32 Teams in 32 Days- Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals had a tough year last year. They lost starting quarterback Carson Palmer for most of the season and failed to play at the level they could’ve.
Ryan Fitzpatrick tried to be the hero, but he couldn’t do it, as he struggled most of the season.
But now, Carson Palmer is healthy and back on the field. So all that could change.
They also struggled to get their running game going until later in the season, when Cedric Benson became the starter. He did a pretty god job of it by rushing for 747 yards on 214 attempts.
But, after a 4-11 season, the Bengals knew they needed to upgrade.
Off-season Acquisitions
Players Added:
Laveranues Coles, WR.
Tank Johnson, DT.
Brian Leonard, RB. (Trade with Rams)
JT O’Sullivan, QB.
Roy Williams, S.
Players Lost:
Stacy Andrews, OT.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB.
Eric Ghiaciuc, C.
Orien Harris, DT. (Trade with Rams)
Glenn Holt, WR.
TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR.
Dexter Jackson, S.
Corey Mays, LB.
Levi Jones, OT.
Chris Perry, RB.
David Rayner, K.
The Bengals didn’t make too much noise in Free Agency. They mostly re-signed the players they had. But they did pick up some valuable players.
Laveranues Coles is a good receiver who will replace Houshmandzadeh at wide out. The loss of Houshmandzadeh could help out Chad Ochocinco, who will be the No. 1 receiver again.
2008 starting tackles Levi Jones and Stacy Andrews were both big losses, and I think the Bengals hould have kept one of them.
Roy Williams was a nice pickup and will be a big factor on this defense.
2009 Draft Picks
1(6). Andre Smith, OT. Draft Grade: A
2(6). Rey Maulaluga, LB. Draft Grade: A+
3(6). Michael Johnson, DE. Draft Grade: A
3(34) Chase Coffman, TE. Draft Grade: B
4(6). Jonathan Luigs, C. Draft Grade: C+
5(6). Kevin Huber, P. Draft Grade: B
6(6). Bernard Scott, RB. Draft Grade: C
7(6). Fui Vakapuna, RB. Draft Grade: D+
7(40). Clinton McDonald, DE. Grade Grade: B
7(43). Freddie Brown, WR. Draft Grade: C
- The Bengals no doubt had one of the top drafts this year. They were able to grab OT Andre Smith to replace Stacy Andrews at tackle who was listed as the top offensive tackle before the combine.
- Linebacker Rey Maulaluga was a projected first-round pick, and nobody knows why he slid as far as he did, but the Bengals are glad that he did. He’ll be a major force on this defense.
- The Bengals got another steal in the first round by selecting defensive end Michael Johnson out of Georgia Tech. He had a bit of an inconsistent senior year, but he will still be a nice player out on this defense.
- Chase Coffman was another good pick in the third. Carson Palmer will like having a tight end with receiving skills like Coffman.
- Kevin Huber was the first punter taken, and will help out this special teams unit.
- Running backs Bernard Scott and Fui Vakapuna were selecting to provide depth behind Cedric Benson.
- Seventh rounders McDonald and Brown will provide depth at their respected positions.
Draft Grade: A+.
Breakout Player: Jerome Simpson, WR.
The Bengals didn’t do anything huge in free agency. They had a great draft, but that’s not what is going to make this team improve. They have Carson Palmer back, and they have grown as a team.
If Chad Ochocinco can go back to playing the way he used to, these Bengals could really be dangerous. But if he doesn’t, another star will have to arise for Carson Palmer’s go to guy. But overall, I think this team will improve.
Projected Record: 8-8.
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