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Bengals' 2006 wish list


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Bengals' 2006 wish list

By the Dayton Daily News

• Defensive tackle — Head coach Marvin Lewis won a Super Bowl as Baltimore's defensive coordinator (2000 season) with Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa at DT. The Bengals need a run-stopping monster in the middle to join Bryan Robinson and John Thornton in the rotation.

• Strong safety — The Bengals played most of the season with a pair of backup safeties in SS Ifeanyi Ohalete and FS Kevin Kaesviharn. Now that FS Madieu Williams is healthy, he'll need a complement. Wanted: A run-stopping enforcer and sure tackler with the range to cover.

• Cornerback — It's time to find a replacement for RCB Tory James, who turns 33 in May. James' production tailed off at the end of the 2005 season, a sign of old age. Keiwan Ratliff is a strong candidate, but look for him to get competition in free agency and the 2006 draft.

• Quarterback — With Carson Palmer on the shelf with a blown out left knee, the club needs another reliable QB. If Jon Kitna doesn't re-sign, the club should consider one of three moves: trading for Atlanta's Matt Schaub, signing Tim Couch or drafting Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler, a future star.

• Defensive end — The Bengals haven't had a double-digit sack artist since Alfred Williams (10) in 1992. LE Justin Smith had a terrific season, generating 6.0 sacks from the strong-side position. He'll be a free agent after the 2006 season, so it's vital to find a big-time, pass-rushing end.

• Offensive tackle — This is a skill position because of the technique required to run block and protect the passer. LT Levi Jones and RT Willie Anderson are great bookends, but both are due to become free agents after the '06 season. It's time to sign 'em up or groom replacements.

• Tight end — Place Reggie Kelly, Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart into a blender, hit the puree button and the result is a pretty good player. Trouble is, three for one doesn't work. Somewhere out there is a capable blocker-receiver who can play every down and boost the offense.

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Can't agree more, except for the quarterback situation unless atlanta will take a non-impact player in a trade.

Ditto.

Kelly Washington would be the obviously choice once he tendered as a restricted free agent. But with Michael Jenkins and Roddy White both emerging as excellent receivers, I doubt the Dirty Birds would consider trading Schaub for K-Dub unless a 2nd rounder is thrown in with him....Even then I really don't know why the Birds would want to trade Schaub since he's the best QB on their team.

As for Jay Cutler, he probably won't last past the 10th pick overall, so drafting him at 24 is most likely not a realistic option.

Tim Couch would have to be the absolute last resort IMO.

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