Bengals should unveil Marshall Plan at WR

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 10:10 AM Tuesday, March 9, 2010

It starts with sending Terrell Owens on a deep route and letting him run right out of town.

It continues with giving a pump fake toward Antonio Bryant.

If the Cincinnati Bengals want to send a message to fans and players alike they are serious about winning, then go with the Marshall Plan.

I’m all for the Bengals bringing in sometimes-disgruntled Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, even for this year’s first-round pick.

He’s proven, he’s young and he’s a playmaker.

And let’s face it, since snagging Chad Ochocinco (second round) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (seventh) in the 2001 draft, the Bengals’ picks since at wide receiver have mostly been fumbles. Those picks read like a list of Who’s That? instead of Who’s Who: Maurice Mann (2004), Tab Perry (2005), Reggie McNeal and Bennie Brazell (2006), Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia (2008).

And consider this: The Bengals don’t like drafting receivers high. Yes, until last season there wasn’t a need with Johnson (who’s getting older) and Houshmandzadeh (who’s now in Seattle). But since taking Peter Warrick in the first round in 2000, the Bengals have drafted two receivers in the second round (Ochocinco, Simpson) and three in the third (Caldwell, Chris Henry, Kelley Washington).

Since 2006, four of their six receiver picks have come in the final two rounds. Not a good way to restock the shelves.

That’s why Marshall — and his proven first-round talent — would be a great catch.

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