2009 Finish -- 10-6, 1st in the AFC North, wildcard playoff loss
Key Acquisitions -- WR Antonio Bryant, WR Matt Jones, TE Jermaine Gresham, CB Adam "Pacman" Jones, S Gibril Wilson
Key Departures -- K Shayne Graham
Well one would say that the Cincinnati Bengals had a pretty good off-season in terms of what they added and what they lost. But will it translate into finally going deep into the playoffs?
1. The two problem Jones' will have a positive impact on the Bengals. BUY.
Carson Palmer has desperately needed a big red zone threat for a long time and as long as Matt Jones stays clean and healthy he projects as the perfect guy for that. He's always had the talent to be a great wide receiver, but never the work ethic or off-the-field normalcy. That's going to change this off-season and Jones has a good chance to emerge as the Benglas number two receiver. As for Pacman Jones, he should do just fine as a nickel or dime corner and possibly as a return man. He's not going to have much responsibility, and he may not even make the final roster, but if he does, his responsibilities will be limited which will make it tough for him to have a negative impact at all on the Bengals very talented defense.
2. The Bengals were justified in giving Antonio Bryant big money. SELL.
What a disaster this is going to be. One year after they gave big money to aging receiver Laveranues Coles the Bengals decide to invest again at receiver and put big money into Bryant. While he's definitely in his proper role as the flanker, Bryant has been enormously inconsistent throughout his career. A lot of that stems from being the primary receiver on some really statistically unfriendly teams, but I think at this point in his career even if he's not a primary receiver that Bryant isn't going to command much attention from opposing defenses.
3. Carson Palmer will finally break out of his shell. SELL.
Palmer needs to work on keeping his arm healthy for a full sixteen game schedule and the playoffs. He hasn't been himself the last three seasons and it's really noticeable. I'm wondering how much longer Cincinnati is going to call Palmer their "franchise" quarterback when his health, consistency, and lack of winning start to really get examined.
4. When healthy the Bengals have the best defense in the AFC. BUY.
And if they stay healthy they can probably carry the team to a division title again. The Bengals won a ton of close games last year and often that doesn't carry over from year-to-year. But if Cincinnati stays healthy defensively they've got a terrific pass rush that all starts with Antwan Odom. A great run defense anchored by Domata Peko and Pat Sims. A terrific linebacking corps. that includes Dhani Jones, Rey Mauluga (who looked good to start last season) and Keith Rivers. The secondary is phenomenal with Joseph, Hall, and Jones at corner. Roy Williams has had a resurgence at strong safety with the Bengals and Cincinnati signed Gibril Wilson very under the radar to add a lot of depth to the position. They may have a better defense then New York...when healthy. They are very good, and in some cases elite, in every aspect of the defense.
5. The Bengals are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. SELL.
Sorry, but they're not. Carson Palmer simply isn't good enough. His arm seems to tire out after sixteen games and the team still doesn't seem to have the right stuff at receiver to compliment Chad Ochocinco. The running game is going to be excellent, and so is the defense, but the coaching staff doesn't seem to be able to motivate this team late in the season as the Bengals put up back-to-back dud performances against the Jets to end their year. The Bengals show us constantly that they can't play with the big boys and won six of their ten games within the division last year. That's very disproportionate and chances are they're not going to win all six this year. They're going to need to start winning more games out of division, but they will be facing the AFC East and NFC South as well as two division winners in their schedule. It's going to be tough to repeat as AFC North champs despite their talent level.
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