Playbook Changes: Bengals Want Less Finesse, More Power

The Cincinnati Bengals have long been known for their finesse style, offensively and defensively.

However, in 2009, the Bengals are intent on establishing themselves as a more-physical team and their playbook will likely reflect it. Cincinnati plays in the rough-and-tumble AFC North that includes the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, so the Bengals have beefed up during the offseason.

Head coach Marvin Lewis has talked at length about a change in philosophy and attempting to become more of a smash-mouth team.

Offensively, the biggest changes in the Bengals’ playbook in 2009 under coordinator Bob Bratkowski will involve more two-tight-end sets, as well as more use of play-action passes. Lewis has been explicit that he wants the Bengals to be able to run the ball effectively with Cedric Benson (who is entering his first full season on the team), which will set up the play-action for quarterback Carson Palmer.

With Palmer at the controls, the Bengals are always going to be a pass-first offense, but there is no question they need to do a better job of running the ball, and they are intent on doing that.

Benson was picked up off the street a month into the season last year and ended up being one of the few pleasant surprises on the team.

Despite a season-ending injury to Palmer and playing with a makeshift offensive line, Benson had 747 rushing yards (3.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 12 games, including the last 10 as a starter. However, the Bengals still finished 29th in the NFL in rushing offense (95 yards per game).

If the Bengals are able to establish Benson as a legitimate threat on the ground, opposing teams will be more apt to bite on play-action fakes, which could open the door for Palmer to make big plays. The Bengals haven’t used a lot of play action in recent seasons, but if you’re buying what Lewis is selling, fans can expect a lot more of it this season.

The biggest addition to the Bengals’ offense—literally and figuratively—is rookie tackle Andre Smith, who was the No. 6 overall pick of the draft.

He is listed at 6'4" and 332 pounds, although the latter figure might be a bit conservative. Whatever his exact weight is, Smith is expected to give the Bengals a boost in terms of run blocking. How he develops as a pass protector against speed rushers remains the question.

Another thing that might help the Bengals in their shift in offensive philosophy is that they will enter preseason camp with three viable tight ends in Reggie Kelly, Ben Utecht and rookie third-round pick Chase Coffman. They have not been able to say that for a very long time as depth at the position has been a problem for years.

Therefore, instead of using three-wide-receiver formations the majority of the time (which has usually been the case under Lewis/Bratkowski), the Bengals will likely have two tight ends on the field quite a bit, which, in theory, will make them more versatile. If they choose to run, they will have an extra blocker on the field. And if they pass, their tight ends are good-enough receivers to help move the chains.

The Bengals will still mix in a lot of their traditional offense with one running back and three wide receivers, but there will be more emphasis on the power game this season.

Defense looking to continue improvement

Defensively, the Bengals were surprisingly good for their standards last season (12th in the NFL in total defense), but barely anyone noticed due to the ineptitude of their offense.

The coaching staff remains in tact, so there won’t be any drastic changes to the playbook, but defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer wanted his unit to get bigger and tougher, and they might have accomplished that through free agency and the draft.

Cincinnati acquired strong safety Roy Williams via free agency, and the team is hoping he can at least approach the form that made him a five-time Pro Bowl selection with the Dallas Cowboys. Williams could give the Bengals a physical presence they have not had at strong safety since David Fulcher. There are questions about Williams’ coverage skills, but he is still an upgrade for the Bengals.

The other main acquisition in the free agent market was defensive tackle Tank Johnson. He will likely be the Bengals’ No. 3 DT behind starters Domata Peko and Pat Sims, but he will give the second-year Sims a run for his money.

Defensive tackle has been a weakness for the Bengals for years, but with an emerging star in Peko (fourth-round pick in 2006), a solid player in Sims (third-round pick in 2008) and Johnson to provide depth, Cincinnati has its best collection of defensive tackles in many years.

In the draft, the Bengals took middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, who surprisingly fell to them in the second round. The Bengals were not looking for a middle 'backer with Dhani Jones still in the fold, but they couldn’t pass up the talent and the big hits that Maualuga (6'2", 250 pounds) brings to the gridiron.

There is talk that Maualuga could begin his career at the strong-side linebacker spot just to get the three best linebackers on the field (including Brandon Johnson), but there is no question the Bengals expect him to make an immediate impact. He fits right into the smash-mouth style they are trying to cultivate.