Firstly a few opinions of how Cincinnati's season ended last year.
I personally enjoy watching the Jets despite being a Bengals fan so no disregard to them for beating us twice. Our team had unfortunately suffered a lot of injuries on the defensive side and it finally all added up. Nobody replaced our monster defensive end Antwan Odom who left early in 09'. Maulaluga was out for the year in week 16 or 17 and Peko was battling nagging injuries all year. Carson Palmer admittedly had a look of cold feet and Shayne Graham was terrible that game. Still I'm not sure if letting Graham go was the best decision, he's typically been through his career a solid kicker.
I think people assume the worst of this Ocho Cinco/T.O. sideshow because frankly in regards to the national consensus it seems to be the cool thing to do now. They'll fight, the locker room will be divided, the cameras will roll and roll. I could see how the media would want that and eat it up.
Still people ignore that we also signed an injury prone but skilled receiver in Antonio Bryant. They ignore we just signed rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham who's damn near built like a wide receiver and certainly can catch like one. That we still have Cedric Benson back there whom could be a threat this season if he stays healthy. I regret us losing Larry Johnson, we should have paid to keep him.
Point being our wide receiving corp with our starting tight end is VERY good. If somehow personalities can stabilize and the ball be divided fairly we have a combo of few weaknesses in Owens, Ocho Cinco, Gresham, and Bryant. Rookie Shipley is poised to make a strong #4 WR.
Owens is a drama queen yes but his career has almost came to an end. Most teams aren't giving him chances and this is probably Terrells last legitimate shot of getting the Super Bowl ring that's dodged him for years. How he behaves in Cincinnati in his final years may be a factor in his induction or denial into the Hall of Fame in a few years. This is literally T.O.'s last time to shine.
Do I think they'll get the Lombardi Trophy this year? No lol. Do they have a chance? Maybe.... I certainly think though they have a bear of a schedule the Bengals will persevere into the post season though.
The main backbone of this is if Carson stays healthy as well as Cedric. J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer are probably the worst back-up QB tandem in the league. Bernard Scott is a good back but small and in the AFC North that's a dangerous thing.
Also hopefully our top pick last year Andre Smith will live up to his name and play well on that outside guard.
Plus we have the pass overall pass coverage in the league in Jones, Hall, and Joseph.
What are our weaknesses though outside of depth? I know little of our fullbacks capabilities this year though that can be overcame. How about our defensive line that the Jets shredded last year?
GO BENGALS!
I personally enjoy watching the Jets despite being a Bengals fan so no disregard to them for beating us twice. Our team had unfortunately suffered a lot of injuries on the defensive side and it finally all added up. Nobody replaced our monster defensive end Antwan Odom who left early in 09'. Maulaluga was out for the year in week 16 or 17 and Peko was battling nagging injuries all year. Carson Palmer admittedly had a look of cold feet and Shayne Graham was terrible that game. Still I'm not sure if letting Graham go was the best decision, he's typically been through his career a solid kicker.
I think people assume the worst of this Ocho Cinco/T.O. sideshow because frankly in regards to the national consensus it seems to be the cool thing to do now. They'll fight, the locker room will be divided, the cameras will roll and roll. I could see how the media would want that and eat it up.
Still people ignore that we also signed an injury prone but skilled receiver in Antonio Bryant. They ignore we just signed rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham who's damn near built like a wide receiver and certainly can catch like one. That we still have Cedric Benson back there whom could be a threat this season if he stays healthy. I regret us losing Larry Johnson, we should have paid to keep him.
Point being our wide receiving corp with our starting tight end is VERY good. If somehow personalities can stabilize and the ball be divided fairly we have a combo of few weaknesses in Owens, Ocho Cinco, Gresham, and Bryant. Rookie Shipley is poised to make a strong #4 WR.
Owens is a drama queen yes but his career has almost came to an end. Most teams aren't giving him chances and this is probably Terrells last legitimate shot of getting the Super Bowl ring that's dodged him for years. How he behaves in Cincinnati in his final years may be a factor in his induction or denial into the Hall of Fame in a few years. This is literally T.O.'s last time to shine.
Do I think they'll get the Lombardi Trophy this year? No lol. Do they have a chance? Maybe.... I certainly think though they have a bear of a schedule the Bengals will persevere into the post season though.
The main backbone of this is if Carson stays healthy as well as Cedric. J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer are probably the worst back-up QB tandem in the league. Bernard Scott is a good back but small and in the AFC North that's a dangerous thing.
Also hopefully our top pick last year Andre Smith will live up to his name and play well on that outside guard.
Plus we have the pass overall pass coverage in the league in Jones, Hall, and Joseph.
What are our weaknesses though outside of depth? I know little of our fullbacks capabilities this year though that can be overcame. How about our defensive line that the Jets shredded last year?
GO BENGALS!