Chris Perry News

Some NFL call the first few weeks of February the "dead period". Others, who look at their glass as half-full, prefer to look at these next couple of weeks as a precursor to the critical moves that their team will make in an effort to better their squad next year.

Any way you slice it, the 2012 Bengals team is in need of a running back. Last year's starting running back, Cedric Benson , will have his contract expire this offseason, leaving the team in need of another starter.

Here we go again. The persistent thought ramming its dull edges against my mind like an unkempt sword surfaced after watching Bengals starting right tackle Andre Smith remain on the ground early during Cincinnati's 35-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Go out and talk to long-time Bengals fans and ask them what the biggest Bengals draft mistakes are.