All the Young Dudes: Cincinnati Bengals Plug Holes with Deep Draft, Free Agents

No player on the roster will affect the Cincinnati Bengals this season more than rookie offensive tackle Andre Smith.

Only two other NFL teams allowed more sacks last year than the Bengals. The limited success the offense did have was due in large part to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s ability to pick up yards on the ground when the pocket broke down.

The run blocking showed signs of life, but mostly against terrible run defenses such as Cleveland and Kansas City. However, running back Cedric Benson did hang a c-note on Jacksonville, the 13th ranked rush defense in the NFL.

Despite the occasional bright spot, the offensive line as a unit struggled to move the line of scrimmage and as a result, the Bengals only managed 12.8 points per game.

Smith will be key to turning the O line around.

Evaluating the draft

Smith arrives with some baggage. He left the scouting combines early and was suspended for Alabama’s 2009 Sugar Bowl appearance for “improper contact with an agent,” according to the USA Today.

His skill set caused whispers of a possible first overall selection, but questions about his character allowed the Bengals to grab him with the sixth overall selection. Signing Smith and getting him up to speed ASAP should top the list of things to do this summer for the Bengals brass.

The Bengals grabbed first-round talent with their second-round pick by snagging former USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. Keeping with the Bengals’ tradition, Maualuga also comes with some off-the-field issues involving alcohol and fighting, according to NFL.com.

He plays with a lot of passion and should mesh well with another former Trojan linebacker in Cincinnati—Keith Rivers.

Cincinnati also got great draft day value from former Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson. The 6-foot-7 Johnson possesses great quickness and looks to help improve a virtually non-existent pass rush that ranked 30th in the NFL in sacks in 2008.

Chase Coffman from Missouri has phenomenal receiving skills for a tight end and could contribute immediately if he can block in the NFL.

Other notable picks included Jonathan Luigs—a four-year starter for Arkansas at center, Freddie Brown—a possession receiver not afraid to go over the middle and Kevin Huber—a directional punter from the University of Cincinnati.

The Bengals addressed their key concerns on draft day and providing everyone gets signed and in camp, should field an entertaining 2009 rookie class.

Free agents

It has been an offseason of some fairly big name signings: wide receiver Laveranues Coles, defensive tackle Tank Johnson and former pro-bowl safety Roy Williams.

Coles has big play potential, but can not possibly be seen as a replacement for T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Johnson may help plug the middle, but Bengal fans who expect him to be the player he was in Chicago rather than the player he was in Dallas, will likely be very disappointed.

Williams should bring leadership to the locker room, but only played three games for the Cowboys last season due to a forearm fracture.

Still plugging holes

The Bengals added two more young offensive linemen to an already inexperienced unit. Smith and Luigs will have steep learning curves with Pittsburgh and Baltimore scheduled twice a year.

Tank Johnson provides depth on the defensive front and Michael Johnson has potential as a pass-rushing playmaker, but no signing to date will provide the improvement this defense needs to be a top-tier NFL unit.

The Bengals added talented players at most of the positions where they will be weakest. The performance of the offensive line will dictate just how far this team goes in 2009.

Generally, inexperienced blockers make it tough to move the ball and if Carson Palmer gets constantly knocked around again this year, J.T. O’Sullivan will be given the keys to the franchise.

And, THAT is why Andre Smith will be the key to this team in 2009.