Our first pick in the 09 draft

[Kazkal]

If anyone wants to "quick fix" the Bengal's D, he's the man - and my pick (top of the 2nd??).

Birth Place Perkinston, MS

Height 6-5

Weight 380 lbs.

Class Sophomore

He's only a soph? either 380? Is he a house with a jersey?

[DesperateDerelict]

....although I love Chinny and think Marvin White has been solid I would love to have a specimen at safety in Taylor Mays outta USC, the kid is 6'3 235lbs and runs a 4.35, big hitter!

Just wanted to pass along a little local scuttlebutt about Mays. On more than one occasion I've heard local announcers, players, and USC coaches literally gush about the way Mays is put together. In fact, Mays is often called the most physically impressive athlete to ever play at USC.

Yeah, But does he wear #55 ????

If not, Mikey won't want anything to do with him.

[DesperateDerelict]

If anyone wants to "quick fix" the Bengal's D, he's the man - and my pick (top of the 2nd??).

Birth Place Perkinston, MS

Height 6-5

Weight 380 lbs.

Class Sophomore

He's only a soph? either 380? Is he a house with a jersey?

I think he'll be 3 years out of high school - a JC transfer, Saban got him from around 405 down to 355.

'bama plays some pretty good offensive lines, and he just blows 'em up. He dinged his knee against Ole Miss, but is back. Watch what he does to Herman Johnson (All-american Guard) & Helms (all-SEC Center) at LSU on Saturday.

[COB]

However, all of this is moot. Mikey needs to sell SLA's now - so he will choose Beanie Wells, thinking this will both improve his team and please his fan base.

I went to the Penn State game, and Beanie was getting stuffed. To his credit, he was coming off the field and screaming at his linemen. But our blind squirrel just found his proverbial nut in Ced Benson, so I'm hoping, really hoping, that Mike doesn't draft Beanie. Because your explanation of his thought process seems pretty accurate.

Just an observation, but Beanie seems to be nicked all the time. Hard for his infrastructure to haul all that freight, sort of like Keith Byers. Most of this year Beanie has been wearing lineman's boots to support the protective device they installed around his toe. He said they feel like running in combat boots.

All I've seen of Crabtree was the Texas game, and he looked great. Big, strong, blocks, catches everything, clutch. Just not the fastest guy on the field. He reminds me of Hines Ward. Just a football player.

[HairOnFire]

Yeah, But does he wear #55 ????

I know I'll regret this, but I'm curious if your opinion of Keith Rivers has changed. After all, you were his loudest critic.

[Sandwedge]

....although I love Chinny and think Marvin White has been solid I would love to have a specimen at safety in Taylor Mays outta USC, the kid is 6'3 235lbs and runs a 4.35, big hitter!

Just wanted to pass along a little local scuttlebutt about Mays. On more than one occasion I've heard local announcers, players, and USC coaches literally gush about the way Mays is put together. In fact, Mays is often called the most physically impressive athlete to ever play at USC.

You forgot to add not the brightest guy though... Physical yes, mental no... Might score below Akili when it comes to the wonderlic test..

[HairOnFire]

You forgot to add not the brightest guy though... Physical yes, mental no... Might score below Akili when it comes to the wonderlic test..

I'm not doubting you, but I can't really add things I haven't heard.

Positives tend to be shouted from the rooftops while negatives are whispered on the down low. And from those rooftops, I once heard Ronnie Lott yammering on a local Los Angeles sportstalk program claiming there might not be more than three or four players in the entire NFL as physically gifted as Mays. If true, I'd say Mays has a fairly bright future in the NFL even if he's so stupid he can't tie his own shoes.

[DesperateDerelict]

Yeah, But does he wear #55 ????

I know I'll regret this, but I'm curious if your opinion of Keith Rivers has changed. After all, you were his loudest critic.

Hair, when have you ever regretted asking me an innocuous question??

Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised how well he has done, and how long he lasted - a nice, safe pick. I don't think he was terrific value at #9, and would have preferred a trade down - I still think he was the 3rd best linebacker at USC - but the Bengals certainly could have done worse.

Normally, this would be considered "damning with faint praise", but this IS the Bengals draft we are discussing, right?

[fattyjay]

You forgot to add not the brightest guy though... Physical yes, mental no... Might score below Akili when it comes to the wonderlic test..

I'm not doubting you, but I can't really add things I haven't heard.

Positives tend to be shouted from the rooftops while negatives are whispered on the down low. And from those rooftops, I once heard Ronnie Lott yammering on a local Los Angeles sportstalk program claiming there might not be more than three or four players in the entire NFL as physically gifted as Mays. If true, I'd say Mays has a fairly bright future in the NFL even if he's so stupid he can't tie his own shoes.

Hair, I knew there was something missing from this board for awhile...now I know what it was.

[HairOnFire]

Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised how well he has done, and how long he lasted - a nice, safe pick. I don't think he was terrific value at #9, and would have preferred a trade down - I still think he was the 3rd best linebacker at USC - but the Bengals certainly could have done worse.

Normally, this would be considered "damning with faint praise", but this IS the Bengals draft we are discussing, right?

Well, when it comes to you and all things Keith Rivers I'd say any praise, including faint, is fairly remarkable.

Seriously, it's nice to see you kept an open mind.

[GregCook]

Actually, I'm pleasantly surprised how well he has done, and how long he lasted - a nice, safe pick. I don't think he was terrific value at #9, and would have preferred a trade down - I still think he was the 3rd best linebacker at USC - but the Bengals certainly could have done worse.

Normally, this would be considered "damning with faint praise", but this IS the Bengals draft we are discussing, right?

Well, when it comes to you and all things Keith Rivers I'd say any praise, including faint, is fairly remarkable.

Seriously, it's nice to see you kept an open mind.

The Bengals could take the names of the top 10 studs, do a blind draw of one and definitely improve the team. They have many holes and aren't competitive in the NFL.

But the Bengals either draft poorly or can't put the player in a position to excel. Find me a Marvin Lewis drafted guy that is Pro Bowl caliber. Ok Carson Palmer and Shayne Graham(FA). Near Pro Bowl then. Nothing at all. Not JJ. Not Hall. Not Chris Perry are anywhere near Pro Bowl caliber. So while its fun to throw darts at names, when it gets down to what happens on the field, well you or I could draft as well as Mike Brown and company in the first round.