Joe Burrow (Creative Commons / All-Pro Reels)
I’ve been a Chicago Bears fan since 1963. However, in the big picture I’m an NFL fan. While I don’t follow the draft as closely as I used to, some things stand out in my mind over the years. One thing that stands out in my mind is the Cincinnati Bengals first draft choice in franchise history.
Of course, any NFL expansion team is going to have its work cut out for them. They are generally picking from the F Troop of NFL players. So, after picking their Corporal Agarns, the Bengal looked forward to their picks in the 1968 NFL draft. The Bengals were actually awarded the second overall pick in that draft.
So, who would they go for? A franchise QB to build around? A bigtime edge rusher. A dynamic offensive playmaker, either a running back or wide receiver? Nah. Actually, they went for center Bob Johnson out of Tennessee. Under the circumstances, this may be the blandest pick in the history of the NFL.
No doubt the fan base was fired up by that pick. I picture little boys all around Cincinnati bending over footballs dreaming of someone to snap them to. It was no doubt a great time for chiropractors in the area.
But in some ways the pick was not surprising
The frontman for the Bengals was former Browns head coach, Paul Brown. Brown was the man the Cleveland Browns were named after. Naming the Cleveland NFL team the “Browns” wasn’t exactly colorful. Well, maybe it was. And the team had those great helmets. Well, maybe they weren’t so great.
Anyway, Brown would be high up on my list of guys likely to pick a center with the second pick in the draft.
Drafting strategy was different back then
The first QB taken was Eldridge Dickey with the 25th pick. The only QB of note taken in the 1968 draft was Kenny Stabler, who was taken with the 52 overall pick in the second round.
Three running backs or fullbacks were taken, most notably, Larry Csonka.
What about Bob?
Bob Johnson was a solid center with the Bengals for a number of years. He was even a Pro-Bowler in his rookie season. However, that was the last he reached those heights. Johnson was the Bengals’ starter from 1968-77 and remained with the team through 1979.
A nice career, but not what you would expect from a second overall pick.
The Bengals did hit it big with a third-round pick
With their second pick in the third round, the Bengals struck when they selected RB, Paul Robinson out of Arizona. Robinson went on to lead the NFL with 1023 rushing yards to go with eight rushing TDs, which also led the NFL. Additionally, his 87-yard run was the longest in the NFL in 1968.
The as a bonus the Bengals also drafted TE Bob Trumpy in the 12th round. Trumpy proved to be a good TE and even better announcer. Of course, most NFL teams don’t go into the draft looking for an announcer, but it was still a bonus.
Like sports trivia? Check this out: Yesterday’s Heroes Sports Quizzes: Sports Trivia for Baby Boomers eBook : Lambert, Larry: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store
