2009 NFL Draft... AKA... How did YOUR team do???

OK, let's just get to it...This is what MY team was up to this weekend...




Round 1, Pick 6 (6) Andre Smith OT 6'4" 332 Alabama



DISCLAIMER...I didn't write any of the "Pick Analysis"...just the comments in the brackets. The credit goes to the NFL site:

Pick Analysis:Marvin Lewis has stated that he wants to get back to running the football, and Smith gives the Bengals a dominating offensive tackle to run behind. Though he had a series of mishaps in the run up to the draft { uh oh...another potential jailbird??? No, for some reason, he just left the combine early. At least I HOPE that is all it was! OUCH! }, there is no denying that Smith is one of the best tackle prospects in the draft.

{PAUSE MY PLAYLIST OVER ON THE RIGHT FIRST}



Round 2, Pick 6 (38) Rey Maualuga ILB 6'2" 249 Southern Cal


Pick Analysis:After surprisingly dropping out of the first round, Maualuga lands with the Bengals at No. 38. The high-motor playmaker from USC gives Marvin Lewis a heavy hitter at middle linebacker. With last year's top pick (Keith Rivers) coming back from an injury, the Bengals have a pair of young and athletic linebackers to anchor the middle of the defense. {Our version of Troy Polamalu. LOL Hope he is a fraction as good! I just found out he injured his hamstring at this year's combine. WHAT?? Surely nothing serious...}



Round 3, Pick 6 (70) Michael Johnson DE 6'7" 266 Georgia Tech



Pick Analysis:The Bengals pick up an edge rusher with first-round talent with their selection of Johnson. A tall, rangy athlete with explosive quickness, Johnson has the ability to run down quarterbacks from the backside. Though he doesn't play with great effort at all times, he has the potential to be an impact player as a situational pass rusher.



Round 3, Pick 34 (98) (Compensatory selection) Chase Coffman TE 6'6" 244 Missouri




Pick Analysis:A foot injury prevented him from probably being drafted higher. He's an excellent receiving tight end, but he'll have to learn how to block. He has outstanding hands and will be one of those move-type tight ends. His father was an All-Pro tight end with the Packers. His coach at Missouri said Coffman is the one guy who will go to the NFL and be good right away. {one can only hope...}



Round 4, Pick 6 (106) Jonathan Luigs C 6'4" 301 Arkansas




Pick Analysis:Cincy needed a center and looked at all of them. The Bengals staff coached at the Senior Bowl and saw Luigs quite a bit. He was a four-year starter and the center of the year in 2007. Some people feel he tailed off. The question is, how is he going to handle the power nose tackles? He may have to hit the weights a bit to handle the Ravens and Steelers defenses.



Round 5, Pick 6 (142) Kevin Huber P 6'1" 220 Cincinnati




Pick Analysis:The first punter off the board is an outstanding weapon as a directional punter. Huber has the ability to flip the field with his booming punts, and he will emerge as a viable weapon in the kicking game. {EXCELLENT!}

Round 6, Pick 6 (179) Morgan Trent CB 6'1" 193 Michigan




Pick Analysis:Trent had a lot of starts in college and he runs pretty well. He's fast in workouts but does not play to his timed speed. He's not a good tackler. There have been questions about his backpedal and he struggles in route recognition, but his athleticism gives him a chance. {We shall see...}



Round 6, Pick 36 (209) (Compensatory selection) Bernard Scott RB 5'10" 200 Abilene Christian




Pick Analysis:Scott is an ideal third-down back. He's the type of player you want to get out in space isolated on a linebacker after catching the ball. The Bengals can use him as a potential replacement for Kenny Watson. Many red flags, including his age (25), being kicked off two teams (one in high school, one in college) and several run-ins with police. {Oh boy...should fit right in!!! And he went to Abilene Christian???}

{Do you think he is worth the risk?}



Round 7, Pick 6 (215) Fui Vakapuna RB 5'11" 244 BYU



Pick Analysis:Vakapuna is a big, strong running back. He does not have as much quickness or change-of-direction skill, but he's a situational running back that can be productive at the goal line. The Bengals locked in on Vakapuna at the BYU Pro Day and then followed through with the pick.

Round 7, Pick 40 (249) (Compensatory selection) Clinton McDonald DE 6'2" 289 Memphis




Pick Analysis:McDonald shot up draft boards and into draft consideration after an outstanding workout at Memphis' pro day. His athleticism gives Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer something to work with.



Round 7, Pick 43 (252) (Compensatory selection) Freddie Brown WR 6'4" 215 Utah




Pick Analysis:Brown lacks experience but has some upside going into Cincinnati with the unstable wide receiver situation there. He is a tall possession receiver who's not afraid to go over the middle. He can go up and get it, but he doesn't have top-flight speed. He really broke out and became the go-to guy in his senior season.




I realize there are a lot more nuances to all these newbies, but for now, WELCOME TO CINCINNATI, GUYS! Wear your stripes proudly and show us what you got!!!

So Derek and Greg...how did the Colts and Bears fare in the draft this year?

***heads off to read all about the draft on the Bengals forums where THOSE guys really understand what happened this weekend and how it will affect us next year***