Cincinnati Bengals
Owner: Mike Brown
Founded: 1968
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
2010 record: 4-12
Last playoff appearance: 2009 season (10-6, AFC North Champs) L24-14 NYJ
General Manager: Mike Brown
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (60-67 record as Bengals head coach)
Offensive Coordinator: Jay Gruden
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Zimmer
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 20.1 PTS (22nd) 330.6 YDS (20th) 235.4 PASS (13th) 95.1 RUSH (27th)
DEF: 24.7 PTS (24th) 332.0 YDS (15th) 216.8 PASS (14th) 115.2 RUSH (19th)
Pro Bowlers: none
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 11 at Browns 1:00 PM Tickets
2 Sep 18 at Broncos 4:15 PM Tickets
3 Sep 25 vs. 49ers 1:00 PM Tickets
4 Oct 02 vs. Bills 1:00 PM Tickets
5 Oct 09 at Jaguars 1:00 PM Tickets
6 Oct 16 vs. Colts 1:00 PM Tickets
7 Bye
8 Oct 30 at Seahawks 4:15 PM Tickets
9 Nov 06 at Titans 4:05 PM Tickets
10 Nov 13 vs. Steelers 1:00 PM Tickets
11 Nov 20 at Ravens 1:00 PM Tickets
12 Nov 27 vs. Browns 1:00 PM Tickets
13 Dec 04 at Steelers 1:00 PM Tickets
14 Dec 11 vs. Texans 1:00 PM Tickets
15 Dec 18 at Rams 1:00 PM Tickets
16 Dec 24 vs. Cardinals 1:00 PM Tickets
17 Jan 01 vs. Ravens 1:00 PM Tickets
TEAM NEEDS: RB, RT, DE
Potential Free Agents:
Cedric Benson RB – re-signed – 1 yr
Brian Leonard RB – re-signed – 2 yrs
Terrell Owens WR
Reggie Kelly TE
Kirk Chambers OT
Jonathan Fanene DE
Dhani Jones LB
Brandon Johnson LB
Keiwan Ratliff CB
Roy Williams S
Chinedum Ndukwe S
Gibril Wilson S – re-signed –
Free agent acquisitions:
Bruce Gradkowski QB (Raiders)
Bo Scaife TE (Titans)
Max Jean-Gilles OG (Eagles) – 1 yr, 1.15 million
Thomas Howard LB (Raiders) - 2 yrs, 6.5 million
Manny Lawson LB (49ers) -
Nate Clements CB (49ers) –
Free agent losses:
Andrew Mitchell OT
Evan Mathis OG – Signed by Eagles
Antwan Odom DE
Morgan Trent CB
Jonathan Joseph CB – Signed with Texans
Trades:
Traded WR Chad Ochocinco-Johnson to Patriots for 2012 and 2013 draft picks
Picks in 2011 Draft: (overall draft grade: B+): The Bengals are all of a sudden drafting pretty well. Their first three picks from last year’s draft (TE Jermaine Gresham, DE Carlos Dunlap, and WR, Jordan Shipley) all contributed in big ways last season. AJ Green and Andy Dalton will no doubt play big roles in 2011 since Chad Ochocinco-Johnson, Terrell Owens, and Carson Palmer all have cloudy futures with the team. Moch provides a pass rush threat off the edge opposite Dunlap and their secondary gets some potential improvements with Woods and Sands.
(! Indicates draft pick who was interviewed, had a private workout, etc. prior to the draft according to my compiled list):
Rd 1, Pick 4 (4) A.J. Green WR, Georgia – Perfect spot in draft order for Green. He’s the top WR this year.
Grade: A Rated: 2
Rd 2, Pick 3 (35) Andy Dalton QB, TCU! – We all heard the talk prior to the draft. Dalton was going to get overdrafted, in my opinion, and he did. He is not a first round talent, not even close. I had him at 73. Sure he’s got great leadership, smarts, and decent skills, but that just doesn’t add up.
Grade: C Rated: 73
Rd 3, Pick 2 (66) Dontay Moch OLB, Nevada – Great 40 time, pass rush specialist, but weak against the run.
Grade: B Rated: 72
Rd 4, Pick 4 (101) Clint Boling OL, Georgia – The Bengals’ offensive line has some questions, most notably 2009 first rounder Andre Smith.
Grade: B Rated: 113
Rd 5, Pick 3 (134) Robert Sands FS, West Virginia – big safety prospect with 4.5 speed. The Bengals were looking for an upgrade at safety.
Grade: A Rated: 94
Rd 6, Pick 2 (167) Ryan Whalen WR, Stanford – Bengals wide receivers coach James Urban said he believes that Whalen can play outside receiver or in the slot.
Grade: B Rated: 192
Rd 7, Pick 4 (207) Korey Lindsey CB, Southern Illinois! – another small school guy who got some attention pre-draft. Jonathan Joseph potentially could leave for free agency.
Grade: A Rated: 136
Rd 7, Pick 43 (246) Jay Finley RB, Baylor – Cedric Benson and Brian Leonard are potential free agents.
Grade: C Rated: NR
2010 Bengals’ Draft review:
After watching the post-draft press conferences of the Bengals here are some interesting nuggets of information I saw: Jermaine Gresham was one of the most predictable picks in last year’s draft. I remember seeing multiple mocks (including mine) that had him going to Cincy. That’s not a bad thing, though. He was a very good pick and played up to expectations. Defensive line coach Jay Hayes has ties to Oklahoma and throughout the press conference after the first round, he kept mentioning the staff at Oklahoma and the things they told him. After the second round, Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer fielded questions about Carlos Dunlap. Comparisons between him and 2009 draft pick Michael Johnson were made because both players had concerns about taking plays off, but both were great athletic specimens. So far, both prospects have panned out pretty well, especially Dunlap who had 9.5 sacks last season. There’s an inside joke on the Bengals where apparently defensive line coach Jay Hayes likes “big guys.” Don’t know what that’s about. Dunlap, according to the Bengals, was a 3.0 student and scored high on the Wonderlic Test. Dunlap’s DUI wasn’t a concern to the Bengals, as they commented that everybody they talked to said that it was a one time mistake. Marvin said that what was big to him was guys who were on great football teams, knows what it takes, how u have to prepare for big games, are all big traits. They’re used to winning. Marvin Lewis was asked if they stayed true to their board, he simply answered yes with a laugh. Lewis likes to make himself laugh and have fun with the media, nothing negative against him. It actually wasn’t a bore to watch him talk with reporters. They Bengals have the smallest staff of scouts and the only northern team without an indoor practice facility.
Rd 1, Pick 21 (21) Jermaine Gresham TE, Oklahoma – 10 starts, 52 REC, 471 YDS, 4 TDs, should be a great offensive weapon in future.
Rd 2, Pick 22 (54) Carlos Dunlap DE, Florida – 12 games played, 24 TCK, 9.5 SCK (led all rookies), 3 PD.
Rd 3, Pick 20 (84) Jordan Shipley WR, Texas – 52 REC, 600 YDS, 11.5 AVG, 3 TDs, 4 starts.
Rd 3, Pick 32 (96) Brandon Ghee CB, Wake Forest – 6 games played, 9 TCK.
Rd 4, Pick 22 (120) Geno Atkins DT, Georgia – 16 games played, 1 start, 16 TCK, 3 SCK.
Rd 4, Pick 33 (131) Roddrick Muckelroy LB, Texas – 14 games played, 2 FF, 10 TCK.
Rd 5, Pick 21 (152) Otis Hudson OG, Eastern Illinois – practice squad in 2010.
Rd 6, Pick 22 (191) Dezmon Briscoe WR, Kansas – released, signed with Bucs late in the year. (6 REC, 93 YDS, 15.5 AVG, 1 TD, 2 games played).
Rd 7, Pick 21 (228) Reggie Stephens OL, Iowa State – Made final roster, but didn’t see any action.
Looking back at my grades for Cincinnati after the draft: I gave Cincinnati an overall B+ grade and I think that was right on the money. All of my grades I felt were in line with how the results came up, except for Carlos Dunlap. Dunlap made many people’s All-Rookie Teams (including mine) and he definitely deserves an A for where Cincy got him. The Bengals have started to make a habit of picking up what other teams are letting fall: Rey Mauluga, Michael Johnson, and Carlos Dunlap.
Last 5 First Round Picks: Jermaine Gresham TE, Andre Smith OT, Keith Rivers OLB, Leon Hall CB, Jonathan Joseph CB
2010 Stat Leaders
Carson Palmer 362-586 3970 YDS 61.8% 6.8 YPA 26 TD 20 INT 82.4 RTG
Cedric Benson 321 ATT 1111 YDS 3.5 AVG 7 TD
Terrell Owens 72 REC 983 YDS 13.7 YPC 9 TD
Mike Nugent 15-19 78.9% 54 LNG
Dhani Jones 125 TCK
Carlos Dunlap 9.5 SCK
Leon Hall 4 INT
Out of Season Storylines (Because there is no offseason)
Marvin Lewis Retained For 2 More Years
Carson Palmer Wants To Be Traded Or He’s Prepared To Retire
Jay Gruden Hired As Offensive Coordinator