Size Matters

The press-hounds and free-bloggers of the greater sports wire have quite unanimously expressed their cloistered astonishment and approval at the Bengals’ impressive Draft outing this past weekend. The headlines seem to vector in on one of two topics: the surprise ascension of Kevin Zeitler and the quiet amassing of one of the youngest and most versatile assembly of receivers currently gathered by any franchise this off-season. Perhaps there is another story brewing in PSB insofar as the Bengals attempt an aggressive and somewhat revolutionary overhaul of their beleaguered secondary.

The obvious addition of Dre Kirkpartrick as the first overall selection this year all but telegraphs his favoritism as an opening day starter. It’s dubious that long time incumbent Leon Hall will be ready for the start of the season, leaving Jason Allen a likely successor across from Kirkpatrick as Nate Clements may become the first cap causality of the off-season. Terrence Newman was signed for a song and is going to be around for insurance reasons only. Strong Safety depth is paper thin, and Taylor Mays seems to be the heir apparent to Chris Crocker. Lastly, the Bengals took out their check book to keep Free Safety Reggie Nelson so he’ll likely start, but expect strong competition from draft projects Robert Sands and rookie Georgia Iloka.