Official Cincinnati Bengals Draft Thread

• jordo212000

  

  The Bengals got Dunlap. I kind of like the pick
• dave

  so far so good, filled 2 of the teams biggest needs without reaching.
• Azubuike24

  

  Dunlap is a great pick. However, he's going to garner more comments about "character issues."
• Azubuike24

  

  Shipley is a steal at 84. A guy who will be an impact guy right away. Gresham and Shipley in addition to Antonio Bryant and Matt Jones. Carson Palmer is a happy guy. The Bengals had arguably the best defense in the NFL last year until injuries and they had to address the offense. If the line pass protects, this team is one of the AFC favorites IMO.
• osu45804

  

  Bengals select WR Jordan Shipley from Texas
• Al Capone

  Azubuike24 wrote: Dunlap is a great pick. However, he's going to garner more comments about "character issues."

  Get the jail cell ready. Hopefully Maualuga cleaned it up when he left.
• voewoody

  

  ^^
  GAY
• BuckeyeBlue

  

  Don't we all just wish the Bengals could be a team full of model citizens like the Steelers are?
• Little Danny

  

  I think the Bengals dropped the ball in taking Shipley over Mardy Gilyard-- both from on and off the field perspective. Gilyard is faster (4.45 40 vs. 4.55) and has not had the injury bug that has bitten Shipley. IIRC Shipley got hurt every year while at UT. Off the field, having a kid as popular in the Cincinnati community as Gilyard would have helped the Bengals draw more attention, more fans to the games, sell jerseys, etc.
  
  Finally, Gilyard wanted to play for the Bengals. How many players actually say that?
• Azubuike24

  

  Eric Norwood is still there. So is Anthony Dixon. Wouldn't mind either of those picks. The Bengals could still use another RB IMO.
• Azubuike24

  

  Loved the Atkins pick. Muckelroy, we'll see.
• Pick6

  

  I like what the Bengals are doing this draft.
• jordo212000

  

  I always thought Muckleroy was good in college. Not sure how good he'll be for the Bengals
• dave

  I'm very happy so far. Only thing I don't like is the Shipley pick, and not because he isn't good. Are they giving up on Caldwell or what? If they think Shipley will be an elite returner then I understand the pick, but Mardy would have fit better IMO. I'd love to get Johnson here late from USC.
• Azubuike24

  

  Giving up on Caldwell? No way. He's the #3 WR. However, they have to add something for more than a year too. For now, Shipley is a weapon on special teams and on offense, but also has a future on offense.
  
  Ochocinco and Bryant aren't really long-term guys.
• RiverRat13

  No safety taken yet, but you have to wonder if the Bengals see either Ghee or Morgan Trent as candidates to move to FS.
• RiverRat13

  Azubuike24 wrote: Shipley is a steal at 84. A guy who will be an impact guy right away. Gresham and Shipley in addition to Antonio Bryant and Matt Jones. Carson Palmer is a happy guy. The Bengals had arguably the best defense in the NFL last year until injuries and they had to address the offense. If the line pass protects, this team is one of the AFC favorites IMO.

  Really, Andre Smith is basically another first round pick the Bengals get to add this year since he was unable to contribute last year. If Carson has anything left, the offense will be much improved.
  
  Shipley fits the Bengals needs more than Gilyard, IMO. Bryant and possibly Jones should help stretch the field. The Bengals really struggled completing passes across the middle the second half of the season. Shipley should help more in this area than Gilyard probably would. And getting the TE will obviously help, too. I'm excited for next season.
• Azubuike24

  

  Agreed. Most anticipated year in awhile IMO. Everyone is picking the Jets, Patriots, Ravens, Colts and even some other teams like the Texans and Dolphins are getting pub. The Bengals are under the radar, but people forget the team we saw get smoked by the Jets in the playoffs was a shell of the team that was 100% early in the season. That team was capable of going very far.
  
  I think the staff and front office has finally "gotten it" and it will show next year.
• RiverRat13

  Azubuike24 wrote: I think the staff and front office has finally "gotten it" and it will show next year.

  I think there's a good possibility that nobody told Mikey the draft started Thursday to ensure he stayed out of the decision-making process.
• dave

  Azubuike24 wrote: Giving up on Caldwell? No way. He's the #3 WR. However, they have to add something for more than a year too. For now, Shipley is a weapon on special teams and on offense, but also has a future on offense.
  
  Ochocinco and Bryant aren't really long-term guys.

  Shipley won't ever been more than a slot receiver, same as Caldwell. Just seems strange to me they go backup one of their youngest weapons on offense. Brat has already said he wants to run a 2 TE set quite a bit now so that means even less of the #3 WR.
  
  They must have figured Shipley was just as good as Mardy at returns. It will be nice not to have Scott back there risking injury, and this should mean the end of Cosby.
  
  BTW Bryant is locked up for 4 or 5 years I think, that's about as long term as you get in the NFL.
• Azubuike24

  

  Locked up and NFL don't mean anything. Bryant is "locked up" as long as he's productive. If he isn't in 2 years, he's no longer a factor.
• dave

  Briscoe in the 6th, there's your WR that might eventually replace Chad or Antonio. Hopefully he turns out better than Simpson.
• Azubuike24

  

  Agreed. I do like Briscoe. I think the Bengals are going with the quantity over quality thing here.
  
  Jones
  Briscoe
  Shipley
  Cosby
  Simpson
  
  3 of those 5 will join Ochocinco, Bryant and Caldwell. Instead of relying on either 2 rookies, 2 special-teamers and 1 guy who hasn't played in the NFL in almost 2 years, they can pick the best 2 or 3 of the group. The best offenses, and the Bengals offense at their best, took this approach instead of spreading it thin and relying on guys always being healthy or crappy TE's and 75% running plays. Gresham also strengthens the passing offense.
  
  I'd say clearly they are saying it's a put up or shut up period over the next 2-3 years for Carson Palmer. They are surrounding him by a ton of weapons, now it's time he produces.