It is one of those anecdotes that is borne out by history. Legend has it that the Bengals’ coaching staff's mock draft eagerly anticipated addressing bolstering Cincinnati's defense with their first pick in 1992.
Troy Vincent, the All American defensive back from Wisconsin, was going to be their man. They nursed it, they rehearsed it, nothing could reverse it. Except a last minute change of heart by Mike Brown.
My sources say that he charged into the draft room as Cincinnati's turn arrived and directed, "Take the quarterback". That being David Klinger.
Whereupon some of the assembled coaches protested, "But Mike, we agreed on Vincent". "Take the (expletive deleted) quarterback he roared." And the rest is more Bengals non-history.
Vincent was taken with the next pick by the Dolphins and went on to make All-Pro five straight years. David Klinger was out of the game in 4.
The Akili Smith saga is another reason draft day holds so little fascination for me. Whats the point? Occasionally they catch lightning in a bottle. David Pollack and Odell Thurman being the most recent examples. Both of their careers ended prematurely as we recall.
I'll put it this simply: If the Bengals don't draft an offensive tackle in the first round Saturday, they are not serious about winning, their scouting department is a joke and they will have earned all the scorn that is heaped upon them. Starting with mine.
