Cincinnati Bengals' Roster Filled with New Faces and New Names

(Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images)

Change is sweeping through the Cincinnati Bengals. With 40 new faces on the roster, name tags might be a requirement the first week of training camp.  

The makeover was necessitated by consecutive losing seasons and an endless barrage of turmoil. But the change was regulated to the players as the coaching staff remains together.

Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski has returned for another season and should be playing with a full armament of weapons. After unleashing Carson Palmer on the NFL in 2005-'06, injuries, off the field issues and an ineffective offensive line forced Bratkowski to water down the offense.

Last season was a lost one for Palmer, which ended up being a blessing in disguise. Bratkowski witnessed an offensive line that allowed 51 sacks, a nightmarish number for any coordinator. The inability to protect the quarterback forced Bratkowski into maximum pass protection mood, resulting in  a vanilla offense.

The decimated offensive line has been retooled. Rookie Andre Smith has moved into the right tackle slot. The sixth overall pick will not enjoy a learning curve and is expected to start week one.

Andrew Whitworth has moved from the inside and now is responsible for protecting Palmer’s blind side at right tackle. Toss in center Kyle Cook and the Bengals will have two players in Smith and Cook with zero NFL snaps and Whitworth a converted guard playing left tackle.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?