Our continuation of the series looking at the Bengals 10 worst draft picks when drafting from a top 10 position:

Before we finish our countdown of Bengal failures, let us put this countdown into proper perspective. The Bengals have had 22 top 10 picks in their 40 year history, so these are the worst 10 of those 22. To get an idea of this failure, we look to division rival Pittsburgh for draft analysis. In the past 40 years, the Steelers have had a total of 7 top 10 picks. Of those 7 picks, 5 have made at least one Pro Bowl, including Hall of Famers Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, and Rod Woodson. Kind of makes you sick to your stomach.

10. Greg Cook, QB, University of Cincinnati, 5th Overall Pick in 1969
9. Justin Smith, DE, University of Missouri, 4th Overall Pick in 2001
8. Dan Wilkinson, DT, The Ohio State University, 1st Overall Pick 1994
7. Ricky Hunley, LB, University of Arizona, 7th Overall Pick in 1984
6. Peter Warrick, WR, Florida State University, 4th Overall Pick in 2000
5. John Copeland, DE, University of Alabama, 5th Overall Pick in 1993
4. David Klingler, QB, University of Houston, 6th Overall Pick in 1992
3. Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn State University, 1st Overall Pick in 1995
2. Akili Smith, QB, University of Oregon, 3rd Overall Pick in 1999

1. Jack Thompson, QB, Washington State University, 3rd Overall Pick in 1979

In another head scratching QB draft pick, the Bengals picked Jack Thompson, the "Throwin' Samoan," with the 3rd pick in the 1979 draft. At the time, the Bengals had just finished a disastrous 1978 season in which they started 1-12 and QB Ken Anderson missed four games due to injury. Anderson had his worst season as a pro, so perhaps the Bengals thought he had lost his touch. However, Anderson was only 29 years old at the time and 1978 was his 7th season as the starter. In those 7 seasons, Anderson led the Bengals to two playoff appearances, made 2 Pro Bowls, led the NFL in passing yards twice, led the NFL in passer rating twice, and was top in passing TDs 4 times. Like Boomer Esiason with the David Klingler pick, one would think that Anderson’s resume was good enough to hold the starting job, especially following an injury plagued year. Also like Boomer, Anderson is more accomplished than Carson Palmer at the same age, should we expect the Bengals to draft a QB soon? I surely hope not. In the 4 seasons following the Thompson pick, Ken Anderson would lead the Bengals to two more playoff appearances, a Super Bowl, be named NFL MVP, All Pro, and to two more Pro Bowls. Needless to say, Thompson did not overtake Anderson as the starter.
Jack Thompson had an unbelievable career at Washington State University, and ended as the career NCAA passing yardage leader. However, as we have seen many times, NCAA passing yard stats do not equal NFL success. Gimmick offenses, league playing styles, and many other factors can lead to gaudy stats but not be a marker of future success. Most of the best QBs in NFL history did not have record breaking statistics in college, but they were able to lead their team and control the game. Thompson spent only 4 seasons with the Bengals failing to unseat Ken Anderson as the starter. And when Thompson did play, he completed just 47% of his passes for 2,072 yards, 13 TDs and 19 INTs in 32 game appearances and 5 starts. He was eventually dealt to Tampa Bay where he would start his first 13 games, throw 21 INTs, and be benched for Steve DeBerg. Thompson was out of the NFL the following year.
That is not where the story ends though, now we get into whether the Bengals are cursed, or just not smart. The Bengals already had a starting QB, so they could have picked a different position. The pick following Thompson was Hall of Fame, 1980s All Decade Team, and 6 time All-Pro defensive tackle Dan Hampton of the Chicago Bears. Also in the top 10 that year was 2 time Pro-Bowl, Super Bowl MVP running back Ottis Anderson. He would have teamed up very well with QB Ken Anderson. But the ultimate insult is the other missed picks at QB that year. Taken 5 picks after Thompson was All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms who would have made a nice transition after Anderson left. And now, drum roll please……………taken 79 picks after the legendary Jack Thompson was……….Joe Montana. Montana is only widely regarded as the best QB ever, won 4 Super Bowls, 3 time Super Bowl MVP, 2 time NFL MVP, Hall of Fame, has a playoff record of 16-7, career playoff passer rating of 96.2, and overall just dominated the Bengals. Of course, he did all of this playing for Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Walsh. Bill Walsh was Ken Anderson’s QB coach with the Bengals, and when he was passed over for the Bengals head coaching job, he left and eventually landed with the 49ers. STUPID BENGALS!!!! STUPID!!!!


Well, that's it. Check back for 2008 Draft analysis