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?