| It's been one hectic summer for Bengals
| |
| | The Bengals one weak spot last season was
|
| head coach Marvin Lewis. First, he had to
| |
| | on the defensive line. The ends couldn't
|
| deal with Carson Palmer and his recovery
| |
| | get to the quarterback consistently and
|
| from knee ligament surgery. If having your
| |
| | the tackles gave up too many yards on the
|
| star quarterback hurt in the playoffs
| |
| | ground. This unit needs to improve if
|
| wasn't bad enough - some of the guys on
| |
| | Cincinnati has any hopes of advancing
|
| the roster were holding public auditions
| |
| | farther in the playoffs. The problem is
|
| to appear on an episode of Cops.Wide
| |
| | the Bengals did nothing significant in the
|
| receiver Chris Henry was arrested four
| |
| | off season to improve it.Defensive end
|
| times in a seven month period and rookies
| |
| | Justin Smith was the leader of the group
|
| A.J. Nicholson and Frostee Rucker were
| |
| | with his 65 tackles and a team leading six
|
| arrested and charged with crimes as well.
| |
| | sacks. Robert Geathers returns at the
|
| Not a very good offseason for Lewis and
| |
| | other end spot and Rucker is the backup.
|
| the Bengal front office.Even so, this is a
| |
| | John Thornton is plugged in at one tackle
|
| Cincinnati franchise that's been reborn
| |
| | slot and aging Sam Adams was brought in
|
| under Lewis, capped off by last seasons
| |
| | from Buffalo to plug up the rush. Bryan
|
| 11-5 record and AFC North championship.
| |
| | Robinson, Shaun Smith and rookie Domata
|
| Most of those guys return and if Palmer
| |
| | Peko will fight for playing time as
|
| can come back healthy - the Bengals will
| |
| | well.The linebacker position is the
|
| be a serious contender in 2006.Offense:
| |
| | strength of the Bengal defense and barring
|
| Cincinnati boasts a potent offense that
| |
| | injuries, should be excellent again in
|
| scored 421 points, an average of 26.3
| |
| | 2006. MLB Odell Thurman (105 tackles, five
|
| points per game. If they hope to return to
| |
| | interceptions) and OLB David Pollack (4.5
|
| that level or surpass it, having a healthy
| |
| | sacks) had outstanding rookie seasons. OLB
|
| Palmer is a must.The former Heisman Trophy
| |
| | Brian Simmons was consistent with 84
|
| winner out of USC finally lived up to the
| |
| | tackles and four interceptions. Landon
|
| hype with a tremendous 2005 season. His
| |
| | Johnson (82 tackles), Hannibal Navies and
|
| stats were impressive to say the least:
| |
| | Nicholson provide depth.Cincinnati has one
|
| 345-of-509 for 3,836 yards with 32
| |
| | of the strongest young defensive
|
| touchdowns and a 68 percent completion
| |
| | backfields in the league and this unit
|
| rate. The big question is can he get back
| |
| | only got stronger in the off season.
|
| in time to start the season?Bengals brass
| |
| | Deltha O'Neal (10 interceptions) and Tory
|
| told the media he's moving along,
| |
| | James (57 tackles, five picks) return at
|
| improving and should be ready for the
| |
| | cornerback, while Kevin Kaesviharn (87
|
| season opener. Usually, after a knee
| |
| | tackles, three interceptions) and Madieu
|
| ligament injury, you're gone a year. This
| |
| | Williams man the safety slots. Dexter
|
| happened to Palmer in January. Can he
| |
| | Jackson was brought in from Tampa Bay to
|
| really come back and be affective in just
| |
| | challenge Williams. Corners Keiwan Ratliff
|
| eight months? Lewis is praying that he
| |
| | and top draft choice Johnathan Joseph will
|
| can. If not, Anthony Wright, a free agent
| |
| | be used in nickel and dime
|
| pickup from Baltimore steps in. Jon Kitna
| |
| | packages.Special Teams: Shayne Graham had
|
| packed his bags and went to Detroit in
| |
| | a monster year last season (131 points,
|
| hopes of landing a starting gig.The rest
| |
| | 28-32 field goals and 47-47 extra points)
|
| of the offense doesn't have such mystery
| |
| | and is a solid, reliable kicker. Kyle
|
| involved with it. In other words, it's
| |
| | Larson (43.2) returns as punter. Perry is
|
| pretty damn good. Rudi Johnson (1,458
| |
| | a decent kickoff returner who averaged
|
| yards,12 TD) emerged as one of the premier
| |
| | 24.4 yards a return. Improvement is needed
|
| backs in the NFL and teamed with fullback
| |
| | in punt returns though as Ratliff averaged
|
| Jeremi Johnson, make a devastating
| |
| | only 5.6 a pop last season.Outlook: The
|
| backfield tandem. Chris Perry (279 yards
| |
| | Bengals are loaded on offense and solid in
|
| rushing and 51 receptions) is an adequate
| |
| | the back seven on defense. If Carson
|
| backup.The receiving corps is one of the
| |
| | Palmer can come back at full strength then
|
| deepest in the NFL and is led by the
| |
| | Cincinnati has a chance to win the AFC
|
| entertaining Chad Johnson. The always
| |
| | North again and go deeper into the
|
| modest receiver had another Pro Bowl
| |
| | playoffs. The real problem is on the
|
| season in 2005, finishing with 97
| |
| | defensive line. This unit was inconsistent
|
| receptions for 1,432 yards and nine
| |
| | and looked out-classed in games last
|
| touchdowns. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (78-956-7)
| |
| | season, yet the front office didn't really
|
| is one of the best number twos in the NFL.
| |
| | address the situation. Adams was a great
|
| Henry (31-422-6) is a decent slot receiver
| |
| | run stuffer in his prime, but now he's
|
| if he can stay out of trouble, while Tab
| |
| | playing on 33 year-old legs. This team had
|
| Perry and Kelley Washington provide depth.
| |
| | serious problems stopping the run and it
|
| Reggie Kelly and Tony Stewart are solid,
| |
| | looks like they will again.Prediction: It
|
| but not spectacular tight ends.Left tackle
| |
| | all depends on Palmer. If he comes back
|
| Willie Anderson anchors a line that
| |
| | healthy and able to compete at a high
|
| returns all five starters. Levi Jones
| |
| | level, the Bengals will fight for the
|
| occupies the right side, while Eric
| |
| | division and a playoff spot. In the end,
|
| Steinbach and Bobbie Williams are the
| |
| | the inability to stop the run will hurt
|
| guards and Rich Brahm is at center. C Ben
| |
| | them once again in the post-season.
|
| Wilkerson, G Larry Moore and rookie tackle
| |
| | Cincinnati will finish 10-6 or 11-5 with a
|
| Andrew Whitworth are the reserves.Defense:
| |
| | healthy Palmer, 8-8 or 9-7 without him.
|
