Bengals: Top Ten Worst, Top Ten Picks -- #5
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Our continuation of the series looking at the Bengals 10 worst draft picks when drafting from a top 10 position:
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
John Copeland was a 6-3, 285 pound defensive end coming off a senior season in which he was named an All-American. He was joined on the All-America team by fellow Alabama defensive end Eric Curry, who would be drafted one spot after Copeland. Joining Copeland and Curry on the 1992 Alabama football team were fellow NFL players, Antonio Langham, David Palmer, Sherman Williams, and George Teague. Needless to say, the Crimson Tide defense dominated on their way to winning the 1992 national title. Many times in the draft there are multiple college players from the same team viewed as top level draft picks, but one of the players does not pan out. In college, the lesser player shines out in the open as opposing teams focus on the more talented teamate. Playing next to a star gives the player more freedom and gives a bigger spotlight to their success. Reinard Wilson with Peter boulware, Ryan Sims with Julius Peppers, Greg Spires with Andre Wadsworth, are a few quick examples. In this case, the appearance of 6 NFL players on one defense allowed the defensive line to shine, while none would go on to stand out in the NFL.
John Copeland went on to play 9 seasons with the Bengals and log a total of 24 sacks. That puts him one spot behind 4 year Bengal Dan Wilkinson, and 19.5 sacks behind 7 year Bengal Justin Smith. 24 sacks has a dubious dinstinction in the Bengals record books as that is the resting place for 2 draft busts, Copeland and Reinard Wilson mentioned above. Copeland had 3 sacks or less for 7 of his 9 seasons as a Bengal.
More costly for the Bengals always are the missed opportunities. Drafted three spots behind Copeland was perenial All-Pro and future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Willie Roaf. Also, drafted in the second round after the Bengals passed on him for the second time was Michael Strahan, who has 141.5 sacks in a still active career. In the second round, the Bengals selected Tony McGee, again missing the star player by 3 spots. Every team has their hits and misses in the draft, but the 90s were a long string of misses for the hapless Bengals personnel staff.
Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.
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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
John Copeland was a 6-3, 285 pound defensive end coming off a senior season in which he was named an All-American. He was joined on the All-America team by fellow Alabama defensive end Eric Curry, who would be drafted one spot after Copeland. Joining Copeland and Curry on the 1992 Alabama football team were fellow NFL players, Antonio Langham, David Palmer, Sherman Williams, and George Teague. Needless to say, the Crimson Tide defense dominated on their way to winning the 1992 national title. Many times in the draft there are multiple college players from the same team viewed as top level draft picks, but one of the players does not pan out. In college, the lesser player shines out in the open as opposing teams focus on the more talented teamate. Playing next to a star gives the player more freedom and gives a bigger spotlight to their success. Reinard Wilson with Peter boulware, Ryan Sims with Julius Peppers, Greg Spires with Andre Wadsworth, are a few quick examples. In this case, the appearance of 6 NFL players on one defense allowed the defensive line to shine, while none would go on to stand out in the NFL.
John Copeland went on to play 9 seasons with the Bengals and log a total of 24 sacks. That puts him one spot behind 4 year Bengal Dan Wilkinson, and 19.5 sacks behind 7 year Bengal Justin Smith. 24 sacks has a dubious dinstinction in the Bengals record books as that is the resting place for 2 draft busts, Copeland and Reinard Wilson mentioned above. Copeland had 3 sacks or less for 7 of his 9 seasons as a Bengal.
More costly for the Bengals always are the missed opportunities. Drafted three spots behind Copeland was perenial All-Pro and future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Willie Roaf. Also, drafted in the second round after the Bengals passed on him for the second time was Michael Strahan, who has 141.5 sacks in a still active career. In the second round, the Bengals selected Tony McGee, again missing the star player by 3 spots. Every team has their hits and misses in the draft, but the 90s were a long string of misses for the hapless Bengals personnel staff.
Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.
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Bengals: Top Ten Worst, Top Ten Picks -- #6
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Our continuation of the series looking at the Bengals 10 worst draft picks when drafting from a top 10 position:
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
P-Dub may have been a bust, but he is responsible for one of the best days of my life. I am referring to November 16th, 2003, the day the 4-5 Bengals met the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs. The news going into the game was Chad Johnson’s guarantee of victory, and how that might motivate the Chiefs. However, once the game got going, Peter Warrick provided the difference. That day P-Dub had 6 catches for 114 yards and 4 punt returns for 84 yards. The two monumental plays he delivered that day came 6 minutes apart in the fourth quarter. First, with the Bengals leading 10-6, Warrick took a punt 68 yards for a TD to put the Bengals up 17-6. The Chiefs responded easily with a 92 yard drive to make the score 17-12. Sensing another Bengals 4th quarter collapse, the crowd became restless as the Bengals received the kickoff from the Chiefs. However, on the first play from scrimmage, Jon Kitna uncorked the 3rd longest pass of his career to P-Dub who promptly spun out of a tackle and raced for the 78 yard TD. The Bengals led 24-12 with 6 minutes left and the Jungle roared. They were able to hold on for a 24-19 victory and the streets turned into the first day of spring break all over again. Easily one of the best days of my life, and if you are reading this crappy Bengals blog in the middle of the offseason, you probably remember what I am talking about.
In all, Peter Warrick played 4 full seasons with the Bengals with 2003 being his best season, 79 catches, 819 yards, and 7 TDs. In 2004, Warrick played in one game and was cut following the season. He played a minor role with the Seahawks in 2005 and recently signed to play for Team Florida in the All American Football League, a long fall for a top pick receiver.
In college, Warrick was a 2 time All-American, but he was on a star studded team that blew through the weaker ACC competition. His final game was against the weak defense of Virginia Tech in the National Championship game, Tech being led by Michael Vick. Warrick put on a show with 160 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns, including a 59-yard punt return to gain MVP honors. Like Reggie Bush, Warrick dominated college competition with speed and athleticism, but in the NFL, all 11 players on every defense are better than the college competition. In the NFL, Warrick did not have the speed to dominate, and did not have the other tools to make him a dominant player. As is the case with most draft busts, many players drafted around him turn out to be stars. Instead of embarrassing the Bengals that way, let's just take a look at the entire 2000 Bengal draft class:
1 Peter Warrick WR Florida State
2 Mark Roman CB Louisiana State
3 Ron Dugans WR Florida State
4 Curtis Keaton RB James Madison
5 Robert Bean CB Mississippi State
6 Neil Rackers K Illinois
7 Brad St. Louis TE Missouri State
When the Kicker drafted in the 6th round is your best pick, that is a terrible draft. And to top it off, Rackers did not even find his rhythm until he left the Bengals. At least Brad St. Louis is still a Bengal. Name one NFL team in the last 20 years that actually drafted a long snapper.......Didn't think so.
Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.
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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
P-Dub may have been a bust, but he is responsible for one of the best days of my life. I am referring to November 16th, 2003, the day the 4-5 Bengals met the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs. The news going into the game was Chad Johnson’s guarantee of victory, and how that might motivate the Chiefs. However, once the game got going, Peter Warrick provided the difference. That day P-Dub had 6 catches for 114 yards and 4 punt returns for 84 yards. The two monumental plays he delivered that day came 6 minutes apart in the fourth quarter. First, with the Bengals leading 10-6, Warrick took a punt 68 yards for a TD to put the Bengals up 17-6. The Chiefs responded easily with a 92 yard drive to make the score 17-12. Sensing another Bengals 4th quarter collapse, the crowd became restless as the Bengals received the kickoff from the Chiefs. However, on the first play from scrimmage, Jon Kitna uncorked the 3rd longest pass of his career to P-Dub who promptly spun out of a tackle and raced for the 78 yard TD. The Bengals led 24-12 with 6 minutes left and the Jungle roared. They were able to hold on for a 24-19 victory and the streets turned into the first day of spring break all over again. Easily one of the best days of my life, and if you are reading this crappy Bengals blog in the middle of the offseason, you probably remember what I am talking about.
In all, Peter Warrick played 4 full seasons with the Bengals with 2003 being his best season, 79 catches, 819 yards, and 7 TDs. In 2004, Warrick played in one game and was cut following the season. He played a minor role with the Seahawks in 2005 and recently signed to play for Team Florida in the All American Football League, a long fall for a top pick receiver.
In college, Warrick was a 2 time All-American, but he was on a star studded team that blew through the weaker ACC competition. His final game was against the weak defense of Virginia Tech in the National Championship game, Tech being led by Michael Vick. Warrick put on a show with 160 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns, including a 59-yard punt return to gain MVP honors. Like Reggie Bush, Warrick dominated college competition with speed and athleticism, but in the NFL, all 11 players on every defense are better than the college competition. In the NFL, Warrick did not have the speed to dominate, and did not have the other tools to make him a dominant player. As is the case with most draft busts, many players drafted around him turn out to be stars. Instead of embarrassing the Bengals that way, let's just take a look at the entire 2000 Bengal draft class:
1 Peter Warrick WR Florida State
2 Mark Roman CB Louisiana State
3 Ron Dugans WR Florida State
4 Curtis Keaton RB James Madison
5 Robert Bean CB Mississippi State
6 Neil Rackers K Illinois
7 Brad St. Louis TE Missouri State
When the Kicker drafted in the 6th round is your best pick, that is a terrible draft. And to top it off, Rackers did not even find his rhythm until he left the Bengals. At least Brad St. Louis is still a Bengal. Name one NFL team in the last 20 years that actually drafted a long snapper.......Didn't think so.
Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.
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Bengals: Top Ten Worst, Top Ten Picks -- #7
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Our continuation of the series looking at the Bengals 10 worst draft picks when drafting from a top 10 position:
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
Ricky Hunley….You mean Coach Rick Hunley? Yes, recently fired Bengals Coach Rick Hunley was the 7th overall pick in the 1984 draft. He had an exceptional career at Arizona being named a two-time consensus All-American in 1982 and 1983. In 1983, Hunley was also named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, and was eventually inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. But he never signed with the Bengals. Hunley’s agent and Paul Brown locked horns when Hunley’s agent in 1984 reportedly sought, “as much as $500,000 a year in a package that would include an expensive car, insurance policies and real estate as well as cash. The proposal also reportedly included a demand for a specific type of tile to be used for a hot tub in Hunley's house.” When contract negotiations stalled into September of his rookie season, the team traded his rights to Denver for a first, a third, and a fifth round draft choice.
Hunley went on to have a nondescript 7 seasons in the NFL. He started two of his four seasons in Denver and was lucky enough to be with the team and start Super Bowls XXI and XXII. Following Super Bowl XXII, Hunley was traded to the Cardinals for a backup center. He spent one season with the Cardinals after which he was cut during another contract holdout leading up to the following season. He then spent 2 seasons with the Raiders and that was that. Had Hunley stayed with the Bengals, he probably would have been considered a major bust. With the three draft picks acquired for Hunley, the Bengals saved face, even though the Broncos were good and the picks received by the Bengals were the 25th in the round. It’s better to have 3 low priced role players instead of one high priced role player.
In 2002, Hunley returned to the Bengals with Marvin Lewis and spent 5 seasons as the team's LB coach. Shortly after the 2007 season, Hunley was fired by Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown.
After 23 years, Ricky Hunley, proving it is never too late to be a Bengals first round draft bust.
Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.
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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
Ricky Hunley….You mean Coach Rick Hunley? Yes, recently fired Bengals Coach Rick Hunley was the 7th overall pick in the 1984 draft. He had an exceptional career at Arizona being named a two-time consensus All-American in 1982 and 1983. In 1983, Hunley was also named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, and was eventually inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. But he never signed with the Bengals. Hunley’s agent and Paul Brown locked horns when Hunley’s agent in 1984 reportedly sought, “as much as $500,000 a year in a package that would include an expensive car, insurance policies and real estate as well as cash. The proposal also reportedly included a demand for a specific type of tile to be used for a hot tub in Hunley's house.” When contract negotiations stalled into September of his rookie season, the team traded his rights to Denver for a first, a third, and a fifth round draft choice.
Hunley went on to have a nondescript 7 seasons in the NFL. He started two of his four seasons in Denver and was lucky enough to be with the team and start Super Bowls XXI and XXII. Following Super Bowl XXII, Hunley was traded to the Cardinals for a backup center. He spent one season with the Cardinals after which he was cut during another contract holdout leading up to the following season. He then spent 2 seasons with the Raiders and that was that. Had Hunley stayed with the Bengals, he probably would have been considered a major bust. With the three draft picks acquired for Hunley, the Bengals saved face, even though the Broncos were good and the picks received by the Bengals were the 25th in the round. It’s better to have 3 low priced role players instead of one high priced role player.
In 2002, Hunley returned to the Bengals with Marvin Lewis and spent 5 seasons as the team's LB coach. Shortly after the 2007 season, Hunley was fired by Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown.
After 23 years, Ricky Hunley, proving it is never too late to be a Bengals first round draft bust.
Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.
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