Cincinnatti Bengals: AFC Sleepers

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Bengals are a team that has historically struggled, and is known for bringing in players with off-field issues and sub-par play. So how could we ever consider the Bengals possible AFC sleepers?

Well, if you don't understand, let me explain.

First, here is a look at some of the Bengals off-season additions:

OT Andre Smith, LB Ray Maualuga, DE Michael Johnson, SS Roy Williams, DT Tank Johnson, WR Leveranues Coles.

Damn, these guys have been busy; and that's not even all of the off-season talent they acquired.

So how do these guys help the team?

First off, Andre Smith.

Last year, the Bengals struggled because perennial pro-bowler Carson Palmer was plagued with injury. The Bengals shored up his blind side with 1st rounder Andre Smith. With protection, a healthy Palmer will not only throw for 4000+ yards, but make the Pro Bowl again. The signing not only improves the passing game, but also helps open up holes for the running game.

Next is Laveranues Coles.

He may not be equal to TJ, but he is good enough. Expect him to approach a 1000 yard season with Palmer as his QB.

Then, theres the defense. This is where things get scary.

LB Ray Maualuga - He is known for his brutal hitting power and nose for the ball carrier. He will help make the defense, especially the run defense, respectable.

DT Tank Johnson - This guy will not only help improve the run defense, but will make Maualugas job easier by eating up double teams and keeping defenders out of the second level.

FS Roy Williams - Sure, his coverage skills may be suspect, but like the aforementioned defenders, he will help shore up the run defense. He is basically an extra linebacker with his hitting power.

So with these three additions to the defense, teams will be forced to beat them through the air. With young and still green QB's in the division like Joe Flacco, and whoever the Browns play, this falls right into the Bengals' strength. And that is where the fourth defender comes in.

DE Michael Johnson - He arguably had one of the best combine performances at the combines. Johnson is a physical freak. At 6'7'' 270, he was expected to be a pass-rusher out of a 3-4 defense. He ran a 4.7 40, 4.3 shuttle, jumped 38.5 on the vertical, pushed out 28 reps on bench, and had a broad jump of 128 inches. This guy will be a nightmare for opposing QBs.

Some would say the Bengals were to bad of a team to even think about a playoff push, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

A Bengals team with a healthy Palmer could have easily gone .500. On top of that, they competed with some of the league's top teams. For example, they lost to the Giants in overtime and tied with the Eagles, two playoff teams.

Others would say the division is to hard. Really? Don't they play the Browns twice a year?

And what's to say the Steelers don't suffer another Super Bowl hangover. After there last one, they came back with a disappointing 8-8 season missing the playoffs.

But more likely than that, what's to say the Ravens don't take a fall this year.

They not only lost there defensive coordinator, but a good deal of quality assistants. On top of that, Joe Flacco isn't that great. Actually, he may be the most overrated QB in the league.

Last year, he hid behind the Ravens defense and didn't even throw for 3000 yards. He only threw 14 TDs and nearly as many INT's at 12. And then there's that dreaded sophomore slump many young players suffer from. If his numbers come down, that is bad news for the Ravens.

You could also claim the Ravens are getting old in the tooth, and lost too much talent this off-season; but that's still to be seen.

With that said, a Bengals Wild card birth behind the Steelers is not out of the question.

Who knows, maybe we could even see them atop the division.

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