Cincinnati Enquirer beat writer Joe Reedy checks in with DA to discuss the Bengals and their outlook for the draft and the 2011 NFL season. Cincinnati owns the fourth overall pick after finishing 4-12 in 2010.
OFFENSE
Total Yards 20th (330.6)
Rushing Yards 27th (95.1)
Passing Yards 13th (235.4)
Points Scored 22nd (20.1)
DEFENSE
Total Yards 15th (332.0)
Rushing Yards 19th (115.2)
Passing Yards 14th (216.8)
Points Allowed 24th (24.7)
Interceptions T-14th (16)
Sacks T-27th (27)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Passing Yards Carson Palmer (3,970)
Rushing Yards Cedric Benson (1,111)
Receiving Yards Terrell Owens (983)
Sacks Carlos Dunlap (10)
Interceptions Leon Hall (4)
Tackles Dhani Jones (125)
5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND
PICKS
2010 Jermaine Gresham, TE (2010 stats:
52 rec., 471 yds., 4 TD)
2009 Andre Smith, OT (2010 stats:
Placed on IR after 7 games)
2008 Keith Rivers, LB (2010 stats: 77
tackles, 1 sack)
2007 Leon Hall, CB (2010 stats:
Team-leading 4 INT)
2006 Jonathan Joseph, CB (2010 stats:
42 tackles, 3 INT)
DA: What area do you feel the Bengals
need to address most in this year’s draft, and are there any specific
names that have been mentioned as possible fits?
JR: Wide receiver, defensive line, and
possibly cornerback if Joseph leaves. There’s safety and offensive
line too. In terms of receiver, A.J. Green would be the best fit
since the Bengals need to develop a No. 1 receiver and Chad Ochocinco
is in the last year of his contract.
DA: The Bengals have had success with
their recent first-round picks (Rivers, Joseph, Hall, Gresham). Would
you say Marvin Lewis’ philosophy is more draft-for-need, or
best-talent-available?
JR: There’s always the debate of whose
pick or whose move it is — Marvin or [owner] Mike Brown. I think the
last two drafts have been solid and the ’08 draft is starting to show
some promise.
DA: Do yo expect the Bengals to be big
players in free agency to help improve the team?
JR: They need to re-sign Joseph and
Benson. If not they need to go out and get a veteran RB along with
help on the line and safety.
DA: How crucial is fixing the pass
rush?
JR: They need to figure out what they
want to do with Michael Johnson and release either Antwan Odom or
Robert Geathers while possibly adding one or two more [defensive
lineman] in the draft.
DA: Could 2011 be Carson Palmer’s last
hurrah in Cincinnati? And could the Bengals already be thinking about
drafting a QB, perhaps in the mid-to-late rounds, this year?
JR: [Both are] possible based on the
contract.
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