Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
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As year five of Lewis's tenure unfolds, the biggest question remains essentially the same: when are the Bengals going to field a defense that the offense can be proud of? If Lewis weren't a defensive-oriented coach, the defensive shortcomings could be overlooked. But in his first four years, the Bengals have finished 28th, 19th, 28th and 30th on defense, not the kind of progress that promises an inevitable Super Bowl.
Until the defense can hold its own in a division with two defenses — Baltimore and Pittsburgh — in the top 10, the Bengals can't hope for much more than win-some, lose-some seasons. When you score 41 points at home against San Diego and lose 49-41, it can become a morale issue.
At the beginning of a new season, Lewis is especially concerned about finishing. The Bengals failed to hold leads and were outscored 199-176 in second halves. After climbing to 8-5, they lost their last three games of the season and missed the playoffs.
The offseason didn't produce much net gain on paper, so unless the Bengals show improvement from within, the talented offense led by Chad Johnson, Carson Palmer and Rudi Johnson will again have to try to carry the team.
The Bengals let two veteran defensive starters go, tackle Sam Adams and cornerback Tory James. They added Michael Myers, a 16-game starter for Denver, and hope Johnathan Joseph is ready at cornerback. But Joseph is nursing a foot injury. It's a chance for young vet Keiwan Ratliff. Top draft choice Leon Hall also could press Deltha O'Neal for a starting corner job or help immediately at nickel, but the Bengals will miss reliable safety Kevin Kaesviharn, who led the team with six interceptions. Rookie safeties Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe will have to develop fast. The Bengals wouldn't mind if White pushed journeyman starting strong safety Dexter Jackson for playing time. Nobody gave up more passing yards than the Bengals, but there wasn't much pressure up front.
At linebacker, after the suspension of Odell Thurman, injury to David Pollack, and release of veteran Brian Simmons, Lewis is counting on second-year prospect Ahmad Brooks and newcomer Edgerton Hartwell to join top tackler Landon Johnson and second-year man Rashad Jeanty. Hartwell is coming off injury and Brooks must show he has matured from a checkered past that seems to haunt more than a few Bengals. At 6-5, 260, Brooks has unusual skills to plug the middle and help stop the run. If he can't, Caleb Miller proved to be a worthy sub last year with 100 tackles.
The Bengals kept defensive end Justin Smith to anchor their ordinary line, which still has 33-year-old journeyman Bryan Robinson starting at the opposite end.
Lewis is counting on receivers Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman to take up the slack left when Chris Henry spends half a season on suspension. In Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Palmer has a starting duo in the same class as the Colts' Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, but Henry got open for nine touchdowns in only 36 catches and won't be easy to replace.
Hotseat
The Bengals lost guard Eric Steinbach to rival Cleveland but are counting on second-year giant Andrew Whitworth to take up the slack. Whitworth started 12 games as a rookie for injured Levi Jones at left tackle and acquitted himself well enough for the Bengals not to pursue Steinbach in earnest. At 6-7, 339, Whitworth fits into a front that is vital to the protection of Palmer. Center Rich Braham retired, leaving the job to Eric Ghiaciuc, who started 13 games. For depth, the Bengals added former Arizona starter Alex Stepanovich.
Overheard
Versatile running back Chris Perry has been injury-plagued and won't be ready because of ankle rehabilitation. Besides leading the team in kickoff returns, Perry was an excellent change-of-pace back for Rudi Johnson as well as an effective third-down back. Second-round draft choice Kenny Irons will have to hit training camp running to give the Bengals the 1-2 punch they need. Kenny Watson hasn't been a bad alternative, but the Bengals are hoping Irons can add explosiveness.
Outlook
They're a dangerous team, tough for anyone to face because of their offensive firepower. Palmer is on the verge of a real breakout after posting big numbers despite coming off a serious knee injury. After an offseason of health, he should be ready for bigger things. He could have a Manning-type year and carry the team on his back.
Prediction
Third.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
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