Priorities in Dealing with What Ails the Bengals

[membengal]

Okay, spinning out of my grumpiness in the fullback thread---which IS a need, just not a high one, thought I would start a thread for folks to list what the primary needs the Bengals need to address this off-season in order to win more than one game next year.

Here's my laundry list of CRITICAL needs that will need to be addressed in the draft and free agency. By CRITICAL I mean those areas that HAVE to be addressed because this team is so deficient in that spot as currently constitututed that it cannot go forward with any confidence in 2009.

1. Offensive tackle

2. Center

3. SSLB

4. DT

5. Guard

6. DE

I consider those the immediate triage needs for this team. On the next level of concern, once that particular massive bleeding is addressed, they need:

7. Fullback (there you all go)

8. Third corner

9. Running back (need someone to go with Benson)

As for coaching/front office issues (realistic division), the critical care needs (and this assumes ML is really going to keep the job):

1. New OC

2. New line coach

3. New QB coach

4. Two actual scouts

Now, yes, I know that last is a long shot give how SOP operates, but, maybe SOP can be shamed into doing at least that since he is digging in on the whole GM thing by yielding the team a few more eyes in terms of the scout need. Yeah, probably not, but one can hope.

So there it is. My laundry list of what has to be dealt with in terms of organizational on-field issues to get ready for 2009. Given that SOP is at the helm, I clearly think this is bigger than he can handle competently, so we are likely f**ked. But it is what I will be checking off on my mental to-do list as this team lurches into another horriffic off-season.

That said, what are your priorities as you consider triage needs on this latest bleeding Bengal team as we head into the off-season?

[TJJackson]

I'd put DE at #3 - pass rush is a major, major concern; and I don't have faith in Odom, Geathers, or the Slowman

I would replace SSLB with MLB

I would raise RB a bit higher

TE also needs to be addressed (Kelley is old, Utecht can't stay healthy, I had high hopes for Coats but he has regressed since last year)

IMHO we should pick up a VERY experienced center in FA who is willing to mentor the Center we take firs day in the draft. Either that, or we sign Buckethead to a coaching assistant position to show the kid the ropes.

[UK Bengal]

just move number 9 in your list to number 1 and scrub 2,3,4,5,6 and there you go an insight into SOP 2009 draft as for me you got it spot on in my view especially the coaching changes

[Kazkal]

3. New QB coach

No love for zimmer?

[Spor_tees]

3. New QB coach

No love for zimmer?

You mean Zampese? I really don't think you can fault Zampese for Carson's injury, nor for the fact that as far as backups go all he has had is two undrafted free agents and Jeff Rowe.

[membengal]

Frankly, I am concerned that Carson has regressed, even considering the poor line play and the knee injury. I just think a fresh voice back there may help him.

[membengal]

I'd put DE at #3 - pass rush is a major, major concern; and I don't have faith in Odom, Geathers, or the Slowman

I would replace SSLB with MLB

I would raise RB a bit higher

TE also needs to be addressed (Kelley is old, Utecht can't stay healthy, I had high hopes for Coats but he has regressed since last year)

IMHO we should pick up a VERY experienced center in FA who is willing to mentor the Center we take firs day in the draft. Either that, or we sign Buckethead to a coaching assistant position to show the kid the ropes.

I'm okay with Dhani at MLB, TJ. Not thrilled with it, but okay with it. Enough that with the right parts added, this team could win next year with him at MLB. I am positive that the giant sucking sound at SSLB needs to be addressed. I put as much of the blame on this team's anemic pass rush on the giant hole at that spot as you do on the DEs.

I do think the DEs will be fine if consistent play is had from the DTs. That's why I put another mountain man at DT next to Sims as a higher priority.

I hesitate to raise RB, as I think quality RBs can be found late (or even as cast-offs in free agency). If this team doesn't address the line adequately, the second coming of Barry Sanders at RB would not help this team. And I can't advocate placing TE on the triage list, Utecht simply has to be healthy, and they can get another year out of Kelly...

[HoosierCat]

1. Offensive tackle

2. Center

I completely agree. Address these two spots, get Carson back, and the Bengals immediately bounce back to being a 6 to 8 win team, a.k.a. "competitive." That isn't good enough but it's crucial things begin here. If these spots don't get solved, all the other moves are just a waste of time.

3. SSLB

4. DT

5. Guard

6. DE

With you on LB. We need a new "joker." But it looks like we will draft too high to consider Rey M. or James L. At one time I had hopes Demon Deacon Aaron Curry would slip to the top of the second but forget that now. I just don't see this slot getting filled with anything better than what we have now next year.

DT I'm OK with right now. Peko is solid if unspectacular. Sims show signs of being better than average. We have Harris and Shirley in the piepline -- and Thornton is on his way out. Guard we have multiple options with assuming they address tackle. And I agree, better DE play will come with better DT play, which I think we are getting. A stud DE would be nice but with Geathers and Odom making big $ I don't know where that guy would get snaps.

7. Fullback (there you all go)

8. Third corner

9. Running back (need someone to go with Benson)

I'd actually put RB above FB and put them both about 4 and 5 on the list. A draft that went OT-C-RB or OT-RB-C would not make me cry. I'm OK with David Jones as the third corner, it's when he's the starter that he's a problem. I'd like to see more of Castille.

1. New OC

2. New line coach

3. New QB coach

4. Two actual scouts

No arguments here. And I also agree with your comments about Carson. He hasn't been right since the knee and it's time to shake things up re: Zampese.

[membengal]

Good points, hoosier, thanks for the thoughts. I could perhaps agree with you on RB, other than my worry (echoed above by UK, that SOP will f**k it up and take RB in the first. I want them to understand that quality RBs can be had very late in the draft.

Hillis in Denver says "hi"...