Get ready, the much anticipated NFL scouting combine is here. Anticipation has been mounting over the past few weeks and it is finally time poke, prod, measure, time, and evaluate all the top draft picks in Indianapolis. A player's stock can rise or fall as unpredictably as the tides, but one thing you can count on this weekend is that the results will bring the draft picture into focus. We will know who is first round talent or a 7th round hopeful and who might be available at the important 18th pick in the draft. The Bengals will have their eyes on several players with a lot to prove this weekend. Who's showing at the combine will determine the Bengals selection? Lets take a look in the latest draft day profile.
Lets be honest, is there any possibility that the Bengals don't pick someone on defense? The Bengals '06 defensive unit was tied for bottom in the league in scoring and pass defense. Therefore a major overhaul is in need. So what has to happen for improvement in '07?
First of all, it starts up front with the defensive line. Recently, ends Justin Smith and Robert Geathers were locked in for 2007. Therefore, I don't think the Bengals will be partaking of the deep class of defensive ends in this year's draft. Sam Adams and John Thornton are getting up there in terms of age so there is a need to infuse some young talent at tackle. Look for the 19 year old Louisville tackle Amobi Okoye to get the most attention from the Cincinnati brass this weekend for a lot of reasons. Obviously he has a lot of tread on the tires being only nineteen and he has the smarts to graduate that fast. At 317 pounds, he has the size to plug up the middle against the run and he has the strength and speed to rush the quarterback.
David Pollack's possible career ending injury has left a hole in the hearts of all Bengals fans as well as a hole in the depth chart. I hope he has the ability to make a comeback and suit up as number 99 again, but I don't want him to end up in a wheel chair the rest of his life if he came back. This, along with Brian Simmon's age, garners the possibility of a linebacker selection at 18. I think there is only one linebacker that fits the bill for this team. He is physically gifted, a leader, and can be a dominant linebacker for a decade. He is simply known as the "Poz" at Penn State, but you may know him as Paul Posluszny. At the "Linebacker U" that is Penn State, Posluszny developed into such a play maker at outside linebacker that Penn State alumnus and Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham called him, "the best linebacker to ever play at Penn State." Consider him in the mold of A.J. Hawk in his instincts and nose for the ball and his stats and awards back it up. He is the winner of the Butkus award in 2005 and a two time winner of the Bednarik award for best linebacker and best defensemen, respectively.
A lot of questions circle the secondary this off season, questions that need to be answered. Who will take Tory Jame's starting spot? Will Deltha O'Neal be on the team in week one? If so, then will he return to his 2005 pro-bowl form? Will Madieu Williams stay at safety or will he make the transition to corner? Number 18 could be used to settle some of those questions with the corners available. All though this year's corner class isn't as strong as last year's class, there is a possibility for the Bengals to find a Jonathan Joseph clone. Michigan's Leon Hall and Pitt's Darrelle Revis are considered the cream of this year's crop, but they need to have strong showings at the combine to be considered. Hall's stock fell after mediocre wide receivers burned him all day at the senior bowl. A fast 40 time would fix that real quick but I don't see him breaking 4.45. Revis needs to show that his punt return against West Virginia in 2006 wasn't a fluke and that he can cover the big time receivers in the NFL. If Madieu Williams makes the switch to corner, a safety would be needed to fill his spot. The Bengals want a dominant, hard hitting safety that changes the game when he is in the lineup. Florida's Reggie Nelson or L.S.U.'s LaRon Landry could become a player like Bob Sanders or Ed Reed for the secondary.
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