Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview

(Courtesy of My Sportsbook) - It has been since 1990, that's 15 years, since the Cincinnati Bengals have finished with a winning record, won their division, or made the playoffs. If that doesn't seem like a long time, consider this: -In 1990, The Bengals played in something called the AFC Central. The division consisted of three teams within a long taxi ride of each other (the Bengals, Browns, and Steelers) and one about 1,200 miles away with a big oil well on its helmet. -There were no NFL teams in Baltimore, Nashville, Oakland, Charlotte, Jacksonville, or St. Louis, but there were two in Los Angeles. -The guy playing quarterback in Cincinnati was Boomer Esiason (now 44 years of age) and the man doing most of the running was James Brooks (now 47). Ickey Woods, who scored six touchdowns that season, isn't shuffling any more, folks. He'll be 40 next year. -The Patriots were 1-15, and the 49ers were 14-2.

-The Bengals' head coach was Sam Wyche, who once reminded Cincinnati fans that they didn't live in Cleveland. Marvin Lewis was the 32-year-old linebackers coach at the University of Pittsburgh, and Jon Gruden was a 27-year-old go-fer with the Niners. Bill Parcells was exactly the same age he is now. The point is, it has been a while. But the Bengals, fresh off back-to-back 8-8 seasons and with as much young talent as any team in the league, can hear the playoff train approaching in the distance. Ending the aforementioned dark decade-and-a-half period in the annals of team history will be job number one for this year's Cincinnati team, which will have to stand up to a couple of big AFC North roadblocks in order to complete that quest. Below we take a capsule look at the 2005 edition of the Cincinnati Bengals, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

RB: The Bengals' selection of Chris Perry in the first-round of the 2004 draft should have put Rudi Johnson (1454 rushing yards, 12 TD, 15 receptions) on notice, but Perry couldn't stay healthy, Johnson earned a trip to his first Pro Bowl last year, and now Perry's value on the team is being called into question. Perry appeared in just two games and had a total of five touches as a rookie, as he battled both hamstring problems and a season-ending sports hernia. In order to move up the depth chart, the former Michigan star will have to unseat Kenny Watson (161 rushing yards, 25 receptions, 1 TD), who was valuable to the Bengals as a third-down back a year ago. At fullback, Jeremi Johnson (16 receptions, 1 TD) is a solid blocker with good hands. If the team keeps a second fullback, it will likely be Doug Easlick, who started a game for the Dolphins last season.

WR/TE: Chad Johnson (95 receptions, 9 TD) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (73 receptions, 4 TD) both had terrific seasons in 2004, with Johnson making his second straight Pro Bowl and Houshmandzadeh coming up just 22 yards short of 1,000. The third wideout last season was Kelley Washington (31 receptions, 3 TD), who might have some challengers in maintaining that role this year. Peter Warrick (11 receptions), who averaged 63 catches a season from 2000 through 2003 but missed 12 games with shin and knee injuries last year, is back in the mix this season. Rookie Chris Henry (3rd Round, West Virginia), a 6-3 athlete whom the team is high on, will also get a chance to shine. If all five receivers stick (there was speculation that the pending free agency of Warrick could lead him to be dealt or cut during camp), Cincinnati will have one of the deepest pass-catching corps in the league. If the Bengals keep a sixth receiver, it will likely be Cliff Russell (1 reception) or sixth-round draft choice Tab Perry (UCLA), who are more valuable on special teams than Kevin Walter (8 receptions). Cincinnati is deep at tight end, where Reggie Kelly (15 receptions) and Tony Stewart (10 receptions, 1 TD) have both been starters and Matt Schobel (21 receptions, 4 TD) is the club's best pass-catcher at the position.

OL: The Bengals received solid production from its offensive line a year ago, and return all five players up front. Right tackle Willie Anderson was a Pro Bowler in 2005, and along with left tackle Levi Jones should allow the team's bevy of talented running backs to find the edge. Center Rich Braham started 10 games before falling victim to a season-ending knee injury, but should be fully healed this year. If he can't recover, either eighth-year pro Larry Moore or fourth-round draft choice Eric Ghiaciuc (Central Michigan) could take Braham's spot. At guard, Eric Steinbach should continue to be a staple on the left side and Bobbie Williams comes off a solid first season in Cincinnati on the right. Scott Kooistra, who played in all 16 games last season, can back up either of the tackle slots. Stacy Andrews, a fourth-round pick last season, should see more time as well.

DL: Cincinnati received minimal production from its defensive line last season, and has shaken up the rotation there in order to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Justin Smith (70 tackles, 8 sacks), the club's top sack-man a year ago, will move from right end to left. Robert Geathers (16 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT), who played well after being drafted in the fourth round out of Georgia in 2004, figures to start on the right side. Backing up Smith and Geathers will be Duane Clemons (49 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and Carl Powell (22 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT), both of whom had starts at left end last season. Defensive tackle John Thornton (57 tackles, 3 sacks) is the only member of the 2004 starting unit who will occupy his old spot, as former Bear and Dolphin Bryan Robinson (41 tackles with the Dolphins) was brought in to take over the other interior slot. Langston Moore (31 tackles, 1 sack) a part- time starter at right tackle last year, will add depth along with Matthias Askew (2 tackles) and/or Shaun Smith (2 tackles).

LB: Changes abound here, as Kevin Hardy (69 tackles, 4 sacks) was cut loose and David Pollack (1st Round, Georgia) and Odell Thurman (2nd Round, Georgia) were drafted to help solidify a unit that was held largely responsible for the team finishing 26th in the league against the run. Pollack, who had 36 sacks in four years as a defensive end at Georgia, is being moved to strong side linebacker in order to place some additional pressure on the quarterback. Thurman is expected to take over for Nate Webster (20 tackles, 1 sack) in the middle, as Webster could miss the whole season with a knee injury. Landon Johnson (87 tackles, 2 sacks), who also saw time in the middle last year, will probably serve as the top backup at all three linebacker spots. Caleb Miller (35 tackles) had three starts during his rookie season, but was slowed by ankle problems during training camp. Larry Stevens (13 tackles) and Marcus Wilkins (20 tackles) both played on special teams last season, and their chances of making the team will improve if injuries to Miller and Webster persist.

DB: Offseason acquisition Deltha O'Neal (39 tackles, 4 INT) was the big story at cornerback as the Bengals' 2004 season began, but it was left cornerback Tory James (61 tackles, 8 INT) who ended up having the better year. James made his first Pro Bowl at the age of 31, and was just one off the league lead in interceptions. Providing depth behind O'Neal and James this season will be Keiwan Ratliff (37 tackles) and probably Rashad Bauman (5 tackles), a former third-round pick who missed most of last season with an Achilles injury. At free safety, Madieu Williams (103 tackles, 3 INT, 2 sacks) had a strong rookie season, and should take his place alongside strong safety Kim Herring (63 tackles, 1 INT). Kevin Kaesviharn (66 tackles) was a spot starter last year, and Anthony Mitchell (19 tackles) saw time as a backup. Reggie Myles (21 tackles), who has led the Bengals in special teams tackles over the past two seasons, should be back for a fourth year with the club.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Shayne Graham (27-31 FG, 41-41 XP) had a strong year in his second campaign as a Bengal, and will be back in action despite missing time in training camp with a groin strain. Kyle Larson (42.2 avg.) was a pleasant surprise after being signed as a rookie free agent last season, and is secure as well. Cliff Russell (22.4 kickoff return avg.) and Keiwan Ratliff (12.2 punt return avg.) went into camp atop the depth chart at returner, but the return of Peter Warrick (2 career punt returns for TDs) and drafting of UCLA's Tab Perry (65 career kickoff returns) could mean an eventual alteration of that picture.

PROGNOSIS: The Bengals would be just about everyone's dark horse pick to be a playoff team this season if a) they weren't the Bengals and b) they didn't play in a division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Lewis has done a nice job changing the losing culture in Cincinnati, but the fact of the matter is that this team still hasn't made the postseason since 1990, and an inferiority complex persists. The Bengals have plenty of talent, particularly on offense, but the Steelers and Ravens will still expect to beat them, both home and away, as will a number of non-division opponents who haven't yet received the memo in regard to the team's strength. Lewis and company need to overcome that, must at least split with the Steelers and Ravens and beat some other people they shouldn't, in order to boast real progress. The quarterback and defense are young, but on paper, there is no reason this team can't challenge for a playoff bid.