Bengals draft for speed Top picks upgrade athleticism of defense Sunday, April 19, 1998
The Bengals wasted no time selecting players who they hope won't waste time on the field.
Takeo Spikes
True to their word, they concentrated on filling defensive needs in Saturday's first three rounds of the NFL draft, taking three linebackers and a cornerback with their first four selections. By comparison, Cincinnati chose only three defensive players in the first three rounds from 1994-97.
Each of the Bengals' draftees shared a common trait: speed, the quality that ignites defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's 3-4 alignment and zone blitzes.
"We identified the need on defense. We need to give Coach LeBeau and his staff some physical help," Bengals Coach Bruce Coslet said. ". . . I would love to have the opportunity to win a game 14-10. You can only do that by putting better athletes on the field."
By all indications, Cincinnati's newest defenders meet Coslet's standard.
Linebackers Takeo Spikes of Auburn and Brian Simmons of North Carolina, the first-round choices taken with the 13th and 17th overall picks, ran 40-yard dashes in close to 4.6 seconds, demonstrating above-average quickness for players at their position.
Brian Simmons
University of Cincinnati cornerback Artrell Hawkins, the Bengals' second-round pick, was among the fastest defensive backs in the draft. Even defensive end-turned-linebacker Steve Foley of Northeast Louisiana, the Bengals' first selection in the third round, was timed in the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, startling speed for a 6-foot-3, 270-pound man.
Iowa guard Mike Goff was the only offensive player the Bengals took on the first day of the draft, which ends today with rounds four through seven.
LeBeau, frustrated with the unit that ranked 27th in points allowed and 28th in yardage allowed last year, noted that only two other linebackers in the draft had speed to match Spikes and Simmons -- Georgia Tech's Keith Brooking and Clemson's Anthony Simmons, who Cincinnati also considered selecting.
"As I think back over the drafts I've witnessed, rarely do I recall that type of speed with that many players at that position," LeBeau said. "We think we can change the look of our defense with that speed we can put on the field."
Spikes and Simmons might not be penciled in as starters, but it's plain that the Bengals want them to push their way into the lineup soon. Veterans Tom Tumulty, Steve Tovar, Jerry Olsavsky and Billy Granville tentatively rank ahead of the rookies at inside linebacker.
Artrell Hawkins
"We want to get that speed on the field, obviously, as quickly as we can, but I don't think that we're going to say they're starters tomorrow," LeBeau said.
Should Spikes and Simmons flourish immediately, and if Reinard Wilson, last year's No. 1 draft pick, matures at outside linebacker, the Bengals' defense could acquire the swarming look that distinguishes the Pittsburgh Steelers, who employ the same scheme.
"We made linebacker a strength, where we needed some help," LeBeau said. "I feel very, very good about this position's athletic ability."
Though Simmons, projected to play on the strong (tight end) side, and Spikes, envisioned as a weak-side linebacker, probably won't compete for the same position, the Bengals could benefit from their subtle who's-the-top-rookie rivalry.
"Two highly drafted players at basically the same position -- I think there'll be some competition just to see who's the best between the two," Coslet said.
"I think there will be competition," Simmons said. "And that can only better the team."
The Bengals intend to utilize the talents of Spikes and Simmons, even if they don't start. "If they do nothing other than work on our special teams this year, it's an upgrade. . . . where we struggled at times," Coslet said.
The Bengals considered but discarded other options. Deciding they had enough depth at wide receiver, they passed up two chances to select Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss, who went to Minnesota with the 21st choice. They didn't take an offensive tackle in the first round, virtually eliminating any chance that they'd take one later.
"If you take one in the middle rounds, he's lacking in some way," Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander said.
Drafting an end to fill in for John Copeland, who'll miss four to six months with a ruptured Achilles tendon, briefly tempted Cincinnati. "John's injury made us consider a couple of names we probably wouldn't have considered at all," LeBeau said.
In the end, the Bengals decided that speed thrills.
"We're happy with the choices we have," said President and General Manager Mike Brown. "They'll help our defense and that's what we wanted to do most in this draft."
by Associated Press
Bengals draft
Bengals draft for speed
Brown says no Moss
Picks will have to win jobs
Some impact, some insurance
1. Takeo Spikes,
LB, Auburn
1a. Brian Simmons,
LB, N.Carolina
2. Artrell Hawkins,
CB, Cincinnati
3. Steve Foley,
LB, NE Louisiana
3a. Mike Goff,
G, Iowa
4. Glen Steele,
DE, Michigan
6. Jason Tucker,
WR, TCU
7. Marcus Parker,
RB, Va. Tech
7a. Damian Vaughn,
TE, Miami U.
Sullivan
Daugherty
Five Bearcats drafted
Fabini, Ransom, Monroe taken on second day
Jackson taken by Dolphins