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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > March > 10 > Entry
Bengals: An ‘If … Then’ Hypothesis
DRAFT LEFT OT IN 1st ROUND;
DEFENSIVE END CAN WAIT …
===The Chickster is proud to report that Bengals middle linebacker Dhani Jones is following LUDWIG AT LARGE on twitter.===
• If quarterback Carson Palmer’s right elbow is completely healthy (and stays that way) …
• If the offensive line can open holes for tailback Cedric Benson and keep Palmer upright and protected …
• If the defensive line stays healthy and improves in the pass-rushing department …
• If the secondary tightens up its coverage …
• If the special teams get better in every area (kicking, punting, coverage and returns)…
THEN THE BENGALS WILL CRASH THE POSTSEASON PARTY IN 2009 FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN 19 YEARS …
“DOs and DON’Ts”
• The Bengals MUST draft a left offensive tackle in the first round. Why? Because Levi Jones’ hands are shaky and his knees are weak. Between Anthony Munoz (1992) and Levi Jones (2002), Bengals fans were forced to live with Tom Scott, Kevin Sargent, Melvin Tuten, Rod Jones and Richmond Webb.
• The Bengals MUST NOT draft a defensive end in the first round. Why? Because defensive end is the most difficult position to scout and judge in the NFL. Those 270-pound DEs who dominate in college get engulfed by offensive tackles in the NFL (See Justin Smith and John Copeland for reference). Cincinnati made a huge blunder in 1993 by drafting Alabama DE Copeland at No. 5 and passing on OT Willie Roaf (No. 8 to New Orleans) and OT Lincoln Kennedy (No. 9 to Atlanta).
http://www.drafthistory.com/years/1993.html
THEY SAID IT:
Maya Angelou: “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
Kurt Vonnegut: “History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.”
http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_history.html
THE CHICKSTER’S VIDEO OF THE DAY
LAST NIGHT BENGALS FANS SAID THESE WORDS TO THEIR TEAM …
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
March 10, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
Shame on you for including Richmond Webb in the same category as Melvin “Rootin’” Tuten and Rod “The Human Turnstile” Jones! Webb was just over the hill, whereas Tuten and Jones’ careers never left the ground (and neither did the QBs they ‘protected’ ;-).By Ron
March 10, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this
Point well taken, however, E. Monroe and J. Smith are the only OTs worthy of a top 10 pick, and I think they will be gone before the Bengals pick at #6. I think someone will trade ahead of the Bengals to get one of these two, may Jacksonville like they did last year to get Harvey. I doubt the Bengals work a trade, so hopefully B.J. Raji is still there.By Ron
March 10, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
Point well taken, however, E. Monroe and J. Smith are the only OTs worthy of a top 10 pick, and I think they will be gone before the Bengals pick at #6. I think someone will trade ahead of the Bengals to get one of these two, may Jacksonville like they did last year to get Harvey. I doubt the Bengals work a trade, so hopefully B.J. Raji is still there.By Robert Y
March 10, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
Amazing Chick. Your readers seem to know that sucessful f-ball starts w/ the line. Darn shame Mikey and Katie can’t seem to grasp this simple concept. But as Katie said “you don’t know how hard it is to run a pro football team!” And neither does she based on won/loss records.By photoman
March 10, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
WOW Chickster! The If’s for MB and family could be like trying to walk and chew gum at the same time! Maybe they should just let us think there is a championship NFL team in Cincinnati and we will keep filling the seats on game day. Perhaps too, they’ll continue to let CP make some of the personnel moves and keep their hands out of the mix.By blindeye
March 10, 2009 9:26 PM | Link to this
If, If, If. Ludwig has been watching too many kiddie wrestling meets. The Bengals need to draft a DT first and square the defense away, After that they can worry about everything else later. Quick, name all the high talent offensive players that the team has drafted in the last 6 years. Now name the defensive rank of the teams that have won the superbowl for the last 5 years.By photoman
March 10, 2009 10:12 PM | Link to this
Well, it’s my understanding that the Bengals finished 12th in defense this past year and last in offense. And it seems to me too that the Bengals need an OL to protect the QB. I thought that is why CP got hurt and why RF was sacked and near sacked so many times. Seems to me also, the defensive coordinator did an outstanding job even with so many injuries to so many of his players. A DT would be nice, but if the OL can’t protect the QB and block effectively for the RB’s, it won’t matter how good the defense is to anyone.By psychostats
March 10, 2009 11:03 PM | Link to this
It should go more like this — IF the ground opens up and swallows the entire Brown family, and IF New Orleans donates their entire draft to Cincinnati, and IF Bill Walsh rises from the dead to coach the offense, and IF every team the Bungles play in 2009 is ravaged by injuries, then maybe (just maybe) our favorite team will reach the lofty heights of 6-10. But they would probably find a way to blow it.By JimB
March 11, 2009 8:37 AM | Link to this
Chick, “Must” is way too strong here. LT is not in bad shape. Collins played well there by seasons end, Levi Jones might be healthy, and Whitworth has played a very servicable LT in the past. RT doesn’t need to be a first rounder, the big weakness is Center. We can only hope Alex Mack is available at pick #38, and yet another top center is available in round 3. Many of the Bengals 51 sacks were the result of the QB holding onto the ball too long and there not being a pocket to step into. So, get me a center or two! The #6 pick should be used on the best available player. A difference maker on the D-line would improve the entire defense. Raji, if Seattle doesn’t pick him at #4 would be the perfect selection.By RW
March 11, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
The Bengals need to take the best available OT with their 1st Round Pick. In Round 2, they should give a serious look at center Alex Mack if he is still on the board. If not then turn to a DE, maybe Matt Shaunhessy from Wisconsin. If Mack is not on the board in Round 2, then Caldwell, the center from Alabama should be in Round 3. A great blocking FB is Quinn Johnson from LSU, he is a tank and a battering ram. He should be available in the later rounds of Day 2.By RW
March 11, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this
The Bengals need to take the best available OT with their 1st Round Pick. In Round 2, they should give a serious look at center Alex Mack if he is still on the board. If not then turn to a DE, maybe Matt Shaunhessy from Wisconsin. If Mack is not on the board in Round 2, then Caldwell, the center from Alabama should be in Round 3. A great blocking FB is Quinn Johnson from LSU, he is a tank and a battering ram. He should be available in the later rounds of Day 2.By JT
March 11, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this
Try to trade down if possible…most likely not but don’t get too greedy. The Bengals need atleast two o-linemen (LT,C) bad. Second option is D-lineman but not top ten. Also need another LB, no earlier than the late first round if a trade down is possible. FORGET WR and RB on the first day. If the Bengals draft a Wr or a RB on the first day, say hello to another 4-7 win season again.By Matt Miller
March 11, 2009 12:06 PM | Link to this
ORLANDO PACE: free agent! Former Ohio State start comes back to Ohio. Sounds like a nice story-line. Like to see it happen. Browns will probably beat the Bengals to it.By BnOPanther
March 11, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
The only 2 OT’s worth taking with the 1st 6 picks are J Smith and Monroe. But you also have to look at the fact this draft is full of quality OT’s you can take in the 3rd round. So you take Raji at 6, Mack or Wood in the 2nd and an OT in the 3rd. We will also get a supplemental 3rd rounder for last years free agents lost and with this pick you get a DE.By Sam
March 11, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
Guys, I think everyone is missing the boat here. I promise you Marvin is going to draft Rey M. either at #6 or trade down to get him. Look at who we signed and cut so far, it’s a dead give away. He wants this guy to complete the D. A vocal leader who sets the tone with a physical pressence second to none. Key in the AFC North! OL in rounds 2 and 3, with a RB in round 3 supplemental. Maybe a FB or G in round 4. After #1 it’s all offense.By Sam
March 11, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
Guys, I think everyone is missing the boat here. I promise you Marvin is going to draft Rey M. either at #6 or trade down to get him. Look at who we signed and cut so far, it’s a dead give away. He wants this guy to complete the D. A vocal leader who sets the tone with a physical pressence second to none. Key in the AFC North! OL in rounds 2 and 3, with a RB in round 3 supplemental. Maybe a FB or G in round 4. After #1 it’s all offense.By Sam
March 11, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
How would a draft sound like this. Round#1: Maualuga-MLB. Round#2: Britten/Loadholt-ROT Round#3: Wood-C Round#3: RBBy blindeye
March 11, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this
Everyone has missed the point with my post. Cincy needs to take a DT not a DE and they need to take him in the first round. Actually they needed the player last year but were too stupid and didn’t get it done. Look, a monster at DT will probably bring the team into the top 5 on defense. That means playoffs to me. Also, if they get the right stud that can bow the line then they can throw anyone in a DE and still get plenty of sacks. Look at the successful teams in the league they don’t piddle around on defense. If the team can wait until the 2nd or 3rd round for a DT then surely they can wait until the 2md or 3rd for offense. Also, you don’t want to pay big money for an OT. You pay that kind of money for a defensive stud or a glamor position. Another point is that we want the DC to be involved because he has shown that he is a winner and the head coach and OC don’t know what the f…. they’re doing. If they take a high pick for offense it will be a wasted pick. This team needs to trade up to get the stud at DT.By Brent
March 11, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this
Whitworth could move to RT and Collins can play LT. That leaves G open. Wouldn’t Goff be a nice veteran to help with the youth that will be on the line. It would be ideal for the Bengals to trade down, but the only players teams with want to jump the Raiders for is Crabtree of Raji. I could see Denver trying to move up for Raji and maybe SF for Crabtree. Then at 11 or 12 you draft the best play, be it Maualuga, Oher, Orakpo or even Moreno. Look for a C or OT in the second round. Third rounders can be used for Defense. It would be nice to see an edge rusher like Kruger or Barwin. We also need a nickel corner. David Jones really is not good enough to play man on an NFL receiver. Look for a RB on Day 2. There will be a lot of RBs that drop. Look for Kory Sheets or Jeramiah Johnson depending on how long they wait.