The Bengals have lost yet another first-day draft pick as the team waived HB Kenny Irons, under the category of Waived/Failed Physical. Irons failed the team physical earlier this week.

Irons, from Auburn, was Cincinnati's second-round choice in the 2007 draft. He has been unable to play or practice since suffering a torn left knee ligament (ACL) in the '07 preseason opener last Aug. 9 at Detroit. He spent the '07 season on Cincinnati's Reserve/Injured list.

His future with the club and in the NFL remains murky, according to Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. The Bengals needed Irons' spot to get to the 80-man limit for training camp and they now have 80 players listed on their roster including unsigned draft picks.

Irons' departure is just another blow to the Bengals' recent draft history. Marvin Lewis has preached since his arrival to Cincinnati in 2003 that you build through the draft. However, the coach has been unable to do so. If you look at the team's first three rounds of picks since Lewis' arrival, few players remain on the team:

2003
1. Carson Palmer - franchise QB living up to can't-miss tag
2. Eric Steinbach - fled to Cleveland via free-agency
3. Kelley Washington - team let him walk; signed w/NE

2004
1. Chris Perry - Managed 73 carries in 3 years for 3.3 ypc
2. Keiwan Ratliff - cut by Bengals and Bucs, trying to make Colts' roster
2. Madieu Williams - signed this off-season by Minnesota
3. Caleb Miller - currently out of the game
3. Landon Johnson - left for Carolina via free-agency

2005
1. David Pollack - career-ending neck injury
2. Odell Thurman - has been suspsended by NFL past 2 season
3. Chris Henry - released after numerous arrests

2006
1. Johnathan Joseph - proven to be a capable starter, with upside
2. Andrew Whitworth - has been versatile, but not overwhelming
3. Frostee Rucker - Has 7 career tackles and off-the-field issues

2007
1. Leon Hall - too early too tell after up & down rookie year
2. Kenny Irons - injury forced released w/out him ever playing a down