Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview: Offense

The Cincinatti Bengals' offense was the worst in the NFL last season. At times, it was flat-out painful to even watch. Much of that can be attributed to quarterback Carson Palmer missing 12 games with an injured elbow.  

Can the Bengals rebound and become the offensive juggernaut they were several years ago?

Quarterbacks

Palmer's elbow is strong, healthy and not a concern. However, he has not fully participated in practice in about two weeks because of a sprained ankle. He says the ankle is getting stronger, but it is still up in the air on whether or not he will see action in the final preseason game against Indianapolis.

The backup quarterback spot has greatly improved with J.T. O'Sullivan in place of Ryan Fitzpatrick. The fate of this team will be directly related to the health of Palmer, but O'Sullivan has shown that he can be a serviceable backup.  

Jordan Palmer will be the third-string quarterback.

Offensive Line
The Bengals' offensive line gave up 51 sacks last year. That simply cannot happen if this team wants to be successful. They have already surrendered 11 this preseason, but only two by the starters.  

The offense is averaging 4.3 yards per carry this preseason. If that can carry over into the games that count, it would be a welcomed improvement from years past.

The Bengals have finally agreed to a deal with top draft pick Andre Smith. He has a lot of catching-up to do. I would expect him to begin the season backing up Anthony Collins.

Running Backs

The Bengals have pledged to emphasize the running game this year. Cedric Benson is a good, straight-ahead runner that has good acceleration once he hits the hole. If the offensive line can make a hole, he has a chance to be successful.  

Brian Leonard has shown to be a smart, reliable professional who can catch the ball out of the backfield. He should see a lot of third-down action. The coaches also seem to like rookie Bernard Scott, who rushed for 54 yards last week against the Rams.

Receivers
Chad Ochocinco is looking to rebound from a season in which he missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in six years. He appears to be rejuvenated, recharged and ready to show the rest of the NFL that he still has it.  

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is gone, so former New York Jet Laveranues Coles will line up opposite Ochocinco.

Chris Henry is the most talented receiver on the team. If he can continue to stay on the field and out of trouble, it would provide Palmer with a tremendous weapon down field.

Ochocinco, Coles, Henry, and Andre Caldwell provide the Bengals with a strong receiving corps.

The tight end position has taken some hits in the preseason. Reggie Kelly ruptured his Achilles tendon in the first practice and is out for the year. Ben Utecht suffered the fifth concussion of his career and has been out of action.  

Many question whether or not Utecht will ever play again. Daniel Coats and rookie Chase Coffman will need to step up and replace the injured veterans.