So starved are we for an actual event that has to do with real, live, red-blooded American sports, we don't even care that the first pick in Thursday night's 2020 NFL Draft belongs to the Cincinnati Bungles, er Bengals.
We don't even care that there's absolutely no drama whatsoever in that No. 1 overall pick, one in which the Bungles, er Bengals, will choose quarterback Joe Burrow, the pride of Athens, Ohio, who matriculated from Ohio State to Baton Rouge where he burst just like a supernova, winning the Heisman Trophy on the way to leading LSU to the national championship.
"He's as advertised," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday morning on ESPN's early morning "Get Up" gabfest. "We feel very comfortable with him as a prospect."
Never mind the naysayers, Burrow should feel likewise about the Bengals. It's a perfect fit. Burrow is the Ohio kid who earned widespread plaudits for his heartfelt Heisman speech that spotlighted Athens' economic plight. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. And he played lights out in an NFL-style offense for Tigers' passing game coordinator Joe Brady, now offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.
In Taylor, Burrow gets a head coach who made his name tutoring quarterbacks, most notably for Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams. It may have been more than just coincidence that Taylor's first season in Cincinnati was a down season for Jared Goff in Los Angeles. Besides, after a long run with former defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis in charge, the Bengals hired Taylor to pep up the offense.
That didn't work last year, when the Bengals bottomed out to 2-14. But nine of those 14 losses were by 10 points or less. And the Bengals won two of their last five games, including a 33-23 win over Cleveland in the season finale that sent Browns' head coach Freddie Kitchens to the unemployment line.
Injuries were a glaring factor a year ago, starting before the season even had a chance to get started. A.J. Green, wide receiver extraordinaire and the team's best player, injured his foot during the team's first practice and did not play in a single game. Jonah Williams, a hulking offensive tackle out of Alabama who manned the Bengals' top draft slot in 2019, tore a labrum in training camp and never stepped foot on the field.
As a result, the 2020 NFL season _ whenever that might be played _ will mark the debut of two Bengals' first-round picks in presumably Burrow and Williams. Last year's bad luck could turn into this year's lucky break for the offensive side of the ball, which hopes to have a healthy Green back at receiver and a motivated Joe Mixon in the backfield.
That could lead the Bengals to use the first pick in the second round to assist a defense that will surely be improved after a surprising free agency spending spree. Owner Mike Brown sandblasted open his wallet to pay Texans defensive tackle D.J. Reader, Ravens linebacker Josh Bynes, Saints safety Vonn Bell, as well as Vikings cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander.
Ah, but the Bengals were 26th last season in team sacks. So Geoff Hobson, chief content creator at Bengals.com, has player personnel director Duke Tobin taking Wisconsin edge rusher Zack Baun No. 33 overall. Makes sense.
After that, look for Cincinnati to return to the offensive line. Signing free agent guard Xavier Su'a-Filo from the Texans was a good move, but depth is needed. Georgia tackle Isaiah Wilson might still be around in the third round. Same for Auburn's Prince Tega Wanogho, TCU's Lucas Niang or Washington's Nick Harris. Or maybe Cincy gets lucky and one of the highly regraded linemen takes an unexplained tumble.
In fact, the Bengals may be luckier than most everyone thinks. Burrow. Green. Mixon. Tyler Boyd. An improved offensive line. A fortified defense. A new-found desire to spend money. Not bad for a reboot. And, for sports-starved fans, thank goodness for the draft.
