Bengals Banter: Which Bengals Player Would You Start A New Franchise With?

by Josh Kirkendall on May 25, 2010 9:52 AM EDT in Analysis

If you could pick one player on the Cincinnati Bengals roster that you'd build a team around, which player would it be? Carson Palmer seems the most logical choice. However, is age a factor? Should we weigh that Palmer is only as good as the talent around him, as opposed to being the type of quarterback that makes players around him better? Not that there's anything wrong with that; only a few players in NFL history have that quality. Would you take an offensive lineman? What about one of the team's running backs, or wide receivers? Defensively, who do you have? Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga, Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph?

Question of the Day: If you could take one player to build your franchise from the Cincinnati Bengals, which player would that be?

+ Pat Kirwin calls the Bengals a Tier 2 Team. He breaks it down like this: "Teams in Tier 1 (1-6) look like locks to make the playoffs. Tier 2 (7-12) consists of teams that should make the playoffs. Teams that could be in contention for a playoff spot are in Tier 3 (13-18)."

+ OTAs resume this week. The Bengals will hit the field twice this week on Tuesday and Thursday with today's session open to reporters.

+ Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson takes a look at the team's secondary heading into OTAs.

+ Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe is impressed by "watching more than 20 of his teammates show up last Saturday for his community event."

“The culture of this team is a lot different than it was when I first got here way back when,” Ndukwe says. “When you’ve got guys that actually come out and support their teammates that shows you something. And it was guys from all across the board. Offensive linemen. Tight ends. Everybody.”

+ The NFL was denied antitrust law protection Monday when the Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling, saying:

"Although NFL teams have common interests such as promoting the NFL brand, they are still separate, profit-maximizing entities, and their interests in licensing team trademarks are not necessarily aligned," said retiring Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for an unanimous court.

It's arguable, depending on whom you talk to, that this could impact Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

+ The Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5 Monday Night and are now only one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the National League. Yes, you totally read that right, dude!

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What I'm excited about

The ruling could also negate directTV exclusivity deals.

RIP Slim.

by brandone on May 25, 2010 10:02 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Not likely. There is already specific antitrust exemption for negotiating TV contracts in all sports leagues.

Which annoys me too, because I can’t get DTV due to trees in the way. But there is hope that in the near future it will be (legally, and thus reliably and in high quality) available via the internet as well. I’m looking forward to that.

by FriarBob on May 25, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

That's possible

But say I’m mike brown and I want more money. Since the NFL is 32 separate teams, why can’t I license my games to cable?

RIP Slim.

by brandone on May 25, 2010 6:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Awesome Question

That I have no clue who I would pick. I would like to see it be a defensive player, but I think it would have to start at QB.

by TCfromDubVee on May 25, 2010 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

tough question.

Kind of like Fantasy Keeper Leagues.

I could not see myself keeping Carson for 2011. It might prove to be a mistake but I’d probably say….

Jerome Simpson

by UpStateMike on May 25, 2010 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

WHAT???????

I hope that is a joke.

by Andy Johnson on May 25, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

nope

Since this is pre-pre-preseason, I’m going to go with my gut that Simpson will be the surprise of the WRs. Written off by many that don’t know Lewis’s master plan, Simpson will be the #4 reciever to start, then work up by mid season to a more substancial role.

Prove me wrong!

by UpStateMike on May 25, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

That's what i'm saying...

but i’m an idiot too.

by WHYUS!! on May 25, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

franchise player

tough call… i need to think out loud. for me, the guy would have to be young with a tremendous upside. rey rey, peko, and andre come to mind. andre probably can’t play LT so that docks him major points. rey rey has shown me a lot, but until he shows me what he can do a MIKE i can’t say it would be him. peko is an intriguing choice because he was the biggest difference-maker we had on defense and is a great ‘lead-by-example’ guy.

my choice is Domata Peko.

"Now onto more important things: Punching Errorlando Cabrerror in the fucking tits." -Geki

by GrooveLeg on May 25, 2010 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

Nice Choice

I really like Peko as well. I am torn between Peko & Rey, but I am leaning towards Peko. There was just as noticeable difference with rushing defense when he got injured as Chris Henry was injured and the passing game.

Not sure about the Jerome Simpson comment above. I could never put the hopes of my franchise on the shoulders of an unproven player. That would probably result in a team similar to the Raiders.

by hachigo! on May 25, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I would have to go with...

Johnathan Joseph. He has the skills, experience, athleticism and youth to make for a great cornerstone for any defense. While QB is an extremely important position, I think Carson might be a little to old to start a franchise around.

by SnapCount80 on May 25, 2010 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

I'm in agreement, but

I’d prefer Leon Hall. A year younger, no injury history, better lock-down guy up front. You could go either way, and it’s a blessing to have both. However, if I have to take just one, I’ll go with Hall.

BTW I realize this argument has been all over CJ this offseason. My point is that I agree with SnapCount: A great, young corner is a good place to get started.

by Pardon_My_French on May 25, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

One of the CB’s. Take your pick which you would prefer. Either would be just fine with me. Carson would still be in the discussion simply because it is so hard to find a QB in this league that can win. Also with the quick turnaround that NFL franchises can make his age isn’t that big of a deal, IMO. Within 2 years with the proper drafts you could easily be a playoff team, 3 at the maximum.

by C1ncy4Life on May 25, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I would keep one of the corners too... Joseph

While Leon Hall is “technically brilliant” (Hobson) and has no flaws as of late, he doesn’t have the speed or athletic ability of Joseph (who made that ridiculous over-the-top-of-the-receiver pick like he was Brandon Marshall playing corner). Peko, then Palmer would be my next 2. But Really….. Chad would have to stay in Cincy, he iz the Bengals

MwWsA

by raclark11986 on May 25, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Carson without a doubt.

True, he might not have that many years left in him, but he’s still a solid QB at worst and one of the league’s elite at best. No player on the field, on offense or defense, has the kind of impact that the quarterback has…not only in the level of play but in regards to leadership and the overall direction of the franchise.
If you were to start a brand new team, why wouldn’t you want the kind of veteran cornerstone that Carson would be? That’s exactly what he would be – a cornerstone to build upon. Not necessarily the QB of the future but you would need that solid foundation and the possibility would certainly exist to find a young developmental QB in this hypothetical team’s infancy.

Also, props to Pat Kirwin. That’s one of the more coherent preseason “ranking” articles I’ve seen. Lists are meaningless, the tiers and explanations he put together actually make sense. I agree with the Bengals being a second tier team.

by Jaegner on May 25, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions