Remembering the Disaster that was the 2009 NFL Draft
By Jason Marcum
As great as the Bengals did in the 2012 NFL Draft, the opposite could be said for what they did in the 2009 NFL Draft. Coming off of a 4-11-1 season and the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals were in desperate need of an injection of life. That wasn’t about to come from the draft, as the Bengals were still in the “talent-over-character” philosophy of drafting, selecting Alabama OT Andre Smith and USC MLB Rey Maualuga with their first two picks, two of the draft’s most talented yet troubled players.
CBS Sports revisited the 2009 draft and brought back memories of a draft Bengals fans would soon love to forget:
"CINCINNATI BENGALS (10 Draft Picks)1 (6) OT Andre Smith, Alabama; 2 (38) LB Rey Maualuga, Southern Cal; 3 (70) DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech; 3 (98) TE Chase Coffman, Missouri; 4 (106) C Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas; 5 (142) P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati; 6 (179) CB Morgan Trent, Michigan; 6 (209) RB Bernard Scott, Abilene Christian; 7 (215) RB Fui Vakapuna, BYU; 7 (249) DE Clinton McDonald, MemphisTHE GOOD: Although he hasn’t been a consistent starter, defensive end Michael Johnson has provided quality depth off the edge, recording 10.5 sacks the last three seasons, and could become a regular starter in 2012THE BAD: After selecting him in the third round, tight end Chase Coffman was inactive for almost all of his rookie season and moved to the practice squad in 2010 – now with Tampa Bay, he has only three career catches in the NFLJURY STILL OUT: Despite an underwhelming pre-draft process and injury-filled first two seasons, Andre Smith appeared to commit himself and settle in at right tackle in 2011, but will be a free agent after the 2012 seasonRe-Grade: C"
I honestly thought a C was being nice. The team has very little faith in Andre Smith to the point they declined a fifth-year option and he’ll have to prove himself if the team is to re-sign him. Maualuga has been enigmatic on the field and a problem-child off of it. Johnson has been the most productive player, but that only started last year as he accounted for 6 sacks after only 5.5 his first two years. Not exactly a draft worth hanging your hat on.
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