I guess Mike Brown doesn't read Blog Blitz. Either that, or he's just stubborn.

In my pre-draft analysis, I argued that the Bengals should take either LB Von Miller or DT Marcel Dareus, if available. If both were taken, I urged the Bengals to draft Patrick Peterson.

Miller and Dareus were taken within two of the first three picks, but Peterson was still on the board at No. 4. The Bengals chose WR A.J. Green of Georgia. Peterson went to Cardinals at No. 5.

So what's the problem? Well, the first problem is finding where the problem starts.

The Bengals defense was weak last season. The offense was mediocre. Playing against the Steelers and Ravens 25 percent of the year, the Bengals offense will never surpass mediocre. However, the defense, with Peterson or any other young defensive stud, had a chance to improve and lower opposing teams' point totals. As I said before the draft, you don’t beat the Steelers and Ravens by outscoring them. You win by stopping them from scoring as many points as you.

Also, the wide receiver position is one of the least valuable in the league. Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson are arguably the two most talented receivers in the league. Neither has made the playoffs in their careers, though, because there is a guy named the quarterback who has to throw them the ball first, before they can run. The Bengals will argue that Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are aging veterans who need replacements. However, so is Carson Palmer. The Bengals cannot fix their receiver situation before they clean up their quarterback dilemma. Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker, Christian Ponder or even Andy Dalton should have been drafted as a successor to Carson Palmer if the Bengals were going to choose an offensive player.

Peterson is going to be a Pro Bowler within three years. I can’t wait to tell Mike Brown, "I told you so."

For Bengals news on Twitter, follow @Bengals_Live.

Follow Blog Blitz on Facebook and join the conversation.

-- JEFFREY EISENBAND
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com

Playing in the AFC North is hell. With 25 percentof the season played against the Steelers and Ravens, the Bengals were lucky to escape 2010 with a 20.1 points per game average. They’ll be even luckier if they can do it again.

A common misconception of Cincy fans is that the Bengals must fight fire with fire. It has been a common theme during the Carson Palmer/Chad Ochocinco Era that the Bengals must bolster their offense to overcome their rivals' defense.

That doesn't work, though. The defensive side of the football is the easier side. Troy Polomalu and Ed Reed are going to bat down more third-and-eights than Palmer can throw for ten yards. And neither the Steelers' nor Ravens' defenses are going to diminish any time soon.

So if you can’t score against your divisional rivals, how do you beat them? You stop them from scoring.

Bengals opponents averaged 24.7 points per game last season. If Cincinnati wants to return to the playoffs, the team must improve its defense. This starts with the draft. At pick No. 4, Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis will be tempted to draft a big time offensive player. WR Julio Jones, WR A.J. Green and QB Blaine Gabbert will all expect phone calls when they see the Bengals on the clock.

But this year, the Bengals do not need another offensive player to serve as Ray Lewis' next lunch. They need to draft a top-notch defensive player.

Neither the passing (216.8 YPG) nor rushing (115.2 YPG) defense was particularly good last season. Therefore, the Bengals do not need to get picky deciding between a cornerback or a linebacker. They simply need to draft the best defensive player available at the fourth spot. If DT Marcell Dareus or LB Von Miller (pictured above) is still on the board, the Bengals should not even let the draft clock run down past five minutes. Either of those players can revolutionize the run defense while simultaneously bolstering the pass rush.

If both players are gone, Brown should audible and draft CB Patrick Peterson. The LSU product has the ability to be one of the game's shut-down corners within just two or three seasons. While most draft gurus have Peterson going at No. 7 or No. 8, the Bengals have to realize their unique situation compared to other teams. A top offensive player will serve less purpose in Cincinnati than in any other NFL city. Only a defensive player can bring brighter days to Paul Brown Stadium.

This should not be the Bengals' theme for only the first round. Cincinnati should go after defensive players throughout the draft. Brown should not be afraid to draft four to five defensive players over the course of the three draft days. The Bengals won't beat the Steelers and Ravens by scoring more points than them. They'll win by giving up less.

For Bengals news on Twitter, follow @Bengals_Live.

Follow Blog Blitz on Facebook and join the conversation.

-- JEFFREY EISENBAND
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com