AFC North Training Camp preview

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Cincinnati Bengals

Challenge No. 1: Find a replacement for suspended Chris Henry.

Led by a talented receiving corps featuring Henry, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals have had some success spreading out and exploiting overmatched corners on the way to becoming one of the league's most explosive offenses. Henry's emergence as a big play threat has been an integral part of their success. With 15 touchdowns in the past two seasons, he has established himself as a big play threat and prevented teams from sitting in cover two to take away Johnson and Houshmandzadeh out of the game. As he serves his eight-game suspension, the Bengals must find a receiver to fill that void. Tab Perry has shown big-time ability as a returner and appears to be the most logical candidate, but he lacks the game experience at receiver to be completely trusted to step into that role. Antonio Chatman and Reggie McNeal will also get their chances, but they also lack the playing time and experience to be counted on. Training camp and preseason games will go a long way towards determining which of these candidates gets the nod as the Bengals' third receiver.

Challenge No. 2: Get better play out of the secondary

After leading the league in interceptions in 2005, the Bengals finished last in passing defense last season. The secondary's inconsistency in coverage and frequent mental lapses led to the Bengals giving up 24 passing touchdowns. Although they finished with 19 interceptions, they did not create enough turnovers to make up for their blown assignments. Surprisingly, some of the mental lapses came from veterans Deltha O'Neal and Tory James. After stellar years in 2005, both were beaten repeatedly on double moves and gadget plays. While the Bengals let James walk during free agency, O'Neal returns but is not guaranteed a starting spot. With the emergence of Jonathan Joseph and the addition of first round pick Leon Hall, the Bengals appear to be willing to gamble on their young talent in starting roles. If Joseph can recover quickly from his offseason foot injury, he and Hall could form a dynamic duo with tons of big play potential.

Challenge No. 3: Prepare for Odell Thurman's return.

The troubled linebacker is set to return to the team following a year-long suspension. Though he has experienced numerous scrapes with the law, Thurman is the difference maker the Bengals lacked in the middle last season. A high motor guy with great instincts and intangibles, he was their biggest playmaker as a rookie and finished with five interceptions. His return will undoubtedly help the Bengals regain the swagger and confidence they displayed in 2005. But his on-field talent was never in question, his character and decision-making will determine how long he will stay when he makes it back. Given the odds, the team has to plan as if it will be without his services and then make on-the-fly adjustments if he proves he can be trusted.

Personally I would add another challenge or two but it is pretty much on the money for as far as it goes.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Challenge No. 3: Prepare for Odell Thurman's return.

The troubled linebacker is set to return to the team following a year-long suspension. Though he has experienced numerous scrapes with the law, Thurman is the difference maker the Bengals lacked in the middle last season. A high motor guy with great instincts and intangibles, he was their biggest playmaker as a rookie and finished with five interceptions. His return will undoubtedly help the Bengals regain the swagger and confidence they displayed in 2005. But his on-field talent was never in question, his character and decision-making will determine how long he will stay when he makes it back. Given the odds, the team has to plan as if it will be without his services and then make on-the-fly adjustments if he proves he can be trusted.

Honestly I'm not worried about the first 2 as much as the third. The Bengals run defense is notoriously horrid, and IMHO they need all the help they can get, so the sooner Odell can get back into stripes and contribute, the better!

[DesperateDerelict]

I thought our ol' buddy Bucky did a credible job, especially highlighting the explosive Fenaca situation with the Squeelers and hammerin' the Ratbirds for lettin' Adonius depart. He states the obvious, but states it well.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't see how McNeal can even be a thought in the replacement of Henry... Makes no sense whatsoever. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure why this guy is still holding a roster spot...

Odell returning should be a huge lift "IF" he has his sh*t together !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

So it is possible to read a piece about the Cincinnati Bengals without being drowned in the outdated garbage we've been seeing for a year and a half.

Good read, and very refreshing.

[whodeynation]

Cincinnati Bengals

Although he's shown promise as a return man, Tab Perry may be forced to take the leap to starting wideout this season for the suspended Chris Henry.

Al Tielemans/SI

Challenge No. 1: Find a replacement for suspended Chris Henry.

Challenge No. 2: Get better play out of the secondary

Challenge No. 3: Prepare for Odell Thurman's return.

The troubled linebacker is set to return to the team following a year-long suspension. Though he has experienced numerous scrapes with the law, Thurman is the difference maker the Bengals lacked in the middle last season. A high motor guy with great instincts and intangibles, he was their biggest playmaker as a rookie and finished with five interceptions. His return will undoubtedly help the Bengals regain the swagger and confidence they displayed in 2005. But his on-field talent was never in question, his character and decision-making will determine how long he will stay when he makes it back. Given the odds, the team has to plan as if it will be without his services and then make on-the-fly adjustments if he proves he can be trusted.

This whole topic really got me to thinking about how Odell can work his way back onto the team, after we've clearly already plugged that hole. I don't think he has a chance to suplant Ahmed Brooks in the middle, as Brooks has the speed, height and athleticism to be the prototypical Mike LB on this team for years to come.

Then I started thinking about Jeanty. As a former DE, he looks alot like a faster version of Joey Porter. Jeanty didn't spend any real time last year lining up with his hand on the ground. It looks to me that Odell would fit best starting out as a ILB in a hybrid 3-4 pass rushing situation, joined by Brooks in the middle, and Jeanty lining up in a three point stance. Thurman can drop and run in coverage better than Jeanty, and then Jeanty is free to rush the QB, something he was clearly not able to do last year.

The only thing lacking is a big body at the nose... Perhaps Peko or Kendrick could anchor the line. I wouldn't want to be an opposing QB and have to deal with Smith, Geathers and Jeanty coming after me, and we just might get the pass rush that we've so sorely lacked in recent years.

Waddayathink?

[HairOnFire]

Given the odds, the team has to plan as if it will be without his services and then make on-the-fly adjustments if he proves he can be trusted.

Given the circumstances I doubt Odell can prove himself trustworthy no matter how he behaves for several years. Thus, he becomes the wildest of wildcards. A supremely gifted player who won't be considered for a starting position, but one who can fill multiple reserve and backup roles as few others could. And since he doesn't make alot of coin....that'll do for now.

[BengalByTheBay]

Cincinnati Bengals

Challenge No. 1: Find a replacement for suspended Chris Henry.

Led by a talented receiving corps featuring Henry, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals have had some success spreading out and exploiting overmatched corners on the way to becoming one of the league's most explosive offenses. Henry's emergence as a big play threat has been an integral part of their success. With 15 touchdowns in the past two seasons, he has established himself as a big play threat and prevented teams from sitting in cover two to take away Johnson and Houshmandzadeh out of the game. As he serves his eight-game suspension, the Bengals must find a receiver to fill that void. Tab Perry has shown big-time ability as a returner and appears to be the most logical candidate, but he lacks the game experience at receiver to be completely trusted to step into that role. Antonio Chatman and Reggie McNeal will also get their chances, but they also lack the playing time and experience to be counted on. Training camp and preseason games will go a long way towards determining which of these candidates gets the nod as the Bengals' third receiver.

This is the "challenge" that got me thinking. Isn't this the same team that got huge production from a player like Kevin Walter not so long ago (and a ridiculously big contract for him from the Texans)? While I'm the first to say that Henry is a unique talent, I don't see the 3rd WR spot as being one of the primary "challenges" for the Bengals this season. Chatman is a nice slot receiver and, while he and TJ "cross-over" a bit position-wise, I think either one (or both interchangeably) can line up wide and still keep a defense completely off-balance. Tab can also line up wide and then you've got the McNeal, Brazell, Holt guys that will have to go like hell in training camp to even get a spot on the team. No, we can't "replace" Henry with any of those guys, but we will still have a solid to very good 3rd WR almost by default.

I think even TE is a bigger potential "challenge" right now than 3rd wide. As for the defense, you've got question marks all over the place. And since when did "waiting/hoping/praying for Odell to come back" become a primary challenge? It's still far from certain to me that he's going to come in and claim a jersey, let alone a starting spot if/when he comes back. I'd like to see what his weight is right now before I started marking him up as a major component of this season's team. My guess is that he comes back (fingers crossed) in halfway decent shape, shows up on time to meetings, and makes his press corps mantra something like "I'm just hoping to play as much as possible and contribute to the team". I think Marvin might suit him up for the first couple weeks coming in off the bench and then we'll see where he's at physically and whether he's back to game-speed. Only then would I start giving him consideration as a starter. No way this team can afford to assume he'll be a starting LB in week 1.

[DesperateDerelict]

. . . It looks to me that Odell would fit best starting out as a ILB in a hybrid 3-4 pass rushing situation, joined by Brooks in the middle, and Jeanty lining up in a three point stance. . . . The only thing lacking is a big body at the nose... Perhaps Peko or Kendrick could anchor the line.

Waddayathink?

ENOUGH ALREADY. Here we go AGAIN !! There will be no 3 - 4 base defense in Cincy - Marvin BELIEVES and is a disciple of the 4 - 3 defense, and it only works with a GREAT (not Good) NT - of which there are about 3 in the world (none of whom are on the Bengal's roster).

[The PatternMaster]

This reporter failed to mention that 10 Bengals have been arrested since Jan 2006, what his problem??? He must be apart of the secret conspiracy to cover up the wrond doings of our million dollar babies who lord around the tri-state area as if it was their personal play ground.

[whodeynation]

. . . It looks to me that Odell would fit best starting out as a ILB in a hybrid 3-4 pass rushing situation, joined by Brooks in the middle, and Jeanty lining up in a three point stance. . . . The only thing lacking is a big body at the nose... Perhaps Peko or Kendrick could anchor the line.

Waddayathink?

ENOUGH ALREADY. Here we go AGAIN !! There will be no 3 - 4 base defense in Cincy - Marvin BELIEVES and is a disciple of the 4 - 3 defense, and it only works with a GREAT (not Good) NT - of which there are about 3 in the world (none of whom are on the Bengal's roster).

Don't get your panties in a bunch. I was only talking about SITUATIONAL PASS RUSH, not base D. Watch tape, they did it last year with different personnel, but it usually exposed our poor secondary, and lack of LB depth.

[Tasher]

Odell will move to WILL.