Bengals do not need Alexander

Two quick topics:

1. Reports out of the Seattle area suggest the Seahawks are close to releasing running back Shaun Alexander, the 2005 league MVP and former Boone County High School star who grew up a Bengals fans in Northern Kentucky.

The emotional response of some fans would be for the Bengals to sign him if Seattle cuts him loose.

Don't.

Marvin Lewis spent most of the 2007 season telling reporters that the problems with the running game weren't the running backs. The offensive backfield already is crowded, and the Bengals are counting on two of the following three tailbacks -- Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry and Kenny Irons, most likely the former two -- to come back from injuries and perform well in 2008.

They've got steady Kenny Watson, one of the league's ultimate team players who makes the most of every chance. And DeDe Dorsey made a big play every time he touched the ball in 2007.

Then Lewis has said the team might draft a running back from the deep talent pool, possibly in the middle rounds.

Invest in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Bengals can't go wrong with offensive and defensive linemen.

Run the ball. Continue to protect Carson Palmer. Stop the run. Rush the passer.

2. It's impossible to keep up with the travels of Bengals assistant coaches and scouts to on-campus pro day workouts; the Bengals don't provide information and are secretive about all draft-related elements, including keeping non-employees out of their draft room. Their prerogative, of course.

But NFL.com listed that Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes was at Texas A&M's pro day to watch tight end Martellus Bennett, a projected second- to third-round pick who had 38 receptions for 538 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Lewis has said 2008 might be the year, at last, the Bengals draft a receiving-oriented tight end and teach him to block in the NFL.