Top concerns going into the 2010 season

[TJJackson]

My take, more or less in descending order

1) Can the offensive line protect the passer?

I'd feel a lot better about this if the Flesh Zeppelin wasn't, well, the Flesh Zeppelin. Some QBs seem to handle pressure better than others, but Carson (who has many strengths) does not seem to be in this group. There is not a lot of experience at the backup spots, either, and really, who is your backup center? Are you absolutely sure about your answer?

2) Can we pressure the opposing passer?

I feel a lot better about this area going into this year than last, but Odom does not seem to be the player he was pre-injury. My hopes here ride heavily on the performance of younger, fairly proven players like the Giraffe. Seriously, have you seen Michael Johnson's neck? On a related note, I really hope Geno and Dunlap get significant snaps, particularly on third down.

3) Can we kick?

If you are 100% comfortable going into the season with Mike Nugent as your PK, well, I wish I was you (unless you are agreen or one of his near-equals), as I'd sleep a lot better. Health, distance, and accuracy under pressure all are in question....and when you boil it down, aren't those THE three things you want from a PK? We shall of course wait and see.

4) Will Special teams coverage be special? (or failing that, even be decent?)

Yes, we have more than one quality return guys, but what about our coverage units? 3 of the top 4 performers on ST coverage units last year were cut, and I can't help but think we'll give up more opposing return yardage, which in turn means more points for the opposition and a longer field for our offense to traverse to score.

TIE for number 5

5a) Is Carson of 05 or 06 back?

For many, this is the real 500 pound gorilla in the room, that we soar or we plunge based on Caron's performance alone. Based on what I saw in the preseason, I think (but remain a little unsure) he will be OK given all the weapons he now has as long as he gets decent pass blocking in front of him (ergo item 1 is item 1). When they get Leapin' Leonard on the field as his checkdown, things should get even better.

5b) Our corners are strong, yeah, but what about these safeties?

Too many issues to count here. If Crocker plus either Williams or NDukwe plays even decently and manage to remain healthy, I think we are OK. I have questions about both, particularly the health part. Further, while I count myself as a fan of the Jones-for-Nelson trade, Nelson is obviously a HUGE question mark, and I hope he has time to be Zimmer-ized before being thrown to the wolves by an injury or two. I'd say the Bengals share this concern, keeping not one but TWO safeties on the PS.

[volcom69]

Kicking game for sure, we know Nugent has a big leg but he only got to kick a couple times in preseason. Can he stay healthy?

The defense, not really the whole defense but can they get better this year. They almost have to i want them to prove that last year was not a fluke, and i want them to move forward not backwards. They play alot of good teams this year with big name QBs, can they get enough pressure on them to help the secondary. From what i saw the starters had 2 sacks, and really thats not to good. The young players did awsome with getting sacks, but that was against 2nd 3rd teamers, can they do it against the starters. The young players need to improve and get going.

Can the offense come out flying, will they all be insync and ready to go. Will the run offense show up, like last year will they use the jumbo package? How about pass protection, will Roland be okay this year starting how will he hold up? I still want them to get a vet o-linemen.

Penalties i think this is what will hurt this team. Stop the stupid penalties, they hurt themselves more then anything.

[TJJackson]

yeah, I should have really found a place for penalties, particularly pre-snap penalties.

every team picks up penalties at some point, so they are never going to go away entirely, but our overall team really needs to work to reduce those hugely, by half or more.

[membengal]

Nice list TJ, not much to add.

I guess I would like to see the penalties cut in half. Tired of 1st and 20. Not holding my breath though.

[skyline]

Alright, TJ. Now how about starting a list of the top 5 reasons to be optimistic? Up for it?

[jjakq27]

Alright, TJ. Now how about starting a list of the top 5 reasons to be optimistic? Up for it?

Here are a few of mine, in no particular order

1. Mike Zimmer

2. The experience gained through a difficult 2009 season

3. Unfinished business from last year

4. TO, Shipley and Gresham

5. The return game with Jones and Scott

[redsbengalsbucks]

Nugent is a concern only if he is injured. He is an upgrade if healthy, he is a clutch kicker and late game pressure does not seem to bother him.

The Safety position is my main concern. I wanted a high draft pick the last two years and now they are short handed again. I hope Reggie Nelson is the answer, but it seems to be a long shot.

[Stripes]

My concerns are primarily the offensive line (both in pass protection and in the running game) and safety.

All offseason long we've speculated that the one missing piece that could really make all the difference is Andre Smith, and he remains nothing but a giant question mark. Through the preseason he improved from utterly horrible to just bad. I don't know whether he'll continue progressing or just level off at "bad". We're already dealing with injuries at center, and that's perhaps the single worst position to shuffle around for stability across the line. Kyle Cook isn't that great himself, but I'd much rather see him on the field than Mathis out of position or a rookie.

Williams and Crocker are fine for safety, but everyone knows how often they get hurt. Safety is just a position where injuries are more probable, so depth is more important. I'm not convinced we have it. Ndukwe is only a slight downgrade from either of the two starters, but in a new system especially coming out of a place where he plain struggled, Nelson is going to be next to worthless early in the year. If the Bengals manage to build any decent leads in the first handful of games, I hope to see Nelson out there getting his feet drenched.

I'm not worried about kicker anymore. I think Nugent will be able to convert his field goal tries at a near-average pace while Rayner would have been around the bottom of the league. I don't expect Nugent to kick as well as Graham did throughout his career here, but I think he'll be okay. Who knows how he'll kick when the game is on the line, but that was definitely his specialty in college.

[TJJackson]

Alright, TJ. Now how about starting a list of the top 5 reasons to be optimistic? Up for it?

I have suffered as a fan of this team too long to do that. No more heartbreaks. I keep my expectations low and let them pleasantly surprise me :-)

[volcom69]

Just was reading Reedys top 3 questions heading into Sundays game. #2 i think, said the bengals had 15 sacks this preseason, but none came from the first team front seven. So is this a concern for you guys, i dont feel too good about this stat. Now if they go out Sunday and create pressure then im not so concerned, but wow 0 sacks. Wonder if Zim just didnt show anything?

[HairOnFire]

1) Can the offensive line protect the passer?

I'd feel a lot better about this if the Flesh Zeppelin wasn't, well, the Flesh Zeppelin. Some QBs seem to handle pressure better than others, but Carson (who has many strengths) does not seem to be in this group. There is not a lot of experience at the backup spots, either, and really, who is your backup center? Are you absolutely sure about your answer?

Andre Smith should get much better than he currently is...if for no other reason than he was much better in limited action last season than now. Currently he's capable of mauling anything standing directly infront of him, but if that player being faced can move laterally all Smith can seem to do now is engage briefly before giving his opponent a mighty shove as it runs by. Last season that wasn't a problem.

2) Can we pressure the opposing passer?

I feel a lot better about this area going into this year than last, but Odom does not seem to be the player he was pre-injury. My hopes here ride heavily on the performance of younger, fairly proven players like the Giraffe. Seriously, have you seen Michael Johnson's neck? On a related note, I really hope Geno and Dunlap get significant snaps, particularly on third down.

Odom doesn't seem to be getting any bigger, but you could see his strength returning as the preseason progressed. The improvement should come from Dunlap as a conventional elephant end capable of so much more than that, and MJ....who I'm guessing was kept mostly hidden in a vanilla wrapper this preseason. Once the whistle bows for real I'm guessing they'll amp up the aggression with Johnson.

3) Can we kick?

If you are 100% comfortable going into the season with Mike Nugent as your PK, well, I wish I was you (unless you are agreen or one of his near-equals), as I'd sleep a lot better. Health, distance, and accuracy under pressure all are in question....and when you boil it down, aren't those THE three things you want from a PK? We shall of course wait and see.

I think a healthy Nugent can be a weapon who gives the Bengals striking ability they haven't had at the kicker position since Rackers beat up the fan in a restroom. And while I'm as nervous as anyone about his health...the Bengals don't seem to share my concern. So I'm comforted somewhat.

4) Will Special teams coverage be special? (or failing that, even be decent?)

Yes, we have more than one quality return guys, but what about our coverage units? 3 of the top 4 performers on ST coverage units last year were cut, and I can't help but think we'll give up more opposing return yardage, which in turn means more points for the opposition and a longer field for our offense to traverse to score.

In my opinion the overhaul of an already very good special teams unit is a positive thing, and if the Bengals can survive the first few critical weeks without a major miscue they'll likey finish as one of the elite special teams units in the entire NFL, in returns and coverage.

5a) Is Carson of 05 or 06 back?

For many, this is the real 500 pound gorilla in the room, that we soar or we plunge based on Caron's performance alone. Based on what I saw in the preseason, I think (but remain a little unsure) he will be OK given all the weapons he now has as long as he gets decent pass blocking in front of him (ergo item 1 is item 1). When they get Leapin' Leonard on the field as his checkdown, things should get even better.

I haven't bothered checking any stats but right now Carson Palmer looks as good as he ever has....as long as he isn't forcing the ball to Chad. His arm strength looks outstanding, his play is animated, and he's getting everyone involved. No complaints.

5b) Our corners are strong, yeah, but what about these safeties?

Too many issues to count here. If Crocker plus either Williams or NDukwe plays even decently and manage to remain healthy, I think we are OK. I have questions about both, particularly the health part. Further, while I count myself as a fan of the Jones-for-Nelson trade, Nelson is obviously a HUGE question mark, and I hope he has time to be Zimmer-ized before being thrown to the wolves by an injury or two. I'd say the Bengals share this concern, keeping not one but TWO safeties on the PS.

Yeah, two quality but fragile starters, one decent backup, and more questions than answers. This one worries me alot more than the others mentioned.

And penalties.