2006 NFL Preview: The Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback- Carson Palmer had an abrupt to his 2005 postseason when the Steelers Kimo von Oelhoffen knocked Palmer out with a torn knee muscle on his first postseason throw. Palmer will return to form by the beginning of the 2006 NFL regular season but look for the Bengals offensive staff to use the running game more early on to get Palmer back into a comfort zone. Palmer had a great season in 2005 and will continue to develop into one of the league’s best quarterbacks in 2006. Behind Palmer are veterans Doug Johnson and Anthony Wright, who will provide steady play in case of long term injury. Both are capable backups and an injury to Palmer is not the end of the world for the Bengals.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
Running back/ Full back- Cincinnati has two solid running backs in Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry, with Johnson providing some punishing runs and Perry providing a change of pace in relief of Johnson. Johnson will have another big season in 2006, with 1300 to 1500 yards rushing and a significant amount of receptions out of the backfield. Full back Jeremi Johnson is a dominating blocker and runner and the Johnson/Perry running tandem will cruise through big holes in 2006.
2006 NFL Grade: A-
Wide Receiver/Tight End- Easily one of the best receiving groups in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have several deadly weapons who can make a play at any time. Chad Johnson is an impressive athlete and he has backed up all of his boasts, though eventually he will either calm down on his own or will be unable to back up the talk. Johnson is aided by receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chris Henry, and Kelley Washington, who all are capable of going deep and getting the big ball. Houshmandzadeh in particular is looking to have another big year in order to improve his credibility as a big play receiver. Even with an injury to one piece, the rest of the receivers are good enough to give Palmer several targets in the passing game.
2006 NFL Grade: A+
Offensive Line- The offensive line has a couple of big players on it, including tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson, but still needs to come together as a unit. Center Rich Braham and guards Eric Steinbach and Larry Moore will do their best to play up to the level of the Bengals’ two solid guards, but it may take another year before that happens. However, Palmer and Johnson will get enough help from the line in order to get the offense moving.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Defensive Line- The Bengals have a dominating defensive end in Justin Smith and some good complimentary parts in Robert Geathers, Sam Adams, and John Thornton. Smith will have a Pro Bowl type year at end and the combination of Thornton and Adams in the middle will do well to stuff the rush and allow the linebackers to make plays on the outside.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
Linebacker- The combination of Odell Thurman, David Pollack, and Brian Simmons will be potent at the second level for the Bengals in 2006. Thurman and Pollack are finally getting their legs under them in their second year in the NFL and Simmons is a polished veteran who can lead this young group to prominence in the NFL. Look for Pollack or Thurman to have a great season and the Bengals to be one of the better run stopping teams in the league due to the linebackers’ efforts.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
Defensive Back- The defensive backfield needs to step up like they did in 2005, when they dominated their opponents in the first half of the season. Deltha O’Neal and Tory James in particular played well on the corners, forcing fumbles and picking off balls like they were thrown by a Jugs machine. The other defensive backs, including Kevin Kaesviharn and rookie Jonathan Joseph, will do well in the 2006 season and will benefit from continued improvements by their defensive line and line backers. Look for this group not to perform as well as in 2005 but good enough to stop too many big plays in big games.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Kicker/Punter- Kicker Shayne Graham and punter Kyle Larson are good young specialists and the Bengals need to hope the Graham doesn’t slip into bad habits early on in the season. Larson will continue to improve his accuracy while booming kicks deep into opposing territory, which will help out a good young defense. Expect Larson to have a good season and Graham to be up-and-down but a fair talent.
2006 NFL Grade: B-
2006 NFL Projection- The Cincinnati Bengals will continue to develop as a team, though they have the misfortune of being stuck behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. Look for a 10-6 or 11-5 season from the Bengals with the 2007 season as a target for overcoming the Steelers for dominance of the AFC North.
