Thank God it's Friday

After a crazy week of FA signings/back-stabbings, getting the new CBA ratified, and breaking in rookie QB Andy Dalton, the weekend is here and we can rejoice over this interesting article I found on ESPN. Its managed to go under the radar to Bengals fans, but it should be noted. It's the “NFL'S TOP UNDER 25 TALENT”, an article ranking all 32 NFL teams based on future talent under the age of 25. Here's the section on the Bengals:

“The Bengals -- yes, the Bengals -- have promising young talent on both offense and defense. After the 2011 draft, the conversation begins with A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, who we projected as the best quarterback prospect available. With Carson Palmer vowing to never play another down for Cincinnati, and Terrell Owens' knee making a similar declaration, the Bengals got considerably younger at two impact positions in about 24 hours. Add Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley to their early picks, and the Bengals are likely to build on their 11th-ranked pass offense over the long term.

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Cincinnati also hopes to improve its 25th-ranked run defense by starting three linebackers at 25 years old or younger: Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson. The only things preventing the Bengals from a higher ranking are that (A) they waited until the third round to draft help for their 30th-ranked pass rush, and (B) they have no 25-or-younger running backs to replace Cedric Benson's production should he be suspended or leave in free agency.”

This article further signifies that the Bengals have been a success thus far in their efforts to rebuild their team via youth movement lead by A.J. Green and Andy Dalton. They've struck gold in the past few drafts with value picks like Carlos Dunlap and Rey Maualuga in the 2 nd round, Geno Atkins in the 4 th, Jordan Shipley and Michael Johnson in the 3 rd, Bernard Scott in the 6 th, all of which are either projected starters or significant back-ups. Hope does reside in the Queens City.

By Jason Marcum
ProFootball-fans.com Cincinnati Bengals Correspondent