NFL Draft Info - Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals 2009 Report Card

by: Joe Goodberry

The 2009 Bengals season can be summarized by watching the first game of the year. The Denver Broncos came into Paul Brown Stadium in what looked like a match between two rebuilding teams. In that game, the Bengals relied heavily on the running game. While struggling to get the passing game going, Laveraneus Coles dropped 3 out of his 4 passes, and Carson Palmer threw 2 interceptions. The kicking game tried its best to lose the game. With the offensive struggles, the defense started to take shape. Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph became one of the best tandem of CB's in the league. They also held the Broncos to 3 of 12 on 3rd down. Despite the stellar defensive play, the Bengals were trailling 6 - 0 with just under 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter. This is when Palmer took over. Carson led an 11 play drive to take the lead with 38 seconds left. Bengals take the lead 7 - 6.  Bengals fans go nuts. 2 plays and 20 seconds later, and the Bengals found a way to lose the game. The game shouldn't have been close enough to lose.  The Bengals beat themselves.

17 weeks later and the Bengals were AFC North champs and facing the Jets in the Playoffs. They made it even though they had to deal with two tragic deaths of WR Chris Henry and Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife. They made it with their 4th ranked defense, and the 9th ranked rush offense. They ended up being out matched by the Jets, but the 2009 season gave Bengals fans hope for the 2010 season.

Cincinnati Bengals 2009 Report Card

Quaterback B

Carson Palmer has been the leader of the Bengals since he started his first game in 2004. When Palmer missed the final 12 games in 2007, the Bengals had their worst season since 2002. So last offseason when fans were projecting the 2009 season, most people said the Bengals would be at least 4 games better this season just by having number 9 under center.

Carson Palmer was "solid" this season. He did lead the Bengals to their 2nd division title in 5 years, while passing for 21 touchdowns and only 13 ints. He also lead 4th quarter drives to tie or take the lead 7 times in 2009. Carson did have a career lows in completion percentage (60.5) and yards per attempt (6.6) as the passing game was very dull and predictable.

Without Palmer, the Bengals are a bad team. He keeps them in any game they play. As he goes, the Bengals will go. So management needs to put more talent around him before the 2010 season. If they do, and thats a big "if", expect better overall numbers from Carson Palmer in 2010.

Runningbacks B+

Cedric Benson really came on at the end of the 2008 season, and he carried it into the 2009 season. Benson was the offensive MVP this season. He carried the team vs the Ravens, Packers, Lions, Bears, and Chiefs. Benson set a Bengals records with 5 games of over 100 yards in a season, while amassing 1,251 yards in only 13 games. Benson has 1 year left on his deal, so look for the Bengals to reach out and try to extend him for a few more seasons.

Also in the backfield were rookie Brenard Scott, Brian Leonard, Larry Johnson, and full back Jeremi Johnson. Scott was a surprise 6th round steal in last years draft. His speed and qickness brings something to the table that no other Bengals runningback can. Scott was being compared to Titans RB Chris Johnson durring trainning camp.

Brian Leonard was traded for durring the offseason from the Rams. Thought to be a long shot to make the team, Leonard became the teams 3rd down back. Leonard made more plays than we can count. 3rd and 8? Dump the ball off to Leonard and watch him get 9 yards. Safety Chris Crocker said Leonard was the team MVP in his mind.

Larry Johnson joined the team after Cedric Benson hurt his hip vs the Steelers. Larry didn't start a game for the Bengals in 2009, but he did rush for 107 yards in a win vs the Browns in week 12. Johnson is a free agent this offseason.

Fullback was a question heading into the 2009 season. Jeremi Johnson was a great blocker a few seasons ago, but injuries and weight control became an issue. Johnson had a bounce back season in 2009. He was the lead blocker for eight 100 yards games in 2009. Johnson is a free agent this offseason. Look for the Bengals to try to extend or replace him.

Wide Recievers B

The passing game began with Carson Palmer and ended with Chad Ochocinco. Chad didn't have his best season numbers wise (72 rec, 1047 yrds, 9 TDs), but some fans may say this was his best season. Ochocinco came into the season rededicated, and it showed on the field. Chad was double covered almost every play, he was even tripple teamed a few times. Defenses figured if they took number 85 away, no other WR for the Bengals could make a play. They were correct.

Laveraneus Coles was signed to replace T.J. Houshmandzadeh iin the offseason. A few problems came from this, Coles never played the slot full time in his career, Coles had his share of drops, and he and Carson could never get on the same page. Coles ended the season with 43 receptions and 514 yards. Not good enough for a guy thats going to make more than $4.5 million in 2010.

Second year player Andre Caldwell continued to grow in 2009. In the beginning of the season, Caldwell benefitted from Chris Henry and Ochocinco drawing the deep coverage as Caldwell worked the middle of the field from the slot. After Henry's death, Andre Caldwell was moved outside to use his 4.3 speed to try and create some deep shots in the passing game. It didn't work. Caldwell was at his best working the underneath routes. He recorded 51 receptions, but with only an 8.5 yards per catch average.

Rookie Quan Cosby came on as a WR at the end of the season and in the playoff game. Cosby is limited because he is short and not really fast, but his route running and quickness helped him make some key receptions.

2008's second round pick Jerome Simpson was inactive for all but 3 games in 2009. Simpson wasn't injured, he just wasnt good enough to make the active 45. Simpson is as raw as WRs come out of college. His leaping ability and huge hands make him look like a guy that you would love to have on your team. But when you can't run routes or catch the balls that hit your hands, you wont make the team much longer. If Jerome Simpson dosn't make a tremendous leap durring the 2010 offseason, expect him to be cut and labeled as a bust.

Tight Ends D-

By far this position alone gave Bengals fans the most headaches. Fans cheered when the Bengals drafted Chase Coffman in the 3rd round in last years draft. Add Coffman to Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht, and maybe the Bengals could actually use the tight end. If that sounds too good to be true, thats because it is. Emotional leader Reggie Kelly ruptured his achillies in trainning camp. A few days later, Ben Utecht suffers a career threatening concussion. Coffman came into camp having zero blocking expirience because he played in the spread offense in college. So he gets burried in the depth chart under Daniel Coats and waiver wire pickup J.P. Foschi.

Dan Coats didn't hold onto the starting spot long. Coats couldn't catch, or hold onto the ball after he did catch it. The only ability Coats offers is his special teams blocking. He is not somebody you want starting for you.

J.P. Foschi was actually a surprise pick up. Foschi isn't very athletic, but what he lacks in physical ability, he makes up for it with his work ethic. Foschi caught most passes that were thrown his way, and his blocking was solid, but again J.P. was no threat to the defense.

Chase Coffman never saw the field. Every week, fans shouted for Chase to play. At least we know he cant catch the ball. But Coffman went on Injured Reserve on week 14.

Offensive Line B

Easliy the biggest question mark on the Bengals roster heading into the season. In 2008, the offensive line gave up over 50 sacks, and could only manage a 3.5 yards per carry average on the ground. In the offseason, Marvin Lewis made sure he created a run blocking line that could protect the QB long enough.

Lewis started the transition by moving Andrew Whitworth to his natural position of LT. Whitworth was named a team captain, and followed up with a strong season. He allowed 13 pressures and 5 sacks in pass protection, while blocking for an average of 4.7 yards per rush.

Left Guard had 2 starters. Both first time starters, Nate Livings played the 1st and 3rd quarter, while Evan Mathis played the 2nd and 4th quarters. Both players played good. They blocked for an average of 4.8 yards per carry when the offense ran behind them. Neither player let up a sack all season, and only allowed 11 total QB pressures.

Cincinnati has been looking for a center since Rich Braham retired in 2006. They may have found their guy in Kyle Cook. Cook is one of the strongest guys on the team, but where he surprised was in his line calls, and how well he held up against the big nose tackles of the AFC North. Cook only gave up 1 sack all season and he blocked at a 4.1 yard  per carry average in the run game

Right Guard was held down by 34 year old Bobbie Williams. Williams has started every game at RG for the Bengals since the 2004 season, and has been the model of consistency on the Bengals line. Williams may not be too athletic but he has strong hands and can blow a defensive tackle off the ball. When the Bengals ran behind Williams, they averaged 4.1 yards per carry, and he only gave up 4 sacks and 12 pressures. Williams is a free agent this offseason.

Right Tackle was thought to just be held down by two players until the 6th overall pick was ready to play.  Rookie Andre Smith was late to camp, and then broke his foot two days later. He didnt dress until week 12, and only played in 135 plays. In that limited time, Smith showed his power in run blocking, but he also showed he can hold up in pass protection by only allowing 1 pressure in 48 pass plays. To Bengals fans surprise, Dennis Roland and Anthony Collins played solid. Roland is a huge man at 6 foot 9, while Collins is athletic and cocky. In total, the RT position allowed 11 sacks and 22 pressures, while averaging 3.6 in the rush game. Andre Smith should be the future at RT.

Defensive Line B

The defensive line was tasked with creating more than the 17 sacks they generated in 2008.  Led by DE Antwan Odom and his 8 sacks through 5 games, the defense found a way to pressure the opposing quarterback. Then Odom ruptured his achillies vs the Texans. Johnathan Fanenne filled in and recorded 5 sacks and 8 QB pressures. On the opposite end, Robert Geathers has found it hard to match his career best of 10.5 sacks of 2007. In 2009 Geathers recorded 4 sacks, but had 22 QB pressures. Throw in rookie freak Micheal Johnson, and his 3 sacks and 11 pressures. The defensive end spot played good this season.

At defensive tackle, the Bengals had one of their captains in Domata Peko, a second year man in Pat Sims and the newly signed Tank Johnson. As a whole the unit was 7th against the rush, but a lot of that credit goes to Peko. Sims continued to grow and became a solid contributor to the defensive line rotation before he broke his arm in the final game on the regular season. Tank Johnson was slowed by injuries in the first half of the season, but he came on strong durring the second half. Tank is a free agent this offseason.

Linebackers  B+

The linebackers for the Bengals set the tone for the defense this season, and it started when they drafted Rey Maualuga in the 2nd round. Maualuga brought a toughness with him, and it spread throughout the defense. Keith Rivers had a bounce back sophmore season from last years broken jaw. While defensive captain Dhani Jones had his best season, Jones led the team in tackles again, and recorded 4 sacks. The entire linebacking corps may have been the deepest position on the team, and they needed that depth. Brandon Johnson is the teams nickle LB. He plays good in coverage and when he has filled in the past 2 seasons for Rivers, Johnson does nothing but stand out. Strong Side LB Rashad Jeanty started the past 2 seasons until Maualuga was drafted. Jeanty is the toughest player on the team, and plays great on special teams. Johnson and Jeanty are restricted free agents this season, so expect them back for the 2010 season.

Cornerbacks A

I think the Bengals have the best tandem of starting CBs in the league. Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph played outstanding this season. They combined for 140 tackles, 28 passes defensed, and 12 interceptions. They were thrown at 201 times and only allowed 108 receptions (54%). The only time an opposing WR had a big game, was if that WR played in the slot. Thats where rookie CB Morgan Trent played. So you would have to expect the nickle CB to get picked on by offensive ccordinators, but Trent more than held his own. I would have given this position an A+, but Jonathan Joseph dropped about 6 interceptions, and Leon Hall had 1 bad game against Vincent Jackson. Both players are pro bowl alternates, while Hall was a 2nd team All Pro.

Safeties C+

When Chris Crocker was signed off the streets last season, he changed the way the secondary played. Add in former pro bowler Roy Williams, and young play maker Chinedum Ndukwe. The Bengals had the chance to get solid safety play out of some average eplayers. Roy Williams started out playing his best football in the past 2 seasons, but he broke his arm again, and his future is uncertain. Crocker played well and had 2 picks, but missed some games down the stretch. Ndukwe was known as a play maker in his young career. Though limited in coverage, Ndukwe has a nack for getting to the QB (2 sacks), and a nose for the football (1 int, 1 FF). Undrafted rookie Tom Nelson filled in for Chris Croker.

Special Teams C

Special teams got a C from me because of the rookies. 5th round pick Kevin Huber played like we thought he would. Huber shifted field position all season with his directional punts. Quan Cosby gave the Bengals a spark in the punt return game that they havent had in a long time. Brenard Scott was great in kick returns. Scott won the game in Pittsburgh, and almsot took the opening kickoff in the playoffs to the house.

Now the bad. Shayne Graham is a good kicker, but he just isn't clutch. Graham missed two makeable field goals in the playoffs that could have changed the game. Andre Caldwell losy his KR duties after his final fumble against the Raiders the sealed the game as a loss. Long Snapper was fixed by mid season, but it may have caused a few heart attacks in the beginning of the year.

Coaching A

I wasn't going to give the coaching an A at first. But then Marvin Lewis won AP Coach of the Year, and DC Mike Zimmer was extended for another 3 years. The Offensive Line coach Paul Alexander deserves assistant coach of the year. Those 3 coaches deserve an A+ grade. Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski is the weak link at this point. He did a great job of creating some unique running plays, with unbalanced lines and jumbo packages, but his passing game was predictable and has been stale for the past few seasons. Marvin Lewis has talked about finding ways to create some explosive plays, hopefully that is the key in the offseason.

All stats were compiled from www.ESPN.com, www.Bengals.com, www.profootballfocus.com, www.nfl.com

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