Bengals: Curse of the 2005 Draft Revisited

Just over one year ago, I wrote this about the horrible Bengals draft of 2005. In 2008, the Bengals have tried their best to wash their hands of that weekend ... and have seen five of the seven picks leave this season for various reasons. Two were flat out released; one retired due to injury; two were not tendered contracts.

Combined, these seven guys have played just 140 (out of a possible 448) games in the orange and black ... with Chris Henry (35) and Eric Ghiaciuc (32) the only ones to top twenty games. None played in all 16 games this past season -- only two played more than half the year. Three didn't suit up at all.

1st Round [#17]-David Pollack, LB, Georgia: Pollack had an unfortunate neck injury in Week 2 against the Browns in 2006. Despite trying to attempt a comeback, he retired earlier this year. He's played in just 16 games since being drafted. Status: Retired

2nd Round [#48]-Odell Thurman, LB, Georgia: Thurman was to be the focal point of the Bengals defense, before he was suspended for the first four games of the 2006 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. A few weeks into the season, he was charged with OVI [operating a vehicle while impared]. Two days later, the league suspended him for the remainder of the season (the suspension would continue through 2007). He's played in just 16 games since being drafted and was released yesterday. Status: Released.

3rd Round [#83]-Chris Henry, WR, West Virginia: Look, we all know the deal here. He's a very productive player but can't stay out of his own way. He was suspended for Bengals' first 8 games of the 2007 season and could face a stiffer penalty if some recent off-field issues come back to bite him. He had played in 35 games for the Bengals before being released this offseason. Status: Released.

4th Round [#119]-Eric Ghiaciuc, C, Central Michigan: A pleasant find. He's played in 32 games since draft day, starting 26. Status: Starting center.

5th Round [#153]-Adam Kieft, OT, Central Michigan: Ghiaciuc's college linemate hasn't been so lucky. Due to a knee injury, he has yet to play a game for the Bengals. That's right. None. Status: Not tendered a contract.

6th Round [#190]-Tab Perry, WR, UCLA: Perry, like Pollack, was injured in that Week 2 game in 2006 against Browns and didn't play the rest of the season. Last year, he played in two games. Yep, he's played in just 20 games in his career. Status: Left via free agency to Miami.

7th Round [#233]-Jonathan Fanene, DE, Utah: Famene had played in just 7 games in his first three seasons before getting in 14 this past season. Status: Backup defensive end.

Not bad. Four years later, the Bengals received a center and a backup defensive end ... and a ton of drama.