Draft one of these 3 players PLEASE!

[bengalsfan17]

1st choice would be Aaron Curry, a game changing linebacker and add another very good piece to becoming a defense to compete in the AFC North

2nd choice would be Raji, a dominant defensive tackle to control the line of scrimmage

3rd choice would be Lauranaitis, a very good and hardworking middle linebacker

I dont mean to busts everyones bubble but if you watched usc play they let teams run on them and rey was no where to be found..another usc bust in my opinion...also the need for a offensive tackle can wait until the 3rd or 4th round considering this draft is deep in o-line.

[BlainThePain]

1st choice would be Aaron Curry, a game changing linebacker and add another very good piece to becoming a defense to compete in the AFC North

2nd choice would be Raji, a dominant defensive tackle to control the line of scrimmage

3rd choice would be Lauranaitis, a very good and hardworking middle linebacker

I dont mean to busts everyones bubble but if you watched usc play they let teams run on them and rey was no where to be found..another usc bust in my opinion...also the need for a offensive tackle can wait until the 3rd or 4th round considering this draft is deep in o-line.

I don't know where you got that since USC gave up 2.6 yards per rush while Ohio State gave up 3.7 yards per rush.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I like Lauranaitis...in the 2nd or 3rd round...he's not as good as Luga. Curry no problem if he falls to 6.

[UF_Gators_15]

I like Lauranaitis...in the 2nd or 3rd round...he's not as good as Luga. Curry no problem if he falls to 6.

I agree, if James falls to the 2nd but I don't touch him in the 1st round, I at least respect ReyRey playing in the Senior Bowl other than James, anyone have any info. as to why he didn't play, b/c it makes you look like a p***y when you don't show up to play against the best! That's why I don't want that tackle Eugene outta Virginia, b/c he pussed out!

My choices, Andre Smith, then Curry, then Raji, then ReyRey

[Kazkal]

Yay for blind buckeye heroism.

[COB]

I at least respect ReyRey playing in the Senior Bowl other than James, anyone have any info. as to why he didn't play, b/c it makes you look like a p***y when you don't show up to play against the best!

Some players don't play in it because their agents tell them they're too good to play in it. They feel they are already a high draft pick, and any improvement that might come as a result of playing is not worth the risk of injury or the risk of looking bad and dropping. Sort of the same thing when guys won't show up for the combine, or will show up but only take the tests, won't run, lift, or get weighed and measured. It's just business. Now whether Lauranitis was good enough to skip it, that is quite debatable.

I was a little surprised that Malagula played in it. I gained some respect for him.

[BlainThePain]

I at least respect ReyRey playing in the Senior Bowl other than James, anyone have any info. as to why he didn't play, b/c it makes you look like a p***y when you don't show up to play against the best!

Some players don't play in it because their agents tell them they're too good to play in it. They feel they are already a high draft pick, and any improvement that might come as a result of playing is not worth the risk of injury or the risk of looking bad and dropping. Sort of the same thing when guys won't show up for the combine, or will show up but only take the tests, won't run, lift, or get weighed and measured. It's just business. Now whether Lauranitis was good enough to skip it, that is quite debatable.

I was a little surprised that Malagula played in it. I gained some respect for him.

Its probably a good sign that Rey won't let his agent control his career.

[Kazkal]

I was a little surprised that Malagula played in it. I gained some respect for him.

He had to be there with his boys from USC...reunite him with rivers!

[bengalsfan17]

how good are reggie bush, dwayne jarrett, mike williams, matt leinhart..just a few recent guys that are big busts from usc.....rey rey is overrated...im telling you i watch a lot of college football....if you dont like james take curry or raji, stay away from him...2nd or 3rd round probably 2nd we take eric wood center from cincinnati who went to louisville

[icehole3]

Here's my fav 5

1. Curry

2. Rey Rey

3. Raji

4. Oher

5. Jenkins

[NJ29]

Here's my fav 5

1. Curry

2. Rey Rey

3. Raji

4. Oher

5. Jenkins

Eh, that's a good list to me, but I wouldn't take Jenkins at 6. I love Jenkins, I have since his sophomore year and I'm not even a Buckeye fan, and I'm also a fan of getting a corner, but I think it can wait until the second or third round, I just think there's better value there. I'm in the boat where I think you can never have enough great linebackers, so obviously I'm on the Curry/Maualuga bandwagon. In no particular order, I'd be satisfied with any of these guys...

- Maualuga

- Curry

- Oher

- Monroe

- Raji

- Moreno

- Jason Smith

- Michael Johnson

- Everette Brown

[BlainThePain]

Oher

Curry

Rey Rey

Raji

Monroe

Andre Smith

[Wraith]

Junior Seau, Willie McGinest, Chris Claiborne, Lofa Tatupu, Ronnie Lott, Troy Polamalu just to name a few, USC defensive players are generally as good as advertised. Also see Carson Plamer....he turned out ok.

Best Players 1-6 IMHO

1) Andre Smith

2) Rey Maualuga

3) Aaron Curry

4) B.J. Raji

5) Eugene Monroe

6) Brian Orakpo

[ArmyBengal]

Can we please try to limit how many threads we have talking about who to draft ?? The point was made in another thread and then a new one started to make the same point. Not that I agree or disagree, but there is no need unless you are saying something different. Which isn't happening here...

[Clackwoods]

how good are reggie bush, dwayne jarrett, mike williams, matt leinhart..just a few recent guys that are big busts from usc.....rey rey is overrated...im telling you i watch a lot of college football....if you dont like james take curry or raji, stay away from him...2nd or 3rd round probably 2nd we take eric wood center from cincinnati who went to louisville

You can call Williams a bust, but Jarrett is just a second year player and he started to come on at the end of the year. I don't think Leinhart can be considered a bust because he is playing behind a hall of fame qb so we don't know what he has yet. Reggie could be considered a bust because of his draft status but that is all. The guy is an awesome punt returner and one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. He is a great asset to have on your team and in no way should be considered a complete bust.

[kentjett]

If u think Rey Rey is a bust at USC, u must be high. If u ever watch him specifically during a game, he is the one that blows everything up. He might not be the one that makes the tackle but he'll blow up the lead blocker and close the hole. He has a mean streak and he is a great leader. If u talk to anybody that saw Rey and Rivers play together, they'll tell u that Rey is the better of the 2. His career at USC is just as good or even better than any other LB in USC history.

[GregCook]

If u think Rey Rey is a bust at USC, u must be high. If u ever watch him specifically during a game, he is the one that blows everything up. He might not be the one that makes the tackle but he'll blow up the lead blocker and close the hole. He has a mean streak and he is a great leader. If u talk to anybody that saw Rey and Rivers play together, they'll tell u that Rey is the better of the 2. His career at USC is just as good or even better than any other LB in USC history.

In this draft, I don't see any either Maualuga or Lauranitis cracking the top 10, just baffles me why some many here what to draft these guys. I could see it if some here where USC grads.

The studs are few in the top 6, two or three OT's, a DT, one DE and a CB. Given where the Bengals are in life having given up 51 sacks last season and Carson Palmer's season, its a no brainer what position they draft. Its the who that is a mystery. But Rey-Rey? Lauranitis? They are bottom of the first round guys, not the top.

[Wraith]

Maualuga plays with such intensity, he hits and sets the tone for the entire defense, his production is off the charts and he has been the best player on the best defense in college football for three years now. He has great chemistry with Keith Rivers and their teamwork will make both of them better, so much of linebacker is playing with instincts and having a guy you feel comfortable with next to you will ease Rey's transition immensely. Maualuga will give this Bengals defense an identitiy much like Ray Lewis gave the Ravens an Identity. with Rey, a healthy Rivers, Leon Hall, Jonathan Joseph, White and NDukwe, Peko and Sims this team will have a legitimate top ten defense which will benefit the short term much more than a rookie LT who is likely to hurt as much as he helps next year. Sign Andrews, stick Collins at LT whitworth and Williams at Guard and draft a second round C (Mack or Unger) and you have a stable O-Line IMHO. Give Palmer more chances (turnovers) and not require him to win all the games for us by compensating for a lousy defense and the Bengals will make the playoffs next year (barring injuries). Maualuga is the obvious and right choice for the Bengals.

[PhunkE1]

Maualuga plays with such intensity, he hits and sets the tone for the entire defense, his production is off the charts and he has been the best player on the best defense in college football for three years now. He has great chemistry with Keith Rivers and their teamwork will make both of them better, so much of linebacker is playing with instincts and having a guy you feel comfortable with next to you will ease Rey's transition immensely. Maualuga will give this Bengals defense an identitiy much like Ray Lewis gave the Ravens an Identity. with Rey, a healthy Rivers, Leon Hall, Jonathan Joseph, White and NDukwe, Peko and Sims this team will have a legitimate top ten defense which will benefit the short term much more than a rookie LT who is likely to hurt as much as he helps next year. Sign Andrews, stick Collins at LT whitworth and Williams at Guard and draft a second round C (Mack or Unger) and you have a stable O-Line IMHO. Give Palmer more chances (turnovers) and not require him to win all the games for us by compensating for a lousy defense and the Bengals will make the playoffs next year (barring injuries). Maualuga is the obvious and right choice for the Bengals.

I hear you, and I too agree that Rey would be a great fit here. My problem is spending two top 10 picks on LB's the last two years. Knowing cheap Mikey we won't keep both of them when their contracts are up. I think OT makes the most since with the injuries and deteriating play of LJones. I also have some durability concerns with Rey at the next level. He's a bit undersized and plays with reckless abandon. I just don't know if he will hold up at the next level.

[Kazkal]

In this draft, I don't see any either Maualuga or Lauranitis cracking the top 10, just baffles me why some many here what to draft these guys. I could see it if some here where USC grads.

Outsider of bengalsfan17 whos wanted lauranitis in round one? Even buckeye fans don't think he's top 10

51 sacks last season and Carson Palmer's season, its a no brainer what position they draft. Its the who that is a mystery. But Rey-Rey? Lauranitis? They are bottom of the first round guys, not the top.

But isn't it pretty much the same Oline the season before that gave up a Bengals history low in sacks? which even then I wanted to see it improved but you don't have to draft OT in the 1st it just has to get addressed some point early...

also have some durability concerns with Rey at the next level. He's a bit undersized and plays with reckless abandon. I just don't know if he will hold up at the next level.

Are you serious? He is 6'2 & 260 lbs you won't find a bigger backer who is anywhere near his level in the draft.....

Most MLB's in the draft are 230-240.the only Linebacker the only one who is bigger then Rey is Jasper Brinkley.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I'm up and down on Rey.

First, he takes a lot of plays off and disappears in many games. I've watched a few USC games and think he was better in '07 than he was in '08, which is always a red flag. He does give the defense a presence in the middle and should make a deep linebacker group even deeper with Rivers, Jeanty, Jones, Johnson and company. An ideal scenario to me would be to trade down to the 10th or 11th pick, pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd and draft the BPA at that point. Rey could still be there as Oakland, Jacksonville, Green Bay and San Fran pick behind the Bengals and all of those teams are either set at MLB or have more pressing needs. Oher or maybe even Andre Smith, who is falling out of the top-10, should still be there and you would then have an extra pick in the top 100.

[Wraith]

Stafford, Curry, Crabtree, and Smith will all be gone by the time the Bengals pick at #6 as far as I am concerned that can be written in stone. Either Sanchez, Monroe, or Raji will go at the other position, lets say for arguements sake that the draft plays out like this:

Detroit: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia (Smith could also go here)

St. Louis: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama (Monroe could go here but I am confident they go with a Tackle)

Kansas City: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC (Curry could go here as could Monroe or Smith or Stafford if either are available)

Seattle: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech (a mortal lock to go here)

Cleveland: Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest (Could go with Jenkins though I doubt it, could certainly go with Raji if Curry is gone)

That leaves a pool of five candidates for the Bengals:

1) Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC: Give me Rivers and Maualuga on my LBer corp with good DBs and an adequate line and I'll show you a Super Bowl caliber defense. This guy is Polamalu with an extra 40 lbs. Hits like a Mack Truck, has great instincts, is the focal point of any offensive game plan. Will make Rivers look great(er) by giving him more room to roam. I could care less what his senior season looked like, he makes everyone else on his defense look better. Maualuga's fire would fill every player on the Bengals defense much like Polamalu does for Pittsburgh. This is a no-brainer mortal lock as far as I am concerned but there are other guys that are legitimate players as well that I would also be comfortable with.

2) B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: UNBLOCKABLE! This is the guy the Bengals have been looking for since Krumrie broke his leg. Big, Extemely Strong, Very Quick. Can be a run stopper and a penetrator. Is every bit the player that Ellis and Dorsey were last year. Came out at the Senior Bowl and completely dominated. The only reason I list Maualuga ahead of Raji is Maualuga's ability to be the vocal and emotional leader of the defense. Raji would instantly make the Bengals a better team.

3) Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia: Would make an instant impact for the Bengals, is a dominent LT prospect and would certainly help solidify the Bengals O-Line, partnering him with a second round Center prospect like Unger or Mack would allow the Bengals to let Andrews go in FA moving Collins to RT and allowing them to lockup TJ from a financial point of view. Love him as a pick just don't think he is as special as Maualuga or Raji.

4) Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas: Orakpo is an incredible physical specimen. 515 lb bench press, 600 lb squat from a 260 lb man is very rare, combine that with his desire to make himself a better football player in the offseason by boxing and you get an good picture of this guys abilities. 19 Tackles for a Loss and 11.5 sacks last year are also good indicators, can play 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB, more quick than fast and not very large but makes up for it by hard work and by his freakish combination of strength and quickness. Really a one year wonder and there are questions about his durability which pushes him down my radar but would certainly make a great addition to this team.

5) Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State: Is exactly the kind of "power" back the Bengals need, I just question how much he is needed, I think he is very similar in alot of ways to Benson who was himself a high draft pick just a few years ago. Sign up Benson to a long term deal full of insentives and you don't need to spend a 1st round pick on a running back, any of these 4 guys would be a better prospectm IMHO

[ArmyBengal]

I merged here as there were not only multiple threads, but in different locations. Just trying to keep it all together.

THANKS...

[Kazkal]

First, he takes a lot of plays off and disappears in many games. I've watched a few USC games and think he was better in '07 than he was in '08, w

Before this year Rey tryed to do everything himself,This year he played within the system and let others make plays.

Oakland, Jacksonville, Green Bay and San Fran pick behind the Bengals and all of those teams are either set at MLB or have more pressing needs. Oher or maybe

I Could see the Raiders,Jaguars and 49ers(3-4 team) all team rey... not to mention the Broncos or Chargers could always trade up infront of us...

[GregCook]

In this draft, I don't see any either Maualuga or Lauranitis cracking the top 10, just baffles me why some many here what to draft these guys. I could see it if some here where USC grads.

Outsider of bengalsfan17 whos wanted lauranitis in round one? Even buckeye fans don't think he's top 10

51 sacks last season and Carson Palmer's season, its a no brainer what position they draft. Its the who that is a mystery. But Rey-Rey? Lauranitis? They are bottom of the first round guys, not the top.

But isn't it pretty much the same Oline the season before that gave up a Bengals history low in sacks? which even then I wanted to see it improved but you don't have to draft OT in the 1st it just has to get addressed some point early...

also have some durability concerns with Rey at the next level. He's a bit undersized and plays with reckless abandon. I just don't know if he will hold up at the next level.

Are you serious? He is 6'2 & 260 lbs you won't find a bigger backer who is anywhere near his level in the draft.....

Most MLB's in the draft are 230-240.the only Linebacker the only one who is bigger then Rey is Jasper Brinkley.

No it wasn't the same offensive line, otherwise they would have given up fewer sacks. All Pro Willie Anderson was gone. Levi is a shell of himself. New bookends. Then Whit went down. Then his replacement went down. Stacy went down and replaced with a guy off the street or practice squad. Guycheck is leaving town unwanted. So no, it wasn't pretty much the same Oline as 2 seasons ago. Looking forward Bobbile Williams has another year of wear and tear on his soon to be 33 year old body. To me that offensive line is on life support. Now here comes the 2009 draft and what looks like 3 elite LT's available by the 6th pick. Go for one. They will still need to address starting C and OG in later rounds, hopefully they will have been addressed in FA, but I doubt it. It would be wise to have someone backing up Bobbie ready to start in 2010.

Then again, his team has needs on both lines, RB, LB, CB that could legit use a #6. But if they don't address both sides of the line in a serious way, they're screwed for next year.

Having an offensive line that gives up an average of 3 sacks/game and a defensive line that gets 1 sack/game is how a team wins just 4 games in the NFL. Look at the secondary, less than 1 pick per game then throw in their poor tackling that we saw so much of. Awful play by the Bengals so while I think they must take an LT at #6, it wouldn't surprise me if they went elsewhere.