2006 Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview

the kind that only Mel Gibson can appreciate. And unlike Gibson, the Bengals can't blame any particular religious group for their trying summer, either; they can only blame themselves.

These days, playing for Cincinnati and having never been arrested is a lot like being a paramedic and having never learned CPR.

In the past three months, five Bengal players have had run-ins with the law, plus, the team's starting middle linebacker, Odell Thurman, was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The head of this classless class is wideout Chris Henry, who has been arrested four times in the past seven months, all for separate incidents. Henry showed his versatility by having his legal woes occur in three different states, as well.

Shortly after Henry's third arrest (or was it his fourth?) fifth-round rookie A.J. Nicholson was arrested on burglary charges (if that isn't proof that agents need to get their rookie clients to sign their contracts as quickly as possible, nothing is). After Nicholson, it was Frostee Rucker, the team's third-round pick. Rucker was charged with battery and vandalism. He would have been charged with having an uncomfortably weird name, as well, if that were a crime.

Next in line was Matthias Askew, who was Tasered by police and charged with resisting arrest after a parking incident. (The Bengals recently took a moral stand and released the 24-year-old, despite Askew coming off a dominant 2005 campaign in which he recorded four whole tackles). Finally, right guard Eric Steinbach was arrested and charged with boating under the influence in early August. He has pled not guilty, so apparently he's going to contest the results of the field of sobriety tests that he failed.

As embarrassing as these five players have been, team president Mike Brown, who loves talent no matter if it comes in handcuffs or not, deserves a great deal of blame. Brown is the one making the personnel decisions. So is Marvin Lewis, who also deserves to be lambasted. As honorable as the fourth-year head coach is, Lewis has still allowed the team's front office to attach his name to all these troublemakers. In fact, it's during his tenure that most of the malefactors have been brought in.

And it's not like Cincy hasn't known ahead of time that certain players might be trouble. Two of the arrested Bengals (Frostee Rucker and A.J. Nicholson) are rookies who had legal issues in college. Henry, who was drafted by Lewis three years ago, slipped to the third round because other teams were leery of his questionable character.

Under Lewis, Cincy has also drafted two very talented linebackers (Ahmad Brooks, supplemental 5th round pick this year and Odell Thurman, second round pick last year) who entered the NFL early in large part because of drug problems in college. Thurman, evidently, has still not learned.

The Bengals have once again become the black eye of the NFL, though for once, it's because of what they're doing off the field. Many fans don't realize that only about 1.7 percent of NFL players are arrested each year, a figure that is much smaller than the estimated 3.0 percent arrest-rate for the rest of society. The problem is that of the approximate 1.7 percent of arrestees in the NFL this season, about 20 percent of them play for the same team.

So here we are in late August, talking about a flourishing fresh team that might just have Super Bowl potential, and we're still yet to mention that the hot, young superstar quarterback is attempting to return to action after suffering a devastating knee injury just seven months ago. And that, in fact, is what Cincinnati's season is really riding on in 2006.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2006 edition of the Cincinnati Bengals, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2005 RECORD: 11-5 (t1st, AFC North)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2005, lost to Pittsburgh, 31-17, in AFC Wild Card Game

COACH (RECORD): Marvin Lewis (27-21 in three seasons with Bengals, 27-21 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Bratkowski

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Chuck Bresnahan

OFFENSIVE STAR: Chad Johnson, WR (97 receptions, 1432 yards, 9 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Brian Simmons, LB (83 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 11th rushing, 5th passing, 4th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 20th rushing, 26th passing, 22nd scoring

FIVE KEY GAMES: at Pittsburgh (9/24), Carolina (10/22), at Cleveland (11/26), at Indianapolis (12/8), Pittsburgh (12/31)

KEY ADDITIONS: QB Anthony Wright (from Ravens), QB Doug Johnson (from Browns), QB/WR Reggie McNeal (6th Round, Texas A&M), WR/RS Antonio Chatman (from Packers), T Andrew Whitworth (2nd Round, LSU), DT Sam Adams (from Bills), DE/OLB Frostee Rucker (3rd Round, USC), LB Ahmad Brooks (3rd Round supplemental draft, Virginia), OLB A.J. Nicholson (5th Round, Florida State), CB Johnathan Joseph (1st Round, South Carolina), S Dexter Jackson (from Buccaneers),

KEY DEPARTURES: QB Jon Kitna (to Lions), QB Craig Krenzel (released), WR Kevin Walter (to Texans), TE Matt Schobel (to Eagles), DE Duane Clemons (released), LB Nate Webster (to Broncos), S Kim Herring (released)

QB: Carson Palmer (3,836 passing yards, 67.8 completion percentage, 32 TD, 12 INT, 101.1 rating) more than lived up to his hype last year - if an ex-Heisman winner who was taken No. 1 overall in the 2003 draft can exceed such hype. In his third season as a pro (and second as a starter) Palmer led the NFL with 32 touchdown passes and a 67.8 completion percentage. He averaged 7.54 yards per passing attempt and posted a rating of 101.1. He also set an NFL record by registering a single-game quarterback rating in triple digits 11 times.

However, when Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen unintentionally rammed into Palmer's knee on the Bengals first playoff possession since 1992, he may have drastically altered the quarterback's career. Initially, Marvin Lewis put on a brave face about his superstar's injury, referring to it almost as if it was just a standard ACL tear. But his stomach must have be churning. Palmer's knee injury was not just another ACL - there was significant damage to the medial collateral ligament that Houston area Dr. Lonnie Paulos, who performed Palmer's operation, called a "four" on a scale of one-to-three. In between saying the knee was repaired and there was a chance Palmer could be ready by September, Dr. Paulos acknowledged that injuries like Palmer's are the type that can end careers. Palmer's kneecap was also dislocated on contact, which damaged tissue and cartilage around it.

Severe ligament damage? Dislocated kneecap with surrounding damage? Four on a one-to-three scale? Yeah, Lewis's stomach must have had a pit in it bigger than the one Angelina Jolie was carrying around. Dr. Paulos later retracted his comments, but that's nothing more than an angry Bengals staffer placing a call and telling him to shut up.

Since the operation, Palmer has rehabbed, returned to the practice field, and is apparently poised to be under center in Week 1. It has not been all peaches and cream, though. Bengals coaches wanted Palmer to play in the second preseason game; Palmer insisted he wasn't mentally ready and wanted to wait until the third game (against Green Bay). The fact that this type of disagreement even occurred makes you wonder if this expedient return is a good idea in general.

The good news for Palmer is that he is a pocket-passer who does not require the same services from his knee that other players might. It was also his left leg, which is the one to damage if you're a right-hander dropping back and planting on your right foot.

The Bengals are prepared to go without Palmer if they have to. They signed an experienced backup in Anthony Wright (1,582 passing yards, 61.7 completion percentage, 6 TD, 9 INT, 71.7 rating) to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum of $750,000. Wright is familiar with the AFC North, having spent the last four seasons as a spot starter in Baltimore.

RB: For as great q job as Lewis has done since arriving, can someone explain why in the world he used his 2004 first-round draft choice on running back Chris Perry (279 rushing yards, 51 receptions, 2 TD)? Perry is probably wondering the same thing. He's entering his third season now and is still yet to establish an identity in the NFL. Times-a-wastin' - the 6-0, 224-pounder has great hands and a natural running style that makes him surprisingly elusive. He is a very productive third-down back, but the man has starter talent. Yet, he's still coming off the bench because the Bengals have Rudi Johnson (1,458 rushing yards, 12 TD).

Cincy signed Johnson to a long-term contract the year they drafted Perry and so far, the 28-year-old has not disappointed. His 1,458 yards last season set a new franchise record (breaking his old record of 1,454 yards from '04). Johnson's a powerful between-the-tackles runner who can also be dangerous in the open field. He's made the Queen City forget about Corey Dillon and, unfortunately for Chris Perry, him too.

Fullback Jeremi Johnson (12 receptions, 65 receiving yards, 3 TD) re-signed to be with the club for five more years at $7.528 million. Right idea - Johnson is one of the better blocking backs in football.

WR/TE: Chad Johnson (97 receptions, 1,432 receiving yards, 9 TD) deserves a lot of credit for putting this team back on the map. His touchdown celebrations, farcical interviews, and public trash-talking have made football fun for the fans in Ohio and Kentucky, and it has pumped a lot of life into the organization. But it takes a special coach to deal with Johnson.

The talented sixth-year pro from Oregon State (who last year, for a third consecutive season, led the AFC in receiving yards) is not always an ideal leader. He's immature in a lot of ways, as he has had helpful people watching out for him his entire life. But he also has a lovable personality and he means well, which is why Lewis has been able to tolerate Johnson's occasional outbursts (including one that occurred during halftime of the Wild Card loss) and his unceasing self-promoting antics (such as posting a chart of the opposing cornerback he's going to face each week and making predictions about how badly he'll outperform each of them). In exchange for putting up with Johnson's flair, Lewis in return gets a superstar threat who is as hard- working and dedicated as anyone.

The football world loves Johnson. When NFL owners voted 29-3 to ban celebrations involving props and players leaving their feet (which means what, exactly? No Lambeau Leap?) it was almost as if the league just wanted to challenge Johnson and see how creative he can be. Johnson has vowed to continue to "entertain" (within the guidelines - for now) and he even talked about forming a celebration committee with Terrell Owens and Steve Smith. (Not sure what it is they'd do, but okay, whatever, Chad.)

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (78 receptions, 7 TD) has been a teammate of Johnson's since they were together at Oregon State. He is coming off a stellar season in which he caught 78 balls for 956 yards. Expect similar numbers from him again this year. No. 3 receiver Chris Henry (31 receptions, 6 TD) can keep his job despite four arrests in seven months because he is a super-talented weapon who has tremendous length and a natural grace when playing the game. He has been outstanding in the pre-season thus far. Kelley Washington (10 receptions, 1 TD) was supposed to be that outstanding third receiver, but injuries have kept his career from coming to fruition. With return specialist Antonio Chatman being a worthy No. 4 wideout, Washington may not make the team in 2006.

Cincinnati had three very mediocre tight ends last season in Matt Schobel, Reggie Kelly (15 receptions, 90 receiving yards, 1 TD), and Tony Stewart (4 receptions, 26 receiving yards). Schobel is gone, leaving them with two mediocre tight ends. Kelly is a good blocker who works well in the offense. He is also more adept at catching the ball than Stewart, though neither will do so very often (combined 19 receptions in 2005).

OL: Heading into training camp, three of Cincinnati's starting linemen were approaching the final year of their contract. The team wisely inked left tackle Levi Jones to a long-term deal, making him the highest paid offensive lineman in history to have never made a Pro Bowl. Jones is worth every greenback, though. The 307-pounder is fluid in pass-protection and has drastically improved as a run-blocker since entering the league as the 10th- overall draft pick in 2001. The Bengals were also able to lock up veteran right guard Bobbie Williams (who has played all but one snap on offense since arriving in Cincinnati in 2004) early in the offseason. Center Rich Braham is in the last year of his deal, but he is also expected to retire at the end of the season. Then again, that has been the case with him for years.

Two players still expected to hit the market at the end of the season are left guard Eric Steinbach and right tackle Willie Anderson. Steinbach is a mobile run-blocking ace who is a catalyst for the rushing attack. Anderson has been selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls. This is his 11th year playing in the league, but he is only 31 and still in his prime.

The Bengals would presumably like to re-sign both, but not at an inflated price. They used a second-round pick on Andrew Whitworth (LSU) and he could assume Steinbach's starting spot in 2007. Willie Anderson would most likely take a discounted contract to stay in Cincy, but the team has recently been giving his understudy, Stacy Andrews, more quality reps. Bengal players are talking about Anderson as if this is the last year that he'll be with them. Also in the second-string of the depth chart is Ben Wilkerson, who was an undrafted free agent in 2005, but would have been one of the top centers taken in the draft if not for a serious knee injury in his last game at LSU. He will compete with Eric Ghiaciuc, a fourth-round pick last year, to replace Braham.

DL: Cincy's inability to defend the run has hurt them in each of the past two seasons, which is why they sought out Sam Adams (15 tackles, 3 sacks with the Bills), who might be the best "rent-a-run-stopper" in the league. Since beginning his career with the Seahawks, the 33-year-old Adams - all 335 pounds of him - has been with the Ravens (where he was part of the Super Bowl defense under Lewis), Raiders (where he played one year under Bresnahan), and Bills (where nothing too exciting happened).

With Adams clogging up lanes, eighth-year veteran John Thornton (42 tackles, 2 sacks) should regain some of his effectiveness. Thornton's a solid player, but his lack of strength has allowed opposing offenses over the years to create a lot of holes for their ground game. Adams will be able to rest whenever he wants, as the Bengals have three run-stuffing type tackles on the bench: Bryan Robinson (18 tackles), Shaun Smith (26 tackles), and fourth-round rookie Domata Peko (Michigan State).

Lewis likes quicker pass-rushing ends, which is why this could be Justin Smith's (66 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) last season in stripes. The sixth-year pro is in the final year of his contract and considering he's good for about eight sacks a year and possesses great lateral quickness in run- support, he'll likely garner more money than the Bengals want to pay. They like the pass-rushing potential of Frostee Rucker (USC), who will work behind Smith and also Robert Geathers (34 tackles, 3 sacks), who is a run-defender that slides over to tackle on third downs. Geathers should have a better '06 campaign after slimming down over the offseason.

LB: Lewis knows what he wants in a defense and he's building it piece by piece. His foundation is the linebacker position (hmmm...Ray Lewis in Baltimore, LaVar Arrington in Washington - yeah makes sense). Last year Cincy drafted two Georgia Bulldogs in David Pollack (28 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Odell Thurman (106 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 INT). Pollack was taken in the first round (17th overall) but it is Thurman, the second-rounder (48th overall) who has sure-fire Pro Bowl potential. However, he seriously put himself behind the eight ball by getting suspended for the first four games of the season. Cincy moved weakside linebacker Brian Simmons into the middle to fill in for Thurman. Simmons (84 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INT) is a Pro Bowl- caliber player who has been an unheralded star on this team for nine years. He must be thrilled to finally be playing with a pair of bona-fide studs, something he's missed since his buddy Takeo Spikes left for Buffalo in 2003.

The Bills, err, the Bengals, have myriad options at the linebacker position. Landon Johnson (82 tackles) would be an above-average starter on most teams. He can play any of the three linebacker positions and has assumed Simmons's spot on the weak side. When healthy, the 25-year-old is a fantastic presence in traffic, with the ability to get off blocks, accelerate into tackles, and adjust to slip linemen on the move. He is also terrific in pass coverage. If Simmons plays well in the middle and Johnson continues to impress on the weak side, Thurman may find himself coming off the bench upon his return. Pollack is the starter on the strong side. The 6-2, 255-pounder is a multidimensional weapon who needs to narrow his scope just a bit and develop a niche. Playing the Sam linebacker, Pollack can use his strength (which, as he discovered as a rookie, is not quite as advantageous at the pro level) to be a force against the run. His notoriety, though, will likely come from his work as a pass- rushing specialist on third downs.

Rookies A.J. Nicholson (Florida State) and Ahmad Brooks (Virginia; supplemental draft) have great potential hidden between the gobs of question marks that surround them. Nicholson will make his mark on special teams this season. Brooks will likely do the same, though the 262-pounder (he shed 30 pounds over the summer in order to regain his quickness) has shown flashes of brilliance in training camp. However, he still has a ways to go before being considered a dependable every-down player. Caleb Miller (7 tackles) and Hannibal Navies (1 tackle) both have experience and can contribute well on special teams, though one of them (likely Navies) will probably fail to make the 53-man roster.

DB: Since being traded to the northernmost city in the south (or, the southernmost city in the north) on draft day in 2004, cornerback Deltha O'Neal (10 INT, 20 passes defensed, 65 tackles) has seen his career blossom before his very eyes. O'Neal is allowed to play a gambling style of coverage in this defense and has grown from being an inconsistent malcontent with Denver to a feared playmaking force in Cincinnati. He is coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions.

Thirty-three-year-old cornerback Tory James (57 tackles, 5 INT, 14 passes defensed) made the Pro Bowl in 2004, but has recently started to slow down. He's a physical man-to-man defender with veteran wisdom, but teams started picking on him deep downfield towards the end of last season. In 2007, the Bengals will likely say goodbye to James and replace him in the lineup with this year's first-round pick Jonathan Joseph (South Carolina). Joseph came out after his junior year and was expected to be extremely raw. However, he has been impressive thus far and could put his 4.32 speed to use on a regular basis this season. He'll fight Keiwan Ratliff (43 tackles, 3 INT) - a near starter-level player - for the nickel duties.

Free safety Madieu Williams (21 tackles, 1 INT) was on his way to being one of the best in the business before a shoulder injury wiped out all but four games of his '05 season. He is healthy once more and should enjoy playing alongside strong safety Dexter Jackson (45 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), a veteran who brings outstanding Super Bowl experience. Kevin Kaesviharn (87 tackles, 1 sack) is a hearty player who makes a lot of tackles (second on the team with 87 last season), but the athletically-limited 29-year-old finds himself in a more fitting second-string role along with safety Anthony Mitchell (19 tackles, 1 sack).

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Shayne Graham (28-32 FG) represented the AFC in the Pro Bowl last season. Punter Kyle Larson (43.2 average) did not have a strong season, downing just 13 punts inside the 20, which only surpassed his touchback total by five.

Kickoff returns are handled by Tab Perry (24.4 average). Former Packer Antonio Chatman (8.5 average) - who played at University of Cincinnati and is good friends with Chad Johnson and Houshmandzadeh - was signed to relieve Deltha O'Neal of his punt return duties. Chatman is reliable in this role, but he generally isn't much of a threat to hit a second gear and break a big one.

PROGNOSIS: A lot depends on what Carson Palmer is able to do. In fact, just about everything depends on what Palmer is able to do. Anthony Wright looked good early in the preseason, but he is simply not the prolific passer that Palmer is. The team's morale would also be different with Wright in there instead of Palmer.

Defensively, the Bengals have to get better at stopping the run. They are loaded at the linebacker position and they added a lot of girth up front with Sam Adams. It will be up to the defensive masterminds Marvin Lewis and Chuck Bresnahan to make all the talented young players come together.

The expectations have changed in southern Ohio/northern Kentucky. Unfortunately, a forgettable offseason has dampened some of the enthusiasm surrounding this franchise. However, a few wins early on would do wonders for this team, especially when considering that five of their first six games are against playoff teams from a year ago.

Andy Benoit is the author of the book Touchdown 2006: Everything You Need to Know About the NFL this Year. For more information, visit www.touchdown2006.com

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