with a painfully slow start then rally for pointless victories that do little other than drum up false hope among the faithful and ruin their draft position. 2008 however might not be a bad year to tack on a few extra wins. This year’s draft class looks thin on elite prospects and fat on mid-round 1 talent. With rookie draft pick salaries still out of control, finding value selecting in the top three is tough to come by. Some franchises stranded at the top of round one, ease the pain simply by selecting the best player available at big money positions like QB and OT. Teams not in the market for those positions just have to hope a freak of nature at a different position falls into their lap a la DE Mario Williams or WR Calvin Johnson.
Unfortunately, the Bengals late season surge hasn’t quite come to fruition, and they are still sitting in the number 2 slot. Their tie at least does protect them from the awkward strength of schedule and coin flip draft order tie breakers and they could jump up a slot or two if they can muster a win these last three weeks.
What do they need?
The strange thing about the Bengals is although an outsider will claim their roster lacks direction and has little to no talent, if you ask anyone who follows the team what they need, they have to think about it a little. The biggest thing that comes to mind is defensive line. They have shown flashes of improvement this year, and there is still hope that players like young DT’s Pat Sims and Domata Peko have what it takes to keep the team’s D from getting trampled every week. On the other hand, the pass rush is still non-existent despite big contracts being doled out to Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom the past couple of years.
Elsewhere, there are big decisions to make in the free agent market. Needs at WR depend on whether or not the team steps up to the plate to keep Houshmandzadeh. Along the offensive line, do they give up on Levi Jones? How do they feel about Stacy Andrews? Do they pony up a mega-contract to keep the prematurely franchised RT or let him walk? The RB situation is a little too shaky for comfort. They could stick with Benson, but that path seems like it could only end bad. Perry proved this year he’s not up to the task. They could bring in someone new but most likely they tab Benson their number one guy and hope Watson or Perry come on strong next year. At QB, Carson is still the man for a few more years. The linbacking corps and secondary boast a lot of potential, but can’t seem to shake the injury bug long enough to shake the team’s reputation of being defenseless on defense.
Ranking out their draft needs, their offensive line play has to improve. Rookie Anthony Collins could be promising, and Stacy Andrews has athletic ability that is recognized throughout the league. Whether or not the team sees either as the long-term solution at tackle determines if they start over at the position and draft the best available blocker in round 1, or stick with what they got. The defense needs a player at any position who can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. If they think there’s someone who fits that description, they have to grab him.
What will be Available?
This year’s senior class looks even weaker than in years past and the 2009 first round draft crop will most likely rely heavily on underclass talent. There is still a month until the deadline for underclassmen to declare draft eligible, but it never hurts to speculate.
As of right, no player has been tabbed as the favorite for the number one pick. If draft eligible underclassmen quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford leave school early, they could be the favorites to fill that void assuming Detroit still lays claim to the number one pick. Past that it is a free for all, to be decided in the coming months of workouts and exhibition games.
I’m sorry to say Bengals fans, any team looking for a pass rusher north of 250 lbs is going to be disappointed. Unless they finally pull that trigger on that 3-4 defense, coaches most likely won’t find a suitable QB sniping lineman in the top 10. Even the group of hybrid LB/DE types doesn’t appear to have all that much blue-chip talent. There is some depth at defensive tackle that might fill out Cincinnti’s rotation in the middle of their line quite nicely. However, top candidates B.J. Raji (B.C) and underclassmen Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) and Terrence Cody (Alabama) have some convincing to do to elevate into the top five. Cody is enormous at 375 lbs, but lacks consistency while McCoy also still has some developing to do.
The running back position has two intriguing underclassmen candidates and not a whole lot of depth coming from the senior class other than fringe second round candidates. At the top though, the Bengals will most likely be tempted by juniors Chris Wells (OSU) and Knowshon Moreno (Georgia). Both players are solid, but neither has quite the home run potential to warrant a selection prior to addressing Cincy’s offensive line woes.
The WR group looks similar to the RB’s; little more than second round prospects in the senior class and a few younger guys with potential, but who will most likely grade out in the 10 to 25 range of round one. Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech has the skills but needs to show flashy speed numbers during workouts to inch into the top ten. Percy Harvin (Florida) and Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) have the jets but lack the polish. The tight end position has seen numerous injury casualties, but Oklahoma State’s Brandon Pettigrew is the front runner to claim the obligatory token round one tight end slot that seems inevitable each year. He doesn’t have the downfield prowess you would expect from a first round talent, but his blocking is fierce and scouts aren’t used to that from college tight end prospects.
Two big ten CB’s lead the way among defensive backs. Malcolm Jenkins (OSU) looks to fit in in the 8 to 15 range, while Vontae Davis (Illinois) currently sits in the number two slot as a 10 to 20 guy. The best of the rest and the top safety talent have yet to be sorted out.
2008 was the year of the running back. Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, and Matt Forte are already threatening all-pro status, while Jonathan Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall, Darren McFadden, and Felix Jones all showed potential but were set back a year by injuries. Is 2009 the year of the offensive tackle? Jason Smith (Baylor), Eugene Monroe (Virginia), and Michael Oher (Ole’ Miss.) all are currently considered early to mid round 1 talents, and the trio could be joined by underclassmen Andre Smith (Alabama). Several others could threaten to sneak into the bottom of the first round. Early mock drafts have tabbed Smith as the early favorite to go to Cincinnati.
If there’s a position with enough depth to challenge OT for top 2009 crop, it’s linebacker. USC alone might place their whole linebacking corps in the first round. Outside of Trojan backers Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthews, OSU’s James Laurinaitis also fits in the round 1 picture. The talent doesn’t exactly drop off from their either. On top of all that, the guy currently seen as head of the class at the position is Aaron Curry (Wake Forest). Pay attention Bengals fans, we just might have something here (because as I’ve been typing our boys took down the ‘Skins and leap frogged the Rams and Chiefs to the fourth slot). Curry is big and strong and is a shoe-in strong side linebacker. What’s that you say? The Bengals have decent guys like Jeanty at OLB, but can’t seem to keep anyone healthy? Curry has started for three years and has yet to miss a game. He is too strong for tight ends and too fast for tackles. Sounds like a playmaker to me. For anyone hoping for a tackle or a running back, just picture this guy as the strong side linebacker opposite Keith Rivers. It sounds pretty darn good to me. Now, hopefully they don’t win too much and screw it up.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Channel Chad: The Johnson Dilemma
Chad Johnson didn’t practice because of a back injury. The team has issued a statement stating they have cleared Chad Johnson to practice. The team has requested that Chad Johnson have ankle surgery. Johnson participated in a limited fashion in this drill and pulled out of that drill. The agent announces Chad Johnson is sitting out practice because of his ankles…or his knees…or his back…or whatever. The offseason-long charade came to a head at the start of the Bengals’ June mandatory mini-camp. Johnson was the crown jewel in what was heralded as a tumultuous offseason for the Cincinnati squad. The circus started shortly after the completion of the 2007 season and has been a steady drain on Bengals fans’ buzz of offseason optimism ever since. Each week a different and often conflicting Johnson headline read as if it had been ripped off the front cover of the tabloids, leaving everyone lost in a muffled cess pool of confusion concerning their team. Is Johnson another malcontent wide receiver saddled with an overly volatile personality liable to tear the team apart at the seams? Should the team have shipped Chad out while his price tag was still high? Considering the uncertainty, it would be easy for Bengals followers to approach the looming 2008 season with an uneasy feeling. However, I don’t think the outlook is quite so dire.
No Reception
In 2006, Carson Palmer returned from knee surgery and the Bengals lumbered through an up and down year, barely missing the playoffs and finishing 8-8. 2007 brought little improvement. The offensive line didn’t have much continuity week to week and played accordingly while the defense, hampered by injuries and inexperience, failed to show any signs of coming around. The pass game became a crutch. Once a potent weapon, its crispness dulled under the pressure of propping up a team struggling on many fronts. The receivers put up career numbers, but the results didn’t show up in the win loss column. The expectations had been that Cincinnati would surely rebound in ’07 for another playoff push. When it didn’t happen, frustrations mounted and the finger pointing began.
Too Hot For T.V.?
All winter on into the spring, Johnson could be heard lashing out at everyone from the front office, to the coaching staff, to even Carson Palmer. He was upset about the defense or his contract or how he was treated or which way the rain was blowing. The true answer was never really clear. Maybe he was trying to stir up more money or fishing for a way out of town, but I am more of the opinion that the guy was just bruised up. Like his antics or not, he is a driven player filled with raw passion who stands in the spotlight constantly. In today’s world of incessant news coverage, that’s a dangerous place to be. Sports media in general is way out of control, and the professional football variety leads the way gracelessly. Fickle analysts and out-of-place former players strain to justify their existence wringing significance out of every moment before during and after each season. Don’t get me wrong, I eat up every minute of it but it drives me crazy. Every minute detail is scrutinized, and the tides change with the wind. Take last year’s Super Bowl. The 2007 Patriots were hands-down the greatest team of all time for the 17 week regular season, the playoffs, and 3 and a half quarters of the Super Bowl. One desperate Eli manning heave later and they were leap frogged by the Steelers and Dolphins of the ‘70’s, the 49ers of the 80’s, and the Cowboys of the 90’s. One miracle catch and the Patriots defense suddenly became decrepit and full of holes. The Patriots pull out that game and Tom Brady goes down as heroic. Playing hurt, he calmly pulled through in the clutch. Instead, the next day his ice-water-in the veins demeanor was suddenly questioned by the so-called experts as a display of withdrawn disinterest.
A player like Johnson doesn’t stand a chance in that environment. When the team wins he’s an electric catalyst fueling the team’s fire. The second things go south, he gets strung up as a cancerous distraction. The media whispers not so subtly, and Chad hears it. The guy yearns for success. String together multiple years of the same old team missteps and the frustration festers. The defense still dwells in the cellar of the league, management drags their feet, and the losing gets pegged on him. The shots sting, and not surprisingly, the emotional player reacts emotionally. He tried to bottle it up for the year, but having a personality face lift crammed down his throat simply bred more discontent. When the end of the year hit, he let loose.
Does he bring some of the scrutiny on himself? Absolutely. He is outspoken about getting the ball and displays his frustration as freely as he celebrates. His displays of fun and entertainment often flirt with crossing the lines between individual and team concepts. Sometimes too much focus gets diverted towards him and what he has said or is going to do instead of maximum attention getting placed on winning football games. The question is, weighing his faults against what he brings to the table, do you want him on your team? I have to say yes. On the surface, Johnson represents one of the big reasons I enjoy football as much as I do. Quite simply, he is one of the sleekest athletes I have ever seen. He’s built rock solid, yet is lean and brimming with thoroughbred speed. He flows down the field with unparalleled fluidity, effortlessly imposing slow motion upon opposing defenders. There’s a lot of static throughout the week and after the whistle blows, but from the time the play starts to when it stops, it’s just him the quarterback and the green grass in a symphony that instantaneously transforms the game from sport to an artistic display well worth the price of admission. It would be a shame to see him go. In terms of his consuming personality and its effects, I have a hard time buying into the contention that he is detrimental to the team. His personality may accent the team’s struggles, but I wouldn’t indict it as the cause. Bad defense and a sloppy rushing attack are much bigger contributors. He is definitely not perfect. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the flamboyance to some extent, but sometimes you just want to shake the guy and yell in his ear to just go play football. Overreacting when things don’t go your way just digs the whole deeper, and the front office isn’t nearly as bad as they are made out to be. Do your job. It would be nice for him to mature and become a little more even-keeled; to be more faithful to attributes like sportsmanship and professionalism, but he is who he is. He can be frustrating, but assigning any significant amount of blame for the team’s failures to him is a short-sighted cop out. I think the team is better off with him than without him.
Camp Controversy or Turning Point?
Thus went the offseason of doubt and disappointment. Attempts at signing free agents failed, coaches exited, and decent players from an already anemic defense exited all the while #85 pouted out venomous overtures in the background. Tensions bubbled right up to mandatory mini camp. The vultures circled, hoping for TO ’08, and day 1 seemed not to disappoint. However after that, the whole thing seemed to flame out, and the chaos subsided. Day 2 brought a change in tone. The camp atmosphere could still be characterized by a rolling boil, but this was different. Something else was brewing. There was an audible hum, a buzz of something other than controversy. Hobbled offensive stars of years past the likes of Willie Anderson, Rudi Johnson, and Chris Perry showed up rejuvenated with a spring in their step. The defensive mood also seemed to have shifted. New defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, had his boys swarming. Although young and absent of superstars, early indications were that the inferiority complex plaguing the unit for the past two decades had been exorcised. The attitude, one of a group hungry for redemption, resonated clearly through camp. Chad heard it. Chad felt it too as he found himself getting pounded about by potential members of Cincinnati’s 2008 secondary throughout passing drills. It was the sound of hope, and once it hit the star receiver, he seemed to change his tune a little bit. It no longer was about everyone else’s shortcomings. They weren’t doing this or they weren’t doing that. Suddenly it became about him and what he needed to do. Shortly after camp, the news broke that Johnson would be having ankle surgery and the only peep since has been about how he would prepare for the season. Maybe it’s getting back to the taste of competition that has him back to business; or just another preseason aberration of hope. Then again, maybe it’s real. Maybe he truly is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We will find out in a few months. Until then, stay tuned.
No Reception
In 2006, Carson Palmer returned from knee surgery and the Bengals lumbered through an up and down year, barely missing the playoffs and finishing 8-8. 2007 brought little improvement. The offensive line didn’t have much continuity week to week and played accordingly while the defense, hampered by injuries and inexperience, failed to show any signs of coming around. The pass game became a crutch. Once a potent weapon, its crispness dulled under the pressure of propping up a team struggling on many fronts. The receivers put up career numbers, but the results didn’t show up in the win loss column. The expectations had been that Cincinnati would surely rebound in ’07 for another playoff push. When it didn’t happen, frustrations mounted and the finger pointing began.
Too Hot For T.V.?
All winter on into the spring, Johnson could be heard lashing out at everyone from the front office, to the coaching staff, to even Carson Palmer. He was upset about the defense or his contract or how he was treated or which way the rain was blowing. The true answer was never really clear. Maybe he was trying to stir up more money or fishing for a way out of town, but I am more of the opinion that the guy was just bruised up. Like his antics or not, he is a driven player filled with raw passion who stands in the spotlight constantly. In today’s world of incessant news coverage, that’s a dangerous place to be. Sports media in general is way out of control, and the professional football variety leads the way gracelessly. Fickle analysts and out-of-place former players strain to justify their existence wringing significance out of every moment before during and after each season. Don’t get me wrong, I eat up every minute of it but it drives me crazy. Every minute detail is scrutinized, and the tides change with the wind. Take last year’s Super Bowl. The 2007 Patriots were hands-down the greatest team of all time for the 17 week regular season, the playoffs, and 3 and a half quarters of the Super Bowl. One desperate Eli manning heave later and they were leap frogged by the Steelers and Dolphins of the ‘70’s, the 49ers of the 80’s, and the Cowboys of the 90’s. One miracle catch and the Patriots defense suddenly became decrepit and full of holes. The Patriots pull out that game and Tom Brady goes down as heroic. Playing hurt, he calmly pulled through in the clutch. Instead, the next day his ice-water-in the veins demeanor was suddenly questioned by the so-called experts as a display of withdrawn disinterest.
A player like Johnson doesn’t stand a chance in that environment. When the team wins he’s an electric catalyst fueling the team’s fire. The second things go south, he gets strung up as a cancerous distraction. The media whispers not so subtly, and Chad hears it. The guy yearns for success. String together multiple years of the same old team missteps and the frustration festers. The defense still dwells in the cellar of the league, management drags their feet, and the losing gets pegged on him. The shots sting, and not surprisingly, the emotional player reacts emotionally. He tried to bottle it up for the year, but having a personality face lift crammed down his throat simply bred more discontent. When the end of the year hit, he let loose.
Does he bring some of the scrutiny on himself? Absolutely. He is outspoken about getting the ball and displays his frustration as freely as he celebrates. His displays of fun and entertainment often flirt with crossing the lines between individual and team concepts. Sometimes too much focus gets diverted towards him and what he has said or is going to do instead of maximum attention getting placed on winning football games. The question is, weighing his faults against what he brings to the table, do you want him on your team? I have to say yes. On the surface, Johnson represents one of the big reasons I enjoy football as much as I do. Quite simply, he is one of the sleekest athletes I have ever seen. He’s built rock solid, yet is lean and brimming with thoroughbred speed. He flows down the field with unparalleled fluidity, effortlessly imposing slow motion upon opposing defenders. There’s a lot of static throughout the week and after the whistle blows, but from the time the play starts to when it stops, it’s just him the quarterback and the green grass in a symphony that instantaneously transforms the game from sport to an artistic display well worth the price of admission. It would be a shame to see him go. In terms of his consuming personality and its effects, I have a hard time buying into the contention that he is detrimental to the team. His personality may accent the team’s struggles, but I wouldn’t indict it as the cause. Bad defense and a sloppy rushing attack are much bigger contributors. He is definitely not perfect. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the flamboyance to some extent, but sometimes you just want to shake the guy and yell in his ear to just go play football. Overreacting when things don’t go your way just digs the whole deeper, and the front office isn’t nearly as bad as they are made out to be. Do your job. It would be nice for him to mature and become a little more even-keeled; to be more faithful to attributes like sportsmanship and professionalism, but he is who he is. He can be frustrating, but assigning any significant amount of blame for the team’s failures to him is a short-sighted cop out. I think the team is better off with him than without him.
Camp Controversy or Turning Point?
Thus went the offseason of doubt and disappointment. Attempts at signing free agents failed, coaches exited, and decent players from an already anemic defense exited all the while #85 pouted out venomous overtures in the background. Tensions bubbled right up to mandatory mini camp. The vultures circled, hoping for TO ’08, and day 1 seemed not to disappoint. However after that, the whole thing seemed to flame out, and the chaos subsided. Day 2 brought a change in tone. The camp atmosphere could still be characterized by a rolling boil, but this was different. Something else was brewing. There was an audible hum, a buzz of something other than controversy. Hobbled offensive stars of years past the likes of Willie Anderson, Rudi Johnson, and Chris Perry showed up rejuvenated with a spring in their step. The defensive mood also seemed to have shifted. New defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, had his boys swarming. Although young and absent of superstars, early indications were that the inferiority complex plaguing the unit for the past two decades had been exorcised. The attitude, one of a group hungry for redemption, resonated clearly through camp. Chad heard it. Chad felt it too as he found himself getting pounded about by potential members of Cincinnati’s 2008 secondary throughout passing drills. It was the sound of hope, and once it hit the star receiver, he seemed to change his tune a little bit. It no longer was about everyone else’s shortcomings. They weren’t doing this or they weren’t doing that. Suddenly it became about him and what he needed to do. Shortly after camp, the news broke that Johnson would be having ankle surgery and the only peep since has been about how he would prepare for the season. Maybe it’s getting back to the taste of competition that has him back to business; or just another preseason aberration of hope. Then again, maybe it’s real. Maybe he truly is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We will find out in a few months. Until then, stay tuned.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
2008 Draft Reaction: Crippling Caution or Precious Patience
The Prelude:
Since Marvin Lewis joined the Bengals, the team’s draft strategy has been distinct. They stay true to their board almost to a fault and cling to their picks like priceless jewelry. Particularly in early rounds, Cincinnati time and time again has let their selection come to them, seemingly reluctant to swing any kind of deal to move up and grab a player they desire. The strategy was give and take in 2007. A high-character standout cornerback, Leon Hall, fell right into their laps in round one, while players rich in value at need positions like David Harris, LaMarr Woodley, and Justin Durrant were plucked off the board just before the Bengals second round selection.
Draft Day 1 Recap:
With that in mind, it was easy to see coming the pending frustration of the ’08 draft. The Bengals owned the ninth pick in a draft class touting only six to eight elite prospects. The whole world knew Cincinnati wanted and needed USC’s Sedrick Ellis. Many held out hope for a repeat of the serendipity of 2007 as mock draft after mock draft leading up to draft day predicted their long-coveted defensive tackle to slide all the way to 9 due to the needs and defensive systems of the teams picking one through eight. However, it was not to be. Unwilling to relinquish precious draft picks, the Bengals stubbornly stayed put and the Saints with the same need sitting right behind them swooped in to grab their guy. That much was fairly easy to see coming. The big question: With all of the clear-cut value gone, which direction would Cincinnati go instead? In my opinion, the best option seemed to be defensive end Derrick Harvey. He is a player with a lot of potential that would fill a sizable need and almost certainly be available. I expected some grumblings that 9 was too high for Harvey, but in the end it seemed like it would be the right pick in the long run. Apparently Jacksonville felt the same way. Coming out of nowhere, the Jaguars inexplicably swung a trade with Baltimore to move all the way up from 26 to snatch up Harvey. With little incentive for anyone to trade up, the Bengals were stuck and went ahead and selected USC linebacker Keith Rivers. In the second round, the opposite situation seemed to present itself. They had a well-documented need for an infusion of WR talent, and were selecting fifteenth in round 2 with many of the big-named receivers still on the board. The Bengals took a wide receiver, but his name wasn’t Sweed, Kelly, Jackson, or Manningham.
Day 1 Reaction:
When Cincinnati’s day one of the draft was complete they had added Rivers and a DI-AA prospect from Coastal Carolina named Jerome Simpson. For Bengals fans everywhere, including myself, the disappointment was inevitable. It’s not like New England was driving all that hard of a bargain. The Bengals had a golden opportunity to fill a void at DT left vacant since Tim Krumrie snapped his leg in Super Bowl XXIII, and it only would have cost a third round pick. They had their chance and they whiffed. Opportunity for redemption presented itself in round 2 and they seemingly whiffed again. The entire fan base cringed going into day 2, wondering what could possibly happen next.
Why the initial disappointment? I don’t think anyone will contend that Keith Rivers is a bad player, but he lacks the wow factor you would expect to garner from a top-10 prospect. Characterized by uninspiring adjectives like solid and consistent, Rivers isn’t a guy with the kind of potential that might allow him to one day be ranked among the top players at his position. Selecting a linebacker ninth overall, you hope to get a player who at worst is along the lines of a Jeremiah Trotter, but has the potential to be Ray Lewis. Instead it feels like they are getting someone who is at worst Brian Simmons with the potential to be Jeremiah Trotter. Coupling a Brian Simmons-type selection with the missed opportunity to strengthen the defensive line, arguably the team’s greatest weakness, amounts to disappointment. Draft analysts wrote about top WR prospects like Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, DeSean Jackson, and James Hardy for months. Instead, the Bengals end up with a small school guy said to be more of a player with sleeper potential. Once again: disappointment.
A Second Look:
However maybe I am being naive and off-season over-optimistic syndrome is once again setting in, but after all the frustration subsided about what the team should have done and what might have been, I have started to warm up to this year’s picks. Often failing to factor into the equation when talking about potential are intangibles. It’s easy to imagine the great things that can be done with athletic ability, while overlooking character. Having a young defense that desperately needs a personality increases the value of a player like Keith Rivers. When you think about a team with a tarnished image bogged down in mediocrity the past two seasons, a fiery kid from a college program with a storied tradition starts to look pretty good. The Cincinnati defense has been widely criticized, but has more talent in place than most will give credit. Could a stabilizing leader who is comfortable being the face of the defense be the missing piece that finally launches them over the hump? Realistically, even if the linebacking corps stays healthy and the secondary matures, they are still a play maker on the defensive line short of where they need to be. Still, under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, between a quarter and mid-way through the season look for this unit to start surprising some people.
Was Jerome Simpson the right choice? Watching the highlight reels of Simpson’s long, lean body hurdling over DB’s, it’s hard not to sway his way. Cincinnati wasn’t the only team that elected to take less-heralded receivers ahead of those earmarked as the head of the class. It’s possible many front offices will end up with egg on their collective faces, but chances are they saw something. The Bengals could have tried to move up for the red zone TD machine, James Hardy, but there are some character concerns there. DeSean Jackson has electric play making skills, but is listed at a diminutive 5’9”, 169 lbs. Malcolm Kelly showed talent against top-notched competition at Oklahoma, but has some injury concerns, and when his 40 time at his pro day came out a few points too high he whined because school officials made him run on a different surface than he had practiced. Simpson is 6’2” with decent speed, big hands, and a 40+ inch vertical. He took the call from Marvin Lewis on draft day riding home from the flea market with his family, and looks to be a pretty good kid overall. Much like Rivers, I think Simpson might be a good fit for this team.
Day 2 of the draft brought a DT with a good shot at contributing early on in his career in Pat Sims. Andre Caldwell as their compensatory pick at the bottom of the third was great value that will go a long way towards rebuilding the receiving corps. Other notable bonuses stemming from picks in the latter rounds included adding an O-lineman with potential, competition at TE, and a special teams demon. The jury is definitely still out, but overall I would classify this year’s draft class as solid. The Bengals’ player personnel philosophy can be criticized as overly conservative. If Cincy ever were to wheel and deal like Baltimore moving down 18 picks then back up 8 picks, Mel Kiper’s hair just might fall out. Yet, you almost have to admire them for their persistence. They believe in their strategy. There have been setbacks. Serious injuries derailed the careers of high picks like David Pollack, Chris Perry, Kenny Irons, and Ahmad Brooks. Early on in the Marvin Lewis regime when faced with high value for players with questionable backgrounds, they went for value. Risks on key players like Odell Thurman and Chris Henry backfired, and they have adjusted placing more emphasis on character. They believe in their evaluation process and they have stuck with it. Maybe this is the year things change. Maybe this is the year the perception of Cincinnati's draft record turns from crippling caution to precious patience.
Since Marvin Lewis joined the Bengals, the team’s draft strategy has been distinct. They stay true to their board almost to a fault and cling to their picks like priceless jewelry. Particularly in early rounds, Cincinnati time and time again has let their selection come to them, seemingly reluctant to swing any kind of deal to move up and grab a player they desire. The strategy was give and take in 2007. A high-character standout cornerback, Leon Hall, fell right into their laps in round one, while players rich in value at need positions like David Harris, LaMarr Woodley, and Justin Durrant were plucked off the board just before the Bengals second round selection.
Draft Day 1 Recap:
With that in mind, it was easy to see coming the pending frustration of the ’08 draft. The Bengals owned the ninth pick in a draft class touting only six to eight elite prospects. The whole world knew Cincinnati wanted and needed USC’s Sedrick Ellis. Many held out hope for a repeat of the serendipity of 2007 as mock draft after mock draft leading up to draft day predicted their long-coveted defensive tackle to slide all the way to 9 due to the needs and defensive systems of the teams picking one through eight. However, it was not to be. Unwilling to relinquish precious draft picks, the Bengals stubbornly stayed put and the Saints with the same need sitting right behind them swooped in to grab their guy. That much was fairly easy to see coming. The big question: With all of the clear-cut value gone, which direction would Cincinnati go instead? In my opinion, the best option seemed to be defensive end Derrick Harvey. He is a player with a lot of potential that would fill a sizable need and almost certainly be available. I expected some grumblings that 9 was too high for Harvey, but in the end it seemed like it would be the right pick in the long run. Apparently Jacksonville felt the same way. Coming out of nowhere, the Jaguars inexplicably swung a trade with Baltimore to move all the way up from 26 to snatch up Harvey. With little incentive for anyone to trade up, the Bengals were stuck and went ahead and selected USC linebacker Keith Rivers. In the second round, the opposite situation seemed to present itself. They had a well-documented need for an infusion of WR talent, and were selecting fifteenth in round 2 with many of the big-named receivers still on the board. The Bengals took a wide receiver, but his name wasn’t Sweed, Kelly, Jackson, or Manningham.
Day 1 Reaction:
When Cincinnati’s day one of the draft was complete they had added Rivers and a DI-AA prospect from Coastal Carolina named Jerome Simpson. For Bengals fans everywhere, including myself, the disappointment was inevitable. It’s not like New England was driving all that hard of a bargain. The Bengals had a golden opportunity to fill a void at DT left vacant since Tim Krumrie snapped his leg in Super Bowl XXIII, and it only would have cost a third round pick. They had their chance and they whiffed. Opportunity for redemption presented itself in round 2 and they seemingly whiffed again. The entire fan base cringed going into day 2, wondering what could possibly happen next.
Why the initial disappointment? I don’t think anyone will contend that Keith Rivers is a bad player, but he lacks the wow factor you would expect to garner from a top-10 prospect. Characterized by uninspiring adjectives like solid and consistent, Rivers isn’t a guy with the kind of potential that might allow him to one day be ranked among the top players at his position. Selecting a linebacker ninth overall, you hope to get a player who at worst is along the lines of a Jeremiah Trotter, but has the potential to be Ray Lewis. Instead it feels like they are getting someone who is at worst Brian Simmons with the potential to be Jeremiah Trotter. Coupling a Brian Simmons-type selection with the missed opportunity to strengthen the defensive line, arguably the team’s greatest weakness, amounts to disappointment. Draft analysts wrote about top WR prospects like Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, DeSean Jackson, and James Hardy for months. Instead, the Bengals end up with a small school guy said to be more of a player with sleeper potential. Once again: disappointment.
A Second Look:
However maybe I am being naive and off-season over-optimistic syndrome is once again setting in, but after all the frustration subsided about what the team should have done and what might have been, I have started to warm up to this year’s picks. Often failing to factor into the equation when talking about potential are intangibles. It’s easy to imagine the great things that can be done with athletic ability, while overlooking character. Having a young defense that desperately needs a personality increases the value of a player like Keith Rivers. When you think about a team with a tarnished image bogged down in mediocrity the past two seasons, a fiery kid from a college program with a storied tradition starts to look pretty good. The Cincinnati defense has been widely criticized, but has more talent in place than most will give credit. Could a stabilizing leader who is comfortable being the face of the defense be the missing piece that finally launches them over the hump? Realistically, even if the linebacking corps stays healthy and the secondary matures, they are still a play maker on the defensive line short of where they need to be. Still, under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, between a quarter and mid-way through the season look for this unit to start surprising some people.
Was Jerome Simpson the right choice? Watching the highlight reels of Simpson’s long, lean body hurdling over DB’s, it’s hard not to sway his way. Cincinnati wasn’t the only team that elected to take less-heralded receivers ahead of those earmarked as the head of the class. It’s possible many front offices will end up with egg on their collective faces, but chances are they saw something. The Bengals could have tried to move up for the red zone TD machine, James Hardy, but there are some character concerns there. DeSean Jackson has electric play making skills, but is listed at a diminutive 5’9”, 169 lbs. Malcolm Kelly showed talent against top-notched competition at Oklahoma, but has some injury concerns, and when his 40 time at his pro day came out a few points too high he whined because school officials made him run on a different surface than he had practiced. Simpson is 6’2” with decent speed, big hands, and a 40+ inch vertical. He took the call from Marvin Lewis on draft day riding home from the flea market with his family, and looks to be a pretty good kid overall. Much like Rivers, I think Simpson might be a good fit for this team.
Day 2 of the draft brought a DT with a good shot at contributing early on in his career in Pat Sims. Andre Caldwell as their compensatory pick at the bottom of the third was great value that will go a long way towards rebuilding the receiving corps. Other notable bonuses stemming from picks in the latter rounds included adding an O-lineman with potential, competition at TE, and a special teams demon. The jury is definitely still out, but overall I would classify this year’s draft class as solid. The Bengals’ player personnel philosophy can be criticized as overly conservative. If Cincy ever were to wheel and deal like Baltimore moving down 18 picks then back up 8 picks, Mel Kiper’s hair just might fall out. Yet, you almost have to admire them for their persistence. They believe in their strategy. There have been setbacks. Serious injuries derailed the careers of high picks like David Pollack, Chris Perry, Kenny Irons, and Ahmad Brooks. Early on in the Marvin Lewis regime when faced with high value for players with questionable backgrounds, they went for value. Risks on key players like Odell Thurman and Chris Henry backfired, and they have adjusted placing more emphasis on character. They believe in their evaluation process and they have stuck with it. Maybe this is the year things change. Maybe this is the year the perception of Cincinnati's draft record turns from crippling caution to precious patience.
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