Want to know why the Cincinnati Bengals drafted three wideouts? Because they could be down three after next season. Per Peter King of SI. Here’s the money quote from Marvin Lewis.

“T.J.’s at the end of his contract this year,” Lewis said, “and I don’t know if it’s possible to re-sign him. Chad says he won’t play without a trade. We just have to be prepared for anything this year, and for the future.”

What a way to run a franchise.

Shaun Alexander, the former MVP running back for the Seattle Seahawks, is in Cincinnati and has had preliminary discussions with the Bengals. I’m sure they will put him through a physical while he’s here.

Typical Bengals. Would have never made an effort to snag Alexander when he was in his prime. Now that he’s been waived by the only team he’s ever played for, interest for him has peaked. But, we’ve all seen this before.

Word has it that Keith Rivers was most impressive in mini camp, as was Appalachian State safety Corey Lynch. Rivers attempted to act like a leader, getting phone numbers of fellow linebackers and trying to build relationships between players. I’m sure once Mike Brown spots this distraction, Rivers will be escorted away from all team facilities.

No word on the reaction to Ahmad Brooks and his latest run in with the law. I’m sure the organization will take a wait-and-see approach. They’ve played wait-and-see on winning for 17 years.

Bengals.com has posted some game notes on the latest rookie camp right here.

Nothing too spectacular to report. There is an undrafted USC DE in camp who played mainly as a back up. Maybe he’ll pan out. As long as Keith Rivers doesn’t blow a terrible trio on the knee, all is good.

In a move that may haunt Cincinnati for 10 years, New Orleans gave up a 3rd rounder and swapped 1st rounders with New England and nabbed Sedrick Ellis, the standout defensive tackle from USC.

Things just got crazier in the 2nd round. Without a defensive tackle, Cincinnati was expected to go that way with their next pick but instead picked Jerome Simpson, a wide receiver from Coastal Carolina. Trevor Laws, who Cincinnati was expected to take, went to Philadelphia on the next pick.

From TDB on the forum:

Haha, this draft is a clusterf**k.

I read earlier that he was projected to go early in the third. Seems kind of a reach, especially with Sweed and Cal’s Jackson still available. If this goes wrong, the Mike Brown haters are going to be frothing - not that it will make any difference.

ESPN has it’s latest Fan Satisfaction Ratings and guess who comes rolling in at a respectable 115?

Click Here.

From ESPN Sports Nation. I’m so sick of the term “nation” and the way it is used in sports. Red Sox Nation, Raider Nation … what about Toledo Mud Hen Nation? I’m a card-carrying member of ESPN-makes-me-gag Nation.

Former Dayton Daily News NFL Writer and current Fox Sports scribe Alex Marvez takes on the draft success of every team in the NFL. The teams at the top of the rankings, no surprise, just happen to be the most successful teams in the league year in and out. Here is the list.

Marvez had a contrarian, yet interesting, take on the Bengals draft progress.

Drafting isn’t Cincinnati’s biggest personnel problem. An ultra-conservative approach to free agency combined with a failure to consistently re-sign young talent before free agency beckons are far bigger issues.

I’m not sure I agree with that. I don’t consider ranking 22 out of 32 teams to be a resounding success. Maybe it’s just my failing memory, but I have a hard time thinking of any young talent the Bengals have failed to re-sign. Most of their problems have come from players just not panning out.

The point on free agency was spot on. New England’s continued run of success can be directly linked to free agency. Three signings turned their offense from stagnant to one of the best in league history.

The Cincinnati Bengals turned down a trade offer from the Washington Redskins that would have sent Chad Johnson to Washington for a 2008 No. 21 pick in the first round and a conditional third round pick in 2009 that could move to the first round if Johnson hit certain stats. More here.

Cincinnati has also turned down offers from the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. Marvin Lewis held a press conference today, stating he felt Johnson was a man of his word and would sit out the 2008 season.

Also, linebacker David Pollack, who was considering a comeback after a severe neck injury in 2006, officially retired today citing health reasons.

Another note, heard a rumor that O’Dell Thurman’s contract was officially frozen, which means he is under contract for four more years.