Cincinnati Bengals Off-Season Preview

Cincinnati (4-11-1 No Playoffs)

Current Situation: Cincinnati played a brutal schedule and lost QB Carson Palmer in Week 4. After starting 0-8, the Bengals finished 4-3-1 and won their final three games. However, Cincinnati has 21 potential free agents, chemistry and leadership concerns, and an offense that scored less than the Texans in their 2002 expansion season. Basically, Cincy has a ton of problems and are in a really awkward rebuilding stage, since a lot of the players on the roster are older and fed up.

Advice:
- With $28 million in cap space, Cincy probably should try to spend big, since they won't be able to fill all their needs in the draft. To do that, they will not be able to franchise Houshmandzadeh.
- Where to start? Up front of course. OT, once considered a team strength, has become a key weak spot. Willie Anderson is gone, Levi Jones's age and injuries are starting to catch up with him and Stacy Andrews is an impending free agent who won't be recovered from knee injury until Training Camp. Drafting in the 6th spot, they are in prime position to draft one of four elite OT prospects.
- The Bengals only had 17 sacks all season and had no player rack up more than 3 sacks. DE Robert Geathers looks to have been a one-year-wonder and Cincy needs an upgrade.
- The front seven is stocked full of fringe starters. DT John Thornton does not expect to return and there is no current replacement on the roster.
- Also, they should look at the strong free agent LB class to possibly replace incumbents Dhani Jones and UFA Rashad Jeanty.
- Decide whether or not to trade Chad Johnson then seriously re-evaluate the WR position. Chad Johnson is a negative locker room presence, especially on what expects to be a very young roster next season and T.J. Houshmandzadeh has no intention of returning to the team. Cincy drafted Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell last year, but neither had much impact as rookies. If the coaches and front office feel they have the appropriate skill and upside, they should go with them, especially with so many problems elsewhere.
- Find a RB... badly. Cedric Benson, Chris Perry and Kenny Watson are not acceptable options. But based on the problems in the trenches, I would not draft RB early. You can find a starting RB in rounds 3-5.
- Consider replacing free agent C Eric Ghiaciuc.