Rookies

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This is really a strange year for rookies. Because of impending free agency and salary cap issues, the roster seems to be in a state of real transition. For the first time I can remember, no rookies are expected to come in and be immediate starters. Yet we may have more rookies on the opening day roster than in any other season I can remember. Last year I think we only had six rookies on the opening day roster...all seven draft picks minus the injured Adam Kieft. This year we may hit double-digits in terms of new players who have never taken an NFL snap.

On offense Andrew Whitworth and Bennie Brazell seem to be virtual locks to make the roster. If the Bengals follow through with their plans to carry three TEs, then either Darnell Sanders or Ronnie Ghent - but certainly both - seem almost certain to make the roster. A fourth offensive rookie could be Ben Wilkerson if he gets the nod over Kooistra. With five OL starters in place for 2006, but only two currently signed for 2007 the Bengals may decide to take young potential over a career backup type. With Braham and emergency center Steinbach far from certain for 2007, Ghirciac would be the only center on the definite roster without Wilkerson. There may not be any room for Reggie McNeal as a pure WR, so on offense it seems like there will be at least three rookies and probably four.

On defense two more rookies seem like locks on the DL with Peko and Rucker. Seems like UFA Eric Henderson has impresses at DE and on special teams, but where would he play? At linebacker there could be anywhere between 1-3 rookies making the opening day roster. Obviously Ahmad Brooks will be there. Does the unexpected drafting of Brooks cost Nicholson a roster spot in the middle? The coaching staff likes the potential of Jeanty at strongside LB behind Pollack. Both of them have special teams potential, but does the team really want to carry three rookies in the LB corp? Especially when you factor in the youth of the other returning linebackers other than Simmons.

In the secondary a lot may depend on whether they carry 6 CBs-4 safeties or go 5-5. The sixth CB may well be Greg Brooks, the fifth safety may well be Ethan Kilmer. One of them figures to make it but will there be room for both? Of course top pick Johnathan Joseph is a roster lock.

So we could have as many as 4 rookies on offense and another 6 to 8 on defense. That's a LOT of rookies.