After a disappointing 2007 campaign for the Cincinnati Bengals, who went 7-9 despite having two Pro Bowl receivers on the roster, all eyes were focused on the defensive side of the ball for 2008. After all, that’s where the problems were — and in fact, the improvement from a very young unit was quite significant. Cincinnati jumped from 27th in the league in yards allowed to 12th, and yet, the team finished with only four wins.

So what went wrong?

Well, Carson Palmer missed 12 games due to a partially torn ligament in his passing elbow. While Ryan Fitzpatrick filled in admirably, he was no Carson Palmer, topping 200 yards in passing only twice all season. Meanwhile, the running attack never materialized with Rudi Johnson released right after the preseason and the underwhelming combination of Kenny Watson and Chris Perry getting outrushed by the quarterback position during the regular season. It speaks volumes that “fantasy hemlock” Cedric Benson was able to come in and take over the lead back role. In fact, shockingly, the team was 4-0-1 when Benson carried the ball 20 times or more.

In 2009, Palmer is back, and although T.J. Houshmandzadeh has taken his receiving talents to Seattle, the Bengals QB still has two Pro Bowl-caliber options in a rededicated Chad Ochocinco and newly acquired Laveranues Coles. They spent their top draft pick on Andre Smith, a run-blocking specialist who should help Benson continue his surprising success of last season, as well as keep Palmer from a return to the injured list. With the offense back to its high level of success, and Marvin Lewis’ defense getting a boost from veterans Tank Johnson and Roy L. Williams, along with Rey Maualuga (drafted out of USC), the Bengals are primed and ready for a trip to the postseason for only the second time since 1991.

Article via ESPN, written by A.J. Mass – http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=nfldk2k9bengalscamppreview

With Chad Johnson, I mean Ochocinco on his way out of town the Bengals will be losing a distraction off the field, but on the field they are losing when the best receivers in the game when healthy and clicking with his quarterback. Not to mention that T.J. Houshmendzadeh has left, so there are the two best receivers the Bengals have had for the last few seasons gone. No need to think Palmer will be without a quality receiver, because Laveranues Coles will be in a Bengals uniform, but he’s definitely not good enough to replace both guys by himself. If the Bengals want to take pressure off of the passing game, they need to get that running game going. Last season they ranked 29th in the league in rushing and that’s not a recipe for success in this league.

In the draft the Bengals decided it would be a good idea to try and fix their offensive line and that was the right decision. The selection of offensive tackle Andre Smith will definitely create more running room for the running backs on the Bengals. They then proceeded to try and improve on the defensive side of the ball in the next two rounds and that’s another way to help an offense. Let the defense create turnovers which leads to momentum and let the defense win the battle of field position.

We all saw what happened during the game, and it’s something that shsould never happen.  CJ reamed Palmer out for a mis-communication in front of millions of people.

Honestly if Chad wants to call Carson out, then do it!  But wait until you get in the lockeroom.  Especially when halftime is about 5 seconds away!   All he did was make a spectacle and ended up hurting the team.

Chad and Carson need each other to be successful.  Hopefully Chad Johnson realizes he isn;t bigger then the team.

With a chance to throw themselves make into a contender in the AFC by taking the Colts down, they got embarrassed 34-16 in a game which wasn’t even that close.

Denver and Pittsburgh are both on the schedule to finish the year, and almost mirror the type of up and down season the Bengals have had.  All 3 teams are also fighting for a playoff spot so it should be an interesting end of the season. IMO the Bengals have to run the table to have any chance of making it in.  Doing sos ould have then winning their previous 6 out of 7 and having a tad of momentum as well.  This team has a lot of playmakers, and the potential to put together a great game at any moment to beat even the best teams like Indy and SD.  Should they get in…I wouldn’t count them out.