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