2011 NFL Draft Results: Bengals Make Statement with Draft Pick A.J. Green

With the third pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select A.J. Green, wide receiver, Georgia.

Beyond selecting a solid receiver, Cincinnati has made a statement about the future of their team. Most notably, Green's presence on the field reiterates the Bengals' stance with Carson Palmer. Having demanded a trade and insisted he would never play for the Bengals again, Palmer finds the ball back in his court with Green's selection.

Bengals owner Mike Brown has called Palmer's bluff to retire if he's not traded by deliberately ignoring Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert on the board.  Additionally, Brown has delivered a potent weapon for his offense—one which could tempt Palmer to reconsider his ultimatum.

This pick says something about Cincinnati's receivers, too. With Green coupled with last year's third round bargain Jordan Shipley, the Bengals have emphatically said that it is time to get younger in their receiver corps. Gone is the aging Terrell Owens, and Chad Ochocinco could soon join him on the unemployment line.

Cincinnati could still go for a quarterback at the top of the second round, particularly as multiple teams needing a signal caller have passed in favor of other positions. Eight picks into the draft, and only Cam Newton and draft shocker Jake Locker have been selected. Players like Christian Ponder or Andy Dalton could feasibly find themselves the recipient of a phone call from the Bengals tomorrow evening, or perhaps even later tonight if Cincinnati decides to jump back into the first round.

Of course, by tomorrow night the NFL might have plans in place to allow teams to trade roster players, and Palmer might not get the chance to reconsider.