Last offseason, WDR wrote up our six point "manifesto" (viewable in the left column) for what it would take for the Bengals to turn things around. Not much has changed this year. The infuriating thing is that none of this is rocket science. Winning teams do these things. The Bengals do not.
Here are what WDR believes are the three most important priorities for the offseason (even though they may be unrealistic).
1. Protect the passer, rush the passer. Carson Palmer's health is vital to the offense, that much is clear after last year's 204 point performance (worst in the league). The Bengals have question marks at left tackle (Levi Jones going in and out of consciousness), center (UFA Eric Ghiaciuc gets blown off the ball) and right tackle (UFA Stacy Andrews suffered a torn ACL and MCL late in the season). They will definitely address this issue in the draft, but the question is whether they will take a tackle with the sixth overall pick, or wait until the second or third round.
The Bengals pass rush has been non-existent for nearly a generation, and the only way to help out a young secondary is to get pressure on the quarterback. The Steelers have made a living in the postseason with a shaky secondary because they are so good at making life miserable for the opponent's QB. Tied for 30th in the NFL in sacks (17), the Bengals need to draft smarter and select players that fit their system (Weve yet to figure out what that system is, however). After signing Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers to lucrative, long-term deals, the Bengals really can't spend a high draft pick on a defensive end in 2009. They need to focus on middle to late round draft picks that can step up and perform at a high level should the injury bug bite Odom and/or Geathers again next season.
2. Identify people who want to be here. The locker room in Cincinnati is fractured. TJ wants out, Chad wants out...heck it's rumored that Marvin Lewis begged to be let go in exchange for half of the $8 million is he owed for the rest of his contract. You can't have a coach that doesn't want to be here leading a NFL team. It just doesn't work. Carson Palmer needs to step up into more of a leadership role and squash the constant bickering of TJ and Chad (should they return in 2009). Bengals management should cut ties with those (players and coaches alike) who truly do not want to be in Cincinnati, and move forward with everyone else.
3. Mike Brown relinquishes all control of personnel decisions. This will never happen, but if Bengals fans ever want to see a long-term, consistent winner...this needs to happen. Now entering his 19th year of control over the Bengals, Mike Brown has amassed the worst record in the four major professional sports during that time (1991-2008). The sample size is big enough to realize that this guy just can't cut it as a chief executive in the NFL...and football people should be making football decisions.
"I’m afraid you are stuck with me as the team’s chief executive" -- Mike Brown
At least we agree on one thing: that’s [our] fear as well. -- WDR
Posted by: Leo deTrotskyo | February 19, 2009 at 01:57 PM
I know the comparison is not a direct equivalent, but what do you think would happen if the CEO of a failing Fortune 500 company told his shareholders "I'm afraid you're stuck with me as your cheif executive" ???? Holy shit, those people would be on a witch hunt with their torches and pitchforks faster than you could blink.
Then again, I suppose owning an NFL franchise in Cincinnati is like being in Nevernever Land
Posted by: Capt. Steve-O | February 19, 2009 at 02:26 PM
^ that set of quotes belong on a WhoDeyRevolution t-shirt ^
Posted by: Delta5243 | February 19, 2009 at 02:32 PM
Hmmm.... I don't see draft a sexy position player as the top pick anywhere on your list. I think, however, that it is the number one priority on the Bengals list.
Posted by: Rich | February 19, 2009 at 03:30 PM
By position player I meant a skills guy - i.e. WR or RB
Posted by: Rich | February 19, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Good Points Brosef. They don't necessarily need a Left Tackle at #6. They technically have three capable LT's currently on the roster (Andrew Whitworth, Anthony Collins, Levi Jones). Center, Right Tackle, Defensive Line and Running Back are higher priorities right now. They can get all of these settled in rounds 2-4 (they have two 3rd rounders). LeSean Mccoy, Phil Loadholt, Eric Wood, Max Unger, Alex Mack, Connor Barwin (fills two position needs at DE and TE) should all be available. Look at Rey Maualuga, Aaron Curry, Michael Crabtree (especially with T.J. and/or Chad departing), B.J. Raji (I hate drafting a DT so high) Brian Orakpo or even Knowshon Moreno and Brian Cushing at #6. NO BEANIE WELLS--he has BUST written all over him. Get FB, TE, and more depth on both lines later in the draft.
Posted by: BengalAnthony13 | February 19, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I think Cedric Benson needs to be recognized for his talents, when our line stepped up at the end of the year Benson finally did well (I know the games themselves were meaningless but they showed Benson has the talent needed to be a starting RB)
What we really need is a strong O-Line. Levi Jones is absolutely unreliable and selfish. Andrew Whitworth is so beyond overrated by Bengals fans. And Anthony Collins can't do it by himself. I say we take Jason Smith with the #6 pick. Alex Mack with the #38, a FB with the #70, a TE with the #102, and the 6-7 round picks can be possibly used on a D-Lineman and maybe a WR. We aren't hurting too badly on D-Line and even without TJ we have a decent WR core, but it always helps to improve in these positions. I could even see an RB in the 6-7 round... although if we don't sign CB we should take an RB in the 4th. James Johnson is great but not starter great. He is a 3rd down back and Benson is a starter, if we don't sign Benson I think I might have to eat Mike. But I digress, no matter what happens the #1 must be Smith, #2 must be Mack, and #3 can be any FB
Posted by: K. Phelps | February 19, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Put a shirt with the MB quote and the WDR quote lined up side-by-side and you have a shirt that I will buy.
I completely agree with all three points:
a) Mike Brown and the Bengals have completely undervalued the line. More to the point, the lines are where the *toughness* of a team starts (not ends, but starts) and the Bengals are not a tough team. I don't think anyone's ever gone into a game with the Bengals since....well, ever....and said "man, this is gonna be a war. We're gonna get beat up." The Bengals need some enforcers. Desperately.
b) & c) are related. It's an underdiscussed topic. It's not just "Mike Brown isn't savvy. He picks the wrong players." It's "Mike Brown isn't savvy. The players quickly figure this out, and don't want to play for the Bengals as long as he's running them. But they can't say it out loud because of the loyalty clause." If Mikey suddenly sold the team tomorrow but was still secretly running it? He'd probably make a lot of the same boneheaded decisions but the PERCEPTION ALONE that someone else was in charge would improve the locker room attitude tenfold.
Posted by: BMN | February 19, 2009 at 05:06 PM
Absolutely. It's easy to get caught up thinking that a WR or LB or RB will make the difference, but if you have a great offensive line, you can win a lot of games. More yards per rush, more time in the pocket--that's what it's all about. Doesn't matter if you don't have Larry Fitzgerald out there--if the QB has 5 seconds to throw (and he's any good), he will find an open man.
I would be fine with us trading Chad and picking up a mid-tier WR like Hank Baskett or even Amani Toomer, despite his age. But we should get an OT and a Center with our first two picks. Then make one big splash in FA and sign Haynesworth, T-Suggs, or Ray Lewis (if you're not gonna pay TJ, pay someone). I think our defense will be OK this year (around 15th), but if we don't shore up the O-line, it'll be another 4-12 type season.
Posted by: Bolshevik Bengal | February 19, 2009 at 08:03 PM
R Phelps put down the pipe. You should never EVER draft a fb anywhere in the top 4 rounds of a draft unless you have at least 10 picks then you might want to consider taking on in the 4th. FB's are a seldom used player and rarely warrant draft consideration.
I agree, we need some straight up nasty thugs who can be coached. Best playmakers who fit our system. You really can't say who you want in certain rounds until the draft unfolds.
In my opinion getting Ray Maliuga would be a really solid pick for us. I also like Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe as Tackles. Hey if Crabtree fell you would be really hardpressed not to take him at 6. B.J. Raji could actually complete our dline, someone who could finally give us the pass rushing push from the middle which in turn would make our de's jobs so much easier.
Rushing and protecting the passer are our two top needs and should be our only needs as far as I am concerned for this draft. Oh, and drafting a scat back w/ recieving skills in the middle rounds 3 or 4 to help compliment whomever our RB will be this season.
Posted by: JMo | February 19, 2009 at 08:54 PM
I'd like to us get an OT in round 1, unless we can make a move in free agency which would allow us to go after a DT or pass rushing end or LB. I think an offensive lineman, a front-seven pass rusher, a speedy running back are all positions that should be addressed in the first 3 rounds. I might also draft a center in the early rounds or middle part of the draft as well.
I think late picks should be spent on a FB, WR, any other defensive front 7 positions.
Just my thoughts.
Posted by: Nathan | February 19, 2009 at 09:14 PM
While we may all agree on the needs on the O and D line, you may want to pass on that pick in the first round. You can get a guy that is quality in the later rounds at those positions. The Larry Fitzgerald's of the world won't be around in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, linemen that can give us a chance will.
Yes, the Fitzgerald's of the league can't do anything without a line that's worth a shit. But considering TJ is good as gone, we have a head case and a convict as our leading roles, position player may be the right decision for the first pick, then build the line later.
It doesn't matter what route they take. Brown will F it to hell and back before it's all said and done.
Posted by: truth | February 19, 2009 at 10:33 PM
You still haven't completely taken it in, even on this site. There is no point even discussing the Bengals "needs" like they are any other Pro Football Team. They need Mike Brown GONE. That's it. Until then everything else is irrelevant.
Posted by: MikeBrownIzzaClown | February 20, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Perfect offseason; Trade Ocho & a 3rd rounder (we'll have 2) for Boldin. Swap malcontent receivers. Chad wants to go to a winner & Boldin wants a new contract. Check and check. Resign Benson. Go after whichever LB the Ravens can't hold onto (imagine Ray Lewis leadership on this team) Sign a veteran center & draft a LT at #6. Sign Kelley Washington on the cheap & resign Crocker. The Bengals are like 30 mil under the cap. They could pull off most if not all of this. But they are not "savvy" enough, free agents avoid us like the plague, & MBB will not spend all that 30 mil. So none of this will happen. Enjoy another bland off-season Bengal fans!
Posted by: Deric | February 20, 2009 at 01:51 AM
WDR's new slogan should be: "Where we are glad that each day is one day closer to Mike Brown's death."
Posted by: Julius Norman | February 20, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Why don't we hold a public beheading of Mike Brown in the tailgate spot in front of PBS? If this site's slogan is "Viva la revolucion" (a la Che Guevara and France's push for a Republic centuries ago), we should deal with Brown the same way Louis XIV was dealt with-death by guillotine.
Trad Chad, Levi Jones and a 5th to the Redskins (if you remember they would have given up potentially two first rounders for him last year) for their 13th overall pick. Get Maualuga, Curry or Crabtree at #6 and then get Michael Oher or Andre Smith (their stock is reportedly falling) at #13. You get guys that will help you fill needs immediately while freeing space and getting rid of players who don't want to be here.
Posted by: BengalAnthony13 | February 20, 2009 at 02:05 PM
BengalsAnthony might be onto something brilliant here - when can we expect WDR-branded effigies of Mike Brown? I'd buy 3!
Posted by: Bengl Xiao Ping | February 20, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Deric
Thats alot of moves. You think if Arizona would trade us, which they wouldn't, Boldin is much more valuable than Chad. Maybe they trade us for Chad but with our #1 pick.
Secondly Signing Boldin to a long term deal would take most of our cap space up. Its also going to cost us money to resign Benson and Crocker plus we still have to tender 3 or 4 retricted free agents.
Then you also mention sign whomever Baltimore's left over linebacker is and sign him? Wow, if it was that easy, we are not playing madden on ps2 here.
Its a waste of time with Boldin, we don't need that kind of personality on this team.
If you were to ask me I would put some interest in getting Haynestworth but he will command way to much money and he will probably get it. However, the possibility of getting a Jeff Saturday or a Matt Birk for a year or two while we draft a center in the 2nd or 3rd round I think would really be the best free agent move we can make at this point.
Also, how about taking up some interest in Derrick Ward? He turns 29 this year but really doesn't have the tread of a typical 29 year old rb. I wouldn't mind either one and it takes some leverage away from the Benson camp in negotiations.
If we do go tackle in the first round either Stacy Andrews or Levi Jones are most certainly gone. I feel that Anthony Collins is our LT and thats it. Levi should be good as gone come June after the first waive of free agency. If we can get Stacey under a one year prove it deal then that would give us year to figure out if we can draft a right tackle to groom or even consider Whit being the RT and draft a guard in rounds 2 or 3. I think this is the only reason why Levi has not been let go yet, it gives other teams things to think about come draft day. I must say its pretty smart for the Bengals to do this.
Sum it up
1. Resign Benson/ Ward
2. Sign Veteran C/ draft C in rd 2 or 3
3. Draft best playmaker in Rd 1 that fits OUR scheme.
4. Cut Levi Sign Stacy to 1 year deal and draft best lineman avail T or G in 2nd round.
5. Draft scat back w/ rec skills in rounds 3 or 4.
Posted by: JMo | February 20, 2009 at 04:02 PM
I respect what your saying JMo. I was just throwing ideas out there, not really saying they could pull ALL of those off. But the Bengals never do anything "splashy" in the offseason, which makes it seem to me that they are once again 'going through the motions' of another vanilla offseason. Teams that have a true desire to win usually are at least somewhat proactive in free agency/ trades at draft time. We of course, never are. Also, we have 30 mil in cap space as I mentioned. That should allow for plenty of makeover & reshaping of this roster. But do you trust Mike to do anything the way he should? It seems like every year we are near the top in cap space available come FA time, & the Bengals are always saying they have players to resign & alloted money for draft picks. Well... so do all the other 31 franchises in the NFL. Make a move & bring in some leadership! I want to see some players who are fired up on Sundays. Or at least bring in a center who doesn't get pancaked every down lol
Posted by: Deric | February 21, 2009 at 01:10 AM
Jmo- I typed a long response & as usual, it didn't post. I am smart enough to realize it's not Madden football, even though the Bengals make opponents look as such every Sunday. I wasn't saying all those things were possible, as "perfect" offseason implies. But with 30 mil in cap space, you would figure the Bengals would at least somewhat be proactive in FA. Thats what teams that have a true desire to win do. They spend money to bring in leadership. It would be nice to see some players who are fired up to be playing on Sunday. Haynesworth, as you mentioned, would be more expensive than a Ray Lewis. But even at 33, we could use some of the locker room presence & playmaking skills that Ray would bring. It would also be nice to see a center who stays vertical after the ball is snapped lol. Maybe we will see some surprising moves. Who knows? They have to do some things at this point becaause their hand is being forced. BTW, I like your ideas on what they should do in the offseason, (especially signing Ward or Benson) with the exception of a playmaker 1st & a lineman 2nd. That should be flip flopped unless they like seeing Carson with a bloody nose in preseason.
Posted by: Deric | February 21, 2009 at 01:27 AM
Ok...apparently it did post. Oops.
Posted by: Deric | February 21, 2009 at 01:28 AM
Deric
I think the Browns are really not into putting money into future years like many other teams do. This is so they are not strapped against the cap in future years, which really limits them when it comes to big name free agents. But you have to agree, if they are going to splurge on free agency, isn't this the year your have to do it? I agree Brown just doesn't go after top guys and it would be nice if he did it. I agree getting protection for Palmer and getting to the passer should be the main priorities. I think we are keeping Stacy so Levi will be gone. Collins will take his place w/ Whit and Bobby at guard. Now Birk or Saturday would be great filling it out, with somebody like Unger or the guy from Louisville drafting in the early 2nd or 3rd would realy help us out.
Posted by: JMo | February 21, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Birk or Saturday would be great even with their advanced ages. Then drafting a guy like Unger in the 2nd to be groomed by the vet. These wouldn't be 'splashy' moves, but very smart ones none the less. Seems like we never recovered after Braham got injured/retired. But I guess that was a pretty big drop off to the player whose name I will not attempt to spell. Lets all keep our fingers crossed for something positive!
Posted by: Deric | February 23, 2009 at 04:54 AM
Deric --
I agree. The Center position needs to be solidified. The Bengals are reportedly interested in Saturday http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090222/SPT02/902220383/1066/SPT02. Now, is the "interest" similar to the "interest" they had in Joey Porter and Warren Sapp? Or is it legitimate "we're going to sign you" interest? Nevertheless, if they get Saturday or another quality OL in free agency and then either Benson or Derrick Ward and Bart Scott in the middle, I'd say that's a pretty solid offseason. Mike Brown may be old school, a traditionalist, and downright stubborn, but he isn't stupid. I think he knows that he needs to sign some guys this offseason, even if his only motive is for people to buy tickets.
Posted by: BengalAnthony13 | February 23, 2009 at 04:35 PM