jjakq27 Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../503060358/1066Bengals sticking with offense Analysis: Defense is team's free agency focusBy Mark CurnutteEnquirer staff writerThe Bengals' priorities emerged in the first week of NFL free agency.The plan clearly was to keep the offensive skill players together around quarterback Carson Palmer while trying to fill some holes on defense with run-stopping specialists.By using the franchise tag on tailback Rudi Johnson - a deal he has agreed to sign - and re-signing wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals have maintained the core of the league's 10th-ranked scoring offense.Johnson will be back as the team's single-season rushing leader - at least for one more season. The Bengals had a visit this week from Chicago free-agent running back Anthony Thomas, a possible insurance policy should Johnson be gone after the 2005 season. And the Bengals, by investing in another season from Johnson, bought themselves another year to get Chris Perry ready for the featured back role following an injury-plagued rookie season.Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan on Saturday said the club would have no additional visit confirmations through the weekend.Even more than Johnson in the run game, Houshmandzadeh provides necessary continuity for Palmer and the pass offense.Houshmandzadeh's emergence as a clutch, consistent receiver sets up an interesting training camp battle with Peter Warrick for the No. 2 wideout job.Warrick, due to make $2.28 million in the final of his six-year contract, has been rumored as a possible salary-cap casualty. But Palmer is looking forward to working with the receiving trio of Warrick, Houshmandzadeh and two-time Pro Bowl player Chad Johnson."Hopefully, Peter will be back to where he was two years ago," Palmer said Saturday of Warrick's healthy performance in 2003, when he had 79 receptions for 819 yards and seven touchdowns."And with Chad and T.J. getting better all the time, we have a great nucleus. You throw a 1,400-, 1,500-yard rusher in there like Rudi, and we're sitting pretty offensively."Warrick is working to recover from knee and shin injuries that limited him to four games and one start in 2004. Houshmandzadeh stepped in to make the most of his opportunity to play as the No. 2 receiver in Warrick's absence."I talked to T.J. the other night," said Palmer, returning for his second season as starter. "... I'm happy to playing with him for the next four years."You can leave the ball up a little longer with T.J., because he'll fight for the ball. He's a receiver you're not afraid to throw it to, because you know the (defensive back) is not going to catch it."Palmer, whose season was cut short by a knee sprain, said he would be ready to participate in the team's offseason strength and conditioning program, which begins April 4.Palmer improved with experience. He had a 96.9 passer rating in his final six games, compared to a 62.6 rating in his first seven.To Palmer, the defining catch of Houshmandzadeh's breakout season was the 19-yarder on fourth down late against the New York Giants. The catch set up the game-winning Chad Johnson catch from Jon Kitna."He makes big plays," Palmer said of Houshmandzadeh.The visits of Miami defensive tackle Bryan Robinson and Philadelphia middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter - however abbreviated by his agreement to stay with the Eagles - tipped the Bengals' hand. They very much want to improve their 26th-ranked run defense.Look for more veteran defensive linemen and linebackers to visit in the next week. And don't be surprised if the Bengals' first pick in the April draft comes from a deep crop of defensive linemen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 this has been the worst first week ever. At least we actually aquired new people last year and the year before in the first week. But i smell something big coming. Marvin and Mrs. Blackburn have something up their sleeves, I know it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincy9275 Posted March 6, 2005 Report Share Posted March 6, 2005 i am kinda disapointed with this week to and also with the guys they have brought other than trotter thomas and robinson are average at best. i really hope the furture gets better than this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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