http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/14421436.htm
Quick fix not on Bengals' agenda
FOR ONCE, CINCINNATI GOES INTO DRAFT IN GOOD SHAPE
By Joe Kay
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CINCINNATI - No gaping holes.
It's been a long time since the Cincinnati Bengals could say that about their roster. During their 14-year run without a winning record, they epitomized what happens to a team without a plan. As soon as one area was fixed through the draft, another fell apart.
A lot has changed entering their fourth draft under Coach Marvin Lewis, who broke that mind-boggling streak of futility by leading the Bengals into the playoffs last season for the first time since 1990.
Except for Carson Palmer's left knee, these guys are in good shape.
"I'm happy with where we are," Lewis said last month. "We're in a situation where we don't have a void anywhere in players."
In the last five weeks, the Bengals have filled their three most glaring needs through free agency, signing safety Dexter Jackson, defensive tackle Sam Adams and backup quarterback Anthony Wright.
That gives them a lot of options in the first round, where they'll be near the end of the list for the first time in a long time.
The Bengals are slotted for the 24th overall pick, their lowest position since 1989, when they were coming off their Super Bowl loss to San Francisco. They had the 27th pick in that draft and traded it to Atlanta for extra picks in later rounds.
They were slotted at No. 17 in 2004, but wound up trading down to the 26th pick and took running back Chris Perry.
Running back and kicker are the only areas they wouldn't consider in this draft, which is more about adding depth and planning for the future than about fixing problems right now. With a core in place -- 25 players with three or less years of experience last season -- the Bengals figure they're just getting started.
"Our guys are grown up now," Lewis said. "It's time to work and act like a team. They've had individual success. They've had a moderate degree of success as a football team. So it's time now to go beyond that."
A few additions in the right spots would help.
The defense remains a trouble area. The Bengals gave up an average of 30 points over the last eight games last season, something that has to be fixed if they hope to make it back to the playoffs. Safety Madieu Williams is expected back from a shoulder injury, and the signings of Adams and Jackson should make a difference.
The Bengals could use a defensive lineman, another safety and a cornerback or linebacker for future development, and are likely to focus on defense in the first round.
The offense returns intact, though with some leftover concerns. Receiver Chris Henry is scheduled to go on trial May 30 in Orlando, Fla., on a charge of carrying a concealed firearm, raising questions about the team's No. 3 receiver.
Matt Schobel, the Bengals' only reliable receiver at tight end, went to Philadelphia as a free agent last month. The Bengals would like to add a pass-receiving tight end, but probably not in the first round -- they've already got a lot of money tied up in players who catch the ball.
Although the offensive line is set, two of its anchors -- center Rich Braham and right tackle Willie Anderson -- are nearing the ends of their careers. Replacements are on board, but the Bengals could add another lineman.
Their overriding concern for 2006 can't be fixed in the draft. Palmer's left knee had to be rebuilt after he tore it up during a first-round playoff loss to Pittsburgh. It's possible he'll be ready for the opener Sept. 10 at Kansas City,
but the odds are that he'll miss at least part of the season.
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Bengals have positive outlook, but Palmer could miss part of season
Bengals have positive outlook, but Palmer could miss part of season
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