The Cincinnati Bengals addressed the uncertainty of their future with the current star players on their team roster during the 2011 NFL draft on Apr. 28.
The Bengals organization main caveat is the possibility of losing their starting quarterback, Carson Palmer and primary receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens due to unhappiness with the team. They counteracted this troublesome situation by drafting wide receiver A.J. Green with the 4th pick in the first-round and quarterback Andy Dalton with the 36th pick in the second-round.
Green, who is a star-studded receiver out of Georgia, could step in and be the second option for the receiving core if Ochocinco stays with the team. The 6-foot-4 former Georgia Bulldog caught 166 passes for over 2600 yards and scored 23 touchdowns in his three-year collegiate career.
According to NFL analysts, Green is expected to have an immediate impact on the Bengals offense with his height, great hands and ability to blow past and get behind a defense's secondary.
His fellow rookie and new teammate, former Texas-Christian quarterback, Dalton was undefeated (13-0) in his final season at TCU. According to many sources, The fifth-year senior is thought to be an intelligent and polished pocket performer due to him playing out his full collegiate career.
In his last season with the Horned Frogs, Dalton threw for 27 touchdowns to only six interceptions. He completed 66 percent of his passes and recorded a 166.5 quarterback rating.
Dalton will be Palmer's immediate successor if Palmer decides to retire because of the Bengals refusal to trade him. Regardless of what happens with the issues surrounding the Bengals organization the future is still bright.
With all signs pointing to Owens not returning, the least Cincinnati can do is try their best to keep Palmer and Ochocinco. This will give the young guys some veterans to learn from and also give them (especially Dalton) a chance to improve their game without the pressures of performing at a high level so soon.
With the lockout in full effect again there will always be uncertainty surrounding the futures of Palmer and Ochocnico with the Bengals organization because players are still not allowed to converse with coaches and team officials until the lockout is officially over.
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