Bengals Biggest Need = DE!!!!

[kzba]

Look, I love the Adams signing, but we all know that we got burned by the long passes late in the season. This is due to a convergence of three factors. 1) Our saftey's sucked 2) James lost half a step and Keiwan (While a fine cb in the slot) is too slow to play on the outside 3) We got very little pass rush!!!!!

It's time for us to adress our biggest need. Our leader in sacks had only 6 sacks last season. He is a FA next season and I don't know if he is just a medicore DE or a good one with out any help. Geathers was a dissapointemnt last season. Hell, he ended up playing DT (hopefully that won't happen any more). - odd because i thought he was too small to play DE full time let alone DT. No one knows if Pollack is a DE or LB. Clemons got cut and Fanene played three snaps last season.

Enough of this 3-4 crap. It's time for us to draft a pure pass rushing DE. We have too many tweeners (Pollack, Geathers, and Fanene have all played other positions). We must adress this position in the draft! But we can' t at 24 because Hali and Kiwanuka are too smilar to the Geathers / Pollack.

That's why we should trade up for Mario Williams. With the signing of Adams, we have one less need and adding Willliams could give us a truly elite D line. I say pull the trigger on a draft day deal with the 49er's. They have so many holes and the best player available will be Vernon Davis. No one drafts a TE that high (except the Browns and look what happened).

What do you think?

[bengalboomer7]

I think this draft is too deep to trade up. I would be just as happy with Manny Lawson + 10-20 lbs. Plus, I think Kiwi will be there(fingers crossed)

I do agree wholeheartedly that this position needs addressed.

To be great, Justin Smith needs more help than we give him, and I'm still not sure he has greatness in him.

Geathers is still a work in progress, and I didn't agree with bulking him up and switching him inside occasionally.

I really like Fanene, and I think he moves into the Carl Powell/Duane Clemons role very nicely

Adams was a solid pickup and I think the aquisition raise the level of play for Thornton.

Both Askew and B-rob get question marks here, but I think Robinson ans Smith will also benefit from Adams playing.

Plus, I'm not sure the Bengals sub enough at this position. You look at teams like Indy and Seattle, and their taking just above average players(Rocky benard, Triplett, etc) and getting great production out of them because their fresh from all the subbing

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

You don't trade up and lose out when there is so deep a draft.

That's playing to lose, not playing to win.

[Whur CHad At?]

Yeah How about we don't trade up, how does that sound

[BengalBillyBob]

Perhaps you didnt notice teams like KC and Pittsburgh absolutely gash the defense and run at will. Adding a pass rushing DE (like a Freeney) means you will add another tweener/lightweight guy on the front 4. I'd rather have 2 big run stuffing DT's and add some better CB's and Safetys. Make teams throw to beat you and have a good secondary to stop them.

Right now teams can run at will and control the clock and score anytime they touch the ball. Sam Adams is a bandaid on an amputated leg. Give me Adams + best DT available in the draft, address CB & S in rounds 2-3. Worry about DE next year.

[Kazkal]

We used geathers wrong last year we have pollack and smith high sacks doesn't mean good D name a double digit sacker on the jags

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Yeah i think they'll ride it out with Smith/Geathers/Fanene, and maybe rotate Robinson some at DE possibly, until next season, and will make some changes there (much needed) then.

I'm still high on Geathers, he has value, you have to keep developing that kid, he's got too much upside to give up on now. He could take Clemons old role and be a hell of pass rush specialist/playmaker in this system.

[Mckracken]

Even if we did trade up with the 49ers Mario Williams would not be there with the 7th pick. He will be gone by the 5th pick in the draft! Stay where we are and grab Gabe watson to go along side Adams or grab the next best tight end on the board possibly Leonard Pope or Mercedes Lewis from UCLA.

GO BENGALS!!

[Larry]

Perhaps you didnt notice teams like KC and Pittsburgh absolutely gash the defense and run at will. Adding a pass rushing DE (like a Freeney) means you will add another tweener/lightweight guy on the front 4. I'd rather have 2 big run stuffing DT's and add some better CB's and Safetys. Make teams throw to beat you and have a good secondary to stop them.

Right now teams can run at will and control the clock and score anytime they touch the ball. Sam Adams is a bandaid on an amputated leg. Give me Adams + best DT available in the draft, address CB & S in rounds 2-3. Worry about DE next year

you hit it right this time!!

[bumblebeetuna]

Even if we did trade up with the 49ers Mario Williams would not be there with the 7th pick. He will be gone by the 5th pick in the draft! Stay where we are and grab Gabe watson to go along side Adams or grab the next best tight end on the board possibly Leonard Pope or Mercedes Lewis from UCLA

Brilliant Post

[Kazkal]

let's give up 8 picks this year and 7 picks next year too get 1 player wooo ya

[derekshank]

Would it be nice to address DE in the first round? Sure. If Hali or Kiwi would drop to us, they'd be the best available player, and help our pass rush a lot. But it is unlikely that a DE worthy of a round 1 pick will fall to us... and we need our draft picks too much to give them up to address DE right now.

When you look at our overall roster, we shouldn't take a DT is the 1st. We might not have elite talent there, but Adams, S. Smith, Thornton, Robinson, and Askew means that at least one (if not two) guys would get cut with a first round DT.

The depth at DE is only Smith, Geathers and Fanene. We need to do something about that... but I think the biggest need is CB... and that is what I want (assuming again that Kiwi and Hali are gone). We have James, Oneil, Ratliff... and then guys like Brooks, Body, and Bauman... special teamers, not starting CB's.

Is James still okay as the starter? Sure... I won't argue with that... but what happens if he or Oneil get injured? We have to start Ratliff (which is already a bad situation), and then have one of those other guys as the nickle CB? We need another impact guy at CB. James can ease the transition... and then be a great nickle.

We probably have the same issue at Safety with KK as the only backup with significant playing time... but CB is the bigger need... and more difficult to find real talent in later rounds. It looks to me more and more like we'll take a CB in the 1st, a DE in the 2nd, a TE in the 3rd... and then get another safety maybe in round 4. I know everyone wants a DT... but it is no longer the biggest area of need. We have severe depth problems in our secondary.

[ArmyBengal]

Yes, DE needs to be addressed, but when? Is DE a bigger need than a CB to back up Tory or Deltha in case of injury ?? Geathers move to the inside was not in the best interest of anyone last year, but then again our DT's sucked so bad, what else could they do ?? Geathers should move back out to DE and have a bigger impact off the edge. He is NOT to small to be a DE by any stretch. Pollack also takes downs at DE from time to time as well.

Since Webster is gone, we also can't forget (even though some will want to) we signed Jeanty from the CFL. He is a pass rusher himself and can take downs as a DE. Webster being gone improves his chances of making the squad and provides depth.

Trade up ?? So how much of this years and next years drfat do you want to give up to trade up from #24 to #5 ?? Three words apply here:

JUST SAY NO !!!

WHODEY !!!

[BlainThePain]

Trading up would cost us this years 1 and 2 and next years 1. I like Mario Williams, but we rely building our team almost completly on the draft so we need those picks. I'm actually excited by the prospect of Pollack on passing downs and Geathers on running downs. I think they could turn into a great one/two punch at DE. IMO, what we need the most right now is pass rush up the middle. By the way, I just skimmed the post before mine so I'm sorry if I repeated something someone already said.

[wookie]

Even if we did trade up with the 49ers Mario Williams would not be there with the 7th pick. He will be gone by the 5th pick in the draft! Stay where we are and grab Gabe watson to go along side Adams or grab the next best tight end on the board possibly Leonard Pope or Mercedes Lewis from UCLA.

GO BENGALS!!

Agreed.

I also think that Geathers could be the answer at DE. He put together a nice little run last season where he was getting at least 1 sack a game with limited playing time. If he's a full time starter and can get a sack a game that has the possibility of a 16 sack seaon...who wouldn't love that??

Ok, reality wins over and that never happens, but I like Geathers as a full time DE opposite Smith...I think they could make a great tandem.

[Kazkal]

Trading up would cost us this years 1 and 2 and next years 1. I like Mario Williams, but we rely building our team almost completly on the draft so we need those picks. I'm actually excited by the prospect of Pollack on passing downs and Geathers on running downs. I think they could turn into a great one/two punch at DE. IMO, what we need the most right now is pass rush up the middle. By the way, I just skimmed the post before mine so I'm sorry if I repeated something someone already said.

preatty sure it would be quite abit more (lost draft value chart but to move 5 spots it normally costs 2nd and 3rd so too move almost 18-19 spots would be alot more and i'm sorry but I don't think marrio is worth 2 1st rnds + 1-2 2nds and any combo of 3rds he's a great DE but not worth 5-6 players when we have many needs still / depth

[NJ29]

Even if we did trade up with the 49ers Mario Williams would not be there with the 7th pick. He will be gone by the 5th pick in the draft! Stay where we are and grab Gabe watson to go along side Adams or grab the next best tight end on the board possibly Leonard Pope or Mercedes Lewis from UCLA.

GO BENGALS!!

Agreed.

I also think that Geathers could be the answer at DE. He put together a nice little run last season where he was getting at least 1 sack a game with limited playing time. If he's a full time starter and can get a sack a game that has the possibility of a 16 sack seaon...who wouldn't love that??

Ok, reality wins over and that never happens, but I like Geathers as a full time DE opposite Smith...I think they could make a great tandem.

Forget your post CO - Who is the girl in your avatar? I keep trying to read your posts, but I can't do it! Who is that?

[andybren]

Trading away picks is too drastic. Essentially you're saying 1 player is worth 2-3 picks. We're not that desperate. And Marvin values draft picks too much.

[walshfan]

Justin Smith and Jumpy Geathers are our DE's... Pollack will line up there once in awhile...

Another cornerback is paramount.. James is what 33? Ratliff may be a good nickel but Id like to see them draft a corner like Cromartie or Allen..

[schweinhart]

The CB situation could get really bad really quick unless the Bengals are ready. Having Madieu back would help a lot because he's also the 2nd best cover corner on the team and can shift to CB if necessary. But relying on James, Keiwan and Rashad Bauman is asking for problems IMO.

There's no question the Bengals need to improve their pass rush to not only register more QB sacks like top teams do but to also take some of the pressure off the secondary in coverage. A pass rushing DT and DE would help the secondary a great deal and the draft strategy should prioritize getting to the damn QB.

Stopping the run is a great idea too. Dex Jack and Big Sam will help there and the draft strategy should look for a DT who can get backfield penetration and a DE with speed in contain and run pursuit. But ultimately where the Bengals finish against the run won't make or break them if Palmer picks up anywhere close to where he left off because as long as he's moving the ball downfield, the D can bend to the running game as long as it don't give up big plays in the pass game.

So pick wise, I'm liking:

1. Antonio Cromartie CB

2. John McCargo DT

3. Chris Gocong DE

Those 3 give the Bengals a straight Day 1 on defense of players who should have an impact fairly quickly.

[turningpoint]

I'll take kiawunaka, 2nd and 3rd round draft picks, over having to give all 3 of those up for Mario Williams.

[derekshank]

I would definetly be okay with Hali or Kiwi fi they are there... but I'm becoming a bigger and bigger fan of the Cromartie kid. Everything I've read on him is that he would have been a top 10 pick had he played this past season. There is potential there to get the highest value pick in the whole draft... and Marvin has been willing to take these kinds of risks in the past.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I would definetly be okay with Hali or Kiwi fi they are there... but I'm becoming a bigger and bigger fan of the Cromartie kid. Everything I've read on him is that he would have been a top 10 pick had he played this past season. There is potential there to get the highest value pick in the whole draft... and Marvin has been willing to take these kinds of risks in the past.

After the Dennis Weathersby incidents, I'm hesitant to take any player who hasn't played recently....

[derekshank]

Fair enough... but weathersby's situation was a car accident after the draft. He was showing every sign of making an impact on the team before that. So... I guess we should just try to avoid bad drivers, and players with a history of really bad luck.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Fair enough... but weathersby's situation was a car accident after the draft. He was showing every sign of making an impact on the team before that. So... I guess we should just try to avoid bad drivers, and players with a history of really bad luck.

It all started with being in the wrong place, wrong time and being shot, and followed by wrecking another team member's car.....

I want guys who can contribute right away, no questions asked, and have been on the field recently.