Bengals draft.......

[stxbuck]

What do the other Bengals fans on this board think about the draft? Personally, I am very pleased-Pollack can play either DE or OLB. If having short arms is the worst thing Kiper can say about him, I am stoked. His pass rushing abilities are greatly needed.
Thurman is a stud-unlike Johnson or Miller, he is a true MLB and can bring the pain big time. I don't think his character is a major concern.
As far as the Bengals not selecting a DT, Lewis actually announced that he analyzed the Benglas problems stopping the run as stemming from LBs missing tackles in the cutback lanes-not a lack of penetration or effort from the DTs. Hardy, Miller, and Webster are being put on notice big time by Lewis.
Chris Henry is boom or bust. He has physical skills and a size/speed combo rivalling that of Randy Moss, but he was also highly unpopular w/ teammates after throwing temper tantrums on-field and criticizing his QB publicly. He also scored a 9 on the Wonderlic. If he matures, the Bengals could have the #1 steal of the draft.
As far as the Central Michigan guys go, they must be pretty good on film, because the Bengals could have had Wilkerson from LSU at C, and Michael Munoz or Calvin Armstrong from WSU at OT, w/ the 5th rounder.
Overall, if Pollack and Thurman perform as expected, and the center-Goriciu-something like that-can be a serviceable starter after Brahm retires, this draft will be a resounding success. Chris Henry is just gravy on top if he works out.

BTW, did anyone else think Merrill Hoge looked like the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland w/ that ridiculous suit he wore covering the late rounds?

 

[HabaneroBuck]

First three rounds look like good picks with the potential for three solid starters (if the Bengals have given up on Warrick).

Last four rounds left a lot to be desired, but maybe the coaches saw something that everyone else didn't see. Seems as though they could have gotten that center they took in the fourth in the sixth or seventh. As far as DT, I would have drafted Hawthorne out of Wisconsin, but that might be too many questionable character picks for one draft. Very surprised to see him drop to the sixth round.

 

[Darkhorse79]

The Bengals drafted pretty well IMO.

I think Hawthorne would have been three character issues in one draft(Thurman and Henry being the other two). That's too many.....unless you're in Oakland.

It appears the Bengals just have no patience for the slow-recovering Warrick and Webster as evidenced by their 2nd and 3rd picks.

The Bengals could probably pick up Munoz or Wilkerson as free agents if they really want them.

 

[sandgk]

Seems to me that the rds 1 -- 3 picks are reasonably solid. Rds 4 -- 7 are question marks and/or probable "projects." Lewis must believe the run-D was bolstered just right with their pre-draft FA signing. Basically, I was expecting a heavier D slant to this draft.
Overall, Bengals get a B/B- from me, but that grade may improve in coming years. Though not on D I liked the pick up of the big UCLA WR, he should have the tools to be a good run blocker. Along with the rest of Cincy, I'd love to see them give Munoz a look in FA, as well as Simon Fraser.

 

[Honor&Glory]

Some draft experts (take THAT for what its worth) think that the WR they took in round 6 from UCLA is a steal and could be a very productive player for the Bengals.


On the whole, I am pleased. I am pretty excited about the ILB from Georgia more then I am with Pollack. The center from CMU should work out, as he will have a year on the bench to prepare himself for next season.

 

[tibor75]

well, Jesus Kitna has to be happy with Pollack so far...

He's excited to be a Bengal. He's excited that former Georgia teammate linebacker Odell Thurman is now also a Bengal.

Pollack will be back Thursday for the start Friday of the rookie mini-camp.

It's Pollack's destiny, he said, to be in Cincinnati.

"God doesn't make mistakes," he said. "I'm supposed to be here."

 

[GoBucks89]

I haven't had time to analyze the later picks, but the first two were right on the money. I thought Hardy was terrible last year and Webster was too small to play MLB. Pollack and Thurman will bolster what was a team weakness and hopefully the signing of that DL guy from Miami will be the key to stopping the run. Now if we can just get Duane Clemons to play his 'A' game every game, we could be a force in the division this year.

 

[Mothra]

from cbssportsline.com


Cincinnati Bengals

Best pick: Second-round pick Odell Thurman is the best linebacker in the draft. If not for off-field issues, he would have been a high first-round pick. Thurman will be a star.

Questionable move: Third-round pick Chris Henry has first-round ability. At 6-4, this receiver can fly. He does have some off-field issues, but if the Bengals can control him, he will be a big-time player.

Steal: Keep an eye on sixth-round pick Tab Perry, a receiver. He had some decent days for the Bruins at UCLA.

Overall grade: A Getting David Pollack, Thurman, and Henry with their first three picks makes this a heck of a draft.

i'll give you my analysis later..

 

[sacosud]

Lunch Bag Draft.

Solid and was exactly what the doctor ordered..I was not scratching my head that much like years past. Like last year!!! Chris Perry, that still bothers me with who was on the board...Oh well that was last year. The Bengals took care of their needs and Pollack is a motor that won't quit he is gonna be great on and off the field for us. Odell is another solid pick. The rest will be wait an see. I ythought we did well with what we had. Good Job Guys. Let's get to work!!! Get out the Lunch Bags!!!! We got a job to do!!! The Playoffs.


WHO DEY!!!!!!!!

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

I like what I saw of Pollack over the last couple years. I'm pretty excited about Chris Henry - pending any off-the-field issues. The guy made some pretty incredible plays, but it seems that his head might not be on quite straight. I am wondering, with the addition of Henry and Tab Perry (assuming they make the team) how they are going to keep all the receivers happy. CJ is obviously one of the best in the league, TJ really stepped up last year, Kelly Washington had some big catches, and Warrick will hopefully get healthy. With that cadre of receivers, one has to wonder if there will be enough passes to go around.

 

[WoodyWorshiper]

Hey guys, Browns fan here. I do think you guys had a nice draft. Hope these guys pan out for you, would love to see the Browns-Bengals rivalry rekindled and actually mean something.

That being said, you guys are on the verge of signing Free Agent QB Josh Haldi from Northern Illinois. Josh is from Madison,OH about 10 minutes down the road from me. This kid is one of the biggest nerd-dorks that you'd ever want to meet in your life. However, he is one of the best HS passers that I've ever seen and his College numbers were great. Josh wasn't actually invited to the combines as a "player" but rather as one of the guys that just throw balls to the receivers. Zampese pretty much fell in love with the kid there and maintained contact with him leading up to and even during the draft, even though he was telling Josh that they probably wouldn't draft him that they still wanted him. I'll tell you what, this kid WILL make your roster this year. I see him as having the potential as being a solid back-up QB 2-3 years down the road.