2010 RECORD: 4-12-0
(4th in AFC North)
HEAD COACH: Marvin Lewis
Offense: Following a season in which they averaged 20 points per game and finished 20th in the NFL in total offense, the Bengals now have a new quarterback as Andy Dalton (rookie from Texas Christian) takes over for Carson Palmer, who has announced he is retired unless the Bengals trade him.
Until that impasse concludes, it will be Dalton calling the signals this season with Bruce Gradkowski (1,059 pass yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions), coming over from Oakland, backing up. Jordan Palmer is also available at quarterback.
The running attack will feature Cedric Benson (1,111 yards, 3.5 ypc average, seven TD) along with Bernard Scott (299 yards, 4.9 ypc) at halfback. The fullback is Chris Pressley.
The wide receivers are revamped as Chad Ochocinco took his act to the Patriots and T.O. (Terrell Owens) is gone as well.
Rookie A.J. Green (Georgia) will likely start along with Jordan Shipley (52 catches, 600 yards, three TD), tight end Jermaine Gresham (52 receptions, four TD) and a a supporting cast including Bo Scaife, Jerome Simpson, Quan Cosby and Andre Caldwell.
The offensive line consists of center Kyle Cook, guards Nate Williams and Bobbie Williams and tackles Andre Smith and Andrew Whitworth.
Defense: The defense slipped back in 2010, allowing 395 points during the regular season. The turnovers that were so much a positive factor for Cincy in 2009 were few and far between last season. In addition, the Bengals had just 27 QB sacks, with Defensive End Carlos Dunlap leading the team with 9.5 sacks.
Along with Dunlap up front in the 4-3 scheme, is DE Michael Johnson and tackles Domata Peko and Geno Atkins.
The linebackers include Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga on the outside with Roddrick Muckelroy, Dan Skuta or Brandon Johnson in the middle spot. Rookie Dontay Moch (Nevada) and Manny Lawson, who comes over from San Francisco, will also get a look.
The defensive backs include Chris Crocker, Robert Sands, Leon Hall, Brandon Ghee, Fred Bennett, Jonathon Wade, Morgan Trent and Reggie Nelson.
OUTLOOK: The Bengals went from first to worst in the AFC North last season, and had a ten-game losing streak that dropped them out of contention in a hurry.
The rushing attack must rebound after averaging just 95 yards per game a year ago. Benson will be the key in the backfield.
A big question mark looms in the passing game with a new QB and a big cast of unknowns at wide receiver. If Cincinnati can get it together quick in 2011 on the offensive side of the ball, they will be better than the 4-12 record of a year ago.
The defense allowed 332 yards per game last season (19th in NFL), including 115 on the ground, which was a far cry from the stingy run defense they displayed in 2009.
Head Coach Marvin Lewis will have a test ahead of him in 2011, especially on offense, and that can only mean the team is rebuilding for the future in the rugged AFC North, where the Ravens and Steelers loom large.
A 3-13 finish is likely for the Bengals this season as they attempt to pass Cleveland and get out of basement in their division.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Cleveland
Week 2- at Denver
Week 3- vs. San Francisco
Week 4- vs. Buffalo
Week 5- at Jacksonville
Week 6- vs. Indianapolis
Week 7- BYE WEEK
Week 8- at Seattle
Week 9- at Tennessee
Week 10- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 11- at Baltimore
Week 12- vs. Cleveland
Week 13- at Pittsburgh
Week 14- vs. Houston
Week 15- at St. Louis
Week 16- vs. Arizona
Week 17- vs. Baltimore
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