:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6884376/20120511_ajw_sv4_090.jpg)
One of the vague "organizational changes" that Bengals fans can point to in the swinging of the power pendulum over the past couple of years is that of draft philosophy. Since 2009, the team has made a point of not only players with productive college careers, but those from winning programs and/or competitive conferences. This year's draft class was arguably their most complete in franchise history and head coach Marvin Lewis was proud of the haul at Friday's first minicamp practice.
In speaking with the media that gathered at practice today, Marvin Lewis (via Geoff Hobson) took note of one particular aspect of this year's draft class.
@GeoffHobsonCin
Geoff HobsonLewis says can tell #bengals drafted well coached players
49 minutes ago via txt · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto
It's not a surprising statement when your first two picks of the draft came from teams that played in major bowl games last season, in Dre Kirkpatrick and Kevin Zeitler. There's also George Iloka from Chris Petersen's vaunted Boise State program, and Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers who add to a group of potential pro-ready players. It's been speculated that there is anywhere from three to five 2012 starters out of this class.
This year's group of newcomers has yet to perform on the field to live up to expectations, but the head coach is apparently pleased. With this change in draft philosophy, the team has been able to bring in players that are ready to step in and contribute from day one and it looks as if 2012 will bring some of the same successes.