Ask Mark

        Dick LeBeau didn't have to be prompted to talk about cornerback Phillip Buchanon.

        At a Thursday afternoon news conference to discuss this weekend's NFL draft, the Bengals coach — a former NFL cornerback — had plenty of good words for the Miami (Fla.) junior who is projected to be drafted No. 10 overall by Cincinnati.

        “There's a player named Buchanon who's out of Miami,” LeBeau said when asked whether the free agent signings of Artrell Hawkins and Jeff Burris moved the Bengals away from drafting a cornerback.

        “The consensus is (Quentin) Jammer (of Texas) will not be there. He's a very special player. Buchanon is a real special player at corner — quickness. And he has the added ingredient of a punt returner. He's a very special punt returner. He would be a player — if he were there — we would have to have some serious discussions about. Corner's a spot where you can use four or five good players.”

        LeBeau, who will participate in his second draft as Bengals head coach, also addressed other college players and his team's major needs.

        Some excerpts:

        Question: Will you take a kicker?

        Answer: We've talked about a kicker, if we thought there was one who was a real talented, high-percentage guy. There are three or four pretty good kickers available in this draft. In today's draft, you only have seven picks, and that's not very many times into the well. The kicking position, as such, has not been a high priority in the draft. But we'll look at the kickers, as we always do. And if there's a good one there, I wouldn't be shocked to see us take one.

        Q: Is there any consensus in the Bengals draft room who No.1 will be?

        A: We've been up and down. Hopefully we've hit most of the scenarios. We are going to get a good player. We don't know what position, really. We've settled it down to 15 guys, and they're all pretty good players.

        Q: If there are pressing needs right now, what are the top three?

        A: We have a shortage at tight end. We have Tony (McGee) coming off a couple of years of injuries. The tight end we took last year is coming off an injury (Sean Brewer). We don't know what he is. We would look to get a natural tight end in this draft if we could.

        Age is a factor on our offensive line. Every year you're looking for offensive linemen.

        You never have enough corners. We did a good job of getting (Jeff) Burris and re-signing Artrell Hawkins. If you talk in this meeting, around 32 teams, corner's going to come down in there somewhere. And we would still look at a corner in the right spot for us.

        Q: There's been talk of (Wisconsin defensive tackle) Wendell Bryant at No.10. Your perspective?

        A: He's a great player. He has quickness that you really cherish in a defensive lineman. He ran under a 4.8 (40-yard dash) at 305 pounds. That's rare. When you're looking for a first-round draft choice, you really want to pick rare guys. That's your one chance in the year to pick out an impact guy. You can watch games where he takes over a game. He will be able to impact instantly.

        Q: And Miami tight end Jeremy Shockey?

        A: Shockey is very rare. He has the ability to run routes very precisely, which is rare for a tight end. He can run routes like a wide receiver, which he was coming out of high school. He's up to 250 (pounds) now.

        Q: And Roy Williams, the Oklahoma safety?

        A: Roy Williams is another rare player. He's (former Bengals strong safety) David Fulcher with a little more speed. Great instincts. Fulcher was one of the most instinctive players I ever coached. And this kid exhibits those traits. He sees things. He's got great range. He can blitz very well. He has adequate ball skills for a man that size.

DAUGHERTY: Bengals draft LeBeau says Harrington worth look Q&A with Dick LeBeau Area draft hopefuls can only wait and watch Who wants to be a millionaire? Not him Former Browns player wins lawsuit against brokerage firm Randle El ready to make move Teams looking to move up and down in first round NFL notes: James on schedule for return to Colts

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