Build the offensive line as much as possible. I mean, it was because of the lack of protection that caused Palmer to miss most of the season and have this.

We also learned that a Palmer-less Bengals offense is the worst offense in the NFL.

OTOH, the point of picking up skill guys is very relevant.

Maybe Kenny Watson can move up to primary back until we address RB after the 2009 season and put our eggs in the basket of our sophomore receivers, along with Holt, Chatman, etc…

Are they great? No, not as we know them right now. However, with Palmer, they could be very serviceable.

Hmm…Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn, Troy Blackburn, Paul Brown, Geoff Hobson and who else? ;)

but a Bad O-line can destroy even the most skillful of skill players. Build from the line for the love of God!

They drafted all those wideouts last year and you can’t blame Fitzpatrick for them not even making the field until the roster got too low.

Actually, you can. With Carson under center, those youngsters perhaps inconsistent route running is not such a big deal. Fitz’s presence back there demanded Chad and TJ and discouraged any learning on the job.

That said, even with TJ and, hopefully, Chad gone, the most glaring need remains the O-Line but I think it can be gerrymandered without resorting to our first pick. Apparently, Stacy Andrew’s recovery seems solid and I think he’d actually benefit from a move to guard, opposite Bobbie Williams. If we put Whitworth and Collins at right and left tackles, respectively, a stud center in round two ought to solidify the line and backups could be picked up along the way.

It’s also possible a trade for TJ might be worked in which we receive a center- to Minnesota for Birk, maybe. The important thing, for both TJ and Chad is that we get something for them instead of just letting them walk- okay, Chad can’t walk but you get my point. Much as I’d like to have Maclin- or as a pipedream, Crabtree, defense it is.

Typically, if you look through each draft in the first round, the Bengals would often have a reason for drafting who they did that was more than “best available”. They definitely go after needs, and this team desperately needs an offense that performs better than 32nd.

2003 – Obvious. They needed a quarterback. Carson Palmer available.
2004 – Negotiation leverage against Rudi Johnson, and “future” (laughable, I know)
2005 – Need DE/OLB, mostly a pass rusher
2006-7 – Bengals lack CB depth with guys like Tory James and Deltha O’Neal leaving
2008 – Desperate need for LBs after disastrous injury plagued group and no real foundation pieces

I would be shocked if they went defense having already suffered through an offense that ranked 32nd. Just my two cents.