Cincinnati Bengals
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
Defensive Alignment: 4-3
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)
Jeremy’s Outlook: Here’s an outlook for you…not good. And that’s very obvious and blunt. The Carson Palmer issue throughout the offseason determined what the Bengals were going to do in 2011. Sticking it to Palmer is what Mike Brown would rather do than win games. It’s true…and sad for Bengals’ fans. I find it hard to believe they don’t have ticket issues more than they do. I can see the Bengals liking Andy Dalton a little bit, but he was a reach in the second round. He’s got good intangibles and smarts, but he leaves things to be desired from a starting NFL QB. Cedric Benson will be in jail and wasn’t that good anyways last season (3.5 YPC). A.J. Green is going to be a very good player, it’s just too bad he’ll be in Cincy. Chad Ochocinco-Johnson was traded to New England, which may have been better for both sides, meaning Chad and head coach Marvin Lewis.
The defense could actually be decent. Carlos Dunlap had a good rookie year last season and will be looking for more opportunities. The 49ers sent over a group of players they didn’t want via free agency (Nate Clements and Manny Lawson) and trade (Taylor Mays). The loss of Jonathan Joseph is a knock on the unit. I think some young players will improve with another year under their belts and Cincy will improve overall on defense.
Prediction: Nothing much to report on here. Starting a rookie quarterback who clearly is not ready to start, very average running game, and a defense that won’t scare much of anybody all equals another basement conclusion to a Bengals season. The Bengals will get a pretty easy out of division schedule, but I doubt the schedule will help them improve by much record-wise. I’m predicting 3-13 and a possible shot at Andrew Luck if they get the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Projected Starters:
QB: Andy Dalton
RB: Cedric Benson
WR: A.J. Green
WR: Jerome Simpson
WR: Andre Caldwell/Jordan Shipley
TE: Jermaine Gresham
OT: Andrew Whitworth
OG: Nate Livings
C: Kyle Cook
OG: Bobbie Williams
OT: Andre Smith
DE: Robert Geathers/Carlos Dunlap
DT: Domata Peko
DT: Geno Atkins
DE: Michael Johnson
OLB: Manny Lawson/Dontay Moch
MLB: Rey Maualuga
OLB: Thomas Howard
CB: Nate Clements
CB: Leon Hall
FS: Reggie Nelson
SS: Chris Crocker
K: Mike Nugent
P: Kevin Huber
Fantasy Performers:
1. Cedric Benson RB
2. A.J. Green WR
3. Jermaine Gresham TE
4. Bengals Defense
5. Andy Dalton QB
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
Re-signed:
Cedric Benson RB – 1 yr, 5 million
Brian Leonard RB – 2 yrs, 2 million
Jonathan Fanene DE – 1 yr
Dhani Jones LB
Brandon Johnson LB – 1 yr, 1.759 million
Chinedum Ndukwe S – 4 yrs, 1.675 million
Gibril Wilson S – 1 yr
Free agent acquisitions:
Bruce Gradkowski QB (Raiders) – 2 yrs
Bo Scaife TE (Titans) – 1 yr, 1 million
Max Jean-Gilles OG (Eagles) – 1 yr, 1.15 million
Thomas Howard LB (Raiders) - 2 yrs, 6.5 million
Manny Lawson LB (49ers) – 1 yr, 3 million
Nate Clements CB (49ers) – 2 yrs, 10.5 million
Free agent losses:
Carson Palmer QB – did not report
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
Traded DT Clinton McDonald to Seahawks for CB Kelly Jennings
Traded an undisclosed draft pick to the 49ers for S Taylor Mays
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 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