spikes says palmer pick would kill cincy morale

Spikes hopes Bengals wont force him to stay|

|By JOE KAY|
|AP Sports Writer|
CINCINNATI (AP) — Linebacker Takeo Spikes hopes the Cincinnati Bengals let him become a free agent rather than using one of its tags to keep him around for another year.
In a telephone interview late Thursday night, the Bengals’ emotional leader said he expects the team to use their franchise or transition tag on him. Otherwise, he could leave as a free agent.
‘‘I don’t want a tag on me,’’ said Spikes, who has declined interviews since midseason. ‘‘I feel like my time is done. I did all I can do. I did all that I owed not only to them, but to myself.
‘‘I just want to win. I just want to compete. That’s my whole objective. I don’t look at the time I spent in Cincinnati as wasted time. I just want to go somewhere to compete and win.’’
The Bengals have the NFL’s worst record since 1991 and are coming off a 2-14 season that was the worst in team history. Spikes, a first-round draft pick in 1998, has been the team’s best defensive player, but has never made the Pro Bowl, had a winning record or played on Monday Night Football.
Spikes said he hadn’t spoken to Marvin Lewis, hired as head coach on Tuesday night in Alabama. Lewis is expected to meet with the media Friday at Paul Brown Stadium.
As last season quickly degenerated, Spikes called for changes starting at the top of the organization. He was encouraged by Lewis’ hiring, but isn’t sure it will make much of a difference if it’s not followed by more changes.
‘‘The main thing now is: Is it really going to change?’’ Spikes said.
For the third time in the last nine years, the Bengals have the first overall pick in the draft. Spikes said it would be a big mistake if they once again take a quarterback.
USC’s Carson Palmer is considered by some draft analysts as the best quarterback available. The Bengals are scouting him at the Senior Bowl, and general manager Mike Brown is fixated on the quarterback position.
During each of Spikes’ five seasons in Cincinnati, the Bengals have opened with a different quarterback. Last season, they let Gus Frerotte start the first three games, gave Akili Smith one start, then let Jon Kitna finish the season.
‘‘All five years I’ve been there, they never did know who the starting quarterback was going to be,’’ Spikes said. ‘‘This year, if they draft Carson Palmer, they might not know again who the quarterback is going to be. That kills the morale of a team.
‘‘I don’t think they should draft a quarterback. Cincinnati can win with Kitna. Nothing against Carson Palmer, but if you draft a quarterback with the first pick, he’s setting the franchise back, and setting Marvin Lewis back, at least three or four years.’’

 

This has a lot less to do with winning that it does about aggravating management so they don't tag him. It won't work. He will be tagged.

 

You can not blame those guys for wanting out of Cinncy. Unless they do something to turn around the player's moral it will not matter who they have on that team. Lewis is taking a huge risk because he is almost certain to fail. If I were Lewis I would not have taken the job unless they were going to hire a GM.

I think Spikes is right about the pick. They need to trade down and get more draft picks. Maybe with Carolina we could sure use Palmer.

 

Spikes is making an endorsment for Kitna, the team and the fans are all on the same page. Mike Brown continues to drive the organization deeper into the black hole, he's the root of the problem.
Cinncy will derail ANY progress they made this year if they don't take advantage of the Palmer situation. They need to ude that pick to garner more picks and address other needs. Kitna's earned the job and Ferrotte and Smith are servicable as back-up's.

 

I find it hard to believe that the league hasn't stepped in to intervene in the Cincinatti situation. Mike Brown has made a mockery of the league with his ineptitude. I really wish the NFL would take over that franchise and make them competitive.