A year removed from the basement of the AFC North and a 4-11 record, the Cincinnati Bengals have swagger back in their step and are talking big. After a surprise sweep of their division the Bengals fell apart against the Jets. This year however, they've revamped their team and are coming back with the deepest squad of Marvin Lewis has had. Their number four ranked defense not only returns its starters but is healthier and has added depth. Antwan Odom returns after tearing his ACL in week 6. The veteran defensive end out of Alabama was having a career year and led the league in sacks before his injury (granted he had 5 sacks in one game against Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers isn't exactly known for evading the sack) and his return should improve their occasionally shaky pass rush. To add depth, the Bengals picked up Adam "I don't want to be called Pacman anymore even though it was a sweet nickname" Jones. I like this move even though he hasn't played in a season. It's not like Dallas where he was asked to start because the Bengals have one of the best corner tandems in the game in Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph, and he does add explosiveness in the return game. Plus, it's never a bad thing to add a killer instinct to a defense and he seems like a decent guy if you're on his good side. While Vick's posse rolled on him in a heartbeat, nobody ever snitched on Pacman. That speaks volumes of his character.
Back in the day, when Ochocinco was still Chad Johnson and he was lined up across T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Houshamazode! Put him on the board), Cincinnati's passing offense was the focal point of the team. Last year it held them back. By signing Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant, they may have gotten older but they've certainly added talent to their wide receiving corps. It will take some time for them to mesh with Carson Palmer, but additions such as these along with rookies Jordan Shipley and Jermain Gresham should give the offense diversity that it did not have last season. Jermain Gresham was out last year due to injury, but in his last healthy season at Oklahoma he lead the team in receiving touchdowns on their way to the National Championship game. Cedric Benson is back and won't be suspended after his off the field issues. Ever since the boating incident I've taken his word on everything. Not his fault racists follow him around. Haters. Bernard Scott is there to help out Benson should he not repeat his comeback performance, but overall last year's number 9 ranked rushing offense is in decent hands. If Andre Smith (43 second mark. Hot damn.), who missed most of last season with an injured foot and contract disputes, can come in and play well at right tackle then it should open up their running game even more.
The uncertainties that surround this Bengals team are scary for Cincy fans. First off, this line's ability to pass block is questionable. Normally, this is a bad thing. When you throw in the fact that Carson Palmer gets hurt frequently yet the Bengals have done nothing to give him a solid backup, this can be disastrous. The end of last regular season should prove that the Bengals need someone to come in behind Carson. If J.T. O'Sullivan walks onto the field in anything but a blowout Bengal fans should start deciding whether to use a noose or a gun. He's that bad to watch and I've never seen anyone mail it in more than he mailed it in against the Jets (LeBron included). Pitiful. People shaving points don't play that badly. Carson himself is even a question. He hasn't exactly lit the world on fire, but he hasn't had the same offensive weapons that he's had in the past either. For his sake he needs to turn it around this year or the front office will start looking for a replacement.
According to Rick Moranis in Little Giants, "kicking is the key to this game." Shayne Graham did his best to ignore that advice, and his botched attempts in the postseason got him cut. There's a two man competition between journeymen Mike Nugent and Dave Rayner, but whoever comes out of it will need to do better than Graham if the Bengals want to advance. It's sad to rely this much on a kicker, but when you have a great defense and a questionable offense then you'll need him in a clutch, low scoring game. If he's shanking kicks or TO starts yelling at Carson, it could be a long season in Cincinnati but this team has the potential to be tops in the AFC North for a second straight year.
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