Note, if you're pissed off about the draft, then I understand. I put a more positive spin on the post-draft wrap-up that I think, and believe, can help this team. If you want to prove differently, go for it.

If you were to ask me "how the Bengals did in this draft" with only one word, I'll go with "solid". Nothing here blows your mind. Nothing will really pump you up like a Carson Palmer pick, or the string of productive cornerbacks the past two seasons. If you were to let me use two words, I'd use "long run" -- drafting a bunch of guys that will likely not make an impression this year, but could be contributors in 2009 and beyond. Perhaps the word should be, contributors. Or role players.

Cris Carter. I love Cris Carter. I grew up watching him in Minnesota. I enjoyed him on HBO's Inside the NFL. And I thought he did a tremendous job on ESPN's Draft Show. Oh, and he said that the Bengals had the best draft.

Keith Rivers. The Bengals selected their man at linebacker for a long time and Lewis wasn't afraid to call Rivers an All-Pro for many seasons. The role of "foundation development" was supposed to take place during the 2005 NFL Draft with Odell Thurman and David Pollack. Three years later, Pollack is retired and Thurman is just now returning after a two-year suspension. Guys like Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson are gone. Rivers offers the team quality leadership, sustaining defensive stability and (I hate this phrase) high character.

Linebackers shaping up. Rivers was the guy Marvin Lewis and company targeted if defensive tackle mega-god Sedrick Ellis was picked. As it happens, the Saints swapped their first round pick with the Patriots and offered their third for Ellis. While we begged for mega-god defensive tackle, I believe the Bengals acquired additional intangibles with Rivers.

At this point, the Bengals first eight linebackers could look like this.

1. Keith Rivers
2. Ahmad Brooks
3. Dhani Jones
4. Rashad Jeanty
5. Odell Thurman
6. Corey Mays
7. Eric Henderson
8. Darryl Blackstock

Of course, 6-8, you could probably mix and match players like Angelo Craig, Roy Manning, Jim Maxwell or Anthony Schlegel. Even so, that list is far more encouraging than how it appeared last season. We have a good pool of linebackers to pick from during training camp. Don't you agree?

No Chad Trade... but acting like Chad is gone anyway. If the Bengals were to make a trade for Chad Johnson, it would have been on Saturday, if at all. It didn't happen. The Bengals did a good job stocking the position with two quality receivers that will likely compete for a spot anywhere between #2 and #5. We're assuming that Chad is a man of his word and never plays for the Bengals again. While it might seem that the position will be weak in 2008 with youth, the Bengals quietly created a youth movement with Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell to go along with Glenn Holt and Marcus Maxwell and Louisville wide receiver, Mario Urrutia. With T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals still have Antonio Chatman and Doug Gabriel for experience. And as long as Chad and T.J. get the bulk of the practice and playing time, we won't see how good these kids are. Perhaps it's about that time. Let's not lie to ourselves. We are, after all, entering a rebuilding season.

Also, you have to consider that T.J. Houshmandzadeh is entering the final year under contract.

What we missed. I thought for sure the Bengals would address defensive end. Now the Angelo Craig pick could mean that the Bengals will use him as an end (doubtful though). Or it could mean that the team is giving Frostee Rucker a shot and think that Jonathan Fanene can handle that role. If that were the case, the Bengals would have a decent four player rotation at end if Rucker shows up and Fanene sustains production. Not mind blowing, but serviceable with Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom as guys with productive sack seasons.

Setting up a future of new tackles -- but trouble could be brewing. The Bengals could be in serious trouble with their offensive linemen this time next year. Willie Anderson is simply getting older and we can't imagine he'll be able to work through many more seasons. Levi Jones has expressed an interest -- though far less demanding than Chad -- for a trade. Stacy Andrews is locked up for one season. And after playing with a franchise contract, we can't imagine he'll come cheap. Though how many tackles are?

I liked the Anthony Collins pick up. Most reports say he's not ready and will likely be the team's newest project like Andrews -- with great results, I might add. If that's the case, and it takes a good two years to develop the tackle from Kansas, then Collins could easily slid into right tackle once Anderson retires.

As for the left tackle, we can only guess that Levi Jones will settle disputes with his coaches and get back on board. Otherwise, Jones could find himself playing with the Bengals for the final season while the Bengals feverishly knock out a long-term deal with Andrews. Otherwise, look for the team to address offensive line in next year's draft -- it was a need this year, it could be a must next.

Circumstances prevented the Bengals from stock-piling talented tackles. Too many tackles were taken too quickly in this draft -- seven in the first round. And it wouldn't have made sense to that this year. Anything can happen from this point until next year where Jones is back on board and Andrews signs a long-term deal. So the Bengals did the right thing and pick up a guy with big upswing that will need to be mentored for some time.

The Bengals would be wise using patience with the offensive line until more questions are answered. So stock other positions.

Defensive tackles. I'm not going to lie. I can't envision Pat Sims bringing that much more than Domata Peko. Some of you might be fine with that, but I've never thought highly of Peko as an every down defensive tackle. Cincinnati also took a huge risk in Fresno State defensive tackle Jason Shirley coming into the draft with character concerns.

I do think that the Bengals filled a talent gap at defensive tackle at a whole -- but didn't cover the ground I would have liked. Once Ellis went early, the Bengals had to go with Rivers at linebacker. After that, they lost their opportunity with Kentwan Balmer. Many will, and perhaps should, cry out that the Bengals went after a small school receiver while Trevor Laws -- the fourth defensive tackle drafted -- went one spot later. Though one could argue that there will be minimal gaines between Laws and Sims so waiting until the third round might have been the right move. In the end, we just won't know for several seasons.

A potential sleeper tight end? The Bengals were scouting Fred Davis and Dustin Keller in detail assuming that the team would go after a tight end. While none of us thought that the team would pick one early, we knew they'd hit the position eventually. Matt Sherry brings more dynamics with the team than just a simple third tight end. Consider for a moment that Reggie Kelly would likely play more H-Back than before -- where his talents are best utilized. With Ben Utecht and Sherry lining up in double tight end sets, it gives the Bengals a good look with fast pass-catching tight ends. For example, the team could line up big with two tight ends and pass the ball rather than run like the defense might expect -- we are, after all, a team of trends.

Why I liked the Corey Lynch pick up. With Lynch the Bengals solidify a special teams unit that's incredibly frustrating. He's an in-your-face tackler that can lead a group of talented special teams players for us. He won't win games on defense. He won't scored touchdowns on defense. But he'll be the guy that makes sure the other team doesn't do well on special teams. Admit it, we need that!

Conclusion. From the comments, I can tell many of you are upset with the draft. I still think this team did well stocking positions, addressing their biggest needs early and immensely improved their special teams.

They didn't impress with improving talent on the defensive line, but once the first two rounds had gone by, it wasn't going to be a significant talent increase anyway.

Anyway, that's my opinion. What's yours.

Go here for the Day 2 Open Thread. Talk about the Shirley pick here.

It was expected that the Bengals go after two defensive tackles, at least, in this draft. Manly to help restock the position after age and ineffectiveness resulted in a poor run defense up the middle and lack of pocket pressure on passing down. Shirley was projected as a late draft pick, if not an undrafted free agent.

There is a character flag with this guy.

Fresno police say Fresno State football star Jason Shirley drove a car into the Sunridge Townhome complex on the 4,800-block of Bonadelle Avenue in Northeast Fresno Monday night.

Shirley is facing two misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and hit-and-run. Police say his BAC levels were 0.11 and 0.12; officers performed two separate tests for accuracy.

More on Shirley's arrest. He was actually suspended two games from Fresno State for "actions detrimental to the team". He returned, played three games, then plowed through an apartment building with a blood-alcohol level of 0.12. He fled the scene. One can argue that Shirley's senior season contradicts whatever firm stance against bringing character problems into the team.

Scouts, Inc. ranks him pretty poorly.

Strengths: Massive prospect with an exceptional combination of height and bulk. Displays outstanding quickness and mobility for his size but only when he's fresh. Flashes some power at the point of attack and can use powerful bull rush to collapse the pocket. Flashes an effective swim move and shows good closing burst once he gets through the line of scrimmage. Has rare upside if he's dedicated to improving his conditioning and technique. Has shown a knack for blocking kicks throughout his career at Fresno State and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Is a raw prospect with below average technique. Conditioning and stamina are poor. He wears down too quickly and winds up taking too many plays off when tired. He will look sluggish coming out of his stance and he loses most of his power when he fails to play with leverage. He has a history of cramping up and not finishing games. Suffered an injury midway through 2005 that limited him during the second half of that season, sustained a concussion in 2007 and durability is a concern. Suspended two games for conduct detrimental to the team in late August, suspended from school in October following an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, reinstated in mid November but dismissed from team after getting cited for suspicion of driving with a suspended license and expired registration and appeared in only three games during senior season so character is clearly a concern.

Overall: Shirley arrived at Fresno State in 2003 and redshirted the year. In his first three seasons (2004-'06), he appeared in 32 games (13 starts) and recorded 50 tackles (11 for losses) and four sacks. In 2005, he missed two games (and was limited in others) by an injury. In 2007, he played three games and had seven tackles (three for losses), 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Shirley lost most of his senior season to a leg injury; a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules; and, ultimately, a dismissal from the team in November, after his arrest for suspicion of DUI. Shirley is a massive nose tackle prospect with impressive mobility for his size but while he flashes spectacular upside, he is still extremely raw and inconsistent. In addition, there are now legitimate concerns that he could become a locker room distraction. As a result, Shirley projects as a late round pick or rookie free agent.

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