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Cincinnati Bengals had one of the best offseason's in the NFL. The reason for optimism is new head coach Marvin Lewis. Lewis orchestrated Baltimore's Super Bowl defense, but didn't get a head coaching job. The owners in Tampa did not want to hire him when Bill Parcells spurned them after the 2001 season. Lewis used the time wisely and when he was interviewed for the Bengals job he wowed owner Mike Brown with his organizational plan and conviction he could lead the franchise to respectability and beyond.
Players were equally convinced. Jon Kitna, who has seen the Bengals win eight times in his two seasons in Cincinnati, now won't be satisfied with winning eight times in one season. Asked if a .500 record would be a success, Kitna responded: "That's unacceptable, no one just wants to try and be OK."
Other players could feel the optimism and new outlook emanating from Cincinnati too. For the first time since free agency was implemented, players actually wanted to play for the Bengals -- even players who had other offers. Wisely the Bengals did not try and convince their best defensive player, LB Takeo Spikes, to stay. Lewis only wants players that want to be Bengals. As great as Spikes played -- he missed only one game in his five seasons with Cincinnati and posted at least 105 tackles every year -- the Bengals never won more than six games during his tenure. For the bonus money it would have taken to try to convince Spikes to stay, the Bengals signed three quality defensive players. DT John Thornton, LB Kevin Hardy and CB Tory James will all start.
The team seems to have drafted well too, as No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer has impressed everyone in camp, and OL Eric Steinbach will be an immediate starter. Alas, they don't award wins for work done between February and August. It will take a lot more than a few good moves and draft picks to fix a team that has had one winning season in its last 14 and has lost more than 75 percent of its games (19-61) over the past five years.
The Bengals do have the beginnings of a winning foundation. They have a quarterback of the future, a good offensive line, a top-level running back and receiver, and some good defenders. At the least they'll make life easier for the NFL Films editor that has to put together the 2003 video yearbook. That's optimistic, right?
OFFENSE
Kitna will start the season at quarterback and may even take the majority of snaps for the season. Lewis isn't going to do things halfway. Palmer will stay on the sideline until he knows the offense. No one in Cincinnati wants a repeat of what happened with Akili Smith. The Bengals tossed Smith on the field before he knew what he was doing, yanked him for playing poorly, and only gave him 17 starts even though those Bengals teams were going nowhere. When Palmer knows the offense well enough, Lewis will let him loose.
In the meantime, Kitna has shown some leadership ability. He's a scrapper who took the Seahawks to a playoff appearance. He cut down on his interceptions last year (16) and needs to reduce them further this year. The Bengals moved the ball well when he played. He doesn't have a strong arm but is accurate.
Palmer will likely sit for most of the year. He has impressed with his poise though. After throwing two interceptions that were returned for TDs in his first preseason game, he responded with a TD drive. He ripped the plantar fascia tendon on the sole of his right, plant foot in that game, but the Bengals say that's a good thing. The painful injury is normally fixed through surgery that releases, or rips the tendon. That's not necessary now, and the Bengals don't believe it will cause him to lose practice time during the season.
Corey Dillon rushed for 1,311 yards last year. He's topped 1,100 yards rushing in each of his six seasons. He doesn't have great hands, but he has improved as a receiver posting career highs in receptions (43) and yards (298) last year. Dillon is very durable and has averaged 20 carries per game over the last three seasons. That doesn't leave a lot of work for the other backs. Nevertheless, Brandon Bennett has run well in his limited opportunities. Lorenzo Neal, a Pro Bowler last year and regarded as the best blocking fullback in the league, has gone to San Diego. Chris Edmonds and fourth-round pick Jeremi Johnson are the candidates to replace him.
In his second season, Chad Johnson had a breakout year catching 69 passes for 1,166 yards and five touchdowns. He also averaged 16.9 yards per catch, second among starting receivers to Pittsburgh's Plaxico Burress. At 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, he is smaller and lighter than his cousin Keyshawn Johnson but is a better deep threat. Another season like 2002 and Keyshawn Johnson will be Chad Johnson's cousin. Peter Warrick led the receivers with a career-high six touchdowns. He'll start at the other receiver again but coaches would like to move him inside in three receiver sets. Ron Dugans, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, rookie Kelley Washington and Danny Farmer give the Bengals a quartet of tall targets off the bench. Other than Warrick, all the Bengals' wideouts are at least 6- foot-1. Ex-Falcon Reggie Kelly was signed as a free agent to play tight end. He's mainly a blocker. Matt Schobel caught 27 passes as a rookie last year.
The left side of the offensive line will be inexperienced, but should be protecting Palmer for years. Levi Jones started 12 games as a rookie last year. The former first-rounder will be lined up next to rookie second-rounder Eric Steinbach, who projects to be an excellent lineman for years to come. Mike Goff moves to center from RG and veteran Matt O'Dwyer switches from LG to RG. Willie Anderson is still a quality RT. Former starter Rich Braham is an experienced reserve who can play both guard spots as well as center.
DEFENSE
If Oliver Gibson can come back from his Achilles injury the Bengals should have a solid front four. The veteran was playing well when he was hurt last season. If healthy, he'll give Cincy a three-man rotation at tackle. Tony Williams starts in the middle with Thornton. Thornton was playing well for the Titans last year and was one of the most coveted free agents in the offseason.
Defensive end Justin Smith saw lots of double teams after an impressive rookie campaign. Still, he managed 7.5 sacks last year and should benefit from the improved play on the rest of the line. At LDE, veteran Duane Clemons and free- agent addition Carl Powell are battling for the starting position. Powell played for Lewis last season in Washington.
LB Brian Simmons, who was drafted in the first round with Spikes, now replaces him on the right side. Kevin Hardy had a strong season for the Cowboys last year and will take Simmons' old spot at MLB. Hardy has never played in the middle before but was adjusting quickly in camp. Lewis believes the speedy Simmons will benefit greatly from the switch. There's a competition for the job at LOLB. Steve Foley, who missed all of last season, is battling Adrian Ross, who started at the position six times last year. Ross dropped 15 pounds in the offseason to improve his speed.
The defensive backfield should definitely be improved under Lewis' watch. The Bengals veteran Jeff Burris last year and Tory James this year. The wily veterans will start at the corners. They have good size and are sure tacklers.
The Bengals need more interceptions this season. Their total of nine last year was tied for worst in the league. James has a knack for the big play and is coming off of his best season for Oakland. Former starter Artrell Hawkins is the third corner and the Bengals drafted Dennis Weathersby in the fourth round. Weathersby would have likely been selected in the late first or early second round if he was not shot in a drive-by incident before the draft. His wound healed fine and he has been practicing in camp. The Bengals also like Weathersby's former Oregon State teammate Terrell Roberts.
Mark Roman and Manuel Marquand are the favorites to start at safety. Free- agent acquisition Rogers Beckett, a hard hitter, is pushing Marquand as is JoJuan Armour. Both have started on the strong side before. Kevin Kaesviharn has showed some playmaking ability behind Roman.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Neil Rackers improved his kicking a great deal last year; he was perfect from inside the 40-yard line. Nick Harris did the punting last year, but Travis Dorsch is attempting to win both jobs. Bennett will be the primary kick returner. He had a 99-yard TD last season. Either Houshmandzadeh or Warrick will handle punt returns.
COACHING
Marvin Lewis has never been a head coach, but he's off to a fine start. His offseason program helped improve overall team strength and speed, he attracted quality free agents and has created competition for jobs. The Bengals need to narrow the turnover deficit. They were minus-15 in takeaways/giveaways, worst in the AFC. New defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a former NFL CB who coached the Eagles' standout secondary, will have the Bengals flying around the field. He has talent in the defensive backfield and some speed at linebacker. The Bengals will put more pressure on offenses this year and that will bring more turnovers.
OUTLOOK
The Bengals can score some points and the defense will be improved. Look for Lewis' first season to be a success. Six wins seem reasonable, but let's be optimistic and say seven.
