Rebuilding the Bengals USA today

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Cincinnati Bengals


Rebuilding the Bengals: The offense can only get better
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The Bengals added first-round draft pick Andre Smith, right, to help protect QB Carson Palmer.


IN 'THE HUDDLE' BLOG

Get the latest buzz from around the NFL in 'The Huddle,' USA TODAY's football blog



Yahoo! Buzz Digg Newsvine Reddit FacebookWhat's this?By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY
At this year's training camp, the Cincinnati Bengals will star in Hard Knocks, the HBO and NFL Films series that takes an inside look at an NFL team's summer rigors.
The Bengals should be well rehearsed. They suffered many hard knocks in last year's 4-11-1 season.

Quarterback Carson Palmer missed 12 games in 2008 with an elbow problem, and the Bengals ranked last in total offense. That was a major departure from 2005, when the league's sixth-ranked offense led Cincinnati to an 11-5 finish and the AFC North title.


Palmer has pronounced himself 100% healthy even though he didn't have surgery to fix a partially torn ligament and tendon in his throwing elbow. What's more, he likes what he sees in the team this offseason.

"Definitely, by far, it's been the best offseason program since I've been here," Palmer says. "There have been no distractions. Everyone has been here to work, and that's been great for us."

There is still much to be done for the Bengals to regain their status as a factor in the AFC North, where the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens have reigned lately.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who had 12 touchdown catches in 2007, signed for big money with the Seattle Seahawks. To fill the vacancy, the Bengals signed Laveranues Coles from the New York Jets. He had 70 catches last season for 850 yards and seven touchdowns.

While Coles might prove an able replacement for Houshmandzadeh, another key question is whether Chad Ochocinco (the former Chad Johnson) will return to form.

He had six 1,000-yard receiving seasons going into last season, catching 48 touchdowns in the process.

Was his production last season (53 catches, 540 yards and four TDs) a product of the quarterbacking, done primarily by departed backup Ryan Fitzpatrick? Or was it a sign Johnson's best days are behind him?

Coach Marvin Lewis thinks Palmer's return will revive the air game.

Lewis told NFL Network last week, "I'm confident, obviously, in our quarterback position. I'm confident in our ability to go back to throwing the football.

"I think we'll see a better Carson Palmer. I think we'll see a … guy that was like a caged bear all year having to go through what he had to go through."

Ochocinco could benefit from a return to form by Palmer, and Palmer could benefit from a significantly improved offensive line. In 2007, the Bengals allowed 17 sacks. The total soared to 51 last season.

The makeover has begun. The Bengals released tackle Levi Jones, a first-round draft pick in 2002 who had battled injuries.

The incoming rookies include tackle Andre Smith, drafted sixth overall, and center Jonathan Luigs, a fourth-rounder.

A better offense could further help a defense that improved from its No. 27 ranking in 2007 to 12th a year ago under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. Lewis thinks an improved running game, led by improved blocking up front, is key.

"The best defense is sitting on the bench drinking Gatorade," Lewis says. "I think, offensively, our inability to run the football earlier in the year really hurt our defensive football team."

Smith, the 6-4, 332-pounder from Alabama, could be a key contributor in a hurry. Although he was a dominator in college, he was suspended by the Crimson Tide for his final bowl game. In February, he left the scouting combine unannounced.

Still, Lewis says the Bengals were impressed in their meetings with Smith. "When our coaches began to talk with him about football, you watched this guy really light up talking about the protections, who's supposed to have this guy … all those things that kind of go unnoticed at times," Lewis says.

Smith says he's happy to be a Bengal. "I made a few bad decisions a couple times, took some bad advice," he says. "I hate to have to learn that lesson on such a large scale in front of the whole entire United States, but it's a great lesson."

On the defensive side, the Bengals signed free agent safety Roy Williams, a former Pro Bowler who played for Zimmer when both were with the Dallas Cowboys.

Among the rookie newcomers who could provide immediate help are linebacker Rey Maualuga and end-linebacker Michael Johnson.

Maualuga, a 6-2, 249-pounder from Southern California, appeared on the predraft cover of Sports Illustrated with fellow USC linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews.

Cushing and Matthews went in the first round. Maualuga went in the second round, 38th overall. There were questions about his speed and mobility. Lewis says his play doesn't reflect that.

"They say he doesn't run that well, but every time I saw a running back go to the perimeter, he ****** them down," Lewis says.

Was Maualuga surprised not to go in Round 1? "Yeah, I was a little upset," he says. "But I think God works in mysterious ways. I'm just happy to be taken. I'm happy to get things going with the Bengals."

Johnson, a 6-7, 266-pounder, was drafted in the third round for his ability to pressure quarterbacks.

"He has unbelievable skills and ability," Lewis says. "We need to fit him into our defense right away and let him do one of the things he did well, and that's rush the passer."

One question about Johnson is his ability to play hard on every down.

"There are times in his film that he does exceptional things. … If he had done those things every play, he would have been one of the top three or four people picked," Zimmer says. "But that's our job to get him to play that way."

How will that go? Tune into Hard Knocks, beginning Aug. 21.

AROUND THE FIELD IN CINCINNATI

• Quarterback: After taking every snap in 2007, Carson Palmer missed 12 games last season with an ailing elbow. But the two-time Pro Bowler says he's healthy now. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the sub last season, signed with the Buffalo Bills. The Bengals replaced him with free agent J.T. O'Sullivan.

• Running back: The Bengals gave Cedric Benson a shot to restart his career last season, and he led the team with 747 rushing yards and received a new two-year contract. Chris Perry, a first-rounder in 2004 who couldn't stay healthy, was released. The team acquired Brian Leonard from the St. Louis Rams to help on third down.

• Wide receiver: The Bengals tried to keep mainstay T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but he bolted to sign with the Seattle Seahawks. The vacancy in the starting lineup was filled with the signing of Laveranues Coles. Chad Ochocinco matched Houshmandzadeh with four TD receptions last season but struggled through his worst year since his rookie season in 2001.

• Tight end: Palmer needs another target, and the draft may provide it. The newcomer is third-round draft pick Chase Coffman. He used his 6-5 frame to catch 20 TD passes as a collegian and won the John Mackey Award last season as the country's top tight end. He did break his foot in the Alamo Bowl, though.

• Offensive line: An overhaul was needed for the NFL's worst offense in 2008, and it started up front. The selection of tackle Andre Smith with the sixth pick in the draft is just the start.

• Defensive line: The need for bulk up front was addressed by the signing of tackle Tank Johnson. The Bengals had 17 sacks last season and hope rookie Michael Johnson can add spark. Ends Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers are coming off injuries.

• Linebacker: Keith Rivers looks to pick up where he left off in a 2008 rookie season that was cut short after seven games by a broken jaw. He will be joined by fellow Trojan Rey Maualuga, a second-round draft pick. They should flank middle man Dhani Jones. Rashad Jeanty and Brandon Johnson, major contributors in 2008, will likely come off the bench.

• Secondary: Third-year cornerback Leon Hall led the team last season with three interceptions. Safety Roy Williams, a five-time Pro Bowler, was signed as a free-agent after being released by the Dallas Cowboys. He's a heavy hitter with limitations in pass coverage but had good years in Dallas under Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

• Special teams: Shayne Graham, whose 85.6% field-goal accuracy is fifth-best all-time in the NFL, was designated as the Bengals' franchise player in February. With the offense struggling, Kyle Larson was the busiest punter in the NFL last season (100 punts), but he averaged 39.5 yards. He was cut, and rookie Kevin Huber, who played collegiately at Cincinnati, is expected to take over.

• Coaching staff: Last season's 4-11-1 finish dropped Marvin Lewis' record to 46-49-1 in six seasons as head coach. In Zimmer's first season as defensive coordinator last year, he brought respectability to a defense that ranked 12th overall.

• Outlook: When healthy, Palmer is an elite quarterback. But the Bengals will have to come up with an offensive line that can keep him healthy and open holes for the running game. Zimmer figures to guide continued improvement on the defensive side. But in a division with four games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, getting back to 8-8 would be an accomplishment for Cincinnati. And the draft picks will have to bring help in a hurry to get the Bengals back to .500.

[Waynesboro KennyG]

Good stuff. I like reading through the points at the bottom. Really good summation.

[BennyBengals]

Good article - and 8-8 is a realistic end of season record that i'd be ok with!

[EatonFan]

Originally Posted by BennyBengals

Good article - and 8-8 is a realistic end of season record that i'd be ok with!

Why would anyone be satisfied with mediocrity?

[JungleJuice]

Originally Posted by EatonFan

Why would anyone be satisfied with mediocrity?

Well maybe cause when you are looking at the bigger picture considering the Bengals finished 4-11-1 last season and were a mess, the fact that so many rookies and new players will be leaned on to produce and be on the field early in the year unless something happens and the stars align 8-8 would be quite the turnaround in our division. I love the Bengals but seriously all the playoff talk I read about on here is fun and optimistic but I just see it being a 2 year process IMO.

so in the end would I love 11-5? sure but 8-8 is a bit more realistic soo far. and compared to 4-11-1 or 7-9 would be a step in the right direction.

[WhoosierDey06]

Originally Posted by JungleJuice

Well maybe cause when you are looking at the bigger picture considering the Bengals finished 4-11-1 last season and were a mess, the fact that so many rookies and new players will be leaned on to produce and be on the field early in the year unless something happens and the stars align 8-8 would be quite the turnaround in our division. I love the Bengals but seriously all the playoff talk I read about on here is fun and optimistic but I just see it being a 2 year process IMO.

so in the end would I love 11-5? sure but 8-8 is a bit more realistic soo far. and compared to 4-11-1 or 7-9 would be a step in the right direction.

Totally agree, the Bengals are basically putting a new and hopefully
a better team on the field than previous years. 8-8 may be mediocrity
but it is a giant step in the right direction. Anything better than 8-8 is
a bonus. I am very optimistic about the up coming season, however I
am also realistic. The Bengals finished 8-8 in 04' and went 11-5 in 05',
IMO that may be the most likely scenario. It will take atleast 2 years
for the players to learn the system, gel together, and basically play
instinctly rather than over thinking...

[Winston]

Originally Posted by BennyBengals

Good article - and 8-8 is a realistic end of season record that i'd be ok with!

Please tell me that that exclaimation mark at the end of the sentence hints at sarcasm?

[Winston]

People, we went 4-11-1 because our franchise QB was gone for 75% of the year. With him back we go at least 8-8, but with our free agent acquisitions and our stellar draft why on EARTH would anyone expect anything less than 10-6 and a playoff berth?

Jesus guys, have you been beaten down so much that 8-8 is acceptable?

Start believing, and more importantly, start expecting better things from this team.

[CAP-BENGAL]

Originally Posted by JungleJuice

Well maybe cause when you are looking at the bigger picture considering the Bengals finished 4-11-1 last season and were a mess, the fact that so many rookies and new players will be leaned on to produce and be on the field early in the year unless something happens and the stars align 8-8 would be quite the turnaround in our division. I love the Bengals but seriously all the playoff talk I read about on here is fun and optimistic but I just see it being a 2 year process IMO.

so in the end would I love 11-5? sure but 8-8 is a bit more realistic soo far. and compared to 4-11-1 or 7-9 would be a step in the right direction.

This has been the attitude of the entire marvin era it seems with fans... Go 8-8 and you have "something to build on." Yes, you're not terrible, but yet not that good. Not to mention, this is what Mike Brown loves. It keeps the fans reasonably optimistic, the coaching staff intact, and no money has to be spent in the offseason; meaning nothing gets done! 8-8 is mediocrity that keeps you out of the playoffs and leaves you a poor draft pick. And from what you've seen in the past, once you settle for mediocrity you get mediocrity: In six seasons, 8-8, 8-8, 8-8, 7-9. This season, it's 10+ wins or bust for me. What's the point in being a fan and being satisfied with "average"... If the Bengals don't win a playoff game, not just get in, but don't win a playoff game this year, then it's a disapointment. Period. This team hasn't won a playoff game since the 1990 season. I was 6. I'm now 24. That's 18 straight years of losing and failure. If this year makes 19, then it's just another sad stat to our sad record. This team has the pieces to get things done like anyother team in this league. I'm finished with the mediocrity.

Originally Posted by JungleJuice

but 8-8 is a bit more realistic soo far. and compared to 4-11-1 or 7-9 would be a step in the right direction.

you're an idiot.

[eliminate08]

Originally Posted by Winston

People, we went 4-11-1 because our franchise QB was gone for 75% of the year. With him back we go at least 8-8, but with our free agent acquisitions and our stellar draft why on EARTH would anyone expect anything less than 10-6 and a playoff berth?

Jesus guys, have you been beaten down so much that 8-8 is acceptable?

Start believing, and more importantly, start expecting better things from this team.

I agree with Winston and Cap-Bengal.

I believe this team is poised for the playoffs this year.

Non of this lets go 8-8 crap to build on. This team could go 13-3 and it wouldn't surprise
me that much. I honestly cant find a weakness on this team right now besides maybe
Nickelback. Everywhere else we are deep and looking good.

The O-line was the problem last year, it has been taken care of. We are not the 4-11-1
team from last year. We are already building for the playoffs THIS YEAR.

[pat5775]

Originally Posted by eliminate08

I agree with Winston and Cap-Bengal.

I believe this team is poised for the playoffs this year.

Non of this lets go 8-8 crap to build on. This team could go 13-3 and it wouldn't surprise
me that much. I honestly cant find a weakness on this team right now besides maybe
Nickelback. Everywhere else we are deep and looking good.

The O-line was the problem last year, it has been taken care of. We are not the 4-11-1
team from last year. We are already building for the playoffs THIS YEAR.

I agree 100%. If Palmer can stay healthy, and with this schedule, there is no reason this team should finish with any less than ten wins. Any less than ten and I consider the season a failure.

[bradfritz21]

Part that stood out the most to me and has me the most excited is

Lewis told NFL Network last week, "I'm confident, obviously, in our quarterback position. I'm confident in our ability to go back to throwing the football.

Sounds like Marvin's making sure that we don't go dive, dive, curl, punt every possession.

I'm also hoping that it means that we run a lot more three wide sets with no fullback (I'd like it as our base formation).

[voyager6]

Originally Posted by Winston

People, we went 4-11-1 because our franchise QB was gone for 75% of the year. With him back we go at least 8-8, but with our free agent acquisitions and our stellar draft why on EARTH would anyone expect anything less than 10-6 and a playoff berth?

Jesus guys, have you been beaten down so much that 8-8 is acceptable?

Start believing, and more importantly, start expecting better things from this team.

My estimate is 9-7, but I am factoring in that the coaches will lose at least one, if not two games due to time management, conservative play calling and failure to get the best people on the field.

[bengalnutt]

... I will wait till the season plays out before I decide whether it was a success or not. IMHO I do think 10 wins is a real possibility. I think it will be very important to come out of the gate with some early wins. I think it will hinge on how fast the O-line meshes. If we can get some early confidence, the sky is the limit...

[CaptainCanada]

Originally Posted by Winston

People, we went 4-11-1 because our franchise QB was gone for 75% of the year.

I'm going to play devils advocate here, the Bengals were 0-4 with Palmer under center last season. How do you expect that will change with an undrafted free agent with no games under his belt playing center and a rookie with no games under his belt playing right guard against the two best and most complex defenses in the NFL four times a year?

[Winston]

Originally Posted by CaptainCanada

I'm going to play devils advocate here, the Bengals were 0-4 with Palmer under center last season. How do you expect that will change with an undrafted free agent with no games under his belt playing center and a rookie with no games under his belt playing right guard against the two best and most complex defenses in the NFL four times a year?

Because I do. Next question?

[Who2Dey]

8-8 is failure. It was good enough in 03, and 04...but look what we had before that. Now I've had my filling of .500 football with underacheiving teams. I got the sweet taste of winning in 05, and anything less isn't good enough.

[wilson]

Originally Posted by Winston

People, we went 4-11-1 because our franchise QB was gone for 75% of the year. With him back we go at least 8-8, but with our free agent acquisitions and our stellar draft why on EARTH would anyone expect anything less than 10-6 and a playoff berth?

Jesus guys, have you been beaten down so much that 8-8 is acceptable?

Start believing, and more importantly, start expecting better things from this team.

I believe, and I'm expecting better things from this team. I'm expecting playoffs regardless of what others say.

Originally Posted by CAP-BENGAL

This has been the attitude of the entire marvin era it seems with fans... Go 8-8 and you have "something to build on." Yes, you're not terrible, but yet not that good. Not to mention, this is what Mike Brown loves. It keeps the fans reasonably optimistic, the coaching staff intact, and no money has to be spent in the offseason; meaning nothing gets done! 8-8 is mediocrity that keeps you out of the playoffs and leaves you a poor draft pick. And from what you've seen in the past, once you settle for mediocrity you get mediocrity: In six seasons, 8-8, 8-8, 8-8, 7-9. This season, it's 10+ wins or bust for me. What's the point in being a fan and being satisfied with "average"... If the Bengals don't win a playoff game, not just get in, but don't win a playoff game this year, then it's a disapointment. Period. This team hasn't won a playoff game since the 1990 season. I was 6. I'm now 24. That's 18 straight years of losing and failure. If this year makes 19, then it's just another sad stat to our sad record. This team has the pieces to get things done like anyother team in this league. I'm finished with the mediocrity.

you're an idiot.

I'm tired of mediocrity, too. I'm also bummed that we fell below mediocrity.

Originally Posted by eliminate08

I agree with Winston and Cap-Bengal.

I believe this team is poised for the playoffs this year.

Non of this lets go 8-8 crap to build on. This team could go 13-3 and it wouldn't surprise
me that much. I honestly cant find a weakness on this team right now besides maybe
Nickelback. Everywhere else we are deep and looking good.

The O-line was the problem last year, it has been taken care of. We are not the 4-11-1
team from last year. We are already building for the playoffs THIS YEAR.

And I agree with Winston, Cap-Bengal and Nate. For the first time in a very long team this team went out and did what they needed to do in the offseason to make this a better team. I'm excited, and I'm expecting big things from this team.

Originally Posted by Who2Dey

8-8 is failure. It was good enough in 03, and 04...but look what we had before that. Now I've had my filling of .500 football with underacheiving teams. I got the sweet taste of winning in 05, and anything less isn't good enough.

I've had enough with 8-8, 7-9 and 4-11-1. We've got the talent, now let's see the coaches do their part. No more misused time outs, obvious play calling, 10 men on the field, and poor clock management. This team is ready now. This is Carson's 7th year in the league. The time is now. Coaches, do YOUR job!!

[mancunian]

Looking at the roster, for the first time since Lewis arrived I think the defence is stronger the offence, and part of the reason we've had those .500 years was the defence couldn't stop my mum and she's 73.

If that defence continues to improve and the offence gets half way back to what it was we have a chance of going 10 -6 or at the very least 9 - 7.

[BANJAXED]

I want a Lombardi Trophy

This year

Next year

and every year.

[mancunian]

we all do, but I'd settle for the first one for now

[BANJAXED]

Originally Posted by mancunian

we all do, but I'd settle for the first one for now

I'm sorry

do you hope for a mediocre job?

"decent" health?

a middle of the road love life?

No you dont.


Settling for something is what people do when they dont want to put their heart out there for the best.

[mancunian]

I said for now.....lets just get this first one in the bag and then worry about repeating. We've been in existence for 40 odd years and we've not won a SB yet so hoping for complete and utter domination for eternity is stretching things a little.

Of course I want the Bengals to win EVERY game but thats blinking hard......

[BANJAXED]

Originally Posted by mancunian

I said for now.....lets just get this first one in the bag and then worry about repeating. We've been in existence for 40 odd years and we've not won a SB yet so hoping for complete and utter domination for eternity is stretching things a little.

Of course I want the Bengals to win EVERY game but thats blinking hard......

I'm tired of people "settling" for being decent - like that makes for a great season

[mancunian]

or am I just being realistic? ...that my minimum expectation is to win at least one SB?

what would you "settle" for?