HEAD COACH: Marvin Lewis
Key Additions: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis; CB Jason Allen; DL Jamaal Anderson; OL Jacob Bell; OL Travelle Wharton; CB Terence Newman
Key Losses: RB Cedric Benson; WR Andre Caldwell; DB Chris Crocker; WR Jordan Shipley; OL Nate Livings; DL Jonathan Fanene; DL Frostee Rucker
Offense: After a superb rookie season in which he threw for 3,398 yards and 20 touchdowns with 13 interceptions while helping lead the team to the NFL playoffs, quarterback Andy Dalton is ready to lead the Bengals again in 2012. Veteran Bruce Gradkowski will backup Dalton once again.
The running game features former New England running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (667 yards rushing with eleven TD) this season after Cedric Benson wasn't resigned and wound up in Green Bay. Also in the fold this year is Bernard Scott, who had 380 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Brian Leonard and rookie Dan Herron (Ohio State) are on hand as well. The fullback is Chris Pressley.
Wide Receiver A.J. Green is back after a great rookie season in which he caught 65 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. Following the recent release of Jordan Shipley, the Bengals have a number of wideouts vying for the number-two receiver slot.
Rookies Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers) and Marv Jones (California) are available as well as Andrew Hawkins (23 receptions for 263 yards) and Brandon Tate. The tight ends are Jermaine Gresham (56, 596, six TD), Colin Cochart (five grabs for 44 yards and one score), Donald Lee and rookie Orson Charles.
The offensive line will have center Kyle Cook, guards Travelle Wharton and rookie Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin) along with tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith. Clint Boling, Otis Hudson, Anthony Collins, Jacob Bell and Dennis Roland are the reserves.
The Bengals finished 20th on offense (320 yards per game) last season while also finishing 20th in passing with 209 yards a game. The running game was 19th overall, gaining 109 yards per game.
Defense: This was a strong point for the team last season, finishing seventh in the NFL, allowing 316 yards a game, with 105 yards coming on the ground (tenth overall) and allowing 211 yards passing per game, which was ninth in the league. Cincinnati totaled 45 quarterback sacks last season as well.
The front line of the 4-3 defense include tackles Domata Peko and Geno Atkins (71/2 QB sacks) along with ends Robert Geathers and Michael Johnson, who had six sacks a year ago. Others up front include Carlos Dunlap, Pat Sims, Derrick Harvey and rookies Devon Still (Penn State) and Brandon Thompson (Clemson).
Outside Linebackers Thomas Howard and Manny Lawson team with middle backer Rey Maualuga. Backing up will be Dan Skuta, Vincent Rey, Roddrick Muckelroy and Dontay Moch.
The defensive backs include cornerbacks Nate Clements (two interceptions) and Leon Hall (two picks) along with safeties Taylor Mays and Reggie Nelson, who made four interceptions to lead the team. Rookie Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) will see a lot of action in pre-season along with reserves Jason Allen, Jeromy Miles and Terence Newman.
OUTLOOK: Head Coach Marvin Lewis will be looking for the steady play from QB Andy Dalton once again this season after a surprise rookie season a year ago.
Dalton simply doesn't make many mistakes and along with fellow rookie (wideout) A.J. Green, helped provide the team with a big play threat as the season went along.
Green-Ellis will be looked upon as the primary running back with Benson gone and he showed flashes of brilliance while with the New England Patriots the past three years.
The team has a solid defense that gets pressure on opposing quarterbacks and can stuff the run as well. The secondary only had ten interceptions last season and with some additions of a top rookie pick and some veterans as well, the Bengals will be looking to force more turnovers this year.
Playing in the AFC North, Cincinnati knows they have to be ready when they go against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. How well they fare in the head-to-head games will determine their chances of winning the division.
A wild card spot would be the best this team can hope for once again as far as the playoffs are concerned.
Look for an 8-8 season this year with a stronger schedule looming and the fact that opposing teams now know about Dalton and Green. Anything better than .500 in 2012 would have to be considered a good season from the Bengals.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Baltimore
Week 2- vs. Cleveland
Week 3- at Washington
Week 4- at Jacksonville
Week 5- vs. Miami
Week 6- at Cleveland
Week 7- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 8- BYE
Week 9- vs. Denver
Week 10- vs. NY Giants
Week 11- at Kansas City
Week 12- vs. Oakland
Week 13- at San Diego
Week 14- vs. Dallas
Week 15- at Philadelphia
Week 16- at Pittsburgh
Week 17- vs. Baltimore
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