Offseason Moves Have Bengal Fans Thinking Playoffs

By Scott Unger

Living in Cincinnati, it is fascinating to watch (and take part in) the yearly cycle of Bengals fan optimism. The “this is our year,” feeling starts in the weeks leading up to the draft. The feeling grows after the draft, for at that time every pick is a steal and certain future pro-bowler. The inevitable contract holdouts and preseason injuries do nothing to stem the rising tide. Then the team starts to play games that count and before long, the wave has crashed all over Bengaldom.

The turn is surprisingly fast and leads to calls for player and coaching changes. From there, it’s only a hop to claims of switching team allegiance and not renewing season tickets.

That lasts until about, April. Then repeat.

My point is that if  you ask a Bengal fan what the “realistic” team chances are, you’ll get a different response depending on the time of year.

That said, because of the return of quarterback Carson Palmer, the addition of two former Pro Bowlers on defense, the highest rated draft in more than a decade and a considerably weaker schedule… I’m thinking playoffs!

Despite my optimism, there a more than a few glaring red flags that can’t be overlooked and could have a major impact on the team’s success. The status of perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is up in the air again after his worst professional season last year. First round draft pick Andre Smith is mired in problems that could lead to a holdout or worse, the latest being a recent spat with his ex-agent. Palmer is coming back from an injury that cost him 12 games last season and he’s doing so without the benefit of surgery. Injuries are always on the horizon and opposition strength of schedule is a hard stat to rely on given the parity of the NFL.

Clearly, I’m a conflicted fan. In the interest of good journalism, I’ll try my best to provide both sides of the issues that could land the Bengal’s a division championship, or another depressing winter.

The biggest factor in every season since 2003 has been the health of number 9. Palmer is the franchise and if the Bengal’s have any chance at success, he needs to stay on the field. Lately, Palmer has been tossing out the familiar, “the team looks even better,” and “my arm/leg has never felt better,” quotes, but only time will tell if he is being truthful.

Palmer’s speil this year has more emphasis on team attitude, which sounds like a knock on former and current teammates T.J. Houshmanzedah and Ochocinco.

"Most different locker room. Most different attitude. Most different work ethic," Palmer told media after a recent practice. "I've said it all along. It's going to be a great year. I'm excited.”

“We've got a lot of leadership. A lot of guys that want it. You don't always have to have the best talent. It's not about having the most guys under 4.4 (speed). It's having the most guys that want to work hard every day and practice and work at it and that's what we've got a locker room of."

When asked about the status of Ochocinco during a Sirius Radio interview, Palmer called out the receiver as directly as I can remember.

“…Chad's pretty much gone, he hasn't been here, so we've got guys that want those two spots, guys that compete day in and day out,” he said.

The status of Ochocinco will impact the team’s success, regardless of what Palmer would like us to believe.  That said, I think 85 will be in camp as soon as it starts costing him to skip. Chad has another three years left on his contract and he’ll suit up for those remaining seasons if the Bengal’s remain too stubborn to trade him. How productive he will be in this disgruntled state is another question. We saw a half-assed 85 last year in which he amassed only 540 yards, his first sub-1,000 yard season since his rookie year.

If Chad is ready and willing to contribute, he’ll start across from Laveranues Coles
with Chris Henry in the third spot. That is a dangerous trio with young WR’s Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia waiting in the wings, (which is where they should be.) If Ochocinco is hurt or unproductive, Henry will need to step up along with at least one of the unproven second year players. Palmer seemed to think this was a good idea, saying Henry is ready to fill Ochocinco‘s shoes.

“That's what he's been preparing for and that's what I've been preparing for. I've been working with him," Palmer said. "He's determined, he's hungry. It's fun to see."

Henry has shown flashes of brilliance, but there have also been dropped balls and his habit of going to jail that has kept him from really blossoming. I’m sure all of Bengaldom would feel a lot better about Ochocinco manning the X receiver spot.

The line is another big question mark. Rookie Smith will look to make an immediate impact at right tackle but consistent agent problems and a no show at the NFL combine lead to speculation that a contract hold out is inevitable. After losing three starters from a porous ‘08 line, the Bengal’s will look to improve with youth. Standout ‘08 player Andrew Whitworth will move to left tackle to shore up Palmer’s blind side. Guards Bobbie Williams and Anthony Collins will look to build upon decent ‘08 campaigns and unproven center Kyle Cook will try to provide some stability at the position. Whitworth and Smith will be the keys to the line and to keeping CP off his back.

One area the Bengals should feel pretty confident about is the defense. The team continues to bring in talented players to complement last year’s 12the ranked squad. The additions of veterans Johnson and Williams will help the maturation of the young D. Bringing in additional impact players through the draft could mean an even more talented defense.

The Bengal’s also have the luxury of playing the AFC west and NFC North, two of the NFL’s weakest divisions. The last time the Bengal’s went up against the NFC North they swept the division en route to their first playoff appearance in over a decade. Still, with the parity of the NFL, it is unwise to predict teams will be bad. The Vikings could be a Super Bowl contender if they pull Bret Favre out of retirement, the Bears look to be better with the addition of quarterback Jay Cutler, the Packers will continue to get better as their young quarterback and defense improves and the Lions, well, they’re still the Lions.

Overall, the Bengal’s season is still in its infancy so it is nearly impossible to predict what will happen. Having said that, I think the team has a real shot at a wild card spot.

After all, it’s May, everybody in the Queen City is an optimist this time of year.