We're Screwed

[TubThumper]

After the Bengals tanked against Buffalo, Marvin Lewis is free to turn over the roster as he sees fit. There probably won't be a great deal of change, but anybody that would have seemed safe if the Bengals had kept their winning season hopes alive in that game that he would really want to get rid of is no longer safe.

I'd like to see Bramlet play some in these last two games. Kitna is clearly not the answer at number 2, and it's time to start looking at who will be number 2. If the team comes through behind Kitna against the Giants, it makes sense to stay with him to try to win out. But he's still too skittish and unreliable to suffice as the backup on a team with late-round playoff aspiration. If things go South against either the Giants or the Eagles, start playing Bramlet.

[rtconner]

please... kitna isn'nt palmer he sucks. palmer could've picked the bills apart i know chad would've had more than 2 catches for 10 yards with palmer taking the snaps.

heh, ok. whatever gets you going in the morning.

[rem356]

please... kitna isn'nt palmer he sucks. palmer could've picked the bills apart i know chad would've had more than 2 catches for 10 yards with palmer taking the snaps.

heh, ok. whatever gets you going in the morning.

dude, let it go for petes sake. Go hack on someone elses board.

To all the Bengal fans...Merry Christmas!!

[BengalsDieHard1]

Look at the upside......35-40 carries for Rudi.

Prediction: Rudi runs for 245 yards and 4 TD's.

He signs a new 6 year contract on Tuesday with a $12 mil signing bonus...........................RUN RUDI RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[schweinhart]

I would like to see another 10 picks in 2005 with maybe 5 combined in rds 3 and 4. True, this pushes the roster but it also forces the hand with UFAs and IRs, including players like Powell, Mitchell, Bauman, Russell, etc. who have been on Skins and Ratbirds when ML was DC.

I can't agree. Youth and competition aren't the issues this team faces; focus and experience are. I would much rather see some horse-trading, perhaps for higher picks, perhaps for young-but-veteran player, that results in about 5 picks in this draft. Then keep an eye on the waiver wire for key role players.

I'm not convinced that the competition won't be the fiercest yet in the ML era, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

With all the house cleaning over the past 2 years, jobs were handed to the UFAs who came in. In 2005, the UFAs in ML's 1st yr w/ 4 yr deals (Hardy and James) should get pushed for their jobs. Clemons got an extension for 2005 and Powell's 2 yr deal is up. These players are all on the downside and should have to win their starting jobs (or roster spot in Powell's case if he is re-signed) through truly level field competition. That did not happen this year in Powell's case, which is why Elton Patterson now plays for the Jaguars.

James had a great year, Big Duane was solid, and Hardy was the best available option at SSLB. But they all need to be pushed in 2005 and eased into lesser roles if they can't perform at the level necessary for the Bengals to contend.

Injuries pressed younger players into action in 2004 but Langston Moore should not be the starting RDT (although he is a rotational fit) and Landon Johnson will not likely be the starting MLB if the Natester returns. Kim Herring had some decent games but blew his fair share and proved injury prone again, so a safety with SS/FS versatilty would make some sense.

IR players on D (Abdullah, Chamberlin, Bauman, Brooks, Askew) w/ reasonable roster expectations should further enhance the level of competition in battling for spots but by no means should any of them be guaranteed to make the team.

As far as how this relates to draft picks (5 or 10), I would say the more picks the better the competition to challenge starting positions and solidify backup roles while simulateously allowing the organization to benefit from ML's evaluation of defensive talent for the future. On defense IMO, this would justify picks at RDT, LDE, SSLB, another DT w/ DE versatility and safety.

On offense, there is also a need for picks. I would say 2 TEs, one with HB and back-up FB ability and the other a real pass catching threat. Additionally, an RB should be taken IMO, WR should be prioritized high (and maybe 2 taken), and another O-lineman should probably be added to the mix.

True, younger vets could be picked up via waiver wire (but teams w/ worse records than Bengals will get 1st chance to claim) or roster cuts during the course of the offseason and pre-season. Some of that should happen, too, and already has late in 2004 w/ the likes of Shaun Smith and Terrance Martin at DT, who will likely be right in the middle of the 2005 competition mix.

But yes..in the final analysis if a player like, say the draft guru's choice Marcus Spears (who should be an exceptionally good fit on the Dline) were coveted and this forced trading up at the expense of a 4th rd. SSLB or safety then by all means it has to be seriously considered because the D's most glaring weakness is run D and pass rush. And the biggest team need in that regard is a more mobile RDT and a quicker LDE. Spears has the verasility to be both. Beyond Spears, I'm not sure there's another D-lineman who will be drafted before the middle of the 1st rd that fits the bill the Bengals need.

One thing's for certain, this will be an energized offseason again

And if Kitna lays another duck vs. Giants, maybe they'll be eyeballing a QB