[SIZE=10.5pt]The Bengals come into 2014 with again one of the league's most talented rosters but also some serious questions as they look for their first playoff win in 24 years. There were obvious extenuating circumstances in the Pittsburgh playoff loss and they were the inferior team against the Jets and both times against the Texans, but there's no rationalizing what happened against last year. This year becomes another playoff win-or-bust year and Marvin Lewis may need one to keep his job. Most people wonder how he's lasted 11 years with a .500 record and no playoff wins, but he had to deal with a stacked deck (Mike Brown) against him for the first eight years and he's been a big part of wrestling personnel control away from Brown since 2011. He certainly has his flaws, but he's definitely a net positive and the Bengals are probably not going to find a better coach.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Andy Dalton had his best season statistically last year, but also threw interceptions at a very high rate (3.4%) and was absolutely abominable in the playoff loss. His flaws also consistently get exposed against upper-echelon defenses. Unfortunately, the coaching staff continues to back him at every opportunity and an extension seems like a possibility. Hopefully his demands are unreasonable and Brown takes a hard line, because they're likely doomed for more years of good but not good enough if he's extended. I also hope that the switch in coordinators masks his flaws - Jay Gruden did some good things, but he became way too pass-happy at times (Dalton dropped back 615 times last year) considering the personnel and inexplicably stopped running the ball in the playoff game when they were having success. Hue Jackson is committed to a power running game and is one of the best offensive minds in the league - the Bengals are extremely lucky to still have him because he should have been someone's coordinator the second the Raiders fired him. Ideally, Dalton's attempts will be curbed and the running game will open up high-percentage throws and deep shots to A.J. Green and Marvin Jones. I expect them to take a QB in the middle rounds, but he's not going to be a threat to Dalton and probably won't project as a starter anyways. It would be outstanding if Bridgewater fell to 24 and they couldn't pass him up, although I don't expect that to happen.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Lewis said he envisions a second-year growth for Gio Bernard similar to that of Ray Rice. Rice went from 107 carries and 34 catches his rookie year to 254 and 78 in his sophomore season. The two are built similarly with similar skill sets, so it wouldn't be shocking for Bernard to match Rice's second year. Rice averaged 5.3 YPC that year which will be tough to match, but the Bengals have a strong offensive line and Jackson is excellent with the running game - Darren McFadden averaged 5.3 YPC the two seasons Hue was with the Raiders and 3.55 the rest of his career. BJGE has predictably been a plodder who hasn't found life as easy without Brady and seven-men boxes. He really shouldn't be any more than a change-of-pace back.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Green has been a top receiver since he came into the league and would probably be viewed closer to Calvin Johnson if he had a better quarterback - he's been open deep countless times the last three years only to have Dalton miss him. Jones really came on last year (11th in DYAR despite splitting time because he was third in DVOA) and will hopefully finally have all the outside snaps to himself after sharing them with the much inferior Mohamed Sanu. Sanu will be the full-time slot man since the Bengals inexplicably didn't offer Andrew Hawkins another $750k which would've cost a team a second-rounder to sign him and the Browns signed him with no compensation. He's too slow to beat man coverage on the outside, but Sanu's size (6'2, 210) and ability to make catches in traffic should make him an asset there.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The Bengals will run a lot of two-TE sets with Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert. Gresham is dominant at times in the running game and is tough to bring down, but never regained the explosiveness he had in college after an ACL tear while taking way too many penalties and making too many mental mistakes. Although Eifert didn't do much last year, the Bengals are notoriously slow in bringing along rookies and he wasn't overmatched as a blocker. His role should grow considerably this year and he has the ability to win jump balls which will give Dalton another option in the red zone.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The offensive line has long been a strength of the Bengals. Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith are arguably the best pair of tackles in the league. LG Clint Boling was solid before going down with a torn ACL last December while RG Kevin Zeitler probably hasn’t delivered a first-round return for a guard yet but is still above-average. Kyle Cook used to be an average to above center, but hasn’t been the same since a 2012 preseason ankle injury and was released last month. Mike Pollak, who played well filling in for Zeitler last year, is probably the favorite for that spot although he could shift to LG depending on Boling’s recovery. The Bengals also signed Marshall Newhouse to fill the swing tackle role vacated when the longtime underrated Anthony Collins signed with Tampa Bay.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The biggest reason the Bengals have been in the playoffs the last three years has been the excellent and deep defensive line. Star DT Geno Atkins should be ready to go for camp after tearing his ACL midway through last year. LE Carlos Dunlap has been excellent rushing the passer from day one and has continued to improve in the running game. NT Domata Peko is a little overrated as he offers no pass rush and is only okay in the running game. Hopefully Brandon Thompson, who was excellent filling in for Atkins last year but is more of a nose tackle than a penetrator, sees more snaps at Peko’s expense. The Bengals will take a hit with RE Michael Johnson signing with Tampa Bay, but Wallace Gilberry has done an admirable job since they picked him up off the street at the start of 2012 and he’ll be joined there by 2013 second-rounder Margus Hunt. DT Devon Still, who has been a little bit of a disappointment as a 2012 second-rounder, should provide decent depth along with Robert Geathers.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Vontaze Burfict did an excellent job learning to play WILL on the fly in 2012 and then took the next step in 2013 to become one of the best linebackers in the league. Rey Maualuga is still a liability in the middle but is thankfully taken out in nickel situations. James Harrison did a good job last year and was still excellent against the run, but was phased out of a lot of games with offenses going three-wide and the team decided to move in a younger direction. That leaves Emmanuel Lamur, Sean Porter and Jayson DiManche as the favorites to claim the SAM spot. I’m a big Lamur fan – he’s a converted college safety who flashed in 2012 after coming up from the practice squad before being lost for the season last year with a dislocated shoulder in the preseason. He’s bulked up to 240, has long range at 6'4 and can play in any situation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The secondary is one of the bigger question marks and may be where the Bengals feel the loss of Mike Zimmer most, as he’s a secondary coach by trade and resurrected the careers of Terence Newman, Adam Jones and Chris Crocker among many others. Top CB Leon Hall is coming off his second torn Achilles in October but plans to be back for camp. Although Newman is going to be 36 by the start of the year, he’s done a very solid job in the two years he’s been in Cincinnati. Jones has also done a very good job on the outside in three-WR sets when Hall moves inside and when called upon to be a starter. Dre Kirkpatrick has been a little bit of a disappointment as a first-rounder two years ago as he’s struggled to get on the field, but has shown flashes and will be counted upon for a bigger role this year. The Bengals are also widely projected to take a corner with their first-rounder at #24. At safety, Reggie Nelson and George Iloka did a very solid job and they signed Danieal Manning, who should provide quality depth there and in the slot.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]After a disaster in 2010, the Bengals have had consistently above-average special teams as they’ve been able to have continuity led by Cedric Peerman and Vincent Rey. Hawkins will definitely be missed here as he was an excellent gunner. Brandon Tate has become a much better punt returner, but his kick returning leaves a lot to be desired. Kicker Mike Nugent and punter Kevin Huber are solid if unspectacular.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]With the loss of Zimmer and playing a first-place schedule including a game in Foxboro and having to go to New Orleans, it will probably be tough for the Bengals to win 11 games again. However, the season can definitely be a success if Dalton finds a way to take the next step and they finally get that elusive playoff win.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Andy Dalton had his best season statistically last year, but also threw interceptions at a very high rate (3.4%) and was absolutely abominable in the playoff loss. His flaws also consistently get exposed against upper-echelon defenses. Unfortunately, the coaching staff continues to back him at every opportunity and an extension seems like a possibility. Hopefully his demands are unreasonable and Brown takes a hard line, because they're likely doomed for more years of good but not good enough if he's extended. I also hope that the switch in coordinators masks his flaws - Jay Gruden did some good things, but he became way too pass-happy at times (Dalton dropped back 615 times last year) considering the personnel and inexplicably stopped running the ball in the playoff game when they were having success. Hue Jackson is committed to a power running game and is one of the best offensive minds in the league - the Bengals are extremely lucky to still have him because he should have been someone's coordinator the second the Raiders fired him. Ideally, Dalton's attempts will be curbed and the running game will open up high-percentage throws and deep shots to A.J. Green and Marvin Jones. I expect them to take a QB in the middle rounds, but he's not going to be a threat to Dalton and probably won't project as a starter anyways. It would be outstanding if Bridgewater fell to 24 and they couldn't pass him up, although I don't expect that to happen.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Lewis said he envisions a second-year growth for Gio Bernard similar to that of Ray Rice. Rice went from 107 carries and 34 catches his rookie year to 254 and 78 in his sophomore season. The two are built similarly with similar skill sets, so it wouldn't be shocking for Bernard to match Rice's second year. Rice averaged 5.3 YPC that year which will be tough to match, but the Bengals have a strong offensive line and Jackson is excellent with the running game - Darren McFadden averaged 5.3 YPC the two seasons Hue was with the Raiders and 3.55 the rest of his career. BJGE has predictably been a plodder who hasn't found life as easy without Brady and seven-men boxes. He really shouldn't be any more than a change-of-pace back.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Green has been a top receiver since he came into the league and would probably be viewed closer to Calvin Johnson if he had a better quarterback - he's been open deep countless times the last three years only to have Dalton miss him. Jones really came on last year (11th in DYAR despite splitting time because he was third in DVOA) and will hopefully finally have all the outside snaps to himself after sharing them with the much inferior Mohamed Sanu. Sanu will be the full-time slot man since the Bengals inexplicably didn't offer Andrew Hawkins another $750k which would've cost a team a second-rounder to sign him and the Browns signed him with no compensation. He's too slow to beat man coverage on the outside, but Sanu's size (6'2, 210) and ability to make catches in traffic should make him an asset there.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The Bengals will run a lot of two-TE sets with Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert. Gresham is dominant at times in the running game and is tough to bring down, but never regained the explosiveness he had in college after an ACL tear while taking way too many penalties and making too many mental mistakes. Although Eifert didn't do much last year, the Bengals are notoriously slow in bringing along rookies and he wasn't overmatched as a blocker. His role should grow considerably this year and he has the ability to win jump balls which will give Dalton another option in the red zone.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The offensive line has long been a strength of the Bengals. Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith are arguably the best pair of tackles in the league. LG Clint Boling was solid before going down with a torn ACL last December while RG Kevin Zeitler probably hasn’t delivered a first-round return for a guard yet but is still above-average. Kyle Cook used to be an average to above center, but hasn’t been the same since a 2012 preseason ankle injury and was released last month. Mike Pollak, who played well filling in for Zeitler last year, is probably the favorite for that spot although he could shift to LG depending on Boling’s recovery. The Bengals also signed Marshall Newhouse to fill the swing tackle role vacated when the longtime underrated Anthony Collins signed with Tampa Bay.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The biggest reason the Bengals have been in the playoffs the last three years has been the excellent and deep defensive line. Star DT Geno Atkins should be ready to go for camp after tearing his ACL midway through last year. LE Carlos Dunlap has been excellent rushing the passer from day one and has continued to improve in the running game. NT Domata Peko is a little overrated as he offers no pass rush and is only okay in the running game. Hopefully Brandon Thompson, who was excellent filling in for Atkins last year but is more of a nose tackle than a penetrator, sees more snaps at Peko’s expense. The Bengals will take a hit with RE Michael Johnson signing with Tampa Bay, but Wallace Gilberry has done an admirable job since they picked him up off the street at the start of 2012 and he’ll be joined there by 2013 second-rounder Margus Hunt. DT Devon Still, who has been a little bit of a disappointment as a 2012 second-rounder, should provide decent depth along with Robert Geathers.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]Vontaze Burfict did an excellent job learning to play WILL on the fly in 2012 and then took the next step in 2013 to become one of the best linebackers in the league. Rey Maualuga is still a liability in the middle but is thankfully taken out in nickel situations. James Harrison did a good job last year and was still excellent against the run, but was phased out of a lot of games with offenses going three-wide and the team decided to move in a younger direction. That leaves Emmanuel Lamur, Sean Porter and Jayson DiManche as the favorites to claim the SAM spot. I’m a big Lamur fan – he’s a converted college safety who flashed in 2012 after coming up from the practice squad before being lost for the season last year with a dislocated shoulder in the preseason. He’s bulked up to 240, has long range at 6'4 and can play in any situation.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]The secondary is one of the bigger question marks and may be where the Bengals feel the loss of Mike Zimmer most, as he’s a secondary coach by trade and resurrected the careers of Terence Newman, Adam Jones and Chris Crocker among many others. Top CB Leon Hall is coming off his second torn Achilles in October but plans to be back for camp. Although Newman is going to be 36 by the start of the year, he’s done a very solid job in the two years he’s been in Cincinnati. Jones has also done a very good job on the outside in three-WR sets when Hall moves inside and when called upon to be a starter. Dre Kirkpatrick has been a little bit of a disappointment as a first-rounder two years ago as he’s struggled to get on the field, but has shown flashes and will be counted upon for a bigger role this year. The Bengals are also widely projected to take a corner with their first-rounder at #24. At safety, Reggie Nelson and George Iloka did a very solid job and they signed Danieal Manning, who should provide quality depth there and in the slot.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]After a disaster in 2010, the Bengals have had consistently above-average special teams as they’ve been able to have continuity led by Cedric Peerman and Vincent Rey. Hawkins will definitely be missed here as he was an excellent gunner. Brandon Tate has become a much better punt returner, but his kick returning leaves a lot to be desired. Kicker Mike Nugent and punter Kevin Huber are solid if unspectacular.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=10.5pt]With the loss of Zimmer and playing a first-place schedule including a game in Foxboro and having to go to New Orleans, it will probably be tough for the Bengals to win 11 games again. However, the season can definitely be a success if Dalton finds a way to take the next step and they finally get that elusive playoff win.[/SIZE]
