2011 NFL Season Preview: Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals

Front Office:

Owner:

GM: Paul Brown

C: For the past twenty years the Cincinnati Bengals have been near the top of the list of poorly ranked teams. I think the Brown family either got smarter or hired someone to advise them because the team seem to be heading in the right direction before last season. The Bengals are building a solid young team….I am not ready to give them a higher grade yet until more wins come…but they aren’t failing at an epic level any longer.

Coaching Staff

HC: Marvin Lewis

OC: Jay Gruden

DC: MikeZimmer

B: Marvin Lewis received a two year extension. He has done an okay job. He seems to guide young players well so I was not upset with his extension. I am excited to see what Jay Gruden can do to this offense. He seems to be tailoring it to his west coast offense. Mike Zimmer is an under-appreciated coach. He has received the maximum returns from this young group. I love his fire and brimstone approach.

QB: C-

It sure looks like Carson Palmer will not play for the Bengals nor will he be traded so this is Andy Dalton’s team. I like Andy Dalton. He is a winner. He has solid physical traits but ultimately his leadership and poise are his best weapons. Dalton is still a young quarterback in a shortened off season though. Bruce Gradkowski is an okay backup.

RB: C

Cedric Benson signed another one year contract. He is a poor fit for this new system and he is often in trouble with the law. When focused he can be a constant yard churner but only will get a handful of 20+ yard runs a season…if even that. Bernard Scott is a good role player on ST and as a change of pace back.

WR/TE B

AJ Green will eventually be a stud. He is the complete package. Jerome Simpson also showed potential near the end of last season. Jordan Shipley is a dynamo slot WR. Andre Caldwell also fits this system and gives the Bengals good depth. At TE Jermaine Greshman is one of the top young TE in the league. In the near future this will be a deadly unit.

OL: C

Not a weak unit but definitely not a great one. It helps that RT Andre Smith grew up and got in shape. He could be dominate if properly motivated. At RG Bobbie Williams is still solid, but age is catching up with him. At center Kyle Cook is a very sound player who is very durable. Andrew Whitworth is a rock at LT and LG is still up in the air.

DL: C

Young talent waiting to reach their potential seems to be the theme of this unit. Carlos Dunlap appears to be a Pro Bowl talent…if he stays motivated and sober. On the other side there is Michael Johnson who has immense physical talent, yet posts low numbers. Johnson will battle Robert Geathers who was second on the DL last season in tackles. Inside Domata Peko is a beast and is teamed with Pat Simms and Geno Atkins, both are solid player. Their production has not matched their talent at this moment in time though.

LB: B+

Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga have been solid but are capable of much more. Maualuga is finally moving inside which is his natural position. Bengals signed Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard to battle for the SLB position. Bengals also drafted Dontay Moch who is very athletic as well, and very raw.

DB: D

The Bengals had too many holes to let Jonathon Joseph leave, they should have “showed” him the money. Allowing Joseph to leave was a huge blow and one that the Bengals could not afford to have. Leon Hall is very talented and physical CB. On the other side Nate Clements is an average CB at this point in his career. Safeties are what kill this defense. Roy Williams and Chris Crocker are very limited. Bengals need(ed) to pursue at least one in FA.

2011 NFL Draft:

AJ Green is a can’t miss prospect. He will fill the hole left by TO and Chad Johnson. Andy Dalton was a sound pick that will replace Carson Palmer and fits Gruden’s offense nicely. Dontay Moch and Clint Boling are risky picks. Moch has a lot to learn in a more traditional defense. Clint Boling needs to man up and get stronger at OG since he is not athletic enough to stay at LT in the pros. Robert Sands is intriguing at safety. C

Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers

Jermaine Greshman has already shown what he is capable in year 1. In Gruden’s offense he is capable of much more. His numbers will be okay this year…he has a rookie quarterback but that doesn’t mean a bad thing since young QB’s love TE. 60 receptions for around 700 yards and 7 TD’s can be had.

Michael Johnson showed in his rookie year he is ready to break out. So in year two we were all surprised he didn’t. Maybe we were a year off and he grew up in this past off season. He has all the tools, but does he want it? If so, then 8-9 sacks are in his ballpark, however, he is just as capable of obtaining 2-3 sacks as well.

2012 Season Prediction: 3-13

I like the direction they are going, but as with the Browns, they are miles behind the Ravens and Steelers. The Bengals are very young and will struggle mightily in 2011. There is hope in 2012 if some of the young players show promise in 2011.

Home/NFL Draft