If Paul Daugherty is against the pick, then it must be a good pick.
--Ken in Fairfield
I'd like to take a moment to tell everyone in Cincinnati what I just had to
witness. Tom Donahoes news conference introducing Drew Bledsoe as the new QB
of the Bills. While Mike Brown sits on the sidelines and watches a real GM
operate, the BIlls have just written their ticket to the playoffs. I'm a
lonely Bungals fan near Syracuse just waiting to endure having to watch Akili
Smith or Jon Kitna scramble for their lives and throw more interceptions. I
wish Mike Brown could field the congratulatory calls I've already received
from BIlls fans in my area thanking me for having him as a GM and allowing
the BIlls to pursue the only All Pro QB available. Now while the Bills
ticket office phones ring off the wall, we Bengals fans will have to wait to
figure out what game Akili Smith will replace Jon Kitna, then when Smith
fails, try to figure out when Scott Covington enters the game. As Chris
Berman would say, "Oh Boy".
The excitement in NY and the Buffalo area is
beyond the Bengals wildest dreams. They will never experience this while
Mike Brown continues to fool himself and actually believe these second tier
QB's and failed draft picks will finally get us above .500. The Bills
drafted for Bledsoe, they will sell tickets and they will win. Everyone who
has called me has already told me that. I'm not sure what Mike Brown thinks,
but I know one thing for sure, the excitement at the Bledsoe press
conference and excitement in the community are going to make me a Bills fan
and finally dump the hopeless Bungals....Good Luck Levi...Or as most people
around here said "Who is Levi??"
Have a nice long summer waiting for that opening game.
--Joe in Binghamton, NY
I take that the way your phrase your section here you or the editors disagree
with the selections of the Bengals. I applaud the Bengals for the picks that
they made and only time will tell who did what. Just in the future I wish
that you would look back on the past drafts of not only the Bengals but other
teams and grade them. Most want to think the Bengals do poorly but I believe
they have turned the corner.
--Ron in Pickerington
I have been a Bengals fan since I was a small child. I have stuck with a team that appears to have had some bad luck on past picks. I have continued to have hope for the Bengals even though some of these picks have not worked out. Watching the 2002 draft fairly closely, I have come to the conclusion that the Bengals want to lose. I don't necessarily disagree with picking an offensive tackle in the first round, but Levi Jones...honestly they could have done better with the 10th overall pick. If they didn't want an impact player why didn't they trade down.
Another problem I have is with the Bengals not trying to draft Kurt Kittner in the 4th round. He could be one of those late round steals, but I guess that is for some other team to find out. Good thing we have a kicker though, maybe if we would have traded down in round 1 and got another 4th round pick we could have Kittner and a kicker. It appears that Mike Brown forgot about the draft and shot from the hip this year...nice work Mike...nice work. Hopefully it all works out alright.
--Joe in South Dakota
I think this year's draft has been the best in years! They addressed a long overdue need in left tackle, they addressed the need in safety and tight end.
Go Bengals,
--John in St. Bernard
It is time for everyone to stop whining and think this pick through.
First, the pick makes great sense for both the present and the future, more so than trading for Bledsoe. Also, the Bengals were wise to take Jones when they did.
Why? Examine these reasons:
1) Bledsoe DID NOT want to be in Cincy. Hence, he would spend a few unhappy years here and leave. Such a bargain!
2) We need RUN BLOCKING! I don't think Cincy fans have a clue about how good Dillon could be with a fast (read- not a tub of goo), smart lineman to run behind.
3) Jones could advance VERY quickly. From reading between the lines this kid is big, smart (academic scholarship), strong, fast and nasty. The last two Bengals who combined these characteristics on the line were Mike Reid (my favorite DL) and Anthony Munoz.
4) You don't bet on the come when you can fill a need now. Old linemen have a tendency to wear out after 12 years and our tackles are right there. Trading down might be a fun gamble in the living room, but not in the draft room.
5) Improving the defense will not score you more points. Without helping the offense, the Bengals might hold teams to fewer points, but will still lose, say 9 to 6. Wahoo!
Frankly, this kid may prove to be a steal at #10.
--John in Charlotte, NC
Vent? Stand up and cheer. What are all the naysayers thinking? Bad pick,
bad pick, same old Bengals. If they are the same old Bengals picture this
good news / bad news scenario. The good news is we now have the 6th ranked
defense in the NFL. The bad news is Webb gets a knee strain, Jackson
herniates a disc and now we can't run the ball because Phillip Buchanon
weighs a buck 85 and we are now losing games 10-7, 7-6. You want to talk
about a bad passing game try it without a running game. Webb and Jackson
both retire at the end of the season and we are back to square 1 at this time
next year looking for a starting rookie left tackle with the 8th pick in the
draft. I think the Bengals are planning for a successful future of more than
1 year. Give me a solid line with depth, Corey Dillion, same defense, a
healthy Sean Brewer (there's your TE) and I'll take my chances over the next
5 years and I don't care who starts at quarterback.
--Randy in Dayton
I can't understand the Bengals. Now that we know who they drafted with the 10th pick, would you have traded Levi
Jones for Drew Bledsoe? New England wanted a first round
pick and the 10th would have gotten it done. I think the Bengals needed a proven QB more than a an unproven
OT. What are they thinking??
-- Curt in Boston
My main problem with the Bengals draft is they are not building for
2002 but
2003 and beyond. The Bengals had a great chance to make the Cincy "D" a
Tampa
Bay type impact defense if they draft Buchanon with Thompson. Let's be
honest
here... as long as the Bengals don't sign a veteran kicker, all the
OL they
draft won't help the team score points. If LeBeau is hell bent on making
this
Pittsburgh style football - no offense, just FG's and defensive TD's -
then
you have to draft the cornerback. No QB, no TE, no kicker, no need to worry about
playoff
tickets again!
-- Dustin in Eldorado, Ohio
For years we bashed Mike Brown for not stocking the offensive line with high draft picks. Now we bash him because he does? They are gonna need a left tackle soon, given the ages of Webb & Jackson. Why wait until your veterans are gone to start a rookie there? Let the kid learn from Webb & Jackson for a year. Did all you Bengal fans really want a short, cocky rookie CB? I'm just very glad they didn't waste another No. 1 pick on a QB. Now let's go get Kurt Kittner in the fourth round and a kicker in the fifth. That would make most of us happy, I think.
-- Al in Ada
I was shocked when they took Levi Jones.
If Mike Brown was so interested in the o-line, he should have taken
Willie Roaf, Tony Boselli, and others the Bengals passed
on). Taking Phillip Buchanon would have lessened the blow when the
Bengals passed on Troy Vincent. The Bengals
DON'T know how to draft DB's. Mark Roman, Artrell Hawkins, Charles Fisher ... what bums! Just think if the Bengals
would have drafted all the players I mentioned above they passed on, do
you think they would have been the worse team of the decade in the
history of the NFL!
--Rob in West Virginia
I was waiting so impatiently for the Bengals to choose their #1 pick.
When the announcement came, I was totally shocked. Another step to
making
the Bengal brass and especially the fans the laughingstock of the
draft. Prior to the choice, the crew from ESPN were complimentary in
saying that the Bengals are a few players away from being a playoff
team. When the choice was given, even the ESPN announcers were taken
back, gasping for air to respond to the latest snafu. I feel for the
coaches that have to be subjected to MB and his idiotic, frugal
thinking. What makes matters worse, Dick Lebeau has to support his
bosses decision by making announcements that this was a good choice.
Passing up on Buchannon and Shockey was absurd and uncalled for Shame on you, Mike Brown, for making the Bengals the laughingstock
of the draft, as usual.
-- Roger in Cincinnati
Teams have a very small window to compete for a shot at the Super Bowl before they lose quality players to free agency and need to reload. Good examples are Baltimore and Jacksonville. The Bengals are close to competing for the AFC title, with a quality defense, very good running game with Corey Dillon and a solid receiving corp. Drew Bledsoe, one of the eight best QB's in the NFL, could have been acquired with the 10th pick and elevated the play of the entire offense and given the Bengals a chance to compete for a Super Bowl. Now they have a developmental left tackle that won't be able to contribute until the Bengals have to start reloading again. Typical Bengals. Losers.
-- Chris in Cincinnati
I have no problem at all with the Bengals getting an offensive tackle. I would have preferred they move down and think they could have traded with the Giants and still drafted Jones. But, I like this pick!
The Bengals came back very strong in rounds 2 and 3 getting one of the best safeties and tight ends on the board so all in all, I think they had a very strong first day.
Get Kittner in the fourth round!
-- Rick in Westerville
If the Bengals really wanted a tackle that badly,
they
should have traded up. Or better yet, they should have drafted one last
year
when they had the opportunity to get one of the best. Then they could
have
gotten a defensive end this year because there were more defensive
linemen
available. The fact that they didn't go after an impact
player - cornerback,
tight end - shows ineptitude. John Jackson and Richmond Webb may be
around
for two more years. In that time period a better tackle might come out
in
the draft. The Bengals need someone who can play NOW, not another
project.
-- Joe in Cincinnati
If the pick works out, what a line that would be. Winners
are built up front. Isn't that something another Brown named Paul thought?
-- Andy in Grove City
As a Steelers fan here in Cincinnati, I applaud the Bengals on their choice. Nice of them to choose a player in the first round that will not have any impact on a game in at least two seasons. Almost unanimously thought, Levi Jones would have been available 10 picks later and the Bengals could have added more personnel through a trade. As a team getting close to turning the corner, the Bungles have done our new 4-team division a favor by opting to stay at the bottom. A strong corner might have been able to handle Plaxico Burress and other franchise receivers in the league.
-- Keith in Springfield Township
Great pick, Dick LeBeau! It's nice to see a draft pick two years in a row with a good attitude toward hard work. The Bengals are going in right direction. Go Bengals!
--Donald in Columbus
I would like all the "experts" to explain to me what the Bengals will
do when the 2002 season is over
and their two left tackles retire. They are addressing a very
important need.
It took me about 10 hours to warm up to the pick. To bypass both
Buchanon
and Shockey was an
absolute shock. But I understand now. Can you imagine the excellent
tutoring Jones will receive
from Richmond Webb and John Jackson?
I believe this was a very good pick.
-- Michael in Williamsport, Pa.
Before we blast Mike Brown I think we should see how the draft picks play in the NFL. Being rated No. 1 at a position doesn't mean anything except how much money they will get to sign a contract. I may be blasting Mike Brown, but it won't be until Christmas.
-- Duke in Milford
When you are a Bengals fan, there are no surprises because there should be no expectations by now. I do know that you can find a good lineman later in the draft (See Jason Fabini) but you can't find a shutdown corner past the first round (See Artrell Hawkins getting beat for TD's since we drafted him).
-- Rob in Western Hills
If he has as much potential as some of the publications have said, then I think it was an excellent pick. We've heard the clamor for years about how badly the team needed to address the left tackle position and the outcry was silenced with the addition of Richmond Webb, but Webb's years are getting up there and he was viewed simply as a two to three year solution. Having someone of Webb's talent and skills around, as well as those of John Jackson to help groom the young man can only make him a better player. A reach at #10, just slightly, but a much needed and very good pick that will solidify one of the most important positions on the team for years to come.
-- Michael in Cincinnati
I almost felt like most of the people who have responded to the Bengals latest draft. I had just about been taken by the response of ESPN's so called experts. But then I thought about last year's picks. I think that Dick LeBeau's influence on the draft choices which the Bengals have made in the last two years make sense. Dick LeBeau and the staff that surrounds are drafting players which will fit in, and want to help the Bengals become winners. Let's not forget Carl Pickens. Players that are difficult to please and difficult to coach and who are only concerned about themselves are not the type of people you want to build a "TEAM" around. The Bengals and Mike Brown have shown in the past that they don't handle theses types of high profile players well. You don't have to look far to find teams which have taken this approach in the draft. Pittsburgh comes to mind. They seem to develop talent from their draft picks, players that aren't in the spotlight during the draft. I understand that being a Bengals fan the last 10 years has been difficult. I didn't hear the so called experts complaining when the Bengals drated KiJana Carter, David Klingler, and Dan Wilkinson. I hope Bengals fans give LeBeau a chance.
--Tom in Hillsboro
I have watched the sad state of the Cincinnati
offensive line for years and it is great that
they have decided to make the offensive line a
priority again. Does anyone remember Munoz and Montoya? Without
them, no one would remember Boomer, Ickey and Brooks.
-- Phil in Cincinnati
99% of the people complaining about this pick have never seen Levi Jones play beyond the little snippets that ESPN gives them. Keep listening to Mel Kiper. How many draft picks has Kiper every made? How many games has he won as a coach or GM?
-- Chris in Columbus
For 30 years I've been a Bengal fan. Put up with a lot. But picking a tackle at No. 10, when you could have traded down and still got him, makes no sense too me. The Bengals don't need a QB! The Bengals don't need a CB! WHAT THE BENGALS NEED IS A NEW OWNER! What a fool Mike Brown is. So many great guys to pick from! Don't want to trade down, because I'll have to shell out some of the money he's stolen from the Bengal fans over the years! It makes me sick.
-- Sam in New York
Did we need an offensive lineman? YES. Was Levi the best one
available? YES. Isn't this league loaded with tall receivers that
can play keep away with 5'9" corners? YES. Didn't we just spend a ton of money
singing Hawkins and Burris? YES. Am I an insane Bengals fan who
thought Bruce Coslet could run the team? No comment.
-- L.C. in Cincinnati
One more reason to laugh at the Bengals this year. Imagine Mike Brown in the old Johnny Carson mindreader bit:
[Holding envelope to head]
Levi Jones.
[Opens envelope]
What player will hold out for #10 pick money, buy was maybe a top twenty pick, and will spend the season on the bench?
-- David in Cincinnati
If you look the past 10 years, a lot of the so called experts gave the
Bengals B and B+ on draft days, and the most of the players never
started or were unremarkable. Only time will tell. But I do feel it is a safe
pick, and
your lines are the foundation of your team, no one can argue with that.
How
often have you seen a team that had a great offensive line and a great
defensive line not make the playoffs?
-- John in Columbus
Although I thouroughly hate Mike Brown, more than my love of the team,
I woke up this morning with a raging headache (no doubt from draft aneurism) and I realized the point of his pick. We better shore up a good offensive line now, because he is gonna pick Gino Guidugli in 3 years and THEN we'll go to the Super Bowl. Or win 7 games.
-- Disher in Virginia Beach, Va.
It's just not worth it. Charlie (Mike) Brown is the laughingstock of the NFL. I gave up on this franchise 5 years ago and my Sundays are that much better!
-- Michael in Cincinnati
As an outside observer, in Boston, I find the Bengals situation fascinating. They could have had Drew Bledsoe for that 10th pick and he really does seem like the missing link. He would be perfect in Cincinnati. OL is always a safe move, but why not trade down? By the way New England, really needs a LB and Spikes for Bledsoe might make sense for both teams.
--Rob in Boston
I have followed the Bengals for 20 years. I feel I have a high level of knowledge from a spectator standpoint, but don't claim to have any skill at talent evaluation. Levi Jones may turn out to be an outstanding tackle for many years to come. I hope he is. And I do know enough to know how important that position is in the NFL. It certainly seems that they could have traded down, gotten an extra pick, and still gotten Jones. Then when I heard they traded two picks to get one later to draft a tight end in the third round, that just topped it off. All in all, it seems to be a pretty poor effort.
-- Robert in Columbus
I believe the Bengals did very well in the draft. I get tired of the guys on TV saying trade this, or trade that, and get extra picks. Levi Jones was a good solid pick, and he was next best tackle to chose from.
Lamont Thompson is a big strong safety that can make plays. Schobel is a tight end with size, and he can also hold on kicks. Maybe that could be a blessing in disguise.
To finish, I was glad to see Joey Harrington go before the Bengals selected, just to make sure the temptation to take him wouldn't be there. In all honesty, I was hoping the Bengals would select Phillip Buchanan, but if Burris and Hawkins do the job, he would be sitting. The reserve corners are adequate, and a Levi Jones is probably more of a need than a corner.
-- Lee in Hagerstown, Md.
I would grade out the Bengals at a "J". They "Just" don't get it! Or perhaps a "L". The "Laughingstock" of all profesional franchises! This is coming from a Cowboy fan who would like nothing more than to be able root for his hometown team. The Bengals brass wants to bolster their offense? Why did everybody in America have them going after Jeremy Shockey then? Hmmmmmm, let me see he scores points and makes first downs while Levi sits and watches an all pro left tackle for a year or two? Go figure.
-- J.B. in Cincinnati
This pick tells me Mike Brown stopped and
looked back at what got us to the Super Bowl. This is a great pick. We
will dominate the line, just like the good old days. With Willy and
Levi, Dillion will rush for 1,500 to 2,000 yards. Yes, they could have
traded down probably, but still mark my words this is a smart and
comfortable pick for the Bengals. Whine all you want about the big stars,
but the o-line make and breaks you. And if you don't like it, go cheer
for the Browns. See you in the playoffs.
-- Robert in New Concord, Ohio
I was surprised with the first pick of Jones. However, we have to have a great line to protect Dillon, our best offensive player. Maybe we could have traded down and still picked him.
-- Parker in Cleveland
I have felt for some time that the Bengals have not paid nearly enough attention to the OL when it comes to draft time. Maybe Jones is not a No. 10 pick, but it makes sense to me to draft one with Jones' tools given the age of Webb and Jackson. I remember well the hype heaped on loads of players by Kiper and his merry gang that were clear busts, lets examine his record a little closer before rating this draft as a mistake. High profile guys like Buchanon are not always the answer. I trust LeBeau's judgement more than some guys who have never played. Kiper and the gang can say whatever they want and no one remembers or calls on them to make an accounting for their gross misjudgements.
-- Jim in Ashland, Ky.
I'm furious. Sure, I understand
that tackle is a growing need due to the ages of Webb
and Jackson, but everyone agrees that under Coach
Lebeau, this team is only a consistent quarterback and
shutdown cornerback away from contending for the
playoffs. What Mike Brown has done proves two sad
facts:
1. For reasons I can only guess, Bengals management
isn't serious about contending now. Instead, they
will forever be looking at the long-term picture,
which will always end in frustrated mediocrity.
2. Bengals management is completely outmanned by
every other team in the league. From questionable
scouting by an undersized department to a pathetic
lack of savvy on draft day, Brown ensures that this
team will continue be a source of frustration and
embarrassment to its fans on and off the field. See:
the still-employed Neil Rackers.
In my mind, here's what we "accomplished"
yesterday:
1. Chose a walk-on as the tackle of the future rather
than a known Pro-Bowl and Super Bowl alum as the QB of
today. Failed to address more pressing needs at
conernback. Also outbid ourselves by not trading down
to pick Jones.
2. Selected a soft-tackling "good guy" at safety with
a history of neck problems (bet the scouts didn't even
know about that one)
3. Had to TRADE UP (I'm in tears now) to salvage any
TE in the top-five. The good news is that we didn't
need that fifth rounder this year (and the salary
outlay) because we were only one long-term left tackle
away from winning it all and we had already fixed
that.
-- Dave in Brunswick, Ohio
Listen people, ESPN doesn't know everything. They aren't there at the practice field, they aren't there in player interviews and workouts all the time, and they aren't at Coach LeBeau's side on Sunday afternoon! They don't know what the Bengals need! The Bengals, and many others around the league (including Mel Kiper), had Jones ranked right up there with the other two tackles. The Giants' scouting dept. had Jones as the best left tackle - period! Why would we trade with them if they wanted Levi Jones? I've been through too many Dan Wilkinson's and Ki-Jana Carter's to have the Bengals again listen to the so-called experts' "can't misses!" I think the Bengals have, too! LeBeau hasn't let us down, yet, he didn't on Saturday either. Wait and see!!
-- Dan in Cincinnati
Buchanon would have made a difference on a improving defense, but we decided to take a tackle that was projected as a 17th pick, with our 10th pick? Why not trade down and receive another later round draft pick and still get this tackle? Then we turn around and give a 3rd and 5th round pick for a tight end? This is why we get laughed at. Now let's sign the draft picks before the season starts, and try to get Drew Bledsoe. We're a QB away from a good season. If we cant get Bledsoe, bring Boomer back. Just win, Baby!
-- Robbie in Newark, Ohio
I think it was a good pick. I was surprised, but I really didn't like last year's pick in Justin Smith. Turns out they were right and I was wrong so I think we should trust them on this one. If he is as good as they obviously think he is, then we should have a better team next year and down the road.
-- Tony in Cincinnati
As a former Cincinnati resident and Cleveland Browns fan, I'd like to thank Mike Brown for assuring me that the "team from up north" will continue to finish above the Bengals in the AFC North.
Jones at 10? OUCH! What an awful draft strategy!
I feel sorry for the few, remaining Bengals fans that have to watch Brown run his franchise into the ground. The entire organization is a disaster!
-- Brian in Akron
With few exceptions over the past dozen years, the Bengals have fared
better
in the second round than in the first. This year, they appear to have
selected two second-rounders with first and second round picks. This
makes
sense. Perhaps they've gained two solid players while sparing us
another
season of those low-down, first-round, boon-turned-bust blues.
-- Everett in Mt. Jackson, Va.
I must admit that I was frustrated with the pick at first.
Then
after cooling off and looking at the Bengals situation as a whole
(unlike Mel Kiper and others), each pick made sense. Think about it,
after quarterback the next important position is offensive line- they
dictate everything. Jones is a beast and he has the intangible that
Justin Smith has - Fire! Look at the caliber of player the
Bengals drafted - Tough, smart, humble and for goodness sakes few if
no
off-field problems. Since LeBeau has become coach, our picks have been
hard-nosed competitors, not some hyped-up prima donnas (Carl Pickens).
We have a great talent at safety, a huge tight-end who can run
and a monstrous run-blocker. Not bad for a day's work. Listen, I've
got
my gripes about Mike Brown, but a short cornerback and a non-physical
tight-end aren't my ideas as "locks" for success in the NFL. But what
do
I know, I'm just a guy who gets up every morning and prays that my hair
only looked half as thick as Kiper's. GO BENGALS!!!!
-- Wes in Columbus
Wow!
-- Will in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Bengals should have traded with the Giants at 15 and got the extra 2nd rounder and still have gotten Levi. There was no way that he was not going to be there. That is the difference between teams like Dallas and Cincinnati. They would have traded down and still got the guy they wanted.
-- NJ Bengal
The Bengals needed 3 players to help this team and should have traded down the 10th pick and would still gotten the player they picked, plus an another later round pick. All month they said they needed a quarterback, a tight end, and a cornerback; well, they had a chance at a better cornerback and tight end than what they picked in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. This team needs Drew Bledsoe to have any chance this year. Give New England what they want.
--Dave in Newark, Ohio
I'm not delusional or anything but I think Mike Brown respects Dick LeBeau's opinion when it comes to talent. I believe last year's first round pick, Justin Smith, can be directly attributed to Dick LeBeau's nose for toughness as well as Mr Brown's willingness to let him call the shots on draft day. This pick is no different. It's LeBeau's, so I trust and fully back the pick. I just wish Drew Bledsoe would come to Ohio. Then we'd be in the Super Bowl next year instead of 2006.
--Larry in Dayton
Unbelievable. Phiip Buchanon is there and they "reach" for Levi Jones.
Buchanon or Haynesworth would have been value picks and also filled needs.
Jeremy Shockey would have also been a good selection. But instead, the Bengals insist on once again being the laughingstock of the whole NFL.
--The Beaner
Can you believe this? Mike Brown could quite possibly be the dumbest owner of a sports franchise in the history of professional sports. It is too bad that us 'true Bengals fans' can't find a way to boot him out and bring in new ownership. Once again he dazzles us with his stupidity by selecting a backup offensive tackle with his first round pick while glaring needs remain in the secondary and at the quarterback position. Unbelievable.
--Alex
Does anybody ever review the picks the so-called "experts" make?
Didn't Mel Kiper and all the "experts" have Dan Wilkinson, Ki-jana
Carter and Akili Smith as selections the Bengals should take? I would
like to see their can't miss picks a year or two down the road.
When will the "experts" learn that the game is won on the line of
scrimmage.
Guys who are 210 Lbs and run a 4.4 40 are a dime a dozen.
Big Fat Guys that can move are hard to come by.
--Eric in Waynesville
Even at 50 years old, out of shape and never played the game beyond high school, I was clearly a better choice than another throw away OT. I'm still waiting for the punch line. Can't wait to see what they have to pay him.
The team deserves every ounce of criticism it gets for both their ineptness and lack of good common sense. It ain't easy being a bengals fan, but I cling to the hope that the dominant football genius gene skips a generation.
Boomer forever!! Akili who?
-- Tom in Seattle
The impression I have is that hardly any of us fans really know
anything
about the draft, other than parroting whatever the talking heads on tv
are
saying. word for word, often. I know I don't have any idea what works
in
the draft, and I've been a sportswriter and football watcher most of my
life.
I think the Bengals would do well to simply focus on getting the best
players coming out of Ohio State every year. Build up the fan base
fantastically, and take advantage of a school that turns out as many
NFL
players as any other in the country. And please get a kicker!
--Mike in Athens
Mike Brown just doesn't get the "maximize your value" concept - there are yearly examples - this choice is just the latest. As in the case of the Akili Smith draft pick - Mike "falls in love" with a particular player and won't take the chance to trade down, still get the player, and get extra draft choices besides.
This weakness is further magnified by the fact that Mike Brown has shown repeatedly that he is not a good judge of talent. So the players he "has" to draft - that he drafts too early because he's afraid to trade down - don't turn out to be good players besides.
--Doug in Atlanta
Once again, Mike Brown had shown his ineptitude in the draft. The man really has no idea how to run a franchise. As a lifelong Bengal fan this is more than frustrating, it is ridiculous. I honestly feel he didn't want to trade down because then he would have to SPEND MONEY and we all know how Brown feels about his money. Do you hear that Mike Brown, that is everyone laughing at you AGAIN!!!! How do you look at yourself and say I am doing what is best for this club, instead of what is best for you.
--Gina in Orlando, FL
As a 30+ year Bengal fan (from Iowa), I am absolutely fed up with ESPN's constant campaign to bash the Bengals. Today, I believe that having Jimmy Johnson (who has a long history of trade wheeling and dealing) tainted ESPN's objectivity and had their so-called experts believing that viable trade options existed for every NFL club. Not true.
The fact is: Mel Kiper and his cast of analysts who never played the game didn't prepare well enough to consider that Levi Jones makes a great deal of sense for the Bengals considering the ages of Richmond Webb and John Jackson.
In all of their smugness, ESPN, and especially Chris Berman, don't like the fact that they can be fooled from time to time with conventional draft wisdom.
Berman has been a constant critique of the Bengals and anyone who has watched NFL Primetime with any consistency would know what I am talking about.
My suggestion is for the Bengals to put an embargo on the network and not participate in any of their pregame broadcasts. It can begin with the Sunday Night game that ESPN will be airing this year. I say give them only the bare minimum information and support for what is needed for the broadcast crew to do its job. Nothing more.
Mark my words, when the Bengals take the NFL by storm in 2002, ESPN will be quick to jump on their bandwagon (just as they were when the Bengals started the 2001 campaign at 2-0).
Through the first two rounds, the Bengals have done a very solid job and it won't take too many games to substantiate this.
Ultimately, the Bengals don't have to defend their draft picks -- only the teams in the AFC North!
--Kurt in Iowa
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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
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