From SI pro football writer Peter King (former Enquirer Bengals beat writer) on cnnsi.com:

        I can't believe Cincinnati didn't get value for its pick at No. 10. Sad. If the Bengals knew how to work the league, they'd have been able to trade down a few slots, pick up an extra choice somewhere and still get tackle Levi Jones. Good player. Everyone agrees about that. But the key is to get maximum value out of your pick -- and Cincinnati got minimal value. It figures with that franchise.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

NFL experts ripped the Bengals' first pick (Story). So did Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty (Columns) Enquirer columnist Tim Sullivan favors it. (Column). Tell us what you think. E-mail us your comments about the Bengals draft choices. Just click here and vent. Or go here and see what some fans are saying

DRAFT POLL

What do you think of the Bengals' draft strategy?

Based on what you've seen so far, what do you think of the Bengals' draft strategy? Click at the bottom if you just want to view the results without voting.   Looking good   Could be better   This is awful View current results

        From Mel Kiper on ESPN.com:

        Jones is a good football player, potentially. But at No. 10? He was 17th on my board. Plus, the Bengals had bigger needs elsewhere; offensive tackle was not a crying need. They could have gotten Jones if they had traded down. Cornerback Phillip Buchanon was still on the board, as well as defensive tackles Albert Haynesworth and Wendell Bryant and tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Daniel Graham. To me, they needed to draft Buchanon or trade down.

        Don't get me wrong: Jones is a talent who could be a solid left tackle. He was a former walk-on and defensive tackle who emerged as a quality left tackle for the Sun Devils and impressed at the Senior Bowl. But I disagree with the pick. The Bengals had better options. A trade down would have been huge. Why lock on to Jones at No. 10 when they could have picked up valuable picks later in the draft and still gotten Jones later? I question Jacksonville as well for picking Henderson instead of trading down, but not as much as Cincinnati.

        David Moore on FoxSports.com:

        What would the draft be if the Bengals didn't leave people shaking their heads? Jones is a good player, but here? Why take the third best offensive tackle in the draft instead of the top receiver (Donte Stallworth), the top tight end (Jeremy Shockey) or the second best cornerback (Phillip Buchanon). If the Bengals didn't want any of those players, they should have traded down. Maybe president Mike Brown should take a trading class from Jerry Jones.

Surprise, Bengals take tackle What do you think of the Bengals' picks Experts rip Bengals pick DAUGHERTY: Bengals spoil the party again SULLIVAN: Bengals' timing might be right Jones combines brains and brawn Nose for ball Thompson's key strength Trade yields TE Schobel First round goes to linemen Harrington surprised by Detroit Draft choices by selection Draft choices by team

Reds 6, Cubs 1
Rijo makes first start since '95
Baseball sells 'condensed games' for online viewing
Strikeouts plague Reds
Reds Notebook: Percentages pay for Boone
Down on the farm
Reds box, runs
Reds Q&A with John Fay
RedHawks put offense on display
RB Pinner stars in UK spring game
Women honored for athletics
TMC coach has head for softball
Lexington win puts Lukas back in Derby
Enquirer power rankings
Coming up this week
Cincinnati high school highlights
Cincinnati high school results
Brossart rolls to track victories
N.Ky. high school results

• Return to Bengals front page...