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AFC North Review: Part 2 - Bengals


cliaz
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Cliaz’s Review Of The AFC North Part II

 

This is part 2 in a 32 part series I hope to complete before the middle of August.

 

The Cincinnati Bengals

2005: 11-5 [Made playoffs]

2006: 8-8

2007: 9-7

 

Offensive Overview:

 

People are still getting used to hearing “Bengals” and “Offensive Power House” used in the same breath. This offense is explosive and dangerous and is lead by arguably one of the best Quarter Backs to grace the NFL and a team of wide receivers that pick apart a defense with grace and power. The running game, while not explosive, will grind down a defense and establish its will by brute force. Welcome to the new AFC North.

 

Carson Palmer is nothing short of demigod coming back from such a devastating injury in 2005 to throw for 4035 yards and 28 Tds not to mention was the MVP of the Pro-Bowl. The Bengals offense is looking to brush aside the legend that was “The Greatest Show on Turf” and to over shadow the Colts high scoring offense to establish itself as one of the greatest of all times.

 

With Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to catch the ball even my grandmother could pass for 2500 yards and 20 tds. These two alone complement each other with perfection. TJ has the strength of the two and is perfect as a possession receiver who can use his body to make himself available for a throw. Chad Johnson has the speed and can break loose for long gains and touchdowns. Johnson also provides a very attractive target for the red zone now that Henry is out for the first eight games. Look for this unit to step up in Henry’s absence.

 

The Running game has never been flashes. It does what it is meant to do, rush just enough to get the hard yards, score around a dozen touchdowns and make 1st downs so Palmer can throw more deep balls on 1st and 2nd downs.

 

Expect a more renewed focus on the passing game now that Palmer is healthier and working more with his receivers in the off season.

 

 

Defensive Overview:

 

Since Marvin Lewis took the reigns for the Bengals the ball club has improved. The defense however is still stuck in the mire of the bottom of the league. In the AFC north you need to have a solid running game, a smart quarter back and a strong stingy defense. Two out of three is bad in football.

 

This defensive unit has done little to improve itself in the off season with losses to the secondary in Kaesviharn, Simmons and James [combined 12 Ints]. The secondary is young and lacks experience to be competitive in the AFC north. Last season they were tied at 31st in passing yards allowed. There are some bright points here in Leon Hall [1st round 18th over all] who should over take O’Neal and steal his job as both off the field issues and on the field injuries have plague him. Hall is the most NFL ready corner to come out of the draft. There is no doubt he will be a start by mid season. Expect to see M. Williams continue his coverage of the entire field making plays. Make no mistake communication is the key to this secondary. They need to work better as a team and learn to trust one and other.

 

The Linebackers for the Bengals may have the skills, hard hitting and fantastic run stopper in Hartwell but they lack in one key area…experience. This unit needs to learn how to play together and develop a rapport really fast if they plan on being successful this season. The team looks to lean on Hartwell to become a leader and gel this unit. His only draw back is he never really looked comfortable in passing situations though this may not be much of a weakness on his part as the AFC north is a run first, run second division for the most part.

 

The line is one thing and that is old and the Bengals did not address this issue much in the off season. If the line can stay healthy and stay focused on containing the run then there is a chance that this unit can scrape itself from the basement of the NFL. This line has the experience and skills to stop the run using tackle Myers, who has the size and skills to take on multiple blockers, can force teams into 3rd and long and bring out DE Geathers who had 10.5 sacks last season to seal the deal. . Look for the this line to be ground zero for the Bengals. Either they will succeed in their quest to contain the run or they will be one injury away from total collapse.

 

Team Summary:

 

The offense of the Bengals will put up points with ease, grace, style and brute force. Carson Palmer is methodical in his approach to the game and has been training in the off season with his wide receivers who are more than happy to be there with him. Look for this team to evolve to the next level and establish its passing game above that of the Colts. The Running game is strong and stable and does just enough to move the chain when asked and nothing more. Expect more of the same from it.

 

The Defense however is rotten. In order for this team to make it through the first playoff game this defense needs to gel, come together and learn how to play at a high caliber. The weakness this year is the age of the line and the lack of experience in the secondary. If a few key players excel then there is a change that this D could end up around 15th over all in the league.

 

Overall expect more of the same in a high scoring offense and a pathetic defense.

 

 

Fantasy Insight:

 

Quarter Backs:

 

Carson Palmer

 

Projections: 365 completions 4085 yards 31 Tds 11 Ints – 23 rushes 48 yards 1 Td

 

Palmer has another year under his belt as the Bengals signal caller and another year for his knee to heal. After only less then a year removed from a potential career ending injury he returned to the line to throw for more than 4,000 yards and MVP of the Pro-Bowl. Pretty impressive but do not be surprised this year if he leads the league in yardage and touchdowns. The Bengals have an easier schedule this season and the defenses in the AFC north didn’t really improve by leaps and bounds. The Steelers lost their emotional [not to mention bully] leader Joey Porter and the Ravens lost Adalius Thomas [we wont even go into the Browns]. This does not mean that these defenses are going to be soft but these two alone will change the dynamics of the North.

 

Carson spent the off season working on his throwing shoulder and improving his balance and core body strength to help improve his accuracy when throwing on the run. Though he will never be a rushing threat [never rushing for more than 47 yards in a season] he will still be the undisputed #1 fantasy quarter back by years end. Expect a career year from the man who threw for 4035 yards injured.

 

 

Doug Johnson

 

Projections: 10 completions for 25 yards 0 Tds

 

Doug Johnson re-signed with the Bengals in the off season to become the backup of Palmer. He is a good fit for the Bengal’s system, he is strong and fast enough to escape a collapsing pocket and has a decent arm but his weakness is in his decision making.

 

Unless Palmer is injured and out for an extended period of time, Doug warrants no attention. No Fantasy Value.

 

 

Jeff Rowe

 

Projections: N/A

 

Rowe was drafted in the 5th round and warrants no fantasy attention.

 

 

 

Running Backs

 

Rudi Johnson

 

Projections: 335 rushes for 1350 yards 11 Tds - 17 receptions for 60 yards 0 Tds

 

When you draft Rudi Johnson there is one thing that you know you will get and that is average of 87.93 yards with .75 touchdowns per game. No matter what, you know you can count on him to be unspectacular and vanilla in his performances. He is a powerful running back that can take a pounding and keep on running. The one problem with him [besides the seemingly consistent and unwavering yardage and tds] is he has no second gear and will never have a break out game nor will he ever push your team over the top.

 

Understand that because the Bengals defense is terrible and their quarter back is so good that there is no need for a back that can have a 200+ yards multiple td game. Rudi hit a glass ceiling in production 3 years ago and just doesn’t know it yet. He is a fantasy #2 running back to have on a team but can hinder you if he is your primary.

 

 

Kenny Watson

 

Projections: 22 rushes for 120 yards 1 Td – 21 receptions for 180 yards 0 tds

 

Kenny Watson is a fantastic receiver out of the back field and a perfect check down for Carson Palmer. He excels where Rudi does not, the receiving game. Expect him to compete for the Bengals third down back duties until/if Chris Perry returns from Injury. Unless you are drafting him as a backup to Rudi Johnson there is little fantasy value here.

 

 

Kenny Irons

 

Projections: 35 rushes for 380 yards 2 Tds – 15 receptions for 122 yards 1 Td

 

Irons, a second round pick for the Bengals has the physical tools to be successful in this system as a 3rd down back/check down receiver. Many favor this small back to win out over Kenny Watson to back up Rudi Johnson until/if Chris Perry returns. Unless you are drafting him as a backup to R.J. there is little fantasy value for leagues with 12 or fewer teams.

 

 

Jeremi Johnson

 

Projections: 8 rushes for 25 yards 1 Td – 1 reception for 8 yards 0 Tds

 

JJ is mainly a blocking Full back that can still push a pile if needed. He has never had more than 15 rushes in a single season or more than 57 yards. There is no fantasy value.

 

 

Wide Receivers

 

Chad Johnson

 

Projections: 102 receptions 1560 yards 13 Tds

 

The main reason Chad had a slow start to last year [besides the Mow hawk] is the Bengals weren’t calling many plays that kept palmer in the pocket for more than 3 seconds. He wasn’t able to get down field to catch the long bomb. Once the season wore and it was apparent that Palmer could take a hit or two they opened up the passing game a little and Chad Johnson shined. He is a dangerous weapon for Palmer and one that is not afraid to make the difficult catch.

 

With Chris Henry out for the first part of the season look for Chad Johnson to get more targets in the red zone. Even though more double coverage will roll over to C.J. he will still break loose and catch those long balls for large gains. He has great size, speed and fantastic physical agility that enables him to make impossible catches look like child’s play. Expect a strong start to the season, a solid mid season and an even stronger finish to the season this year. Though he has never caught more than 97 passes in a season expect him to crack the century mark and get a career high 13 Tds.

 

 

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

 

Projections: 82 receptions 1090 yards 9 Tds

 

Even though he is the #2 wide out on the team, T.J. [wait for it] Whosyermama can still be drafted as a low end #1 fantasy WR. T.J. is a precise router runner who always manages to fine that chink in the defense and able to provide Palmer with an option when Chad is not open. He is very physical, strong and has a tremendous ability at making himself a big target yet make himself small after catching the ball.

 

Last season was a career year for him in catches, yardages and touchdowns. Look for him to at least repeat these numbers as Henry is out for eight games and he may pick up the slack.

 

 

Chris Henry

 

Projections: 22 receptions 310 yards 3 Tds

 

In 2006 Henry had 36 receptions for 605 yards and 9 Tds. For a number 3 on the depth chart those numbers aren’t too bad. Henry is a large target for Palmer in the red zone and had the hands and physical strength to take advantage of a situation. To bad he is suspend through out the first eight games of the season. The good news is it appears that Chris is doing everything he is asked by the NFL and it looks like he will be reinstated come mid season.

 

Right now Henry is worth drafting in the late rounds as a flier and nothing more. By the time he returns to the line up it is possible one of the other WRs below him on the charts will have established himself as the official #3.

 

Tab Perry

 

Projections: 35 receptions 390 yards 3 Tds – 5 rushes for 20 yards 1 Td

 

Perry was place on I.R. with a hip injury in 2006. He is a large target with great hands that “should” be Chris Henry’s replacement this season. The only thing he is lacking in is speed. Keep an eye on him in training camp.

 

 

Antonio Chatman

 

Projections: 10 receptions for 90 yards 0 Tds

 

Chatman has the speed and moves to go over the middle and make mismatches. The issue with him is he has the injury bug. No real fantasy value here.

 

Reggie McNeal

 

Projections: N/A

 

McNeal was a reserve for the Bengals in 2006 and will compete for a roster spot. No Fantasy Value here.

 

Glenn Holt

 

Projections: N/A

 

Holt will compete for a roster spot this season on the Bengals after spending the 2006 season on the practice squad. No Fantasy Value Here.

 

Skylar Green

 

Projections: N/A

 

Green spent time on the Cowboys roster in 2006. He will compete with Green for a roster spot on the Bengals. No Fantasy Value Here.

 

 

 

Tight Ends

 

Reggie Kelly

 

Projections: 25 receptions 275 yards 2 Tds

 

Reggie Kelly should only be drafted if you are in a 14+ league team. He is more of a blocking back though he does have the skill to catch those tough 1st downs in pressure situations. Look for him to continue in the roll of being a blocker.

 

Ronnie Ghent

 

Projections: N/A

 

Ghent spent time on the practice squad in 2006 and even spent time on I.R. He will compete for a roster spot this season and has no fantasy value.

 

Tim Day

 

Projections: N/A

 

Another TE from the practice squad that the Bengals need to improve in his skill set in the event that Kelly goes down with an injury. No fantasy value.

 

 

Kicker

 

Shayne Graham

 

Projections: 34 FGA 31 FGs – 49 EPA – 48 EP

 

Shayne is a kicker on a high scoring team that will provide him with many opportunities to put points on the board. He will be a #1 fantasy kicker this season and bounce back from a sub par 2006.

 

 

Defense

 

Projections: 0 DTD 13 Ints 0 SY 29 Sacks 891 Tackles 14 FF

 

This defensive unit has ranked 28th, 19th, 28th and 30th since Marvin Lewis took over as Head Ball Coach back in 2003. Lewis was known for his defenses yet has not been able to establish a dominating one for the Bengals yet. Look for more of the same this season as the secondary is young and inexperienced, the Line backers lack experience and skill and the D-line is old.

Edited by cliaz
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