There was a time not long ago when everything seemed to be going well in Cincinnati. They’d made the playoffs after winning the AFC North, had some exciting young talent, and a savvy veteran quarterback.
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Fast forward a year and playoff thoughts are now a long way off, the young talent doesn’t look so much talented as it does unproven, and that quarterback who isn’t what he once was – but is still more than capable – is no longer around.
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No, the Bengals’ 2009 season was a false dawn and it seems they’ve settled back into the swing of being “that” franchise. You know, the one with the bad decisions. Things aren't all gloomy, though, so here are some ups to go with the downs as we head into the 2011 season.
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Five Reasons to be Confident
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1) An Offensive Line Scratching the Surface?
I’ll admit it. I have a couple of issues with what the Bengals have done on their offensive line. It was inexcusable to play Nate Livings instead of Evan Mathis, and they mess around far too much with unbalanced lines and third down right tackles. It’s change for change’s sake in an area where continuity counts for something. Despite the usage questions, they’ve got some top-notch performers and thus one of the better offensive lines. They finished fifth in our offensive line rankings, largely on the back of the tremendous performances of Andrew Whitworth (our top ranked left tackle last year).
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2) Improving the Linebacker Squad
It’s kind of tough being Keith Rivers. It isn’t so much that he’s played badly, just that he hasn’t set the world on fire as you’d hope such a high pick would. Rivers has been an above average starter and the same can be said about Rey Maualuga. Both men have failed to produce the flashy plays, but have excelled in the Bengals’ base defensive package. The only real problem was Dhani Jones, and they’ve managed to play the old addition-by-subtraction card by getting rid of him and bringing in Manny Lawson. With Maualuga in the middle and Lawson outside there’s more talent on the field. Heck, they’ve even got a useful guy for their sub packages in Brandon Johnson. It’s a stacked group.
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3) Sophomore Sacks Ahoy
Amid the turmoil, the Bengals got excellent production from their sub package D-line. Well, two members of it anyway. Those guys were rookies Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins. I liked the play of Atkins enough to dub him my secret superstar for the Bengals – just too quick for interior linemen. Will his role be expanded or can he continue to be a menace in the nickel defense? The same can be asked of Dunlap. He finished the year with a +8.6 pass rush rating on just 215 rushes (picking up an impressive 24 quarterback disruptions). Watch out for these two.
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4) Slotting In Nicely
Another rookie who made quite the impression was Jordan Shipley. What’s more, with a rookie quarterback bound to play it safe, Shipley could become an even bigger part of the offense. Shipley was used in the slot the third most of any receiver and had the surest hands in the league. That’s what happens when you don’t drop any balls. Mr. Dalton, meet Mr. Shipley – your get out of jail free card.
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5) The Hall-marks of Talent
It’s hard to win without talent at the cornerback spot. They lost one, but kept the guy who has so far proven to be a more talented player. I’m looking directly at Leon Hall, the cornerback they’re currently entering into contract extension talks with. Hall didn’t have the greatest 2010, but you only have to go back to 2009 to see his skills on display. He was our third-ranked CB that year with some excellent work in coverage. It will be interesting to see what is asked of him this year and how he responds.
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Five Reasons to be Concerned
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1) Second Round Rookie Quarterback
It’s tough for a rookie quarterback at the best of times. It’s even harder with a shortened offseason program and a receiving group in a state of flux. While Carson Palmer wasn’t always great last year, he did move the chains. Andy Dalton’s learning curve may just be too steep right now, and his backup, Bruce Gradkowski isn’t likely to be any team’s savior. He was poor when in action for the Raiders last year and has a very limited upside. Teams will target Dalton, and likely use him to the benefit of their stat column.
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2) Geathers
I’ve mentioned my admiration for Carlos Dunlap already. And I’m intrigued to see what Michael Johnson can do now the Bengals have decided on a position for him. Heck, I even like Frostee Rucker as a DE who can kick inside in their sub package. But there really hasn’t been many worse starting defensive ends in the league over the past three years than Robert Geathers, and yet the Bengals insist on playing him. Maybe it’s the money they’ve paid him, but eventually you have to realize he’s not getting the job done, because guess what – he’s not getting the job done. Have a look at his spot in this study: the most unproductive pass rushing end over the past three years.
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3) Decline of a Great?
As someone who has been in awe of the under appreciation that Bobbie Williams has received throughout his career relative to the talent he has, this feels a little wrong, but last year Williams looked to be on the decline. The mistakes aren’t noticeable because he (much like Brian Waters) still holds his own in pass protection. But these once dominant linemen just aren’t capable of doing what they once did. As a pillar of the offensive line, if Williams’ play falls off further, the ramifications could be significant.
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4) Not Playing it Safe
The Bengals made every effort to sign Donte Whitner – so much so that Whitner actually reported the signing (until a better offer came along). In any case, going after Whitner highlighted Cincinnati’s obvious need at safety. There are worse players than Chris Crocker, but it’s a massive leap of faith to think Reggie Nelson will be anything other than a liability as the deeper safety.
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5) Is Winning Important Enough?
I ask this question as someone who loves to win, and hates to lose. If I’m playing any sport I’ll do whatever it takes to win, even if that means swallowing my pride. The Bengals failed to do that with Carson Palmer and it’s indicative of the culture that stems from the very top: Football is less important than pride. Well sorry, but pride won’t win you many football games. The Carson Palmer retirement saga / fiasco is symbolic of the Bengals just not being prepared to do the right thing for their football team.
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As I write this I realize more and more that the Bengals have talent and that it’s almost too easy to overlook. The more I think about it, the more I think the Bengals could very well be this year’s Carolina Panthers. Carolina had a stud set of linebackers, a good offensive line, and an elite defensive end in the making. yet they ended up with the No.1 overall pick.
A rookie second rounder who is a little gun shy. Question marks at the defensive tackle spot. Inexperienced receivers. A team for the future perhaps, but certainly not a team for right now.
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