Round 2: OT Andrew Whitworth

[Thepup]

Wow,it's amazing how many ppl on here don't see the big picture,it's all about instant gratification.Tory James isn't getting any younger,don't you think it is wise to get a replacement for him now?I like the first rd pick.As for the 2nd round pick,why would we want to make sure we protect the most important player on the field. I remember when Levi was drafted Mel"helmet hair"Kiper called it a terrible pick,if Kiper doesn't like it,it usually is a good pick.Frostee is a weird pick,but hey lets see what happens.

[schweinhart]

This pick was a business decision. Since they decided to go O-line, I'd rather they got somebody worth a sh*t like Whitworth than another Day 2 project. Whitworth plays balls out and should be versatile enough at both guard and tackle spots to give the Bengals a viable backup at 4 O-line positions. I like how Whitworth plays and he should have been a 2nd rounder. Not particuarly thrilled about the business decision, but I love the player they got.

[NJ29]

He also called picking Lamont Thompson in the same draft a "great pick".

[HoosierCat]

Not particuarly thrilled about the business decision, but I love the player they got.

I hear ya. Looking back on the first round, I wonder if they weren't initially thinking about OT in the first -- say Winston -- but got scared at the run on DBs (esp. Buffalo's big surprise at 8) and decided not to risk missing out on a corner.

[Bobcat Bengal]

I'm not thrilled with the pick, but I did like Whitworth as a prospect even before we drafted him. He is a lot more athletic than people give him credit for and he could be a fine RT for us. It just makes me sick to think of losing Big Willie.

Exactly.

You don't become a multi-sport athlete, and 6'7 Tennis Champ to boot by being unathletic.

You move a whole helluva lot more in Tennis than you do as an Offensive Tackle.

And another thing, I don't think the Bengals would be dicking around, wasting a 2nd round pick, on some 'no talent hack' to protect our Franchise QB.

And another thing, some of our best players ever have come in the 2nd round.

They've typically performed as well, or in some cases, out-performed our 1st rounders.

And I'd be sick too if I thought I was gonna lose my 'Big Willie'.

[TJJackson]

You folks are out of your minds

Willy went down at more than one point in the season, and who went in for him?

Hint: it's the guy being groomed to take over when he leaves

[membengal]

TJ, you must think the "idiots" at Scouts, Inc. are out of their minds too, then...

The Scouts Inc. write-up on Whitworth from espn.com (and it's a real positive write-up, as you can see):

The pick: Andrew Whitworth, OT, LSU

Scouts take: The Bengals continue to press all the right buttons on draft day. After improving their secondary depth with Johnathan Joseph in the first round, the Bengals got another solid value in Whitworth in Round 2. Whitworth was an efficient four-year starter at left tackle for LSU, but he lacks ideal athleticism, which is why he projects as a right tackle in the NFL. Four out of five starters along the Bengals' offensive line (including OTs Levi Jones and Willie Anderson) will become free agents following next season. So, after providing quality depth during his rookie season, Whitworth should become the replacement for Anderson at right tackle in 2007.