Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole writes that "only three first-round picks from the 2005 NFL draft have signed contract extensions with their initial franchise so far." The 2005 NFL Draft, James Walker writes, that "the top of this draft class was probably the worst of this decade. The best players turned out to be linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman and neither went in the top 10." Some of the names in that first round include Alex Smith, Adam Jones, Troy Williamson, Mike Williams.

Of course we know the story about the 2005 NFL Draft from the Bengals perspective. Several players were a big part of the Bengals 2005 playoff run. Odell Thurman was one of the finalists for rookie of the year. David Pollack and Chris Henry figured to be a big part of the team's future. Tab Perry started out as a decent return man and that was the year Jonathan Fanene was drafted in the seventh round. Pollack's career ended in 2006 and Thurman hasn't played a snap since his rookie campaign. Henry's story is well known. Adam Kieft was injured all of the time and never played and Eric Ghiaciuc was, well, Eric Ghiaciuc. Tab Perry was hurt in the same game that Pollack was injured and never returned to form. Of all the players drafted in 2005, only Fanene received a contract extension (note: Henry was cut and then re-signed to a minimum two-year deal).

When 2005 was winding down, I thought to myself that this could be the defining draft in the Marvin Lewis era. Two great linebackers. A talented wide receiver that caused fits against third-string cornerbacks and safeties. Instead, as it seems to happen in Cincinnati, what can go wrong, does go wrong.

As we transition ourselves out of the NFL Draft, waving goodbye to the annual obsessionists revealed convention, I asked Dan of Mocking the Draft to swing by to give us a few impressions of Cincinnati's draft. I was interested in the individual players. Such as moving Rey Maualuga to outside linebacker, or learning about Michael Johnson among other things. Like Daze and Confused, this is the part of the movie where we pan out with Tuesday's Gone playing in the background.

The Bengals were in position to take several players that fell to them, stealing them if you will, based on early projections. Who do you think was the best value pick by the Bengals?

Dan: "For me, it's getting Rey Maualuga. Coffman was a great value, but tight ends overall were dropping. Maualuga has his issues -- how well he can work in space, minor character concerns -- but he's a great player and can give the Bengals an identity defensively."

Who was the most questionable pick based on talent and on-field performances?

Dan: "It's hard to pinpoint on a Bengals pick in the first five rounds that was a bad choice. They really, really cleaned up. I also love the Fui Vakapuna pick in the seventh round. He's very fast for a fullback. But to answer the question, I guess I'd have to say Morgan Trent. He never did anything at Michigan that made him look like a potential pro."

As it stands, linebacker Rey Maualuga will begin his Cincinnati career behind Dhani Jones on the depth chart. However, based on what you're seen and scouted, could Maualuga make the transition to strong-side outside linebacker?

Dan: "Absolutely. He didn't have to rush the passer all that much at Southern California but shows the straight-line playing speed to do so. He's also really good at shedding blockers and can get upfield quickly."

What can you tell us about Memphis defensive tackle Clinton McDonald?

Dan: "Not a whole lot. I didn't see a lot of Memphis last season. I do know McDonald is a gap-shooting defensive tackle. He's not a big fattie who takes up blockers. He's the kind of guy who will get after the passer. He had seven sacks last year, which is pretty impressive for an interior lineman. He seems like a situational, nickel-down tackle."

Georgia Tech Defensive End Michael Johnson was rated as high as a mid-first round selection in some mock drafts. What about Johnson should we expect and will he be classified as a quarterback-rushing specialist?

Dan: "For now, I'd say he'll start his career as a pass-rush specialist. It's all about getting Johnson motivated to play hard every game. He had a lot of very good games in 2008 but just as many bad ones. There's just so much to work with in a player like Johnson. He's big, strong and athletic. In the hands of Marvin Lewis, that could be dangerous.

But that kind of leads me to the biggest problem with Cincinnati's draft. Can Lewis manage to motivate Johnson, Andre Smith, Chase Coffman and Maualuga every game? Johnson and Smith had questionable effort coming into the draft. Coffman has to be motivated to block better. Maualuga has to be made more disciplined.

So like I said during one the open threads at Mocking the Draft, this is the draft that will absolutely make or break Marvin Lewis. I think they should have maybe taken a better wide receiver than Freddie Brown, but that's a minor quibble."

Rather than personally grading everything with arbitrary unweighted letters about our team, I figure it was now time to point out the grades, or reactions, on how the Bengals did in the eyes of more mainstream national guys. Yea, I know you don't care. But there has to be some fascination on people's perceptions of us. Right? Anyway, if I reacted to everything, then, well, I'd have to take off from work for the next week. After providing the first one, I'm going to force you to work by moving finger over left mouse button and firmly, yet gently, pressing down on "Continue Reading this post".

Mel Kiper:

The Bengals had a lot of picks and they did a good job getting good quality with their quantity. Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson are great ways to start a draft for any team. These guys could fill big holes for the Bengals. The fourth-round selection of offensive lineman Jonathan Luigs was a little high, but it wasn't crazy. The late-round picks weren't anything to write home about, but they did a good job of getting strength in numbers and getting some depth for their team.

Continue reading this post »

While some want to dissect the Andre Smith pick -- as well as the other Bengal draftees -- by and large, Bengal fans couldn't be happier with their sixth overall selection.  Oh, and the high grades Cincinnati is receiving for their entire draft don't hurt either. 

Over at Darren Rovell's blog, the CNBC Sports Biz blogger has an interview with Smith's agent, who openly acknowledged the issues his client faced going into the Draft.  During the brief talk, Rick Smith indicated the bigger Smith would thrive in a structured environment, which makes one wonder why the Bengals drafted him...

OK, that was a low blow, but even I couldn't resist jumping on the "Bengals with Character Issues" bandwagon.  Smith -- the agent, not the player -- reveals it was Andre's successful weigh-in that salavaged him being a top-10 pick:

Darren: What did it for Cincinnati? Because we didn’t see anything that would have made it obvious.

Smith: It was really the surprise weigh-in that happened on Thursday. The Bengals put him on the scale and he came in at 337 pounds. (Smith weighed as high as 380 pounds, at one point.)

Darren: It was being said that his conduct at the Combine could have put him to the bottom of the first round. There’s a lot of misinformation. Was this information accurate?

Smith: It was absolutely accurate. He was definitely in jeopardy of losing a lot of money. Last year’s 28^th pick overall was guaranteed $6,060,000 and got a max of $11.2 million. Last year’s No. 6 pick got a guaranteed $21 million and a maximum of $50 million. That would have been a lot of money to leave on the table.

It's rare when you can read about an agent giving such an honest appraisal of their client's potential issues. I'm just glad Agent Smith addressed them head-on, instead of talking for the sake of listening to himself talk, much like Ocho Cinco's representation.

Decompression can take many forms. It can range from psychology, to medical, to aviation, to diving and data. The process is related to releasing pressure, decoding, and even relaxing; like a vacation after hectic events that requires an unwinding of sorts. Merriam Webster defines decompress as "to undergo release from pressure."

Bengals fans aren't so much releasing from pressure, as they are unwinding. I've always learned that it's best to sit back after an NFL draft, while letting it absorb for a time and then react. Maybe the next day. After all, instantly reacting could make us all look stupid when that draft pick pans out. Or appear a bit whinny.

The front office and the team's coaching staff is in a different scenario, indicative in which differing scenarios unfold. Some are suggesting that this draft is Marvin Lewis' best, while others are saying that this could be a big bust draft, based on the flags given to some players. Conjecture. An NFL Draft's best friend. Either way, if I were to grade it on the Monday after, it was a good draft that addressed several needs. That's the point. That's why we have these things. Plug these guys in and the Bengals depth improves, along with several players that could compete for starting jobs.

With that said, here are five questions after the draft.

What to do about left tackle?

The irony in the fact that the Cincinnati Bengals drafted an offensive tackle is that it's not likely for the left tackle slot. Many experts believe that Smith would an average left tackle, but an elite right tackle. Locally, we're hearing the next Willie Anderson. The issue of left tackle, as of now, is still largely unresolved. However, it's far from dire. Anthony Collins had an impressive stretch-run at the end of the 2008 season and we do have options.

If Collins isn't up to task, and there's no reason to believe he isn't, the Bengals could slide Andrew Whitworth out. However, there's two concerns here.

• Speed rushers tend to give Whitworth fits.
• What do you do about left guard?

An interesting scenario is allowing Dan Santucci and Nate Livings to compete at left guard, while Jonathan Luigs (more below) and Kyle Cook compete at center. In the end, the best case scenario is that Whitworth sticks at left guard and Collins takes over as the team's future left tackle. Of course, there's always the Levi Jones factor. If he's healthy and able, the Bengals starting lineup and depth is that much better and more options unfold.

The point here is that the Bengals offensive line is in much better shape, even with the unknown at left tackle.

Will Jonathan Luigs start immediately?

The obvious conclusion is that the Bengals fourth-round selection, center Jonathan Luigs, will be in the starting lineup by kickoff weekend. However, it's more likely that the Bengals coaching staff will dictate that based on OTAs and training camp. A more realistic scenario could be that Paul Alexander and Marvin Lewis allow Dan Santucci and Kyle Cook to compete for the starting job while allowing Luigs to develop. Scouting reports suggest that he was work to do with his technique and needs to bulk up. Luigs is a 2007 Rimington Trophy winner (awarded to the nation's best center in Division 1A), so you know he has the talent and ability. Now it's a matter of development.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said that won't be a problem. "Jonathan will play a long time on the next level," Petrino said. "He is flexible enough to stay healthy. He is very, very smart. He will know what to do and will immediately pick up the offense. He has the physical tools to do it."

Did the Bengals go after too many flagged players?

You know me. I don't much care for overblown character analysis by football experts who have a sudden PhD in psychology. This site has held the firm position that Andre Smith's character isn't bad, nor is it a cause for concern. However, we also admit that there's an immaturity level with Smith that tends to come with young men reaching adulthood. Sure, the added riches could be a concern. But isn't that a concern for the majority of players? Immaturity is something that can fade away once given the realization of responsibility -- who hasn't experienced that (my own sudden PhD in psychology is better, by the way). Could that affect the team? Sure. But it's no reason for alarm and with the right mentorship and guidance, this will be a non-issue as quickly as it was an issue during the Combine. Put Rey Maualuga in the same category.

However there is one that deserves to be flagged. When the Bengals drafted Abeline Christian running back Bernard Scott, I quickly looked him up. And within the first result of my complicated Google Search, a New York Times article stood out.

He did not play his senior season after being involved in an off-field fight. He has been arrested at least five times and is finishing 18 months of probation for giving false information to a police officer during a traffic stop. He is attending his fourth college since 2003.

This is a running story of redemption for Scott, and a high risk by the Bengals. Running backs coach Jim Anderson is sticking his neck out for the guy.

"To be honest, he’s had a little bit of a troubled past, but that was when he was a young guy. That’s behind him. He’s been a really good football player wherever he’s been," Anderson said. "He has dominated the competition where ever he has been in football. That has been a part of him, and football is a part of him. He’s a Texas kid. He’s just a really good football player, and a good person. I had a chance to visit with him at the combine, and (spoke to him) numerous times on the phone. I feel comfortable with him. He’s going to come in here and do the things that we need him to do to be the very best football player that he can be and help us win."

Scott knows what's in front of him and admits that he has learned from his past. "Instead of reacting, now I know I have to think. I need to stay out of bad places and not let things get to me. I feel like now I can sense when something bad is going on, and I stay away from those places."

There is no doubting his talent, and because of his troubled past, Scott was overlooked and passed by every other team in the league. However, this guy was a man among boys in Division II. In 2008, he recorded 100 yards rushing or more in all 12 games. In three games, he recorded over 250 yards rushing and 200 yards rushing in four. On November 22, Scott recorded six touchdowns against West Texas A&M and 292 yards rushing on 19 carries -- a 15.4 yard-per-rush average. He finished the season with 2,156 yards rushing on 256 attempts (8.4 yards-per-rush) and 28 touchdowns. Then there's his hands: 47 receptions, 826 yards receiving and six touchdowns receiving. During the first of two meetings against West Texas A&M, Scott recorded 409 yards total on 33 touches and three touchdowns. We suspect that West Texas A&M struggled against Scott. As a result, Scott won the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in Division II. In 2007, Scott set Division II records for touchdown (39), rushing touchdowns (35) and points scored (234).

This guy put up gaudy numbers in Division Two football and you conclude that if off-the-field conduct issues didn't plague him so much, that he'd be a very good Division 1A running back.

Some are also suggesting that this is such a risky draft by the Bengals that it could ultimately seal Lewis' fate if it comes back to haunt them. Is Bernard Scott apart of that reason? Quite simply put, no. Drafting Scott is a definite public relations hit, and it will take another if Scott runs into the law and the law wins. Quite honestly, when has the team or fans cared about public relations. Scott was the final sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and if worse comes to worse, the Bengals cut him and take no hit against the cap, nor watch their depth suffer. Scott is icing on the cake, sprinkles in the pudding and if he comes through, based on his play, this could be a Houshmandzadeh-type steal.

How does Chase Coffman fit in?

I thought that the Bengals made their first surprise pick with tight end Chase Coffman with their fourth overall pick (98th). Let me be clear, we're not saying it's a bad pick or that Coffman wouldn't be great benefit. In fact, Coffman could be a tremendous weapon for Carson Palmer. However, with Reggie Kelly, Ben Utecht and Matt Sherry, where would Coffman fit in? We don't suspect the team will release Kelly simply because of the respect level players and coaches have for him. Utecht is argued to be one half of the team's 2008 free agency busts (Antwan Odom the other). Matt Sherry was injured early in 2008 and never got a shot to showcase whatever talents he has.

Either way, no matter the scenario, I believe that Kelly is safe. Sherry's injury could be more serious than we thought and Utecht could quickly be listed as the team's third tight end by kickoff weekend. The larger question in Coffman's case could become how does he transform from a spread offense to a pro-style offense.

Did the Bengals draft a punter too high in the draft?

There has been some outrage about the Bengals selecting Kevin Huber in the fifth round. The point is simple. The Bengals needed a punter, wanted Huber and no one else, and would have lost him by the time their sixth round selection came around. Punting was a definite need coming into the NFL Draft, and based on what we saw in 2008, punting was so much of a detriment that it was impossible to hope that the Bengals defense gut it out after already having an offense with embarrassing time of possession numbers.

Since 2003, the Bengals haven't necessarily scored with their fifth round picks.

Those are our fifth round selections during the Marvin Lewis era. So using our fifth round pick on a punter that's very likely to stick around for awhile, as opposed to using it on players that would likely struggle to make the team, and certainly wouldn't start, isn't such a terrible thing.

The Enquirer's Joe Reedy writes that the Bengals have begun making their rounds with undrafted free agents. The most notable is Texas WR Quan Cosby. Not only was pimped hardcore by ESPN, but Cosby caught the winning touchdown to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl. Great. If you can't beat them, make sure you sign them after they go undrafted. In that game, Cosby caught 14 passes for 171 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

Here's your Cincinnati Bengals, 2009 Draft Class.

With the 252nd and final pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select WR Freddie Brown, Utah. The Bengals promised at least one wide receiver in the draft, and here he is. Freddie.

From the CSTV Utes Page

UTAH: Developed into one of the best receivers in the MWC his senior year, earning second-team all-MWC honors ... led the Utes in catches (77) and receiving yards (900) his senior season ... had a dominating performance in his final game, snaring 12 catches for a career-high 125 yards.

2008-Second-team All-MWC ... started in all 13 games ... led Utah with 77 catches for 900 yards ... 77 catches is second all-time in a season at Utah, while 900 yards ranks eighth ... led Utes with seven TD receptions ... fourth in the MWC in receptions per game (5.92) and sixth in receiving yards per game (69.2) ... second on the team in all-purpose yards (900) ... three 100-yard games: 105 vs. TCU, 110 vs. San Diego State and 125 vs. Alabama ... averaged 109 yards in the last four games, missing out on four-straight 100-yard games by just three yards (had 97 yards against BYU) ... career highs for catches (12) and yards (125) in Ute win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl ... made three critical catches during Utah's 80-yard, game-winning drive vs. TCU, including the go-ahead touchdown reception with 48 seconds left ... 11 receptions, 110 yards and two touchdowns against San Diego State.

2007-Played in 12 games ... 20 receptions for 219 yards ... best game was against Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, when he had three catches for 41 yards.

2006-Played in all 13 games, with two starts... 17 receptions for 196 yards ... season highs for yardage (63) and receptions (4) against Air Force ... also had a season-long reception of 42 yards at Air Force ... made Utah's Athletics Academic Honor Roll.

2005-Played in four games, making two catches for 43 yards ... academic all-MWC.