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If the Cincinnati Bengals really want to make a statement, they'll land Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in free agency.

Not try to get him. Get him. But it won't happen; that's not how the Bengals do business.

We heard it again from head coach Marvin Lewis last week.

"Free agency, that's not gonna fix all," Lewis said. "That's not gonna fix any team. When you inherit those guys or bring those guys on, there comes a period of time where there's some reversion back to what they know and it may be a little different than what you're teaching at that point.

"When you get in the heat of the battle, you've got to make sure those things are right. As I've said many times, we'll continue to build the team through the draft."

Last time I checked, Reggie White — the greatest free-agent signing in NFL history — sure helped the Packers. And Roosevelt Colvin, Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau, Donte' Stallworth and Adalius Thomas have contributed mightily to New England.

Of the 43 Bengals drafted in the past five years, 11 are starters, 17 are backups, five are with other teams and 10 are out of the league.

The only star? Quarterback Carson Palmer. The truth is Palmer's best years are being wasted by an inconsistent running game, a poor-tackling defense and a Jekyll & Hyde special teams unit desperate for an explosive kick returner.

In Palmer, the Bengals have secured the field's most important position. To get back to the playoffs, they must surround him with more talent. Free agency starts Feb. 29.

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or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com