Are the Bengals still looking at defensive tackle B.J. Raji?

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2009 5:52 PM EDT in NFL Draft

For several weeks, if not months, the Bengals were often slotted by mock draft experts and general football analysts, to be looking defense. At first, it was a pass rushing defensive end. Any pass rushing defensive end. Just a defensive end that can rush the passer. Then, after reportedly reading our assessment that, while we surely need a pass rush, drafting a defensive end in the first round would go against the Mike Brown rule of thumb of not overpaying one position that's not called quarterback.

So, the shift went towards Boston College's B.J. Raji. He's a beast. Clearly the best defensive tackle in the draft. Blah, blah, blah. And to be honest, at the time, being a fan of the Bengals, developing our defense with quality talent for a defensive team that's always struggled since defensive guru Marvin Lewis took the helm, was kind of exciting. Then we realized some things. Domata Peko is the starter and that won't change. Pat Sims showed some some ability. And that Carson Palmer broke a nose and had his arm all tangled up against the Giants that eventually ended his season because he lacked protection.

Reports surfaced, were later refuted and proven false, that Raji failed a drug test. Then the Bengals signed Tank Johnson. If there was ever a time in which the Bengals aren't likely to draft Raji, it's right now. Right?

Yet, Peter King writes:

I think it's going to come down to tackle Andre Smith and defensive tackle B.J. Raji for Cincinnati at No. 6.

Really. I didn't change anything there. Just good ol' fashion copy and paste. So I looked at the date in which his piece was published. Yep, today. Raji seems like a quality talent, and if the Bengals didn't sign Tank then maybe I'm more receptive. Still.

Then the always insightful RotoWorld writes:

Both players have character concerns, so it's fitting that the Bengals would be wavering between the two. Offensive tackle is obviously a more pressing need, so Smith could have the edge here.

So, while the first sentence has absolutely no relevance -- seems like it was written by a drunk hermaphrodite with a keyboard (apologizes for offending any hermaphrodites -- the latter sentence is our position as well.

What do you guys think? ~~Are you cool with hermaphrodites?~~

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Comments

Smoke for trade bate imo.

by ToledoRocket on Apr 20, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

I just spelled bait wrong.

by ToledoRocket on Apr 20, 2009 6:00 PM EDT reply actions

…

by TheWalrus1971 on Apr 21, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

no we dont need him please….. one word…. tank!!! Why sign tank if u gonna draft a dt that high? dont make a bit of sense, but it is the bangals

by cinbengal_85@yahoo.com on Apr 20, 2009 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

i’m cool with hermaphrodites, I mean without them you wouldn’t have many beautiful flowers (because many flowers are hermaphrodites and not that hermaphrodites plant flowers around the world)

by Sheffieldbengal on Apr 20, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions

Was Raji

Part of NFLDraftBible’s major “these players tested positive for pot, only, they didn’t” smear campaign?

by IFChris on Apr 20, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

Not expecting it...

…but Tank only signed a 1-year league minimum deal. And when you sign a 1-year minimum deal with Cincy, thats a pretty good sign that no one (and I’m including CFL and IFL teams in that no one) wants you! No guarantee he even makes the final cut.

Orien Harris, a guy I liked coming out of school, showed me nothing last season.

Jason “Don’t Call Me” Shirley may or may not ever amount to anything.

So basically, we have Peko, Sims and three guys who have never been in my kitchen. Like I said, not expecting it but it wouldn’t floor me either.

by BeerRun on Apr 20, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

"Tank only signed a 1-year league minimum deal"

“+1” <— that’s what the hip internet posters write when they approve of a comment. So I just +1’ed you.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny...

…I used +1 at our old hangout a while back…nobody got it. Just not hip I guess…

by BeerRun on Apr 20, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d rather gamble on a player who has been in the system a year like Shirley and Harris and Tank who excelled in chicago’s 4-3 than a player with many flags, such as missing a year, in a spot we have plenty of young healthy bodies. If we are talking OT, then all steam ahead, we have more question marks than a states worth of SAT papers. But DT least we know we have starters and back-ups in place.

by Sheffieldbengal on Apr 20, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

thank you my man we got bigger holes than DT, if my memory is correct our defensive out-performed the offense last year BY-FAR!!!!! How About we get a guy that can keep Palmer from getting slaughtered or a big time weapon for him.

by cinbengal_85@yahoo.com on Apr 20, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

sure y not

lets get another guy that cant stay on the field because of off the field bs

by cinbengal_85@yahoo.com on Apr 20, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Pete King's draft philosophy

It’s whichever Raji or Smith that define clutch and eat the most kit kats that we’ll draft.

by Squizza on Apr 20, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

Not Kit-Kats

Kit Kats are frustrating to open with big meaty fingers. I don’t think Raji eats them unless someone else opens them and leaves them on a platter. I see him eating more butterfingers and snickers.

Oh, and we seriously need to get an OT before we get another DT. And we best get Unger cause we need an O line that can actually achieve forward progress.

by UpStateMike on Apr 21, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense!

That is what we still need. I believe the coaches and staff can find good offensive linemen in the later rounds. Why spend all that money on a left tackle when half of the experts say he may really only make it as a right tackle…this is assuming Monroe and Jason Smith are gone. I think they are the only two that are can’t miss prospects.

by Sloppygolf on Apr 21, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

Offensive line

is a major weal point of this football team. If memory serves, we were 1 of the bottom 2 or 3 offensive teams in the league last year. We need a good strong offensive tackle in the 1st round. I know about all the bad stuff said about Andre Smith, but I would still take him. We could also try drafting a center in the 2nd if Eric Wood is there or a later round and maybe a guard too but the focus should be on the entire O-line first and foremost. I think we should also move Ghiachuc back to the bench where he belongs. 2009 Bengals O-line : LT Levi Jones, LG Andrew Whitworth, C Eric Wood, RG Bobbie Willams, RT Andre Smith

by Blazer Fan From Ohio on Apr 21, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions