As part of a roundtable of discussions with the most-viewed Cincinnati Bengals’ blogs, BengalStripes.com answered eight questions regarding the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason.
1. The 2009 season was a step in the right direction. True or false?
- True. In 2009, the Cincinnati Bengals proved it could win football games in a way it had never won before, which was with good defensive play. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer took a group of players, that honestly aren’t that talented, and made them the fourth-best overall defense in yards allowed. To put that in perspective, that is ahead of Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Denver, New England and Dallas. The best thing about all of that; is the fact Zimmer will be back in 2010 as well as all the Bengals’ defensive starters. The biggest potential free-agent-to-be is defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who I expect to stay in Cincinnati. Free agent safety Roy Williams could also be back. The other thing that shows that Bengals are headed in the right direction is that it won by running the football. If Cedric Benson doesn’t sign an extension this offseason, he will be playing in a contract year in 2010. With Benson, Scott and Leonard all under contract in ‘10, the Bengals backfield is in good shape. Now, there are concerns at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and offensive line, however those areas shouldn’t be that hard to address in free agency or in the draft. Expectations should be high next season and I hope to see the Bengals in the playoffs once again.
2. The Bengals had a 10 win season but struggled in the second half. Why?
- Excuses, excuses, excuses; as Bengals fans we are used to making them. Injuries? Poor quarterback play? Bob Bratkowski’s predicable play calling? – Do any of these excuses sound familiar? Personally, my excuse this year is that Bengals failed to improve while the rest of the league got better. For example, the Pittsburgh and Baltimore teams that Cincinnati swept in the fall were not the same teams in the winter. In many of the Bengals’ early wins early this season occurred on last-minute drives where their opposition failed to put them away. So, as I see it, the whole league gradually improved throughout 2009 while the Bengals remained the same.
3. What coaches / players should the Bengals part ways with (Mr. Bratkowski anyone)?
- In honor of Jeff Foxworthy (You might be a redneck…): If you want Bob Bratkowsk to be fired, then you might be a Bengals’ fan. Well, actually, you are definitely a Bengals’ fan and you have had probably been calling for Bratkowski’s head for a long time. Fans didn’t like Cincinnati’s offense when it was pass-first and now they hate it even more now that it is run-first. Most would deem Bratkowski’s play-calling predictable, however those same fans easily forget the plays that were a bit unexpected. Personally, I hate to toss the whole responsibility of this offense on Bratkowski’s shoulders. I would rather blame a bad season by Carson Palmer, zero quality tight ends, an inexperienced offensive line and a lack of a No. 2 wide receiver to go with Chad Ochocinco. I feel that Marvin Lewis is equally to blame for the poor play-calling, so that being said, as long as Lewis is the head coach I don’t see Bratkowski being fired. As far as the players, I would like the Bengals to let unrestricted free agents kicker Shayne Graham and fullback Jeremi Johnson walk. Unfortunately, Johnson can’t walk too far so he could be coming back to compete for his starting job this summer. I also pray that someone will take Graham off our hands. As far as restricted free agents, I would like the Bengals to let Daniel Coats go. However, like Johnson, Coats is unlikely to find another team that would be interested.
4. What coaches / players should the Bengals make a priority to keep?
- I would like the Bengals to keep the majority of their unrestricted and restricted free agents. However, at the same time, there isn’t one that will completely cause the team to fall apart. I will pick my top five. First order of business has to be re-signing offensive guard Bobbie Williams, who is one of the team’s leaders in the locker room. Second on the list would be restricted free agent linebacker Brandon Johnson, who was extremely valuable filling in for injuries in 2009. Third would be re-signing restricted free agent offensive guard Evan Mathis, who rotated with Nate Livings this past season. Fourth re-sign defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who was needed in the three-man rotation with Domata Peko and Pat Sims. And last sign Roy Williams, if healthy he instantly upgrades the secondary. Honorable mention: Try to keep restricted free agents tight end J.P. Foschi and Frostee Rucker. Foschi might sound like an unusual pick, but as of right now the Bengals have Darius Hill, Chase Coffman and Matt Sherry on the roster at that position.
5. Is Carson Palmer the problem in the passing game?
- Yes, but it is not only him. Palmer obviously struggled in 2009 and had his worst completion percentage of his career. The once fan favorite, the Golden Boy, has some Cincinnati fans demanding for a change at quarterback. However, it is hard to blame Palmer entirely for the lack of a passing game. The departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the emergence of Cedric Benson hurt Palmer’s numbers in ‘09. Also, the lack of production from WR Laveranues Coles gave defenses a chance to double-team Ochocinco. On top of all that, an experienced offensive line that struggled with its pass protection and no quality tight end added to the problem. While I believe Palmer had a bad season, I honestly believe the biggest cause for the problem problem are players surrounding him and the run-first type of play calling. I also think Palmer was at his worst last season, he can only get better in ’10.
6. What should the Bengals look for in the 2010 NFL draft?
- For the first time in a long time, the Cincinnati Bengals don’t absolutely need anything in the draft. Certainly, the Bengals could use a stud wide receiver or a top-of-the-line tight end in the first round (No. 21 overall). At tight end, mock drafts have Cincinnati selecting Oklahoma’s Jermaine Greshman or Florida’s Aaron Hernandez in the first round. Another name at tight end that you might hear is Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski. At wide receiver, Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant, Notre Dame’s Golden Tate and USC’s Damian Willliams could be considered at that first-round spot. The Bengals might also consider taking a defensive tackle with their first-round pick; Tennessee’s Dan Williams and UCLA’s Brian Price could be prospects worth getting to know. Cincinnati could also use some help at safety, cornerback and offensive line. Personally, I think Illinois WR Arrelious Benn and Alabama DT Terrence Cody could be good pickups if available in the second or third rounds. Also the Bengals are set at running back for 2010, but if the team can’t sign Benson to an extension in March then it may try to draft his replacement (I hope Cincinnati finds a way to keep Benson) in April. Georgia Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer could develop into a power back, similar to Benson, and could be available when Cincinnati selects in the first round. Also, if either Clemson’s C.J. Spiller or California’s Jahvid Best fall to Cincinnati in round one it could be tempting to select one of those game changers. Hopefully, by the time the senior bowl ends this week, the combine is complete and all the pro days are officially over we can finally get a better idea of what exactly the Bengals options will be in the first round.
7. With what looks like a tougher schedule, what do you expect from the Bengals next season?
- Most of all I expect more games on primetime television. In 2009, the Bengals were only televised once on national tv and it was because the Jets were playing their last game in Giants Stadium and were also playing to get in the playoffs. In 2010, Cincinnati is playing Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and San Diego at home. Then on the road, Cincinnati plays Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England, Atlanta, Indianapolis and the New York Jets. I would be very surprised if the Bengals don’t receive at least two Sunday Night or Monday Night games in ’10. I also think the Bengals are in good shape and could be in great shape if they make the right moves this offseason. However, with the tough schedule it is impossible to predict Cincinnati’s final record.
8. How will an uncapped year affect the Bengals next year?
- Ironically the Bengals finished just outside the top eight teams in 2009. That means, unlike those teams that advanced beyond the wild-card round, the Bengals can sign a free agent before it losses one of its own (weird rule that is only in place this offseason). I don’t expect the Bengals to be very active in free agency, but they have more options then they would have if they beat the Jets in the playoffs. Personally, I don’t think much is going change about how the Bengals attack free agency. Cincinnati has never been known to spend a lot of money. I do believe the Bengals will be trying to save some money. For instance, Cincinnati will probably cut Laveranues Coles and will try to re-sign a few of its own free agents. With a salary cap there would be a better chance that the Bengals would go after a big name this free agency, but without a cap I expect Cincinnati to play it safe. Let’s just hope the NFL can figure this out and get a cap back in place for 2011. Otherwise, there could be a strike. Without a cap in 2011 and beyond, Cincinnati will be in trouble and could lose many of its key players.
