Bengals: 5 picks on offense, 5 on D

Sunday, April 27, 2008

5 picks on offense, 5 on D

The Bengals added 10 players to their roster this past weekend in the NFL draft. A quick look:

Round / Overall / Player / Pos. / School / Comment

1 / 9 / Keith Rivers / LB / Uncommon leadership potential, likely to start as rookie, strong against run as sure tackler

2 / 46 / Jerome Simpson / WR / Coastal Carolina / Give Bob Bratkowski benefit of doubt for history of picking receivers

3 / 77 / Pat Sims / DT / Auburn / Strong junior season suggests he can contribute in rotation again run, as pass rusher in rookie season

3 / 97 / Andre Caldwell / WR / Florida / Experienced pass catcher might be able to add threat on kickoff returns

4 / 112 / Anthony Collins / OT-G / Kansas / Bengals coaches like his flexibility to play either guard or tackle positions on the line

5 / 145 / Jason Shirley / DT / Fresno State / Marvin Lewis is convinced that off-field problems will be resolved for 330-pounder

6 / 177 / Corey Lynch / S / Appalachian State / Probably will m make roster on special teams, six blocked kicks in college

6 / 207 / Matt Sherry / TE / Villanova / Will be given chance to add weight and develop as blocker, talented receiver

7 / 244 / Angelo Craig / DE-LB / Cincinnati / Hard-playing prospect could get opportunity to develop on practice squad

7 / 246 / Mario Urrutia / WR / Louisville / Third receiver drafted is a tall target at almost 6-5 and had big 2006 season with 58 receptions (six touchdowns)

-- Mark Curnutte

24 Comments:

at 4/27/2008 7:35 PM

Carson said...

The Bengals ineptitude is abundantly on display again this year. How do they not move up in the 2nd round to take James Hardy at WR? Just another example of a lack of creativity. This team is being managed exactly as it was in 1988, unfortunately the rest of the league has moved on...

at 4/27/2008 7:48 PM

Steven Ross said...

The Bungals always seem to find diamonds in the rough with Day 2 picks but 1 & 2 could have been much stronger. Nothing wrong with Rivers but we wanted Ellis. Simpson may eventually turn out to be a great choice but he was a huge reach at #2.

at 4/27/2008 7:55 PM

Ben Bromley said...

I may just be drinking the koolaid, but I think that this draft could turn out well. I think Rivers will turn out well for us, and I think people should give Simpson a chance. Jerry Rice came out of a I-AA school, and Bratkowski found Chad and TJ after the first round too.

at 4/27/2008 7:58 PM

Greg C. said...

When do we find out who we signed as rookie FA's? I was really hoping we would get someone like Ben Moffitt from USF or Wesley Woodyard from UK with one of our 7th rounders. They might not have all the measurable numbers of some of the elite guys, but they make plays.

at 4/27/2008 8:11 PM

Joe said...

Sure we wanted Ellis, be we lose Sims if we trade up. So ask yourself, how do the two players taken, Rivers and Sims, compare to Ellis alone? I say its an improvement. It also makes a transition to a base 3-4 considerably more do-able, so look for that to happen. Looking farther ahead, the pick of Jason Shirley says that John Thornton is going to become a cap hit when Ocho Psycho gets dealt after June 1 ($4 million of the Johnson cap-sting goes away. Thornton deserves better, but he's a casualty of Psycho's madness). And the multitude of receivers taken says that the next locker room cancer, #84, is on notice, too.

at 4/27/2008 8:22 PM

Unknown said...

The only way this ends is if kool-aid drinking idiots stop buying tickets. I feel bad for Carson - surrounded by absolute idiocy.. from the front-office to the field.

If you bought a ticket last year, you 've got no right to complain. Just sit back and enjoy a franchise who's high-bar is .500.

at 4/27/2008 8:22 PM

Jay O'Brien said...

Despite what many fans think, this is a solid draft. It's not the kind of draft that will change your franchise right away, but the Bengals made the most w/ the picks they had. Everyone will be looking back and loving this Keith Rivers pick once he becomes the leader of this defense something the Bengals desperately need in the locker room.
And both Simpson and Caldwell have the ability to get seperation which is key for WR success in the NFL. Both Sims and Collins were great values picks that fill needs as well. The Bengals choose 3 or 4 players that were team captains. It's all about leadership!

at 4/27/2008 8:41 PM

Champ Summers said...

This is a solid B grade for sure. I would have liked us to go up and get Dorsey but I knew he was going to be expensive.

Rivers will sign. Simpson was a reach but Brat has had a lot of success with WR so I'll give him the benefit. Sims was still there in round 3. Bubba Caldwell simply makes big catches. He will be a huge steal.

We got 3rd round value in Collins and I like the Sherry pick.

at 4/27/2008 8:44 PM

Champ Summers said...

One more thing. Not that I don't think Chad won't be gone after june 1 but....We lost Tab Perry and Chris Henry this off season. Antonio Chatman has not been healthy. Whether Chad is here or not those are picks that needed to be made.

WR are rarely productive in year 1 so hopefully with 3 one guy will bloom early, I think Caldwell.

at 4/27/2008 8:53 PM

Carson said...

Hey Jay, Can you let me know how this is a solid draft? I have no problem with the Bengals not moving up for Ellis with the first pick. (Rivers could be a better pick anyway) My problem is they should have moved up 5 spots in the 2nd round to get James Hardy at WR. Also, why pick the DT that has had so many character issues? This draft is just confirmation that the Bengals Management is outmatched at every level.

at 4/27/2008 8:56 PM

Todd McElmurray said...

I wish we had weighted the draft more towards defense (especially DL). It appears to me the drafting of three WR's is a strong indication that Chadwick will be dealt in June or they are resigned to let him sit and continue to poison the team.

Marvin saying that he is convinced that the Fresno kid troubles are behind him means NOTHING given his track record of "character" judging with the other idiots we drafted in the past. When did we become AA for the NFL?

Overall, not a whole lot of excitement . . . I hope the kids pan out. We are in dire need of some of our draft picks actually producing!

at 4/27/2008 9:14 PM

Will said...

I think its too early to really grade this draft. All depends on how those wideouts turn out. I wouldn't trade a bag of pennys let alone draft picks to move up for James Hardy. Caldwell looks like he could be a play maker on returns and Urittia could be the steal of the draft in the 7th round. You get him out there with 3 and 4 wideout formations and he is going to cause huge mismatches. Sims is an excellent value pick in the third round and will improve the run deffense. The other DT pick is very risky but the kid has huge upside, could be a moster of a nose tackle. Again its to early to grade but could be a solid draft.

at 4/27/2008 9:47 PM

mentalmidget said...

The more I looked into Simpson and read about his athletic accomplishments, the more I believe he is going to suprise a lot of people. This guy WILL go across the middle. That's something Henry and CJ didn't like to do. Big hands and a 44" vertical leap? That's sick!!! Check out his video highlights on SI.com. Brat said they have video of every catch he had in the last 2 yrs and they're were plenty of "wow's"!

I'll take Rivers and Sims for Ellis. Rivers will be a leader. Best LB in draft. Is Ellis that much better than Sims?

Drafting Shirley shocks the %*&@ out of me!! With our beloved Bengals' history, I can't believe they would consider drafting a player with that kind of troubled history.

I'd have drafted Corey Lynch for blocking that kick against Michigan, alone!!! LOL!!! He just might be a sleeper based on what I read. Reads the ball well. Heck of a tackler. Better than Madeau, that's for sure.

I wish they drafted Owen Schmidt, the FB from WV. A REAL "RED ASS"! He would've played ahead of J. Johnson.

Did they really have to draft a TE?

Not a perfect draft, but I'd give them a B

at 4/27/2008 10:04 PM

Unknown said...

On paper, I give this draft a B. They filed their needs with some solid, if unspectacular prospects. As with every prospect, time will tell us how many of these guys will live up to their potenials.

at 4/27/2008 10:20 PM

Anonymous said...

If people are gonna complain about character issues, then way would they want to move up to get Hardy, because it's been reported he's got some character problems, too. Also, Chad Johnson isn't going to be traded after June 1st either, because it doesn't reduce the cap hit over two years. That only happens if he is waived, and we all know that isn't going to occur.

at 4/28/2008 1:01 AM

ThisIsNOTaMajorMarket said...

My, my, my -- three wide receivers out of ten draftees. That should send a message to any current Bengal who thinks he's irreplacable. Next message comes if/when they assign No. 85 to one of the newcomers.

Is there any reason to trade Mr. Johnson rather than letting him stew in his own juice?

at 4/28/2008 1:03 AM

ThisIsNOTaMajorMarket said...

My, my, my -- three wide receivers among ten draftees. That should send a message to any current Bengals who demand concessions. Next step comes if/when No. 85 is assigned to one of the newcomers.

Is there any reason to trade or waive Mr. Johnson rather than settimg him stew in his own juice?

at 4/28/2008 9:25 AM

engelj06 said...

One thing I love about reading comments about the draft is how the bengals are inept since they didn't get Ellis. I wanted Ellis but everyone here is acting like he is already a pro-bowler. I think Rivers will work out just as well. One more thing everyone here is in love with Ellis because of the national media and Kiper playing him up. I seem to remember the media and Kiper said that Ryan Leaf was going to be a better QB than Manning. We all saw how right they were about that.

at 4/28/2008 9:39 AM

CanMickCoach? said...

hats off to you mentalshortone -

your boy scout WR went far ahead of my drug dealing WR.

Not sure about Simpson - Doh!

overall, good talent was drafted but again, I'm worried not all of the character risks will be available down the road.

I wish Scheuning would have been taken, and Dre Moore was still there late. Maybe I'll post for that open GM position at the Bengals, as seen on Monster.com.

wait and see now - to see how the talent plays out.

at 4/28/2008 10:21 AM

mentalmidget said...

CanMickCoach,

I was completely shocked Nelson went as high as he did. I thought he'd go in the 3rd or 4th round!!

at 4/28/2008 12:24 PM

original bengal fan said...

i think this is a draft that 2 yrs from now will pay huge dividends. if odel, ahmad, and keith play to their potential we could have a devestateing linebacker crew they have the coaches to coach them up. rivers will take the lead and get them on the ball it will be fun to watch. now some hopes and ideas trade jones to arizona for one of their dlineman and a second round pick next year, trade chad after june first to washington for randel-l and next years first or to the raiders for mcfaddenand and next yrs #2

at 4/28/2008 1:12 PM

ryank said...

I was a little disappointed at first with the Keith Rivers selection, I had my heart set on Sedrick Ellis like everyone else. But after hearing this kid and seeing his size, I'm glad he is on our side of the ball. Im no longer worried about the Saints getting Ellis, the have a way of destroying players, look at Reggie Bush. I would have loved Trevor Laws in the second round and Simpson in the third, but regardless Jerome Simpson is a Bengal and probably one of the hardest working receivers in this draft, Excellent pick Brat! Caldwell is going to be solid if he can stay healthy, and what corner in the NFL is going to win an endzone jump ball against Urrutia? the kid is 6-5 239 probably better hands than Chad. Henry was adored for being 6-4. Pat Sims is no push over and if his mind is right hes going to make pancakes for every NFL team from New England to the Pacific. Corey Lynch is going to be a tremendous special teams kid, and if he plays and Chad goes anywhere, im gonna love watching him lay that shoulder into Chads grill! Bottom line we didnt get Ellis, but the bengals took theyre lemons and made some very very sweet lemonade, give these guys a chance i think youll be happy!

at 4/28/2008 1:52 PM

AC Cincy said...

For all the Ellis lovers, Shirley has better stats than Ellis. Faster, Bigger, Stronger. Not bad for a 5th round gamble. Sims is not bad either. Played against bigger better lineman than Ellis.

I would have been disappointed if the Bengals traded to get Hardy. They have almost the same player in Urrutia. Just a hair slower.
Love the Simpson kid. His highlights look like a Chad clone without the baggage.
Don't agree with todays article on Rivers being equal to Pallock a couple years ago. Rivers is more of a linebacker, Pallock was more of a small school DE with big heart.
On grades I give them a B if Shirley and Urrutia turn out to be bust. A if they become players.

at 4/29/2008 6:02 AM

Anonymous said...

I think it's a solid draft. Nothing special. Time will tell. Rivers reminds me a lot of Brian Simmons, a solid LB but not as spectacular like Spikes was so I'm not sure he was worth the 9th pick. But who else could help us at that point. When I saw the tape with Simpson I thought he looks a lot like Chad. He has very similar measurables.

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Sunday, April 27, 2008

5 picks on offense, 5 on D

24 Comments: