10 things that need to be done this offseason

but
1. Jerome Simpson is a known bust. Sorry, but two years is enough time for a guy to get on the field. He couldn’t do it.
2. They suck on screens and passes to Tight Ends because both safeties suck eggs.
3. Carson Palmer is what he is. He suddenly isn’t going to get better. He’s simply not an elite QB. Today proved it.
4. Mike Brown will let Zimmer walk if he gets offered more money. That anyone would doubt this shows they don’t pay attention the 19 sucky non-playoff-winning years.
5. Dan Coats is in a Bengals uniform because the general manager thinks the way you replace two missing tight ends, when you know about this from week one of training camp, is to convert a scrub defensive lineman to tight end (an idea dismissed with rolling eyes by the coaching staff on national TV)

The Bengals will probably suck in 2010 because Mike Brown is still in charge.

At the risk of being predictable, we need to hire a GM. Several of TennBengalfan’s original list of 10 points would be influenced to the better if a professional football exec. were at the helm, rather than the owner trying to wear multiple hats.

As a side note, Tenn, Whitworth spent his entire college career at LT; he only broke into the NFL as a guard because Levi Jones held the LT spot at the time. If Whit moves inside next year, it had better be because both of the following happen: (1) Andre Smith is ready to dominate at LT; and (2) someone steps up to lock down the RT spot.

Who are free agents going into the off season? I don’t consider our kicker one of them.

WR, TE, FS in that order in free agency and the draft. I believe we need a big receiver even more than a vertical threat. On third down not one of our wideouts are consistent in making tough plays in the middle of the field. Caldwell started out strong but faded badly after the Raiders game. One problem is with drafting a WR is that many take at least a yr to develop so I would look at cutting Coles, letting Cosby and Caldwell to continue to develop and sign a guy like Steve Breaston or Kevin Walter and then draft a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round. I also think a 2 way tight end would help a great deal as well but if Coffman can be healthy I wouldn’t be opposed to having him and Foschi be the 1-2 punch at tight end.

Defensively, we have alot of solid players but not a ton of difference makers other than Hall, Joseph and maybe Peko. A dominate safety that can play the ball would be a welcomed addition (Nduwke and Crocker are pretty solid but neither are game changers and with our corners if we could get that game breaking safety it would be fantastic). Another guy who can play the nickel CB position would be nice as well but that could be a 3rd/4th round type of pick.

Saying all of that, other than QB (I am a pro Palmer guy and I will admit he has struggled but he ain’t goin anywhere) RB, and probably LB I say you take the best player available in the first round. Hopefully that WR who has played in a pro style offense that can step right in and at least be the 3’rd WR will be there!