Draft Preview.

[schweinhart]

Hard to tell about DT really. Thornton goes into the last year of his deal and both Big Sam and B-Rob are aged. Peko looks like a key rotational player if not a starter next year but the Bengals should prioritize locking up Shaun Smith as a RFA rather than try to get a fit out of the draft next year IMO. Plus, Fanene might be able swing pass rushing RDT.

But if they do draft a DT at all, rounds 5-7 ought to cough up a decent enough prospect. I like Big Play Curvee in the 5th.

[Kazkal]

Aye DT doesn't seem like postion inless a Shaun rodgers falls in your lap and you just can't say no....who knows mybe branch enters and is there at 20+

[Tasher]

Wow, this will be a tough draft to guage for the Bengals. We have so few glaring needs, so many questions about folks returning from injury/suspension and the added question marks about the crapshoot that the draft is.

However, I do not see this happening:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

If Laron Landry is on the board when the Bengals pick, there is no way that we do not pick him.

This mock has us take Tank Tyler and Landry goes with the next pick to the Pats. Wow.

[Kazkal]

That guy is a idiot though,When he was giving us a TE in the 1st he refused to even consirder a defensive pick...People think we need DT and only Need where we need play makers period Landry on the board and marv and co passesd on him I'd be very surprized inless willis,Branch or adams was the pick (who IMO are best at their postions)

[kurgan74]

I think I would throw up if Landry was on the board and the Bengals

bypassed him. Landry is the hardhitting coverage safety we all want.

That said with the possibility of losing Stewart and Kelly to FA, TE is a

possibility as well. If, and only if, the Bengals decide on a TE I hope

it is Greg Olsen from Miami. He plays like KWII and Shockey, just

without the jack**s attitude.

[Kazkal]

I doubt we would lose kelly inless we picked up a TE in FA...which some decent ones are hitting market this year...I would love to bring in daniel graham and then keep kelly

[schweinhart]

After watching the Bengals beat the Ratbirds, it still seems obvious that the Bengals desperately need pass rush. Granted they were playing one of the most inept offenses in the league under the direction of a know-nothing loser like Brian Billick, but they still left way too much time for McNair to throw. Obviously also this isn't the 1st time the Bengals have sported the anti-pass rush. I say if they can't get Woodley in the 1st then maybe target Bazuin in the 2nd. He's not got the strength to play down in and out at DE but he's quicker than Pollack. He doesn't drop back at all but he's a relentless pursuer and should adapt well to SSLB in a 4-3. Of course the Bengals already have a ready-made SSLB in Ahmad Brooks but they seem to have some reluctance in committing him to the position.

If Landry is there, take him...no doubts. But he really shouldn't be there. I'm leaning more and more toward corner.

I'm leaning toward Marcus McCauley.

[derekshank]

After watching the Bengals beat the Ratbirds, it still seems obvious that the Bengals desperately need pass rush. Granted they were playing one of the most inept offenses in the league under the direction of a know-nothing loser like Brian Billick, but they still left way too much time for McNair to throw. Obviously also this isn't the 1st time the Bengals have sported the anti-pass rush. I say if they can't get Woodley in the 1st then maybe target Bazuin in the 2nd. He's not got the strength to play down in and out at DE but he's quicker than Pollack. He doesn't drop back at all but he's a relentless pursuer and should adapt well to SSLB in a 4-3. Of course the Bengals already have a ready-made SSLB in Ahmad Brooks but they seem to have some reluctance in committing him to the position.

If Landry is there, take him...no doubts. But he really shouldn't be there. I'm leaning more and more toward corner.

I'm leaning toward Marcus McCauley.

It looked intentional to me. It looked like the plan was to not really even try to get to McNair, as much as give him the illusion of a pass-rush. They were collapsing the pocket, instead of going all out on the pass rush, so they would keep him in the pocket rather than running around ala Mike Vick (although he still managed his share of yards).

I don't particularly like that plan... but you couldn't argue with the results on this night.

[Stripes]

I still want a DE.

[HairOnFire]

Of course the Bengals already have a ready-made SSLB in Ahmad Brooks but they seem to have some reluctance in committing him to the position.

If Landry is there, take him...no doubts. But he really shouldn't be there. I'm leaning more and more toward corner.

Brooks has flashed amazing potential, but he still struggles in pass coverage...especially near the sidelines. He doesn't take the best angles and too often overruns a play. That should improve with better experience and more coaching, but there's no doubt that the Bengals recent defensive surge is partly due to Caleb Miller's better pass coverage skills.

BTW, my flag still flys in Camp DE but I could rally behind the right CB.

[Kazkal]

Hair wants a DE but I thought you were pimping rucker as the future.

[derekshank]

The only way I want a DE is if we convert a Quinn Pitcock type to DE. We've got decent pass-rushing DE's. When Bryan Robinson is gone, our run defense might suffer. However... Pitcock in the DE position would dominate. He's incredibly quick, is great at penetration, and like Robinson can play both DE and DT.

I'm still on the LB train though. Without Odell and Pollack and Simmons on his last leg, I don't see how L. Johnson, C. Miller, Jeanty, and Brooks are good enough to move ahead in the future with.

[TJJackson]

BPA from among defensive players - we could use a playmaker still at any defensive spot with the possible (Madieu has not quite been Madieu-like of late) exception of free safety

on offense, TE remains a slim possibility

[Kazkal]

The only way I want a DE is if we convert a Quinn Pitcock type to DE. We've got decent pass-rushing DE's. When Bryan Robinson is gone, our run defense might suffer. However... Pitcock in the DE position would dominate. He's incredibly quick, is great at penetration, and like Robinson can play both DE and DT.

I'm still on the LB train though. Without Odell and Pollack and Simmons on his last leg, I don't see how L. Johnson, C. Miller, Jeanty, and Brooks are good enough to move ahead in the future with.

I thought about pitcock as 4-3 end wonder if he gain much quickness losing 10 lbs ....but problem could be techique no? sense pass rushing as DE isen't same as a DT

[HairOnFire]

Hair wants a DE but I thought you were pimping rucker as the future.

I believe you can never have too much money, too many orgasms, or too many DE's.

As for Rucker, I think he's far better than anyone here gives him credit for, and he'll be desperately needed if the Bengals do the expected and let Justin Smith cash another teams huge checks. So I pimp Rucker...because he's an unloved orphan Bengal.

BTW, every spring my thoughts turn to love and signing a top DE in free agency. As soon as it becomes clear that I'm not going to get a veteran DE in free agency I immediately start pimping a DE in the draft.

You could set your watch by it.

[Kazkal]

I don't doubt rucker,because marvin and co drafted him even with his issues in the 3rd...my only knock on him was I <3'd Ko.