Cincinnati Bengals Post-Draft Thoughts: Where Should the Bengals Go from Here?

It's the time of year when rosters would normally be filling out and teams would begin gearing up for their rookie minicamps and spring workouts. However, as we all know, NFL labor negotiations and the subsequent lockout are putting all of that on hold.

So for now the Bengals franchise is virtually frozen, but that does not mean it is too early to begin looking at what needs to be done to help this team be successful going forward. I will be discussing a few things I believe the Bengals need to do/have ready when the lockout is lifted. Let's begin!

The Bengals Will Need to Secure High-Priority Free Agents

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Johnathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals breaks up a pass intended for Sammie Stroughter #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Assuming that once the lockout is lifted we will be playing by generally the same rules as in the past, the Bengals will have to quickly figure out what they are going to do with their two stars that will become free agents.

Corner Johnathan Joseph will become a restricted free agent and will not be expected to leave. Joseph has stated he would like to stay in Cincinnati and play next to his extremely talented counterpart, Leon Hall, for a little while longer.

However, the issue with Joseph is that he is not the only big-name free agent in the Bengals organization. The Bengals have mentioned numerous times that running back Cedric Benson will be one of their top priorities, if not the top priority. With the Bengals not addressing the running back spot until the final round of this year's draft, they will need Benson back.

The issue is how you can get both back and make them both happy about being back. While both have stated they want to come back, it just might be unrealistic that the price would be right for them to both be in stripes come the fall. Securing these guys should be at the top of the Bengals' offseason to-do list.

Hold a Good Old-Fasioned Preseason QB Competition

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs throws a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

With Carson Palmer's retirement papers all but signed, the Bengals will need to move on and find themselves another franchise quarterback.

They got off to a good start by selecting Andy Dalton out of TCU, who they fell in love with during the draft process. The move ushers in a new era in Bengals football, but that era may not be starting in 2011.

I am all for rookies starting, but Dalton may have a hard time transitioning into the NFL as a rookie simply because he doesn't even have a playbook yet and can't work with coaches until the lockout is lifted.

Competition breeds excellence, and I believe the Bengals need to hold off on announcing who will be their guy come the first week of September. I believe the Bengals should pursue a veteran like Marc Bulger or Matt Hasselbeck so that he can stir up the QB situation. Announce a real quarterback competition between the veteran free agent, Dan LeFevour, Andy Dalton and Jordan Palmer, and may the best man have the job.

Develop the Offense Around the Extremely Talented Young Guys

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Jermaine Gresham #84 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

The words underutilized or misused seemed to be synonymous with Bob Bratkowski. But times are different now, and this offense is now under the direction of the young Jay Gruden. He has mentioned that he runs a West Coast offense, which seems to be much more in line with the talent the Bengals have on their roster.

Gruden has also mentioned that he will develop the offense around the skills of the guys he has instead of the opposite way around, like Bratkowski was known to do. You can't just force players into a mold of an offense and hope it works, and it's time the Bengals start using the talent they have to their full potential.

Last year I said that drafting the tight end Jermaine Gresham should be the pick and that it would open up our offense tremendously, but we saw only glimpses of what he could do in 2010 thanks to the Bengals misusing him. Now that Gruden is in control, Jermaine should used be a lot like Antonio Gates is in San Diego. He will open up the field and create holes for slot receiver Jordan Shipley to run into.

Using the lightning-quick Bernard Scott in more of a receiving running back position will also help create plays, whether it be through dump-offs, bubble screens or simple routes for him to get into space.

With Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens rumored to be booted from the squad, fourth overall pick A.J. Green and 2008 second-round pick Jerome Simpson will be asked to step up. Jerome has struggled when forced to be the team's No. 1 receiver, but with a new offense, better supporting wide receivers and tight ends and better utilization, he just might flourish in the coming years.

2011 and Beyond

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 25: A member of the Cincinnati Bengals cheerleading team performs for the fans during the game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2004 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated

I would have loved to put "Fire Mike Brown" on the list, but clearly that just isn't happening. So unless the NFL decides to step in and run the team a la the Dodgers, we will have to be stuck hoping these other things happen to save the Cincinnati Bengals.