Key Acquisitions Will Add Strength And Depth To Cincinnati Bengals

Key acquisitions, the return of starting QB Carson Palmer, and another year of experience for pivotal players and staff should allow the Cincinnati Bengals—and their long-suffering fans—to enjoy offensive and defensive improvements in 2009.

On offense, expect the Bengals to shift their TE out in the slot and adopt an Indianapolis Colts/Dallas Clark-style offense. In 2008 the Bengals’ sub-standard OL—tainted by ineffective Center Eric Ghiaciuc who had trouble picking up blitzes and calling out the right blocking schemes—had to max to protect back-up QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Palmer’s return, along with enhanced OL strength and depth from draft picks Andre Smith (OT, Alabama) and Jonathan Luigs (C, Arkansas), will pave the way for the Bengals to make use of receiving TEs like the previously un-utilized Ben Utecht and draft pick Chase Coffman (Missouri).  The shift away from a blocking TE, the acquisition of Laveranues Coles, and the maturation of Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson, means the Bengals will more than fill the receiver gap caused by T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s departure to Seattle.

On defense, expect more blitzing and man coverages.  Key acquisitions Rey Maualuga, a great blitzing linebacker out of USC, and Roy Williams, an up-in-your-face safety who likes to crowd the ball and blitz, will fire up the Bengals’ defense.  Maturation will also enhance the defensive play calling and execution, since the Bengals (finally) have two corners with experience—Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall—and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has a year under his belt of teaching his aggressive style of defense.