PRIORITY NO. 1: PROTECT CARSON PALMER

You name the area, any area, and the Cincinnati Bengals need help.

Not just at one position, but everywhere …

… everywhere except quarterback, where Carson Palmer and Ryan Fitzpatrick are 1-2 with Jeff Rowe (I call him “Jethro”) and Jordan Palmer battling it out for No. 3.

Folks, I’m here to tell ya that I’m absolutely, positively convinced the Bengals should-must-will draft an offensive tackle with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft on April 26.

Why? Because left tackle Levi Jones and right tackle Willie Anderson are hobbling around on bum knees and likely won’t be able to play a 16-game season.

And because Stacy Andrews, anointed with the franchise tag ($7.455 million), refuses to sign a long-term contract and will likely leave in 2009 as an unrestricted free agent.

The team’s No. 1 priority must always be keeping Palmer well-protected. That’s why an athletic OT is the way to go in the first round. Other needs (DT, C, LB, FS, SS, KR) can be addressed later.

REPEAT OF LEVI IN 2002

Remember back in 2002? The Bengals got RIPPED by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Chris Berman for selecting Levi Jones No. 10 overall. They needed a LT desperately, and Jones turned out to be an excellent pick.

It’s time to pull the trigger again.

Of course, conventional wisdom says to select the best defensive tackle available in the first round because the run defense is so weak.

Either LSU’s Glenn Dorsey or USC’s Sedrick Ellis should be there.

I say, “DON’T DO IT”

The top pick should be one of the following: Boise State’s Ryan Clady, Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams, Pitt’s Jeff Otah or Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus.

Readers should feel free to spank me if I’m wrong. But the more I look at it, the better an OT looks!

READERS WANT TO KNOW:

From DemolitionDan: “When is the NFL going to let the Bengals know about Odell Thurman’s 2008 status? Hopefully, it’s before the draft. If not, well, that’s just wrong.”

—-The Chickster’s response: Just like last year, I expect it’ll be THE DAY BENGALS PLAYERS ARRIVE AT TRAINING CAMP IN JULY. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will take it right up to deadline. Any missteps by Thurman and he’ll be out of the league for good.

From BengalBill in Hamilton: “Hey, Chick. I would like to see the Bengals trade their first-round draft for a couple of journeyman players in needed positions. They could apply the millions of signing bonus money they’ll save to the salaries of the new players. What say you?”

—-The Chickster’s response: I love ya, Bill, but there’s no way. The Bengals have already gobbled up journeymen LBs in Darryl Blackstock and Brandon Johnson. Both guys give the club added depth and will boost the special teams cover units. Bottom line: There are no “journeymen” that equate to a No. 9 draft pick.

From DemolitionDan again: “Chick, I just read your recent blog with the Marvin Lewis interview on NFL Network. I must say that for the first time in a LONG time I am impressed with the way Marvin answered questions in an interview. Maybe he is just so drained during the season from answering questions from the media that in the offseason he’s better. I don’t know. The comparison he made to Kobe/injured player was great. Kudos to him for that. And thanks to you for posting that interview because I don’t have cable or satellite, and so I didn’t see it!”

—-The Chickster’s response: I agree. It was great to see Marvin “shoot straight” instead of shooting himself in the foot.

From Deron in Harrison: “I watched a video interview with Chris Henry and you were right there. He sounded different than he did in his first year. Not as awkward and introverted during the interview. Do you get a sense that this kid has turned the corner? Does he sound different to you? On another note, I thought Marvin was as good as he’s ever been in his interview about Chad. I like the stance the team is taking. Somebody has to stand up to these Divas.”

—-The Chickster’s response: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes on Chris Henry. He not only sounds different, but looks different. Loose, relaxed, mature, and a lot more focused. After three years of turmoil that includes four arrests and two suspensions, Henry seems to have his act together. Being away from the game makes you appreciate it so much more. One of the beautiful things about being a Bengals beat writer is that we get to see young players grow up, mature and blossom as athletes and people.

THE CHICKSTER ON THE RADIO

—-Friday, March 28: I’ll be on WGRR (Oldies 103.5 FM) as a guest of the “Chris & Janeen-Married with Microphones” show at 6:50 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. (set your alarm clocks!)

—-Friday, March 28: I’ll be on WONE-AM (980), live in studio, with Mark Schlemmer from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Until next time, this is “The Chickster” saying: Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.

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