Folks, the 2008 NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away. While I'm pumped up and anticipating who the Cincinnati Bengals might take, I'm also concerned they're going to blow it! Can anyone say Ki-Jana Carter, "Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson, Akili Smith, David Klingler? Granted the list goes on, but I don't feel like spending the next 24 hours complaining about our previous busted draft picks. This year I'm trying to be more optimistic; but considering David Pollack has retired, Chris Henry has been cut, and Chad "mini TO" Johnson is being a crybaby, I'm not sure why.

In trying to STAY optimistic, I've been perusing the experts mock drafts trying to get a sense of what the Bengals might do. Picking ninth, makes it hard for them to screw up. Reason being, this year's draft has a bunch of guys that are rated extremely close together and the Bengals will basically get the last available. At which point you can't really blame them for taking the best defensive guy on the board...that is of course, if they take a defensive guy at all.

From the looks of it, it would appear that USC standouts Sedrick Ellis or Keith Rivers will fall right into our lap. I personally feel like we need a defensive tackle and would like to see us land Sedrick Ellis. However, I think he's rated just high enough and won't be around at number 9. If he is not, it's likely that Keith Rivers would still be available making him an extremely viable option. With Miller retired and Landon Johnson leaving, this will help fill the gap at linebacker. Especially since Odell Thurman has been out the last two years (and I'm still not sure he'll stay out of trouble).

Either way, both guys are from a tough BCS conference and a "football" school. Take Carson Palmer for instance, while last year was a rough year for him, he hasn't disappointed. Either way, both of these guys could bring a physical presence to our defense, making Cincinnati and USC a match made in heaven, again.

But now the reality of the situation. If you remember correctly, we are talking about the Cincinnati Bengals. I love them, I really do and I'm a huge fan. With that said however, I don't trust them. Many experts have said they may even draft a running back! If that is the case, someone needs to tell them we currently have Johnson, Irons, Perry, Dorsey and Watson. There is no way you can draft a running back when you have the list of guys I just mentioned. Sure, none of them are perfect by them self, but put together a running back by committee if you have to. This group is just going to have to do. The sad thing in all of this, is that I've even heard fans AGREE with this idea! It's like they've become Bengal-ized and delusional. It's time we focus on defense, EVEN IF McFadden is still available come pick number 9.

Enough of my ranting, I'm curious as to some of your thoughts, so feel free to post them below.

:cD