Bengals could use another defensive tackle, but not with the sixth pick

by Josh Kirkendall on Feb 11, 2009 1:51 PM EST

As of now, the Bengals have three defensive tackles under contract; Domata Peko, Jason Shirley and Pat Sims. John Thornton is an Unrestricted Free Agent and Orien Harris is an Exclusive-Rights Free Agent. Harris, a 2006 fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, joined the Bengals before the regular season off waivers and played 14 games, started once, recording somewhere between 14 (NFL.com) and 22 tackles (Bengals.com). Harris has been a career practice-squad player before joining Cincinnati.

As it stands, the Bengals will start Pat Sims and Domata Peko with Jason Shirley rotating in. There's the high probability that the Bengals will bring John Thornton back to continue mentoring the younger tackles, as well as keeping his solid character in the lockerroom -- I wouldn't have any problem with that. It would also limit the issue of depth on defensive tackle to the point of picking a player in response to injuries.

On the other hand, Sims and Peko can't play every day, and Jason Shirley is a very green unproven commodity -- no matter how big Iggy's man-crush on him is. I kid. If the Bengals choose not to sign Harris, and Thornton signs elsewhere, then the Bengals will need to dig into free agency, if not the draft, to build back-end depth. Maybe a one-and-done type of role, or perhaps looking for needle-in-the-haystack talent in the run-of-the-mill rounds. Whatever. We project, using our guessing like a mofo with a basic understanding of the team's visions, personnel and historical processes, that the Bengals will need one more defensive tackle with the expectation that either Thornton or Harris do not return. And yes, I'm well aware that Jonathan Fanene has played defensive tackle; however that's typically in nickel formations.

	Games	Tackles	Sacks	QB Hurries
Domata Peko	16	108	0.5	4
Pat Sims	11	50	1	5
John Thornton	15	46	3	4
Orien Harris	14	22	0	3
Jason Shirley	3	4	0	0

Based on stats on Bengals.com

All that said, it wouldn't make sense for the Bengals to draft a defensive tackle in the first round, with Sims, Peko and Shirley all figuring into the team's long-term vision. We just need a late-round pick and/or a veteran defensive tackle, hoping that Thornton is up for that role again.

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Started to reply in disagreement, then realized you said defensive tackle, and not defensive end.

No, they won’t take an interior lineman at #6.

But I think the people projecting an OT for this pick are off base.

Record notwithstanding, this team isn’t “bad”. Yes, I know, I read all the news too, I know all the mistakes that Brown and company have been making. I know the results are less than stellar.

But while I agree that OT and Center are priorities and need to be addressed, with $29 under the cap and the probability they’re not going to re-sign TJ, it seems that OT is a free agency priority, not a draft priority. Collins looked above average last year. He may need a bit more experience, but he looks like a solid player. A player like Jordan Gross or Khalif Barnes makes far more sense than spending #6 money on an OT who may not pan out.

What they need to draft is a difference maker. Someone who would be a rookie of the year contender. The WRs drafted last year would indicate they wouldn’t want Crabtree, but he looks like he could be a huge impact.

They need to draft Brian Orakpo. He’s a terrifying player who would give the bengals the sack artist they desperately need as the final piece of the defensive puzzle. Whether they play him at DT or LB, he would make the much improved defense of 08 look downright scary.

by Skyhook on Feb 11, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions

Wow...

I’m sold! http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3650227

by TheWalrus1971 on Feb 11, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

He’s a speed rusher in the Freeney mold, but could probably pick up big willie anderson and carry him back to the QB. Terrifying.

It comes down to, if you don’t draft him, you’re eventually going to have to face him. He scares me more than any player in the draft. (And I’m not even a Texas Fan)

by Skyhook on Feb 12, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions