I've Got a Good Feeling About These Bengals

Andre Smith doesn’t sign until the preseason is practically over, then promptly breaks his foot. Carson Palmer misses most of last season with an elbow injury, then misses most of this preseason with an ankle injury. The offensive line, the absolute key to the season, looked atrocious in last week’s preseason loss to St. Louis.

So how come I have a good feeling about the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals? Well, most of my friends would say it's because I'm crazy. But there are several reasons why I like the Bengals’ chances of at least contending for a playoff spot this season.

1. Defensive Swagger

Defense wins championships, but looking even deeper, it is attitude on the defensive end that sets the stage for most winning teams.

Almost from the moment the Bengals franchise was founded, offense has been the team’s focus. Founder Paul Brown was considered an offensive genius and his son Mike, the team’s current owner, has kept his father's affinity for that side of the ball.

But with coordinator Mike Zimmer setting the stage and veterans like Roy Williams and Tank Johnson bringing the experience, the Bengals have that something something on defense they have never truly had. And rookies  Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson have shown signs of emerging as those kind of players as well.

Of course, swagger and 50 cents will get a pack of gum. If your defense hasn’t shown an ability to stop anybody, it doesn't matter. But the Bengals’ D has looked very impressive in the preseason against both the run and the pass. The preseason is still the preseason, but based on last year’s stats, the defense could be one of the team’s strengths.

2. The Emergence of Chris Henry

The word on Henry coming out of college in 2005 was that he was a first-round talent with a seventh-round head. That’s why when Cincy picked him up in the third round, it was seen as a gamble at best.

For four seasons, that gamble seemed like a losing hand. In and out of jail, Henry was essentially a wasted roster spot. He was suspended seemingly every other game and whatever potential he had seemed to be lost.

But a funny think happened on the way to irrelevancy. Henry has kept his head on straight, has been at every workout and suddenly looks like a Pro Bowler. Sure, it’s just the preseason, but Henry is third in the league in receptions, second in yards and first in touchdowns in the league.

Henry’s big-play ability, coupled with Chad Ochocinco’s apparent focus, give the Bengals one of the best receiving corps in the league and could go a long way toward repairing the damage of a disastrous 2008 season.

3. The Youngsters

Before the 2009 draft was over, nearly every expert hailed the job the Bengals’ brass had done. With the preseason over, the early returns are very favorable.

Rey Maualuga has been everywhere, Michael Johnson has lived in the offensive backfield and Bernard Scott appears to be the steal of the draft. But it goes deeper that that. Punter Kevin Huber is a difference-maker, fullback Fui Vakapuna is challenging for a starting spot and undrafted rookie Quan Cosby appears to have sewn up the punt-returning job.

And it doesn’t stop there. Second-year players Keith Rivers, Anthony Collins and Pat Sims appear headed for breakout seasons. The Bengals are young, but they are incredibly talented.

4. The Running Backs

Last season, Rudi Johnson fell apart and Chris Perry reached pure bust status. Carson Palmer got injured, again. Suddenly, the Bengals’ once-vaunted running game was a joke.

They signed Cedric Benson in mid-season, and by the end of the year, he had started to show signs of being the top running back many thought he would be as a first-rounder.

This preseason, Benson has shown signs of being a dominant back. And coupled with Scott’s big-play ability, the running back position appears to be in good hands.

In all fairness, there are plenty of things the Bengals still have to fix if they want to be legitimate contenders. The offensive line needs to continue to come together, Carson Palmer needs to make it through one full game and they need to find a competent third cornerback. But with one preseason game left, the Bengals appear to be headed in the right direction.