Cautious Optimism: Peering Ahead to the Bengals in 2009

Okay, I admit it. I’m optimistic about the Bengals’ chances in 2009. Oh, it’s a cautious optimism—I have my misgivings—but I just can’t help but think things are going to be good this year.

Yes, I know this is how I felt last year before a porous offensive line crashed the season at the same rate and the same time as the U.S. economy and John McCain’s presidential aspirations. But last year I wasn’t as optimistic as I am this time. This year it all feels right.

Take a look at the Bengals’ offseason. They tried but failed to re-sign TJ Houshmandzadeh, so they turned around immediately and replaced him with Laveranues Coles. They let Stacy Anderson walk in free agency, knowing he wouldn’t sign here and that he was coming off a serious knee injury. They let Eric Guiciuc leave, accepting that he couldn’t handle the nose tackles in the AFC North.

Then they re-signed Cedric Benson, one of the few bright spots from last season and a guy who seems grateful to be here. They re-signed Daryl Blackstock, another of last season’s high points. They brought in Tank Williams to bolster the defensive line.

On Draft Day, they selected Andre Smith, who, if he screws his head on straight, is one of the elite tackles in the draft. They got a center to replace Guiciuc. They stole USC linebacker Rey Maualuga in the second round and may have gotten another steal in DE Michael Johnson in the third. They got a guy who many felt had the best hands in the draft in TE Chase Coffman.

After the draft, they released Levi Jones and traded for a running back to backup Benson. Then they snagged S Roy Williams, one of the league’s most feared hitters, in free agency.

Suddenly, the Bengals are loaded at every defensive position. There are good players at DB and LB who might not be able to make the team. The offensive line looks stouter. It’s a crowded field at receiver.

But the best part is what’s being said. The players are all talking excitedly about being here. Williams can’t wait to prove he has more in the tank. Maualuga is determined to punish every team that passed on him in the first round. Smith and Johnson want to prove the character knocks on them are unfounded. And the veterans can’t praise the management enough for its offseason.

Meanwhile the coaches have nothing but good things to say about the guys who came in. They can’t believe their physical gifts or how hard they work.

It’s May, and you can’t tell a thing about what will happen on the field yet. But a championship-caliber has certain characteristics. It has guys who are passionate about playing for the team. It has confidence that it can get things done. It has a commitment to doing things the right way. It has an esprit de corps that binds it together and makes it a near-unstoppable force.

I sense those things in the ’09 Bengals. For the first time since the ’05 preseason, I have a good feeling about the upcoming year. I think good things are on the horizon for Bengals fans.

If there is any sort of cosmic justice, I will be right. Bengals fans have seen spring optimism turn to fall despair too often.