Cincinnati Bengals Information
The fans of the Cincinnati Bengals have been forced to deal with a franchise that has won fewer games over the last decade than any other team in the league. The team was notorious for their sub par play, and seeing the team win 4 or fewer games in a season almost became normal. The team took the first steps in changing that image through a successful 2003 season in which they finished an even 8-8 and just missed out on the playoffs for the first time in a long time. The addition of head coach Marvin Lewis gave the players a new motivation and the team seemed to find a spark that had been missing for years.
Marvin Lewis earned his reputation by building the Baltimore Ravens defense into a feared defensive unit, but some critics said his job wasn’t as difficult as it seemed because he had the best defensive player in the league while he was in charge. In his first season with Cincinnati during the 2003 season, it was hard to find any faults in the way he managed the club. Rookie sensation and possible savior Carson Palmer, the Heisman Trophy recipient in 2003 out of USC, was expected to come in and quarterback the team right away, but Lewis made the decision he wasn’t ready, and that Jon Kitna would take charge of the team. Lewis also made the decision that an injury plagued Corey Dillon would be replaced by Rudi Johnson.
Kitna didn’t have incredibly impressive numbers in the 2003 campaign, but his name was being thrown around pretty regularly in the MVP and Pro Bowl discussions. Much of that might have surfaced because of the low expectations many had for the team itself, but Kitna was quite responsible for their great play. In 2004, it’s likely that Kitna will be replaced by Palmer, but this isn’t the first time this situation has occurred, and Kitna is sure to fight back. The biggest loss for the team will also occur on the offensive side with Corey Dillon signing with the New England Patriots. Rudi Johnson showed that he was a good back last year, but this year he’ll have his chance to prove he’s an elite one. Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick will lead the receiving corps on the outside, but the success of the team might very well hinge on the success of Kelley Washington, their number three receiver. Every defense around the league will be aiming to shut down the big two, so it will be up to Washington to get himself open and make the big catches.
The Bengals only had one man with more than 100 tackles last season (Brian Simmons), but they had 9 with more than 50, which goes to show the team plays as a unit and doesn’t depend on one man to make the big stop. They had 3 different players with at least 5 sacks and Tory James led the team with 4 interceptions. They dealt a first and fourth round draft pick to the Broncos for corner back Deltha O’Neal, one of the better underrated corner backs in the league. The team doesn’t have the big name superstar like a Ray Lewis or a Derrick Brooks and their almost 200 tackles, but they know their respective roles and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to play as a team and win as a team.
The team had 11 draft picks in the 2004 draft and after taking running back Chris Perry with their first selection, the next six picks were used to draft players on the defensive side of the ball. Perry is expected to be a third down type back to give Rudi Johnson periodic breaks, and each of the six defensive picks is expected to step in and contribute immediately in some form or fashion. Carson Palmer will step in and become the face of the franchise in 2004 and beyond but it will take a total team effort to make the playoffs out of the competitive AFC North.