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