Such exasperation (and to him, apathy) led Chad Johnson to demand a trade, making himself the main spectacle of Bengals offseason news. Though it took extensive reconciliation, including a talk with division rival and friend Ray Lewis about just how valuable Johnson is to Cincinnati, he returned to Cincinnati only to fracture his shoulder during a preseason game. More recently, the Bengals gave Henry another chance and signed him to a one-year contract.
This offense finally has its skill players back, with the exception of Chad Johnson who is still recovering. With a deeper rushing attack which includes Henry Watson and Chris Perry, Cincinnati's offense could be back to form. But like Cleveland, its defense will have trouble stopping anybody. The Bengals did little to upgrade a defense that ranked near the bottom in every major statistical category, and it showed in 2007 losses to Kansas City, Chicago, and San Francisco, teams that ranked near the bottom in statistical offensive categories. Their biggest addition is linebacker Keith Rivers from USC, who should provide a Patrick Willis-like spark if he plays right away.
A new head coach and quarterback controversy seldom equal success. That is exactly where Baltimorefinds itself. After injuries to major skill components on both sides of the ball marred a team coming off a 2006 playoff appearence, Baltimore went 5-11 and fired head coach Brian Billick during the season. It then hired special teams coordinator John Harbaugh as Billick’s replacement and drafted quarterback Joe Flacco in the first round of the 2008 Draft to usher in a new regime of Ravens football.
That new regime didn't end with Flacco. the Ravens also drafted running back Ray Rice and safety Tom Zbikowski (who could possibly give Houshmandzadeh a run for his money with his last name) to add depth and youth to their skill players. Rice is a small, quick runner who will tandem with Willis McGahee. Zbikowski, a former Notre Dame defensive captain, can make an impact on defense and special teams. During the Ravens Week 3 preseason loss in St. Louis, Zbikowski tipped a punt in the end zone that gave the Ravens favorable field position.
Despite indecision at quarterback (the current starter is former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, with Kyle Boller not far behind), the Ravens could find success if its defense can return to its 2006 form. That year it allowed 264.1 ypg, best in the league, and finished in the top-10 in passing yards allowed (188.2-6th) and rushing yards allowed (75.1-2nd), as well as allowing the fewest points in the NFL (201). The defense dropped off last year, allowing 38 points to Pittsburgh following its BYE week and handed the Miami Dolphins its first and only win in 2007. Three major components of the left side of the defense, corner Chris McAllister, linebacker Ray Lewis, and defensive end Trevor Pryce missed significant time in '07 and the success of the defense, and ultimately, the rest of the team, rests on their health.
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