Cincinnati Bengals: Keys For a Successful 2009 Season

A lifelong Bengals fan, I can look back at the 2008 season and pretty much say that this year was one of the worst seasons in Bengals history. 

I feel like I know what to look for in a good team, and the Bengals are missing a lot of things. 

Here's a list of things I feel the Bengals need to do heading into the 2009-2010 season:

1. They need a strong draft.

In every year since 2004, Cincinnati has drafted a player on defense.  Now, those picks are starting to pay off and the team is slowly building a stronger defense.  What they need to do now is build their offense. This will all start with an offensive line. 

If you look at every great team, there have been high-caliber offensive linemen.  The Bengals need that.

2. Work on off-field issues. 

The Bengals are by far the most crime-ridden team in the NFL.  The players need to realize that they signed a contract to play football, not to play football AND get in trouble with the law.  The team needs to install a new, no-nonsense policy to be tougher on players who get in trouble off the field.

3. Keep their stars happy. 

A great football team knows how to keep egos in check.  Now whether that is the coaching staff, the other players or the stars themselves, they need to figure out how to make sure the stars are happy because if the stars aren't happy, nobody's happy.  Which leads me to point No. 4...

4. Cut/Trade/Release Chad Johnson. 

This one really hurts me to say. I love the guy—I'd say he's one of my favorite players. But the fact is, he's not really worth the risk.  Sure, he may have a stellar season, but he is also capable of a horrible season (like the one he is in now). 

He's been complaining for a few years now that he wants out of here and I think it's finally time to give him what he wants.

5. Finally, make some moves during the offseason to better the team. 

Whenever a team underperforms or has a bad season, they spend the off-season shaking things up. They fire a coach, or trade for some players, or draft good talent—whatever it takes. 

I think the biggest problem with the Bengals is that they aren't really willing to give up anything when they're looking at the free agent market. Or when they do give up something big (i.e., Justin Smith), they don't really get much in return.

The Bengals should use Chad as bait to get a higher level running back here and maybe make a few moves to get a few more higher-level players.

I really, honestly think that the Bengals will do well every year.  People always criticize me when I say the Bengals have a shot at the playoffs, and every year they show me I'm wrong. 

The Bengals are mediocre on paper, and until they start playing better, they are going to stay that way forever.