TGS 2007 Football Preview Bonus: Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI - Discouraging as last season was for HC Marvin Lewis (left) in Cincinnati, maybe finishing at .500 was just about right for last year’s Bengals, who bracketed their roller-coaster campaign with three wins off the bat and three losses to close things out. Along the way, Cincy blew more games in agonizing fashion than the Reds' bullpen, none more so than the last two regular-season affairs against Denver and Pittsburgh, when wins in either would have qualified the Bengals for the playoffs. Not to mention off-field embarrassments that might even make Mike Tyson cringe.

So much for the painful rehash of 2006. Cincy fans want to believe last season was just a temporary pause in an ascent that caught the AFC by storm in 2005, when the Bengals won the AFC North. More objective observers, however, are wondering if holes in Cincy’s defense have been sufficiently plugged to the point where the stop unit’s shortcomings no longer negate all of the fireworks the Carson Palmer (right)-led offense generates. Bengal fans have no strong desire to be entertained by a modern-day version of Don Coryell’s San Diego Charger teams a generation ago that scored points in bunches, but gave them up almost as quickly on the other end.

Still, to put where Cincy sits right now in some perspective, it’s necessary to review where the problem areas lie...and that starts with the “D,” and what went wrong a year ago when the stop unit ranked a poor 30th in yards allowed and even poorer 31st in pass defense. Many of last year’s problems can be traced to the disintegration of a LB crew that, if not a team strength, didn’t appear as if it would be a liability, either. But the anticipated starting trio of Brian Simmons (who missed five games with a neck strain), Odell Thurman (suspended for a DUI after violating the league’s drug policy), and David Pollack (who played in just two games before suffering a career-threatening neck injury) never played a down together. Coupled with some underachieving in the 2ndary (CB Deltha O’Neal, whose form dropped precipitously form ‘05, in particular), trouble was unavoidable.

The draft was mostly devoted to defense, with the 2ndary a priority after CB Tory James & S Kevin Kaesviharn (who combined for 18 interceptions last season) left via free agency. And the drafting of Michigan CB Leon Hall provides needed DB depth and relieved HC Lewis the idea of moving FS Madieu Williams to a corner because of his ability in run support. Still, the most important element in pass coverage is probably O’Neal and his quest to recapture some of his ‘05 form when he nabbed 10 picks. The aforementioned LB crew continues its transformation, with the FA arrival of ex-Falcon Ed Hartwell adding a much-needed veteran component. Ex-Virginia LB Ahmad Brooks (left), a supplemental pick in ‘06 who cost the Bengals a 3rd-round choice in April (and viewed within the organization as an extra 1st-rounder this year), is expected to move in at MLB, although the status of Thurman (whose case is due for review by the NFL in June) won’t be known until sometime in summer. Meanwhile, the DL appeared to emerge from the offseason contract whirlpool in decent shape, as DEs Robert Geathers and Justin Smith were re-signed, and DT Michael Myers arrived from Denver via free agency. D.c. Chuck Bresnahan also remains buillish on the prospects of 2nd-year DT Domata Peko. Whatever the composition of the stop unit. Lewis and Bresnahan are hoping the Bengals return to their ball-hawking ways of ‘05, when they forced a whopping NFL-bets 44 turnovers, compared to just 31 takeaways a year ago.

The consensus opinion within the AFC North is that the offense should probably hum again, especially with Palmer (60 TDP & only 25 picks the last 2 seasons, and the first Cincy QB to ever pass for more than 4000 yards in ‘06) a year further removed from the serious January ‘06 knee injury that for a time appeared to be career-threatening. But there are growing concerns about the running game, and that vet RB Rudi Johnson (only 3.8 ypc with a long of just 22 yards in ‘06) might be slowing down from the constant pounding. Indeed, Cincy ranked a poor 26th in rush yardage last season. That’s why some observers weren’t surprised Lewis went for yet another Auburn runner, slashing Kenny Irons, with the 2nd-round pick, with hopes he can provide a more-reliable alternative, and a more effective change of pace from Rudi, than the oft-injured Chris Perry. Lewis and o.c. Bob Bratkowski are satisfied that the OL has been mostly able to juggle two straight seasons of salary cap machinations, although C Rich Braham has retired and G Eric Steinbach moved to the division rival Browns via free agency. Again, flashy wideouts Chad Johnson (left) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (combined 177 catches and 16 TDs in ‘06) will stretch enemy defense, although there is some concern about depth now that extra-dimension wideout Chris Henry (9 TDs on his 36 catches LY) has been suspended for the first 8 games of the season.

Bottom line...This is a crucial year for Lewis, who on top of worrying about on-field issues might be tempted to hire a probation officer for help as team off-field problems (ten different arrests and a handful of NFL suspensions!) continue to mount. But keeping Palmer healthy, coaxing some improvement from the defense, and avoiding the police blotter (how many teams need that warning?) might get the Bengals back into the postseason.

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