rlmeyers Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 From ESPN Insider, by Scouts, Inc."One of the most exciting things about each NFL season is the element of surprise. It seems that every year there are a couple of teams that emerge out of nowhere to be contenders. Let's look at four teams who could have that Cinderella season in 2005. Cincinnati BengalsThe Bengals always seem to get off to a slow start, play themselves just out of playoff contention, and then heat up in December and become the team no one wants to play. In 2004, they started 1-4 and finished 8-8. If they are to emerge as a serious playoff contender in 2005, they must be better in September and early October. Offensively, they have the potential to be both high scoring and balanced. They have a terrific three-WR package with Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Peter Warrick, and a power run game that can eat up the clock with RB Rudi Johnson. Plus, Cincinnati possesses arguably the most underrated offensive line in the NFL. However, offensive success really comes down to the maturation of QB Carson Palmer. After a slow start in 2004, Palmer suddenly emerged in the second half of the season. The game seemed to slow down for him, and he made great strides in improving his reads and decision making. If that carries over to this season, look out, because this will be a very dangerous offense. Defensively, the outlook isn't quite as bright, but there is hope. The Bengals did a poor job of stopping the run a year ago, and they weren't physical enough inside. They also did a poor job of tackling on the perimeter. However, they selected linebackers in the first and second rounds of this year's draft – OLB David Pollock and MLB Odell Thurman. Both are athletic playmakers who will bolster the defensive front seven. The strength of the defense is the secondary. The Bengals have a good group of man-to-man cover guys who make plays. The DBs recorded 16 of Cincinnati's 20 interceptions a year ago. The special teams are also in good shape, thanks to solid recent drafts that have produced good, young athletes who do well as cover guys in the kicking game. There is a swagger and confidence in the organization right now that has been missing for several years. The Bengals know that they have talent and that teams no longer can pencil in a win when Cincinnati is on the schedule. If Palmer continues his improvement, and if the run defense tightens up, the Bengals are a serious playoff contender. All this being said, though, they will be in a difficult three-team race in the ultra-tough NFC North, a division returning the 15-1 Steelers and the much-improved Ravens. "They listed the Jaguars, Bengals, Lions, and Bears in this article, but (homer) these other teams seem like paper tigers that are relying on at least one player to elevate his game... Harrington? Leftwich? Grossman? Gimme a break...not gonna happen. That's two for two from the experts at ESPN. I guess they don't want to be blindsided like they were by the Chargers last year.Any season ticket holders grab up the ticket packs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jditty47 Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 good article...glad he said the bit about our secondary being our strong point. i love that our secondary can play man on man. allows our front 7 to do more work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalsLB Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 i think grossman will be good and da bears will make the playoffs.but this is a great articule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 omg someone mentioned warrick well talking about our WR's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 " NFC North, a division returning the 15-1 Steelers and the much-improved Ravens. ""Hahaha he pulled a me good read though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Next_Big_Thing Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 good article...glad he said the bit about our secondary being our strong point. i love that our secondary can play man on man. allows our front 7 to do more work. After all those years of your choice of pumpernickle or white toast in the secondary, it's almost surreal to hear someone call it a strong point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincyhokie Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 The Jaguars are going to be tough this year. Leftwich is an effective QB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 The Jaguars are going to be tough this year. Leftwich is an effective QB. Aye qb is good but don't they still lack on offense but solid defense? they should have a run for WC atleast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrandom42 Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 The Jaguars are going to be tough this year. Leftwich is an effective QB.Aye qb is good but don't they still lack on offense but solid defense? they should have a run for WC atleast. If Fred Taylor can't come back from knee surgeries, Leftwich is going to be a stationary target for blitzers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Cincinnati possesses arguably the most underrated offensive line in the NFL. Just a thought, but this is the year Steinbach makes the Pro Bowl. That would be good for Eric but it will increase his value in free agency after this year. I think Big Willie will make his extension cap friendly so that the Bengals can sign Steinbach and Levi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlmeyers Posted June 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Just a thought, but this is the year Steinbach makes the Pro Bowl. That would be good for Eric but it will increase his value in free agency after this year. I think Big Willie will make his extension cap friendly so that the Bengals can sign Steinbach and Levi. They can probably only do one deal before the Collective Bargaining Agreement is renewed, and that won't likely be before September. They would be smart to renew all of those guys long before they hit the market... Look at the Chad deal... It probably saved us $10 million doing it when we did. We can also capitalize on their rah rah team spirit now before their agents can get into their head... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 "Just a thought, but this is the year Steinbach makes the Pro Bowl. That would be good for Eric but it will increase his value in free agency after this year"we don't want his value to go up till after he signs a 5year deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMC Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 "Just a thought, but this is the year Steinbach makes the Pro Bowl. That would be good for Eric but it will increase his value in free agency after this year"we don't want his value to go up till after he signs a 5year deal exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Orange Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 What I wish I could do is do a comparitive analysis on pre-season optimism (homer and otherwise) on this team. I see a lot of nationals guessing we will repeat as 8-8 3rd place...missing the wild card, team. And an equal number saying 10-6 going to the playoffs.From my stand point I don't remember hardly anyone guessing we would be in the playoffs last year...And I was looking. Most guessed we would be 8-8 again, and they were right. Of course, I only remember reading one which thought the the Steelers would win the division.The year before Marvin came I don't think there was all that much optimism and the Mike Browns sucks movement was in it's hay day.I love this feeling of optimism...it inspires me. Of course, I would love it to be realized even more...and even though another 8-8 season would be terribly disapointing...I think that this wave of optimism will last at least one more non-playoff season before starting to really die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Orange Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 For some reason I can't add my pics...WAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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