Watching what the League Champs did,

[BengalszoneBilly]

I wanted to compare the types of picks they made, to those of the Bengals, and they don't seem to far removed from each other! Both teams (IMHO) drafted 1st for need, then took a couple BPA's in the middle rounds, and then went to projected future needs late.

This makes me feel much better about the Bengals future when they draft in the same manner as the premiere teams do! :player:

Here's a little on New Englands #1 pick:

Surprise: Patriots fill need along offensive line

By Mike Holbrook

April 23, 2005

For the first time in the six drafts overseen by Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, the Patriots selected an offensive lineman with their first-round pick.

The selection of Fresno State OL Logan Mankins was therefore a surprise since the Patriots had either taken a defensive lineman or tight end in Belichick’s previous five drafts. However, it speaks to the lack of depth along the offensive line that the Patriots were finally inspired to take an O-lineman in the first round.

Interestingly, Mankins, who has the versatility to play either guard or tackle but is listed at guard, becomes the first-ever guard drafted by the current Patriots regime. After losing veteran OG Joe Andruzzi and versatile OT Adrian Klemm this offseason via free agency, the Patriots clearly had a need to add bodies up front on offense.

Their #3 pick. Also fills the same need as #1 did:

Nick Kaczur G/T

Height: 6-4  Weight: 319  School: Toledo  Born: Jul 28, 1979   

Kaczur hails from Brantford, Ontario, home of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. He was regarded as one of the best prep players in the Canadian ranks coming out of Brantford Collegiate Institute. He played in the Canadian Junior Football League in 1999 and spent a few years in the work force before enrolling at Toledo in 2001.

Kaczur was rated as the best prep lineman in Ontario coming out of Collegiate High School in 1999. He was voted as high school's best lineman for four consecutive years and was the offensive MVP in his junior and senior years.

Kaczur (pronounced KAY-zer) immediately took over left offensive tackle duties for the Toledo Rockets and started the next 49 games. He was a third-team Freshman All-American choice by The Sporting News in 2001. In 2002, he earned All-Mid American Conference first-team accolades while lining up in 14 games at left tackle.

Kaczur led a strong offensive line performance in 2003, as the front wall allowed only nine quarterback sacks. He earned All-MAC honors for the third consecutive year in 2004. In addition to performing at left tackle that year, he also saw action in the backfield, gaining 49 yards on two carries.

He closed out his career with 51 starting assignments for the Rockets. Kaczur is the first four-time All-MAC player in Toledo history and only the fourth ever in conference annals, joining Bowling Green quarterback Brian McClure (1982-85), Ohio punter Dave Zastudil and Northern Illinois place kicker Steve Azar (2000-03).

Tell me this #7 pick wasn't for a future need. I guess they know where to find quality QB's too!

Matt Cassell QB

Height: 6-5  Weight: 230  Acquired: 2005 Draft, 7th Rd. Pick  School: USC

The versatile Cassel, who was USC's No. 2 quarterback earlier in his career and who also had several stints at tight end, switched back to quarterback prior to 2004 fall camp and backed up Matt Leinart there as a senior in 2004. He also played on some special teams. He made a key recovery of an onside kick late in the UCLA game.

Cassel spent the first half of his 2003 junior season as the backup quarterback to Matt Leinart before being moved to a reserve tight end role (he made a similar midseason move to wide receiver in 2001). Overall in 2003, while seeing action in eight games, (Hawaii and Arizona State at quarterback, then Washington, Washington State, Arizona, UCLA, Oregon State and Michigan at tight end and special teams and Michigan), he completed 6 of 13 passes for 63 yards, but did not catch a pass. He was 2 of 3 for 21 yards against Hawaii, then came in when Leinart was injured in the second quarter at Arizona State and was 4 of 10 for 42 yards. He won USC's Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award (as the upperclassman with the highest GPA).

Cassel served as USC's No. 2 quarterback behind Carson Palmer as a sophomore in 2002. He saw late action in 10 games After the season, he had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his knee.

Cassel, the backup quarterback behind Carson Palmer as a redshirt freshman in 2001, proved to be a good enough athlete to get on the field in a variety of roles in 2001. He appeared in seven games as a wide receiver and on special teams; he also played quarterback briefly at California. He did a little bit of everything at California, catching a 12-yard pass as a wide receiver, making a tackle on special teams and, in his first career action at quarterback, hit on 1 of 2 passes for 5 yards and gaining 20 yards on a run. He also gained 4 yards on a reverse at Notre Dame. He won USC's Co-Lifter Award.

They sure didn't hurt themselves in the draft, that's for sure!

[redsfan2]

These guys are a prime example of what a quality front office can do for you. With all of our improvement on the field, I think we've still got a long ways to go when it comes to improving on the mangaement side of things.

[BengalszoneBilly]

These guys are a prime example of what a quality front office can do for you. With all of our improvement on the field, I think we've still got a long ways to go when it comes to improving on the mangaement side of things.

Too bad we can't draft for the front office and management positions!!