does anyone else feel that our 2010 team is getting slighted

[membengal]

Tell you what, some luck with the injury bug would be nice as a hedge against the late-season fade. They were decimated at the interior of the line last year, taking the heart out of the middle of that defense. That sure didn't help.

And, of course, the TE injury carnage the messed up the offense from the outset.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

If Benson isn't suspended and healthy, they are definitely being overlooked. I supppose that's likely due to the back-to-back losses to the Jets, who then went on to be beaten, which is still in the minds of the media.

Absolutely the biggest question mark on this team is the offensive line, not the QB. I think Smith has to be the real deal and do well, if they want to go further than last season.

Someone will get hurt in training camp, a starter, someone always does, maybe two. The depth is a bit sketchy in some areas as well, but any team can say that.

If the 0-line, in particular Gresh and Smith, stay healthy and are what they should be, they should be fun to watch, and a better team than last season.

[COB]

If the 0-line, in particular Gresh and Smith, stay healthy and are what they should be, they should be fun to watch, and a better team than last season.

Anyone know the latest on Andre Smith? I seem to recall a second surgery some time during the off-season, but I haven't read anything on his current condition and his expected health when camp starts.

[HairOnFire]

Anyone know the latest on Andre Smith?

He's said to be right on schedule and will be allowed to return to practice on July 29th. Also, the latest report on his weight claimed he looks much fitter and should tip the scales at 330 or so.

Release the Krakken!

[redsbengalsbucks]

Anyone know the latest on Andre Smith?

He's said to be right on schedule and will be allowed to return to practice on July 29th. Also, the latest report on his weight claimed he looks much fitter and should tip the scales at 330 or so.

Release the Krakken!

330, that has to be considered a win for the team. He has kept his weight close to his playing # and will hopefully be healthy for at least part of camp. He has the talent, now he just needs to get and stay healthy.

[COB]

This is good news that gives me hope that Andre will turn into the player we hoped for. As that Johnny Cochran type lawyer on Seinfeld would say, "Andre's foot is my case!"

[membengal]

Anyone know the latest on Andre Smith?

He's said to be right on schedule and will be allowed to return to practice on July 29th. Also, the latest report on his weight claimed he looks much fitter and should tip the scales at 330 or so.

Had not heard that, Hair, thanks for the heads up. I will indeed be bullish on this team if Andre Smith is ready to go from day one.

[ArmyBengal]

To start, nice Clash of the Titans reference in regards to an O-lineman.

Second, if we have a healthy Andre Smith on the right side, and assuming he gets no suspension, go ahead and pencil Benson in for breaking the franchise single season rushing record. Seriously, that is where Smith excels. As a matter of fact, all RB's will see improved stats with him in there.

[TJJackson]

On the matter of the subject of this thread - I hope we are rated as the 32nd (or lower, if at all possible, heh) best team by every major publication.

Help ensure no team takes us seriously

Gimme W's on Sunday in place of a good preseason ranking any ole day

[BengalszoneBilly]

Anyone know the latest on Andre Smith?

He's said to be right on schedule and will be allowed to return to practice on July 29th. Also, the latest report on his weight claimed he looks much fitter and should tip the scales at 330 or so.

Release the Krakken!

And your source here is...

[ArmyBengal]

It was mentioned on the official site just a couple of days ago.

[BengalszoneBilly]

It was mentioned on the official site just a couple of days ago.

Dang. I was hoping for something a little more credible than that. I quit biting on their bits years ago when they were touting Rudy Johnson's return to stardom.

[HairOnFire]

It was mentioned on the official site just a couple of days ago.

Dang. I was hoping for something a little more credible than that.

Well, you're in luck then as my source WASN'T the official website. Instead, the information was gleaned from a series of conversations I had with a homeless woman who lives behind the Von's market in Westlake Village, California. And truth be told it wasn't really an actual conversation we had so much as me frantically transcribing some of the things she was shouting at the passing traffic.

BTW, my source seems to have a peculiar hatred of Volvos.

[COB]

in luck then as my source WASN'T the official website. Instead, the information was gleaned from a series of conversations I had with a homeless woman who lives behind the Von's market in Westlake Village, California. And truth be told it wasn't really an actual conversation we had so much as me frantically transcribing some of the things she was shouting at the passing traffic.

BTW, my source seems to have a peculiar hatred of Volvos.

That's good stuff there.

Ask her how Antwon Odom's achilles is doing. Also ask her how to turn off the cacophony of voices in my head.

[7/11]

i've noticed, for sure.

but for real, we were pretty wishy-washy last year, and we have a brutal schedule this year, so the 8-8/2nd or 3rd in AFCN predictions are pretty warranted in my opinion.

personally, i think we have as strong a team as we've had in a long time, so my expectations are high. but the schedule is tough, and PIT and BAL are tough, and we are the bengals, so it's better to be off the radar rather than smack in the middle of it. i really don't envy BAL's limelight right now...keep us off the map so we can surprise people.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

and have a healthy QB whose thumb will allow play faking and not tip running plays.

The Ravens have a very solid offense, but that defense is certainly getting older and their secondary flat SUCKS.

The Steelers have a solid defense that should be better with Troy coming back healthy, but their o-line is going to get their QB killed.

The Browns should be better, but that will only amount to Browns fans still having to embrace the suck, while bringing up the rear.

Agree all the way around. You can't overstate the importance of that damn thumb to the running game, that's for sure.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm just of the mindset that if you look at the problems the team did have last year:

Injuries late in the season, Henry dying and the deep threat of the passing game with him, and Carson's thumb.

Couple that with the #4 overall defense that only got better, a running game that is better than average, a draft and offseason that gave Carson weapons in the passing game, and bringing Zimmer back as D-coordinator and you have me thinking good things.

All of that and the Steelers and Ravens schedules aren't that much easier than ours. Their schedules last year were also easier than ours.

They all have equal if not moreso holes to fill on their roster. If we stay healthy, I don't give a sh*t what our schedule looks like.

This team is built to contend NOW.

[HairOnFire]

If we stay healthy, I don't give a sh*t what our schedule looks like.

Exactly.

Don't worry about the teams on your schedule.

Be the bully.

[HairOnFire]

Here's some love from an NFL scout who has 22 years of experience.

Cincinnati Bengals: 2010-2011 Scouting Report

Interview with Dave Razzano by Dewey Hammond.

Q: Let's talk about the Cincinnati Bengals. Where have they gotten better this offseason, and where have they gotten worse?

A: On paper this is the best Bengals team in the history of their franchise. They are absolutely loaded with talent. They got a lot better at wideout. They obviously have the franchise quarterback. They got a lot better at tight end. They have solid corners. They have great defensive line depth and linebackers. This team, their offensive line is a little above average, doesn't really have any weaknesses. I think their biggest weakness might be their average offensive line, and I wouldn't even say that's a weakness. They just don't have a lot of depth there. I think they got better at running back, wideout, tight end, corner, linebacker. This team is loaded with talent. They were fourth in the NFL in total defense last year. They've added a ton of players to their offense. They have no excuses this year. This is the year they really have to come out firing because with all the weapons they have on offense — getting that tight end Jermaine Gresham from Oklahoma, getting Antonio Bryant to go along with Ochocinco, getting Jordan Shipley, who I thought was as productive and solid as any receiver coming out, and that's including Dez Bryant. Jordan Shipley from Texas is an outstanding wide receiver. He's a bigger Wes Welker. Then you've got Bernard Scott, who is a clone of Jamaal Charles. Bernard Scott's one of the most dominant players you'll ever see. He came out of a smaller school but, man, was he electrifying. He scored like 32 touchdowns his senior year and was a breakaway threat. They've got every piece you need. Now it's a matter of lining up and winning games. If that team gels, and if they get a healthy Keith Rivers and a healthy Roy Williams at safety, they're as good as any team on paper in the NFL right now.

Q: For a guy who was drafted so high — I think he was #8 or #10 overall — Keith Rivers has been kind of a disappointment. Had his jaw broken by Hines Ward. Hasn't seen the field that much. Where do you see him being this year, and is he the biggest question mark on that Bengals D?

A: He's a Pro Bowl talent. I will say he's the highest rated player I graded that year in my area. He's an absolute Pro Bowl linebacker. Explosive, fast, four-down player in every game. He came into the NFL and had some injuries, and in the NFL it takes a few years to get comfortable. His injuries have not helped. If he's on the field he's going to be making an impact. He's got too much talent, too much explosion, too much big-play ability. He's got a nose for the ball. He's an all-out competitor who just needs to stay healthy, and that's the stuff you can't measure. That's his only problem. If he's healthy he's outstanding.

Q: What do you see as their biggest weakness on defense?

A: I would say maybe depth at safety. Chris Crocker is OK, but Roy Williams really needs to be healthy. They're really good on their front seven. Their D-line and linebackers, they can afford injuries and they won't miss a beat. They've got Maualuga and he'll come into his own. Keith Rivers. Dhani Jones is highly productive and smart. I think right now it's the safety position, it's a little short. They have two solid young corners. So much of their defense hinges on Roy Williams being healthy.

Q: What's their biggest weakness on offense?

A: They're loaded at every position but offensive line. They're guards are average. Their center is OK. They have a good solid RT with Andre Smith, that high pick last year out of Alabama. He's a natural right tackle. A powerful run blocker. But their inside three, their guards and center, are a little bit average.

Q: What's your prediction for the Cincinnati Bengals this season?

A: They have a chance to win 12 games. They really do. Their biggest competition will be the Baltimore Ravens, who I think have one of the top two defenses in the league. So I think it'll come down to the Bengals and the Ravens. I think Pittsburgh is going to fall off a bit. Cleveland will be competitive, but it's a tough division and the Browns will not compete for the division.

[ArmyBengal]

That dude must not be aware of the Ravens secondary issues. For a team to have one of the top 2 defenses in the league, you simply can't have the issues the Ravens have in the secondary. I agree with the depth at safety being a concern and the interior of the o-line being average at best. Hopefully having another year in the system together will help this unit overachieve.

Hair, that's a good idea for a Bengals team motto to be on a T-Shirt:

"BE THE BULLY"

[Stripes]

I love it. That's an honest assessment, free of speculative garbage that so many other wimpy writers force in somewhere to ensure they keep the Ravens ahead.

Keith Rivers is the man though. I've certainly not been disappointed.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Nice read, and pretty accurate I think. Relative to him, I'm not quite as taken with our WRs, and a bit less worried about S. But great to see somebody putting some actual thought into it for a change.