Cincinnati Bengals: 9 Items on the Summer 'to-Do' List

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a dismal 4-12 season and a lot of questions need to be answered there. 

Their franchise quarterback has openly said he would rather retire than play for them, and the Bengals defense recorded the fewest tackles in the league last season. 

Things are not smoothly sailing in the Queen City, and it's fair to say that their summer 'to-do' list extends far beyond these nine items. 

9. Re-Sign Dhani Jones

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Dhani Jones #57 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dhani Jones had a great season in 2010, recording 86 tackles and a sack. Despite the fact Jones is consistently a dominant linebacker, he is a fantastic leader and the type of wholesome personality every team needs.

He is well-spoken, smart, polite, and commands the respect from other players that younger guys do not. 

Re-signing Jones should be a huge priority for the Bengals, a team that often lacks discipline and maturity. 

8. Make A.J. Green Comfortable

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner ROger Goodell poses for a photo with A.J. Green, #4 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, as Green holds up a jersey during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Phot

A.J. Green is going to be a star, yet the former Georgia wideout has been drafted by a team that doesn't seem to have a definitive quarterback.

This situation doesn't bode well for a rookie wide receiver. Green is seeing the squabbling between Carson Palmer and the Bengals, and all he is saying to himself is that this team is a mess.

The Bengals need to make it a priority that Green is comfortable, working out readily, and instill in him that whomever it is, they will have a competent and able quarterback getting him the ball in his rookie season. 

The last thing the Bengals can let happen is Green's motivation or confidence get depleted. 

7. Trade Carson Palmer

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I really don't see why the Bengals are being so stubborn in this situation.

Carson Palmer wants out. He flat out said he will retire if not, so just let him go. 

Palmer had a good run in Cincinnati, but it seems as though he has made up his mind and he does not want to come back. 

To keep this charade from ending is stupid and detrimental. The Bengals need to give up on Palmer, end the Carson era, and move on without him.

Carson Palmer is a good quarterback, but he is by all means replaceable.

6. Look to Trade for or Sign a Veteran Quarterback

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines against play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Since Carson Palmer needs to be traded, the Bengals need to sign a veteran quarterback who can bring in the experience and prowess that Palmer possesses.

Second-round draft pick Andy Dalton, the former TCU quarterback, has a lot of potential, but he is not ready to lead the Bengals back to relevance. 

There are several good options out there for the Bengals to sign or trade at quarterback. The two most prominent are Donovan McNabb and Kyle Orton. Both of these guys have the ability and the experience to take over the reigns of the Cincinnati offense. 

5. Start Training Andy Dalton to Be the Franchise Quarterback

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Andy Dalton attends the NFL PLAYERS Premiere League Flag Football Game at UCLA on May 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Andy Dalton may not be ready this season to be the starter, but the young quarterback has potential and needs to start grooming himself to be an NFL quarterback. 

More than likely, Dalton will be the starter in Cincinnati within three seasons, and he needs to start memorizing the playbook and building a relationship with his fellow players. 

The Bengals need to stress to Dalton that they want him to be the franchise's quarterback. This will motivate Dalton to try his very best and compete for the starting job. 

4. Re-Sign Cedric Benson

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Cedric Benson has some major fumbling problems and isn't a very efficient runner (only 3.3 yards per carry), yet he is a strong, pound-it-out runner who can put together 1,000-yard seasons when given enough touches. 

With the state of the Bengals offense, Cincinnati cannot afford to let Benson go to a different team.

He is their most reliable offensive weapon, and if he can become a little more explosive, he may be one of the best running backs in the league. 

3. Prove That Marvin Lewis Should Still Have His Job

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals coaches against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

I really don't see how coach Marvin Lewis didn't get canned after last season, and I am not alone. 

Lewis has only led the Bengals to two winning seasons in eight years of coaching there, yet owner and team president Mike Brown decided to keep him around for another season. 

Lewis and the Bengals need to show this was the right call.

Lewis needs to lead the Bengals to a much better season or I have a very hard time believing he will be employed come February. 

2. Re-Sign Jonathan Joseph

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CINCINNATI - AUGUST 13: Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during their NFL preseason game against the Washington Redskins on August 13, 2006 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo By Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

With the Cincinnati Bengals offense looking like it will be average at best, the defense will have to bear a lot of weight and responsibility if the Bengals want to be a competitive squad this season. 

Jonathan Joseph is a dominant cornerback and the best player on the Bengals defense. Paired with Leon Hall, they are one of the best cornerback tandems in football.

The Bengals cannot let a bright light like Joseph be taken away from them. 

1. Trade Chad Ochocinco

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals reaches for a pass during the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/

Chad Ochocinco can be described using many adjectives: flamboyant, distracting, loud, weird, funny, obnoxious.

The list goes on. 

At times, Ochocinco (formerly Johnson) has been one of the most dominant receivers in football. At other times, though—like this past season—people wonder why he talks so much. 

Ochocinco is 33 years old and has a lot of other interests besides football.

Players like him, who have had successful careers and aren't getting any better, are dangerous ground. They could be great, but they could also just be expensive and distracting. 

It's time for Ochocinco's era in Cincinnati to end. It's been a fun one, but it's time to move on and ship him out. 

A Long Road Ahead

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the final minute of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals are more than likely a few years away from being a dominant franchise once again. They play in a tough division featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and the improving Cleveland Browns. 

The mantra in Cincinnati this summer should be "Out with the old, in with the new."

Similar to someone cleaning their attic, the Bengals are at a point where they have to throw some things out—players like Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco.

It's time for Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. 

If the Bengals aren't afraid to move on and turn over a new leaf, the process of them becoming a competitive football team once again can be quickened.