2011 BGN Community Mock Draft Pick #4: The Cincinnati Bengals

With the fourth pick in the 2011 BGN Mock Draft Ralf E Chubbs selects...

Cam Newton: QB, Auburn

And the not-so-quiet protests of the Cincinnati Bengals' fans continue. As the offseason progresses and the 4th pick in the 2011 NFL draft looms, the Bengals are in an extremely precocious, yet familiar spot: Drama.

Head Coach Marvin Lewis signed a contract extension in January making him the longest tenured Head Coach in Bengals history. Despite leading the Bengals to two postseasons, his record is 60-69-1 in eight seasons, including losses in both playoff appearances, and many players and fans have lost faith in him.

Starting QB Carson Palmer put his house on the market and recently stated that "I will never set foot in Paul Brown Stadium again" and "I have $80 million in the bank. I don't have to play football for money. I'll play it for the love of the game but that would have to be elsewhere. I'm prepared to live my life."

WR Chad Ochocinco and Marvin Lewis have been feuding since the end of last season, WR Terrell Owens will not be returning, and the Bengals' defense fell from being 4th overall in '09 to the middle of the pack last year.

While there are many glaring needs on a team that finished 4-12 in the AFC North (QB, OG, RB, WR, LB, S), nothing is as important as the one overall deciding factor: Owner/General Manager Mike Brown. Brown, the son of legendary Bengals Coach/Owner Paul Brown, is widely described by many as the NFL's (and maybe all of pro sports) worst owner. He places value in making money above all else. What better way to sell more tickets and jerseys than Cam Newton?

More after the jump...

With Carson Palmer all but gone (damned CBA), someone has to step up to the plate. The other QBs on the roster include second string QB Jordan Palmer & third string QB Dan LeFevour, and neither are ready to assume the starting role. With the thoughts of increasing the net worth of the Bengals and no starting QB to boot, the Bengals turn to Auburn QB Cam Newton.

There are many critics of Cam Newton's game, work ethic and character but in the end they all speak for themselves. Cam Newton won the 2010 Heisman Trophy as the nation's best college football athlete and led the Auburn Tigers to the 2011 National Championship. Critics believe Newton will not be able to adjust to the NFL. What many people do not know is that while QB-ing the Blinn Community College football team to a 2009 JUCONational Championship, he was a strictly pro-style, under center QB. Once arriving at Auburn, Newton had to adjust to Auburn OC's gimmicky Trick/Spread Offense, where he once again thrived.

Newton is a pure winner, leader and great football player, who will excel in the NFL. The Bengals' 4th pick is not for need any more than it is Best Player Available, with several solid QB's suitable to new OC Jay Gruden's West Coast Offense available in later rounds. Because of Carson Palmer's self-demise, Owner Mike Brown will be wistfully hoping new Cincinnati Bengal Cam Newton will rejuvenate the fanbase, sell more merchandise and tickets, and (somehow) help the Bengals roar past the Ravens and Steelers for AFC North supremacy for years to come.

Next on the clock will be Lip-Out with the Arizona Cardinals.

Previous picks: 1 - Nick Fairley, 2 - Patrick Peterson, 3 - Blaine Gabbert