Bengals 2009 Positional Battles: New Faces Look To Make Immediate Impact

By Scott Unger

After a busy offseason in which the Cincinnati Bengals added two former Pro Bowlers and had one of the team’s best drafts in recent memory, the 2009 squad still has plenty to sort out before the team takes the field against the Denver Broncos in September.

There will be battles, both for starting roles and roster spots at most positions other than quarterback, where Carson Palmer is set to retake the reigns after an injury sidelined the Pro Bowl quarterback for most of 2008.

Offseason acquisitions defensive tackle Tank Johnson and safety Roy Williams mean an immediate shakeup for the defense. Combined with draft additions linebacker Rey Maualuga and DT Michael Johnson, many starting defensive spots are up in the air heading into offseason workouts and the team’s August training camp.

Offensively, the line will have more fresh faces than a new season of American Idol. With the departures of 2008 franchise player Stacy Andrews, center Eric Ghiaciuc and former first round pick Levi Jones, right guard Bobbie Williams looks to be the only player returning to his 2008 position. The team will look to get younger on the line, starting with the addition of first round pick offensive tackle Andre Smith.

Although Cedric Benson has established himself as the team’s starting running back, head coach Marvin Lewis has been strongly hinting for years that he wants to be a more run oriented team and that could mean Benson splitting time. The Bengals have long wanted a complimentary back - drafting busts Chris Perry in 2005 and Kenny Irons in ‘07 - and the team showed it's serious this season, drafting a RB and a fullback and acquiring RB Brian Leonard from the Rams to compete with current back up Kenny Watson.

If the Bengals can get the right mix of players on both sides of the ball, the team could find it’s 2005 identity on offense and improve upon last year’s 12th ranked defense. Below is a look at the top three position battles on offense and defense.

OFFENSE:

Center

Ghiaciuc failed to fill the hole left by the retirement of Rich Braham in 2006. Although the team thought he was physical enough to play the position, the rumor was that Ghiaciuc could not handle the mental aspects of playing center. With his departure, the position is wide open to a field of young players with a combined zero NFL starts.

Best Chance: Kyle Cook

The undrafted third year player out of Michigan State is the starting center as the Bengals begin Organized Team Activities, so he looks to have the inside track. Bengals.com reported the 6 foot 3 inch, 305 pound Cook would have seen action last season if not for a toe injury prior to the Dallas game.

In The Running: Dan Santucci, Jonathon Luigs

Santucci is back in the mix after missing the ‘08 campaign with an ankle injury. The Bengal’s seventh round pick in ‘07, Santucci’s skills are largely unknown. He will have the best chance to compete with Cook for the opening day starter spot.

Luigs was the Bengal’s fourth round pick out of Arkansas in this year’s draft. Luigs is a 2007 Rimington Trophy winner (awarded to the nation's best center), but may need to get stronger before facing NFL linemen, according to scouting reports and one Bengal I spoke with. The team may look to get Luigs some snaps at guard in order to get the rookie on the field.

Running Back

The Bengal’s hope resigned starter Benson can fill the role of power back the team has desperately needed since Rudi Johnson’s departure after the ‘07 season. The battle in this year’s camp will be who can win the backup/split back position to compliment Benson. Recent RB busts and the uncertainty that current back up Watson can handle an entire season leave the race open to a field of young talent.

Best Chance: Brian Leonard

The second year RB was acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Rams for DT Orien Harris earlier in the month. Leonard started for Rutgers until now Baltimore Raven Ray Rice took many of his carries. The 6 foot 1 inch, 229 pound Leonard will have a lot to prove after spending the ‘08 season on injured reserve.

In the Running: Watson, Bernard Scott, Fui Vakapuna

Watson could retain his back up role, although the Bengals have to know what they’re getting out of the veteran by now and it’s nothing that will put fear in the heart of defenses. He’ll most likely be the team’s third down back.

Scott and Vakapuna were drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds respectively and both have plenty of upside. Although he has a troubled past - attending four different universities during his collegiate career and totaling at least five run-ins with the law - Scott dominated the Division II field the last two years, setting records in points scored, touchdowns and rushing touchdowns. Vakapuna is a wrecking ball at 5 foot 11 inches, 247 pounds. He could see some time at fullback, but has shown good breakaway speed for a player of his size.

Tight End

The Bengals drafted Missouri product Chase Coffman in the third round of these year’s draft. Coffman will join Reggie Kelly and last year’s pick up Ben Utecht on the roster.

Best Chance: Kelly, Utecht

Not really a pass catching threat, Kelly has made his mark in the blocking game, where he is one of the best at his position. Kelly’s blocking skills will likely keep him on the roster. Utecht was a disappointment last year, totaling only 16 receptions for 123 yards and no touchdowns. The former Indianapolis Colt was brought in as an over the middle threat but needs to put up bigger numbers in ‘09 if he wants to keep his starting spot.

In the running: Coffman

Coffman is the tight end of the future, a versatile, athletic, pass catching tight end and red zone threat. He is coming off an injury, which might hamper his chances to take over the starting role, but look for big things in the future from this kid.

DEFENSE:

Linebacker

Best Chance: Maualuga, Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers

Early on the Bengals seem to be going with the strategy of putting its best players on the field, which means new comer Maualuga will move over to the SAM position, replacing Rashad Jeanty. Although Maualuga played middle linebacker at USC, Jones probably remains the best choice for the position after an impressive 2008. Rivers will look to pick up where he left off after a successful rookie campaign was ended by a broken jaw in week seven.

In The Running: Jeanty, Brandon Johnson, Daryl Blackstock

Jeanty was probably the team’s best run stopper in ‘08, which will lead to him getting some snaps most games.  Last year’s free agent pick ups Blackstock and Johnson will look to contribute as well after a ‘08 season that saw significant playing time for both.

Safety

Best Chance: Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, Roy Williams

Ndukwe and White will look to build upon the 2008 season that established both as quality NFL starters. White tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the first quarter of the Nov. 30 game but the didn’t discover the injury until he was examined afterwards. White told Bengal’s beat writer Geoff Hobson he expects to be ready for the start of training camp, less than eight months after the injury. The team has shown a lot of interest in getting Williams on the field. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer indicated they may play three safety formations to get Williams additional playing time. The Bengals seem confident Williams can cover the pass, which has been a previous knock on the former Pro Bowler.

"From Day One when he arrived here he's shown he has the ability to cover," safeties coach Louie Cioffi said. "It's never been an issue with us like it has been with others.”

In the Running: Chris Crocker

After contributing in seven games last year, the Bengals resigned big hitter Crocker. He will look to provide some rest for the starters and contribute on special teams.

Defensive Line

Best Chance: Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, Tank Johnson, Antwan Odom

By likely only losing veteran John Thornton, who was more leader than player – the defensive line looks to be in a much better shape heading into 2009. No one will win or lose this positional battle as the Bengals will likely rotate newly acquired talent Tank and Michael Johnson along with last year’s starters, who were improved but largely decimated by injury. Look for the help in the middle to improve the sack totals for defensive ends Geathers and Odom, who combined to miss 9 games last season.

In the Running: Michael Johnson, Pat Sims, Jonathon Fanane, Frostee Rucker

2008 rising star Sims and Rookie Johnson will likely see significant playing time. Back up DE’s Faneane and Rucker will try to keep their roster spots during OTA’s while Geathers continues to rehab from micro fracture surgery.