Obviously big year

[walzav29]

As always the Bengals were viewed as the fluke of the 2009 season. Everyone has picked Baltimore again because, well basically they're the Bengals. To me the draft was solid and I'll still take Palmer over Flacco. My concerns with Cody (Weight Issues) and Kindle (may need microfracture knee surgery) were risky picks. The question is are

M. Jones

A. Bryant

J. Gresham

J. Shipley

Enough new weapons for Carson? It's funny how hard it is to get a new view of the franchise. The Bengals were everyones darling after 2005 because of all the young talent. I think it's a great job that they were able to rebuild so quickly. This is the season to see if they are legit or truly flukes.

[kingwilly]

As always the Bengals were viewed as the fluke of the 2009 season. Everyone has picked Baltimore again because, well basically they're the Bengals. To me the draft was solid and I'll still take Palmer over Flacco. My concerns with Cody (Weight Issues) and Kindle (may need microfracture knee surgery) were risky picks. The question is are

M. Jones

A. Bryant

J. Gresham

J. Shipley

Enough new weapons for Carson? It's funny how hard it is to get a new view of the franchise. The Bengals were everyones darling after 2005 because of all the young talent. I think it's a great job that they were able to rebuild so quickly. This is the season to see if they are legit or truly flukes.

I do think they did get Carson more/better weapons. It could be enough to be the change that improves the passing offense. I would have preferred a slightly different approach, but hey, my last name is not Brown or Lewis...

Baltimore did well to get Stallworth and Boldin. They will come out firing. They are the biggest concern in the division. I feel Pitt will have a down year and CLE, well, they are CLE.

If the Bengals can improve the pass rush and improve their ability to handle the TE's (Keller/Daniels) coming off the line, they will again be very good on defense.

[walzav29]

I think the overall experience of the defense will benefit greatly.

Sims

Rivers

Rey

MJ

Should all be even better. I say it's the Bengals division to lose.

[jjakq27]

Every year is a big year. You gotta know that they will never get their due until they are a consistent playoff qualifier and winner or flat win it all some year. The media is always gonna love the Ravens because of what Ozzie Newsome does with their roster and because they still have Ray Lewis. They also love the Steelers for their success and the large number of band-wagoneers throughout the country. And lastly, the old guard badly wants the Browns to become a successful franchise once again. So we are left out or largely ignored. Based on the up-and-down nature of this franchise, I can't say I blame them. I think I've gotten over the part about getting proper respect or being taken seriously by the media. Winning makes you legit.

I think the team has done a good job of building a foundation and a mindset that wasn't there in 2006, 2007, etc. It has taken a while but I think you can see the beginning of the roster "cycling" that Marvin talked about when he came here in 2003.

The Bengals have a good chance to repeat this year. If not I can see them in the hunt for the two wild card spots. Hopefully the disappointing end to 2009 will have some guys hungry for more.