Renewed Faith

It’s been a while since my last post (6 months and 1 day to be specific), yet hear I am, back on the Bengal’s bandwagon.  Last year was absolutely terrible, and about 3/4ths the way through the season I had enough and hung up the jersey for the season.  Well now that the draft is done, I’m back and in full Bengal-Faith mode…

I honestly believe the first 5 picks of the draft for the Bengalis will be impact players and will greatly help us make it to the playoffs (maybe not this year but 2-3 years in the future).  Lets start off with how and why this will happen…

Andre Smith: Finally provides Carson with the quality blocking he needs to feel protected and throw the ball to the amazing receiving corps we have.  He will also open amazing holes for Cedric and whomever else Marvin Lewis decides to keep in the backfield.

Rey Maualuga: Possibly the biggest steal of the draft, I couldn’t be happier to have him on our team.  While he is a bit wild and is said to not be a 3^rd down/ passing situation style linebacker, he is a hard hitting franchise MLB.  I see him starting opposite of Keith Rivers on the outside with Dhani Jones retaining his MLB position until he learns to be a complete MLB.  I can see the possibility of him starting a game or two at MLB this year due to injuries and blowout scenarios.  He WILL be the face of the line-backing corps with Rivers teaching him along the way.  Mark my words we will have a top 10 defense this year!

Michael Johnson:  Could be seen as a steal, yet he fell due to not playing in the senior bowl and not giving 100% every down.  With our defense and coaching ability he will be challenging for a starting DE spot by October, and will be playing 3^rd downs very early in the season.  He is by far the best pass rushing DE we have on the roster and will hopefully develop into a pro-bowl sacker in 2-3 years.

Chase Coffman:  Carson finally get his big receiving tight end that he has needed.  I feel Chase was the best TE in the draft, yet due to his foot problems he was a gamble, hopefully one that pays off in a big way.  While he lacks size to be a great run blocking TE, he is an amazing route runner that has the ability to be open on every play and be a great 3^rd down receiving option.  We may have lost TJ’s ability to go over the middle, but Chase fills a major part of that for us.

Jonathan Luigs:  He isn’t a great center by any means, and needs to work on his explosiveness, yet he can develop into a potential starter at guard or center in a couple of years.  I feel he will see limited playing time this year and do not see him really challenging for the starting position anytime soon, yet he will be a great backup lineman to have and will have a chance to learn early on.

Overall this was by far the best draft by the Bengals I have seen in a LONG time, and I can’t wait to see what rank we are given for this great group of guys.  This season looks to be promising!