Rey Mauluga Just One of 40 New Faces in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Bengals can do nothing but improve for the 2009-10 season.  The Bengals finished a strong dead last in the entire NFL in offensive output last season.

The front office has been active this offseason and their draft class is mentioned in the top five by most major pundits.  On paper, this team, with a healthy Carson Palmer, is a lock to make the playoffs.  But we all know the game isn't played on paper.

The Bengals should be a realistic 8-8 to a 10-6 team this year.  A lot is dependant upon how the veterans acquired adjust to a new system and how much output they get from their rookies.

The Bengals went out and signed two former Cowboys in defensive lineman Tank Johnson, and safety Roy Williams. Johnson should thrive as a legitimate pass-rusher in the Bengal's 4-3 scheme.  Williams has always been a big hitter, but his cover skills have diminished as he was lining up mainly in nickel situations last year.

Running back Brian Leanord was acquired from St. Louis in a trade for backup defensive lineman Orien Harris.  Leanord is known for his blocking and receiving skills out of the backfield, but he wants to try and showcase his speed, as well.

The Bengals' running game will be crucial to the success or failure of this upcoming season.  The Bengals ranked 29th in rushing last year and managed only six rushing scores, two of those coming from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

First round pick Andre Smith will likely line up at one of the tackle spots on opening day to stabilize a young offensive line. Injuries hampered the Bengal's O-line last year and was unable to help an abysmal offense without Carson Palmer.

Laveranues Coles was signed as the team opted not to sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh again.  Coles is a reliable option to go along with Chad Ochocinco, but he is not an upgrade at that position, by any means.

The Bengals went for defense after their first pick.  Linebacker Rey Maualuga and defensive end Michael Johnson were taken with the Bengals' second and third picks of the draft. The coaches are high on Johnson's potential and Maualuga is an automatic difference maker at linebacker who can play inside or outside.

A lot of things will have to go wrong for the Bengals to have a worse offensive output than they did last year. 

Carson Palmer's throwing arm will be the most important key to the Bengals' season.  The Bengals have not upgraded enough in the skill positions to make them a contender if J.T. O'Sullivan or Jordan Palmer take the majority of the snaps.

The Bengals have improved up front defensively, but the secondary will be the question mark on that side of the ball.  Defense wins championships—just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Bengals must make strides in becoming a dominate defensive team just to make headway in the AFC North.

The true key will be team chemistry.  There are a lot of new faces in Cincinnati this year.  How well this team comes together as a unit will ultimately decide if the Bengals make a run into the playoffs or just marginally improve.