Yahoo: 10 teams 1 pick from a super bowl

[wpeldios]

On yahoo they had a story on 10 NFL teams that are currently 1 pick away from a possible super bowl appearance. wasn't a bad read. Can get it here.

Here is what they had to say about the Bengals:

"Cincinnati Bengals -- Safety: There will be needs along the Bengals' offensive line, but that unit was one of the NFL's most underrated in 2009. The real issue is pass coverage between Leon Hall(notes) and Johnathan Joseph(notes), the best cornerback duo in the business. Fortunately, there are three potential star safeties in this draft, and the Bengals might be able to grab one of two with the 21st overall pick. Texas' Earl Thomas is all over draft boards, perhaps because teams aren't certain about where he best fits between cornerback and safety, but he would be the kind of range safety desperately needed by this defense."

[HairOnFire]

Frankly, I love the idea of drafting Earl Thomas and I'd probably talk about it more if our starting SS wasn't a fragile 30+ veteran with a 1-year contract.

As for the other teams mentioned in the article, I don't agree the key to the Ravens Super Bowl chances rest on finding a new defensive lineman, and would instead point to their glaring needs at CB. And not just one.

[BengalPimp]

As for the other teams mentioned in the article, I don't agree the key to the Ravens Super Bowl chances rest on finding a new defensive lineman, and would instead point to their glaring needs at CB. And not just one.

I was thinking the same thing. I also disagreed with New England's 1 player being a Pass-Rusher. A pass Rusher is always nice, and they did re-sign Tully Banta-Cain (9 1/2 sacks last year), but I feel a big need for this team is a RB. Fred Taylor did nothing last season and probably won't be on the team this season, and Laurence Maroney in 4 seasons, has a career high of 835 yds and that was in '07. With Welker's health a question mark, we know the passing game might suffer. The best way to balance that is with a strong rushing attack. Surpirsed they didn't target any in free-agency. LJ or LT maybe? I think Thomas Jones would have been a good fit there.

[derekshank]

Not sure I'm in agreement with this article. I don't think a top tier Safety would have been the difference between and win and a loss in that Jets game.

A great safety would certainly go a long way in helping this defense take it to the next level... but I thought it seemed pretty obvious that the reason the Bengals lost that game was a complete lack of a passing game, and lack of pressure on Sanchez.

Perhaps Bryant is a solution, but I still think the O-Line in pass protection is the most important area that is in need up an upgrade. The 2nd greatest area of need is, and always seems to remain, a consistent pass rush. A top tier Safety is a luxury at this point... and it's one that I won't complain about if they address in the 1st round - but I just don't think that the Bengals are one player away... and if they are, Safety isn't the position.

[BengalPimp]

Not sure I'm in agreement with this article. I don't think a top tier Safety would have been the difference between and win and a loss in that Jets game.

I'll tell you Taylor Mays would have laid some wood on Shonn Greene. Doubt he would have gained 135 yds. Would have done a lot better than Crocker and Ndukwe that's for sure.

[BengalPimp]

... but I thought it seemed pretty obvious that the reason the Bengals lost that game was a complete lack of a passing game, and lack of pressure on Sanchez.

Perhaps Bryant is a solution, but I still think the O-Line in pass protection is the most important area that is in need up an upgrade. The 2nd greatest area of need is, and always seems to remain, a consistent pass rush. A top tier Safety is a luxury at this point... and it's one that I won't complain about if they address in the 1st round - but I just don't think that the Bengals are one player away... and if they are, Safety isn't the position.

I hear you, but I have to believe our passing game will be better with the addition of Antonio Bryant, and maybe even Matt Jones.

As for pass rusher, lets just see how Odom is, MJ wil be better with a year under his belt, Geathers? well.....who knows what we'll see from him this year?

I don't think 1 O-Lineman would make the difference either.

[walzav29]

Not sure I'm in agreement with this article. I don't think a top tier Safety would have been the difference between and win and a loss in that Jets game.

A great safety would certainly go a long way in helping this defense take it to the next level... but I thought it seemed pretty obvious that the reason the Bengals lost that game was a complete lack of a passing game, and lack of pressure on Sanchez.

Perhaps Bryant is a solution, but I still think the O-Line in pass protection is the most important area that is in need up an upgrade. The 2nd greatest area of need is, and always seems to remain, a consistent pass rush. A top tier Safety is a luxury at this point... and it's one that I won't complain about if they address in the 1st round - but I just don't think that the Bengals are one player away... and if they are, Safety isn't the position.

I don't know. Some of those long runs were broke because the RB got past the 1st level, and that TE td should have been covered by a safety. I believe. I could be wrong. A great safety makes a HUGE difference. Look at Fulcher and the Ohalete.

[Kazkal]

Frankly, I love the idea of drafting Earl Thomas and I'd probably talk about it more if our starting SS wasn't a fragile 30+ veteran with a 1-year contract.

As for the other teams mentioned in the article, I don't agree the key to the Ravens Super Bowl chances rest on finding a new defensive lineman, and would instead point to their glaring needs at CB. And not just one.

Well one of the things i was thinking about if we did get a Earl Thomas or another pure FS type we could always move Crocker to SS (if roy goes down or in 2011) Since Crocker well he is smaller still very physical...

[ArmyBengal]

Yep, we aren't simply ONE player away. We are a few players away, but if they can get those types of players either in the draft or through having another year in the system, they should certainly be competing for the AFCN crown again. Can the pass blocking improve with what we have on our current o-line ?? Sure, but I don't think there's anyone who would argue with getting some depth at the Guard position, at a minimum. Will Odom jump back into his form prior to his injury ?? Possibly, but then again, maybe he won't and Geathers is hot or miss along with not knowing where Michael Johnson is at this stage. DE should be looked at. Safety ?? Yeah, goes without saying, we need some impact there. Hell, I honestly believe if Brat could get some TE's worth a sh*t (like he's been trying to do for a few years now) he may actually find a way to employ them and THAT would help Carson as well. There's much this team can do to help, but it's not simply one player...

[Kazkal]

Well I could see Earl THomas Helping us vs Jets dunno if it change outcome though,Our Team was pretty hammered at the end of the year with injurys.

[wpeldios]

Frankly, I love the idea of drafting Earl Thomas and I'd probably talk about it more if our starting SS wasn't a fragile 30+ veteran with a 1-year contract.

As for the other teams mentioned in the article, I don't agree the key to the Ravens Super Bowl chances rest on finding a new defensive lineman, and would instead point to their glaring needs at CB. And not just one.

I agree completely about the ravens. That is a team that needs some secondary help and needs it now.

[wpeldios]

Not sure I'm in agreement with this article. I don't think a top tier Safety would have been the difference between and win and a loss in that Jets game.

A great safety would certainly go a long way in helping this defense take it to the next level... but I thought it seemed pretty obvious that the reason the Bengals lost that game was a complete lack of a passing game, and lack of pressure on Sanchez.

Perhaps Bryant is a solution, but I still think the O-Line in pass protection is the most important area that is in need up an upgrade. The 2nd greatest area of need is, and always seems to remain, a consistent pass rush. A top tier Safety is a luxury at this point... and it's one that I won't complain about if they address in the 1st round - but I just don't think that the Bengals are one player away... and if they are, Safety isn't the position.

I think anyone would have gave us a shot in this game over Ndukwe. He was awful on the 2 long Green runs, and got burnt repeatedly by Keller. Ndukwe is a practice squad player at best in my opinion. And Williams cant be counted on to remain healthy, so while I won't say it promises us a super bowl, I do think the addition of Mays/Thomas would make us a legitimate super bowl contender.

[Stripes]

If the Bengals can play as well next year as last year (which is a gigantic question), then I think their ability to contend for a Superbowl rests on the shoulders of Carson Palmer. The planets are aligning adequately for the Bengals' offense to feature an improved receiving corps next season, and that might mean that a statistical explosion via Carson's arm will propel this team to potentially great heights.

Pass protection, receiver, and pass defense upgrades are needed though to help ensure that the team can even do as much as match last season's success.

[kingwilly]

Not sure I'm in agreement with this article. I don't think a top tier Safety would have been the difference between and win and a loss in that Jets game.

A great safety would certainly go a long way in helping this defense take it to the next level... but I thought it seemed pretty obvious that the reason the Bengals lost that game was a complete lack of a passing game, and lack of pressure on Sanchez.

Perhaps Bryant is a solution, but I still think the O-Line in pass protection is the most important area that is in need up an upgrade. The 2nd greatest area of need is, and always seems to remain, a consistent pass rush. A top tier Safety is a luxury at this point... and it's one that I won't complain about if they address in the 1st round - but I just don't think that the Bengals are one player away... and if they are, Safety isn't the position.

I think anyone would have gave us a shot in this game over Ndukwe. He was awful on the 2 long Green runs, and got burnt repeatedly by Keller. Ndukwe is a practice squad player at best in my opinion. And Williams cant be counted on to remain healthy, so while I won't say it promises us a super bowl, I do think the addition of Mays/Thomas would make us a legitimate super bowl contender.

We are 2 1/2 players aways.

Productive DE - Odom or other. If Odom can return then this is solved. Need pass rush. No Odom, then a DE in r1-r3.

Safety - Ndukwe, while not as unskilled as a ps player, does need someone in front of him. Mays or Thomas is fine. Send one of our guards (Livings) and our r1 and an r3 to KC so we can get Berry.

WR - Taking a flyer on Jones and the solid move for Bryant should help but there is still unfinished business in the WR corp. Drafting Dez if he is there would be huge for the future. They can dump the junk project in Simpson and take pressure off Caldwell so he can overcome his inconsistencies.

[NJ29]

Send one of our guards (Livings) and our r1 and an r3 to KC so we can get Berry.

If they made that move, I would shutup about disliking for this front office forever.

Also, this doesn't deserve it's own thread, but apparently they're scheduling to meet with Joe Haden.

[ArmyBengal]

Put me in the line of thought that would be more pleased to sit where we are and take a shot at either Thomas or Mays in the first as opposed to giving up picks to get Berry. I simply think it's a bigger risk to trade into the top ten to target a safety as well as picking up that type of contract again when there are other players that can be had later that can provide impact to our secondary. Not only that, but with some of the holes that can either be filled or gain depth, I don't want to give up a third.

Don't get me wrong, I won't bitch and moan about it and will surely be pleased to a degree, but I just don't see that being the best option. I would rather see them package some later picks and move back up into either the 2nd or 3rd to get some higher quality players. Just me...

[kingwilly]

Put me in the line of thought that would be more pleased to sit where we are and take a shot at either Thomas or Mays in the first as opposed to giving up picks to get Berry. I simply think it's a bigger risk to trade into the top ten to target a safety as well as picking up that type of contract again when there are other players that can be had later that can provide impact to our secondary. Not only that, but with some of the holes that can either be filled or gain depth, I don't want to give up a third.

Don't get me wrong, I won't bitch and moan about it and will surely be pleased to a degree, but I just don't see that being the best option. I would rather see them package some later picks and move back up into either the 2nd or 3rd to get some higher quality players. Just me...

Perhaps I should have expanded on this a bit more.

If it is generally agreed that S is the BIGGEST issue, and the one holding this team back, then making a move to get the S who can make the best, greatest impact right away, means going after Berry.

I have no issue if they took Mays or Thomas, as both of them wil improve the team and offer significant upside. But Berry is the better player.

I am not a draft/points value expert, but it does seem that Berry will be drafted in the 5-6-7 range, and each of those teams, KC, Seattle, Cleveland, could use a player like Livings, move down to 21 and get an extra r3 pick. I don't know if that equate, in terms of value, to make it possible, I am just tossing it out there.

Getting a defensive backfield with Hall - Berry - Crocker - Joseph is downright scary. With Trent, Williams, Ndukwe in reserve....

How many of you see the re-signing of Williams as a sign that our r1 won't be a S?

[derekshank]

I am not a draft/points value expert, but it does seem that Berry will be drafted in the 5-6-7 range, and each of those teams, KC, Seattle, Cleveland, could use a player like Livings, move down to 21 and get an extra r3 pick. I don't know if that equate, in terms of value, to make it possible, I am just tossing it out there.

The value of a top 10 pick is higher than almost anything the Bengals have to offer.

To give you an idea... Cincy would have to give up their 1st and 2nd round picks just to get to 13 overall.

If the Bengals packaged their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th... it would be enough to get them the #9 overall.

It's just not worth it to trade into the top 10... especially when you consider that it's likely another holdout waiting to happen.

[kingwilly]

I am not a draft/points value expert, but it does seem that Berry will be drafted in the 5-6-7 range, and each of those teams, KC, Seattle, Cleveland, could use a player like Livings, move down to 21 and get an extra r3 pick. I don't know if that equate, in terms of value, to make it possible, I am just tossing it out there.

The value of a top 10 pick is higher than almost anything the Bengals have to offer.

To give you an idea... Cincy would have to give up their 1st and 2nd round picks just to get to 13 overall.

If the Bengals packaged their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th... it would be enough to get them the #9 overall.

It's just not worth it to trade into the top 10... especially when you consider that it's likely another holdout waiting to happen.

thanks for givig me some example of what it would take. It does seem unlikely and not a good value.

[ArmyBengal]

Well, it also has a lot to do with what the team trading down out of the top 10 is willing to take in trade. For example, the Jets didn't give up as much as I would have thought they had to in order to move up last year and get Sanchez. Then again, I think that also had a lot to do with the fact the Browns (I think that's who it was) wasn't really looking forward to giving up the type of contract they were looking at sitting in that spot.

It's not to say there isn't a team out there willing to take less, but I certainly wouldn't say it's the norm and couple that with having to pay out back to back top 10 contracts, and I think there's zero chance of it happening. However, I would also agree that Berry would certainly be the choice if all were sitting there for the taking.

How many of you see the re-signing of Williams as a sign that our r1 won't be a S?

Not at all and I would go so far as to say that's a good reason they WILL take a safety in the first. Bring in the kind of rookie you are looking for and have him learn from a 5 time pro bowl player. It's yet another reason that Mays makes even more sense in the first, since he won't be asked to save the secondary and can learn at whatever pace the coaches deem is appropriate. Either way around, I see safety being the pick in the first and no later than the second if another position player falls that they didn't expect (see Dez Bryant).

[BengalszoneBilly]

Despite this topics title, the Bengals are farther from being one player away from a Superbowl than we would like to think. Foremost I have questions about Carson Palmer. His game winning ability disappeared at the halfway point of last season. After that his play was mediocre at best. I can't count the open receivers he over threw, and this was with plenty of time to throw!

If the Bengals aren't consistent at QB, this team won't sniff the playoffs, much less a Superbowl.

[Thurmanation]

This team isn't 3 picks away from winning no damn Superbowl. If Carson actually plays to his potential in 2009 we go to AFC Championship..but we didn't, cause he didn't. You can give Carson all day but if he is going to overthrow all his receivers i don't think its an o-line problem. Maybe we draft a guard in the first round and a good safety drops to us in the second round or vice-versa, we still don't go to the Superbowl if we meet the Jets again in the first round and Carson over throws wide open Lav Coles in the middle of the field on the 15 yard line..just not happening. Carson needs to re-attatch the cannon god made for him and get back to work.

[TJJackson]

This team isn't 3 picks away from winning no damn Superbowl.

If only we had Odell

[kingwilly]

This team isn't 3 picks away from winning no damn Superbowl. If Carson actually plays to his potential in 2009 we go to AFC Championship..but we didn't, cause he didn't. You can give Carson all day but if he is going to overthrow all his receivers i don't think its an o-line problem. Maybe we draft a guard in the first round and a good safety drops to us in the second round or vice-versa, we still don't go to the Superbowl if we meet the Jets again in the first round and Carson over throws wide open Lav Coles in the middle of the field on the 15 yard line..just not happening. Carson needs to re-attatch the cannon god made for him and get back to work.

So you are saying they have what they need to win the SB if just Carson plays to his ability?

[HairOnFire]

Send one of our guards (Livings) and our r1 and an r3 to KC so we can get Berry.

If they made that move, I would shutup about disliking for this front office forever.

Also, this doesn't deserve it's own thread, but apparently they're scheduling to meet with Joe Haden.

That's interesting. I envision no scenario where they move up for Berry, but they're in a perfect position to take whatever BPA falls to them at #21, from Dez Bryant to Joe Haden. Or Kyle Wilson for that matter.

It's sorta funny, but on two occasions I've sat down and attempted to shorten my rather expansive short list. And after hours of mental noodling I ended up dropping just two players from my original list.

I then quickly added three new names.