It has been speculated for months by analysts (including yours truly) that the Bengals would look for a band-aid for their porous secondary in today's draft and that is just what happened. Leon Hall was surprisingly overlooked by teams like the Steelers, Bills, and the Texans and fell into the Bengal's lap at 18. Marvis Lewis did not waist anytime in pulling the trigger on the All-American cornerback and put him in stripes. Now Hall will get an anticipated matchup against Chad Johnson tomorrow when he arrives in Cincinnati. Johnson promised a pair of cleats for him so the two can go at it one-on-one as an initiation to the team.
I really like the pick even though it was not my first choice. I felt that Hall and Darrelle Revis were almost dead even in coverage skills but I gave Revis the slight edge because of his punt return ability. Unfortunately, Revis was swept up by the Jets when they traded up to get him in front of the Bengals. However, Hall will fit in very well in the Bengal's system. He can follow in the same footsteps as Jonathan Joseph last year by stepping in as the nickelback early this season until he can learn the ropes of the NFL and take a starting job. Hopefully those footsteps will lead to success just as Joseph's did.
Hall is used to a lot of different coverage schemes from his experience at Michigan. He can play man-to-man and a variety of zone coverages, which is useful when Chuck Bresnahan wants to switch up the coverages to confuse the opposing quarterback. Also, he is a proven asset to run support. He will never shy away from coming up and laying a lick on a running back.
The only knock on Hall came in to focus when the lightning fast Ted Ginn, Jr. burned him all over the field in the Michigan/Ohio State game of 2006. This left scouts questioning his playing speed. All though he ran a 4.39 40 at the combine, I am still not convinced that he has great recovery speed to cover comeback routes and double moves.
I am convinced that the second round selection was going to be linebacker David Harris from Michigan until, once again, the Jets traded up to get him in front of the Bengals. Harris would have been a great alternative to Ahmad Brooks at middle linebacker in case Brooks couldn't handle it and it would have cancelled any plans the Bengals had of signing Ed Hartwell because Harris plays a lot like him. Now it looks like Hartwell will most likely be joining the team some time next week.
However, Harris is gone and so is Justin Durant from Hampton when the Bengals pick in the second round. So where do they go? Their next need, a speedy running back.
Kenny Irons from Auburn will join fellow alum Rudi Johnson in the backfield this season to combine for a 1-2 punch in the absence of the rehabbing Chris Perry. Irons has some durability issues of his own but his upside definitely outweighs them. He can find cut back lanes and outrun defenders when he gets to the second level, something Rudi can not. In his first year he will most likely step in on 3rd down with Kenny Watson for screens and shovel passes and his role will gradually increase once he gets the feel of the NFL.
This pick leads me to wonder about Chris Perry's future with the club. If Irons works out for the team, what happens to Perry? Is he traded for a low draft pick considering his injury history or is he cut all together? Hopefully he can recover fully from his broken leg but the future does not look bright for the former Wolverine ball carrier.
Well day one is over and it was a long, but productive one. The Bengals filled two needs and picked the best player on the board when they picked. Tomorrow it looks like there will be more defensive picks and this time they will be in the front seven (look out H.B. Blades!). I'll be back again tomorrow night for a complete recap out picks 3-7 once the draft is concluded.
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