Doomsday Eve: What an NFL Lockout Will Mean for the Cincinnati Bengals

Yes, it's finally come. The day the sky falls on the NFL if a deal is not struck by midnight tonight. Tomorrow we will most likely wake up to a world without the NFL, as players will no longer be able to communicate with coaches, work out, study playbooks and film, go to their respective stadiums for treatment, have trades approved and worst yet, no games or practice until a new deal has been signed.

For NFL fans, today is a nightmare and the worst-case scenario is less than 24 hours away. The CBA has long reaching affects and I will explain how these might affect the Cincinnati Bengals going forward.

5. Cincinnati Will Be Stuck with the Squad It Has

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball while defended by Drayton Florence #29 of the Buffalo Bills during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bills won 49-3

Let's face it—this team needs a ton of work and if the current CBA expires, putting a lockout into effect, the Bengals will be unable to bring in any free agents or sign players to their team. This will only allow for them to be able to build via the draft and in no other way. With so many needs and questions about who is coming back to the team in 2011 and who isn't, the Bengals need a free agency to fill some of their gaps, but all indications are they will be unable to do so.

Players such as Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Gresham and Carlos Dunlap will all be taking on much heavier roles coming off their terrific rookie seasons and players like Rey Maualuga and Jerome Simpson will be playing positions they are unaccustomed to. The team is young and in need of direction. It's too bad that they may be on their own for quite a while.

4. Cincinnati Will Be Unable To Trade Players Away

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

As previously mentioned the Bengals will be unable to sign anybody due to the CBA expiring, which also prevents them from shipping away some of the players that they had hoped to unload in the offseason. With the deadline looming no one will likely be able to pull off any trades so therefore, until a new deal is signed, everyone is staying put—that includes two players expected to be leaving the Queen City in Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer.

They could still trade these players once a new CBA is signed, but it hurts them in the way that if they cannot trade them before the April draft they will be stuck with the picks they have and will have to settle for either a player-for-player trade or future draft picks. With such a talented draft class this year at some needed positions Cincinnati would love to pick up a few extra picks for these players who are asking to leave, but they will be unable to do so.

3. Young Team Needs Grooming

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Jerome Simpson #89 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Phot

This is an extremely young team and if Palmer is no longer in the fold then the entire team is going to need a new identity. This is something that you cannot underestimate and the Bengals have a lot of work to do. They cannot afford to lose any time on field or in the film room with these young guys.

2. New Scheme in Cincy

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

With the firing of Bob Bratkowski brings in a new wind of change throughout the team. Many players have expressed interest in new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden's schemes (which have been said to be based on a ground-orientated attack, utilizing players' talents) he has shared so far. Players are anxious to get the new offense under their belts and will need to have it memorized if they plan on having any success in 2011.

However, Jay Gruden has been hard at work to finish the playbook before the deadline, but it is too late anyway as the coaches are now barred from giving players such access. This is a huge blow to all teams, but even more so to teams such as the Bengals, who are in flux with a new system being implemented. Which actually brings us to my last point...

1. Who Will Quarterback the Team in 2011?

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their game against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by R

If the current CBA expires, it will be at the worst possible time for the Bengals, which I am sure doesn't come as a surprise to the Bengals faithful who are used to such luck. With Carson's recent statements about how he will never set foot in Paul Brown Stadium again, the Bengals must take his trade demands seriously and start looking for his successor. However, they will be barred from trading him until a new deal is signed so the Bengals will then have to answer two questions.

1. Is the future QB on the roster, and if not
2. Where do we go to find him?

The Bengals will look to Jordan Palmer and Dan LeFevour to see if they have their future starter. However, little Palmer has not shown much promise and Dan LeFevour hasn't really gotten any true field time other than practice so it would be hard for the Bengals to make a justified decision there.

With players such as Vince Young and other free agents being off the table due to CBA rules, the Bengals would be forced to address the need early in the draft. With no true No. 1 QB in the draft it may be safer to wait until the second round to pick up a player like Jake Locker or Christian Ponder. However, they do have the fourth overall pick so a surprise pick of Blaine Gabbert or the man with limitless raw potential in Cam Newton could be the choice if they really feel the push for the future is imminent.