Five Things I Think about the Cincinnati Bengals This Season

A lot of expectations are being placed on the Bengals this season. Here's what I think.:

1) QB Woes

Obivously, the Bengals will be better with Carson Palmer under center, but the team needs to have a viable back up in case Palmer goes down again. The Bengals have three other quarterbacks in camp in addition to Palmer.

The only one who has any kind of pro experience is J.T. O'Sullivan. I doubt that Billy Farris and Jordan Palmer will strike fear in to the heart of Mike Tomlin and the Steeler defense. If Palmer is injured, it will probably be another four-win season for the Bengals.

2) LT questions

Why won't Marvin Lewis commit to first-round pick Andre Smith at left tackle? Did the Browns draft Joe Thomas and stick him at right tackle? No.

Cleveland saw an opportunity to have an anchor at the position for 10 years and locked the position up. They didn't put Thomas at a position he had never played, before as
the Bengals are doing with Smith.

Despite this, it looks like Andre Whitworth has the edge to start at left tackle this season, and there is always a possibility that Anthony Collins could get time there too.

3) Defense wins championships

The Bengals' defense was ranked 12th last season. I believe they will be right around there again, if not better. The defensive unit added Tank Johnson to the line, and former Pro Bowler Roy Williams to a solid secondary consisting of Chinedum Ndukwe and Chris Crocker.

The linebacking core should be shored up, too, with the return of Keith Rivers. It could be a terror if Rey Maualuga can become the playmaker that several
teams though he couldn't be.

4) Win baby, win!

Fans are expecting big things from the Bengals this season. However, I'm not a believer yet. Why? They need to fair better against the divisionthey play in to prove to me they are a contender.

The Bengals were 1-5 against the AFC North last season, with their only win coming against the Ken Dorsey led Browns. No, I haven't forgotten that Carson Palmer was hurt. I don't believe it's fair to critique the offense because Palmer wasn't in, but I do believe it's fair to examine the defense.

In the two games against the Steelers, the Bengals defense allowed 38 points and 27 points, respectively. They also let the Steelers' offense accumulate 739 yards. In the first meeting of the 2008 season, the Bengals defense made Mewlde Moore look like Jim Brown.

Moore rushed the ball 20 times for 120 yards and scored three touchdowns. They must play the division tougher if they are going to prove to me they are contenders. I think they'll improve to 2-4 in the division this year, getting their wins against Cleveland.

5) Nothing Dramatic

I believe Marvin Lewis is on the hot seat. The team has regressed each season since its playoff appearnce in 2005. There is pressure on him to win, especially since the Bengals are coming off what many consider a productive off season. I think that fans will see no major changes because Lewis needs to win.

He, like other coaches would do, is going to play the players that he believe will play hard for him, players he can trust. For example, that's why I believe Andre Smith isn't slated to start at left tackle. Arguably, left tackle is the most important position on the line. This lineman is the most responsible for protecting the quarterback's back. Lewis doesn't have the time to go through the growing pains with Smith.

Ultimately, I think Lewis will lose his job at the end of the season.