First Glance: The end of the season last year wasn’t quite as exciting as the Bengals would have liked, as they were handled with ease in back to back weeks by the New York Jets.
A lot of that had to do with injuries and the way the Jets were playing at the time, making it imperative that Cincinnati do what they could this off-season to bring in as much talent as possible to prevent the same thing from happening again this year.
While they didn’t do that in the most conventional way, the Bengals were able to sign enough playmakers that they should be in position to make a run once again this season.
2009 Record: 10-6 (1st AFC North)
Key Additions: WR Antonio Bryant, WR Matt Jones, CB Pacman Jones, FS Gibril Wilson, K Mike Nugent
Key Losses: WR Laveranues Coles, TE J.P, Foschi, CB Keiwan Ratliff, K Shayne Graham
Draft Picks: TE Jermaine Gresham, DE Carlos Dunlap, WR/KR Jordan Shipley, CB Brandon Ghee, DT Geno Atkins, LB Roddrick Muckelroy, OG Otis Hudson, WR Dezmon Briscoe, OT Reggie Stephens
Analysis: The Bengals did what they could this off-season to add players capable of providing big plays in the receiving duo of Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant, and while it remains to be seen just how much gas Owens has left in the tank, there’s little doubt that he’ll bring plenty of excitement both on and off the field with his mouth. Combine that with the ever-present entertainment of Chad Ochocinco, and the Bengals are likely to provide us with much needed humor throughout the entire season.
The real key offensively though has to be the play of Carson Palmer, who is clearly the leader of the team and as he goes, so goes the hopes of the Bengals this year. As long as he can stay efficient on the field, delivering the ball precisely to his receivers and avoiding turning the ball over in key spots, Cincinnati’s offense will be just fine this fall.
One addition this off-season that’s flying under the radar somewhat is rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham, who has the strength to be outstanding as a blocker along with an excellent pair of hands to provide Palmer with yet another option in the passing game. It may take him some time to put it all together, but when he does, he’ll be another outstanding player capable of giving opposing defensive coordinator’s fits in gameplanning.
On defense, the Bengals were much improved last year and will look to continue that trend this season. Adding talented, yet troubled playmakers in cornerback Pacman Jones and rookie defensive end Carlos Dunlap could pay off big dividends, but they could also blow up dramatically if they’re problematic off the field.
That said, neither player is expected to play a major role on this team and having plenty of veteran leadership around them will help in keeping both on the straight and narrow this year.
The best part of this unit is up front along the defensive line, which did an outstanding job last season in clogging running lanes and getting after the passer. That, combined with a ton of talent in the linebacker corps and a solid young cornerback in Leon Hall should make this group just as tough this year.
Head coach Marvin Lewis will play a big part in getting this team to where they want to be, as he always has, and should be the calming voice in the locker room that keeps everyone on an even keel.
The going will definitely be much tougher this fall, with a likely Super Bowl contender in the Ravens and two hated rivals in Pittsburgh and Cleveland doing everything they can to dethrone the Bengals this season, but overall this team has what it takes to be a late season threat if they can stay healthy and avoid off the field issues.
2010 Projection: 9-7 (2nd AFC North)
