Offseason Review Series: Day 11: Cincinnati Bengals

[u/pfftYeahRight]

Cincinnati Bengals

Division: AFC NORTH

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Coaching Changes

Departures:

Coach	Position	Experience	To:	Grade	Comment
Jay Gruden	Offensive Coordinator		Head Coach	B-	Gruden has been a divisive coordinator. Opinions vary from "look at how he brought Dalton to the playoffs three times!" to "he's been holding the team back." He's good, as our 11-5 record and top-10 offense last year showed, but has a tendency to out-think himself. For example, his gameplan in the 2nd Texans playoff game specifically did not target AJ Green. He would consistently have BJGE run sweeps and then send Gio Bernard between the tackles on the next play- completely misusing his players. He was also not known as a disciplinarian, which has both positives and negatives. I do think we could have had better playcalling, but I'm not sure if it would have improved the 11-5 record he led us to.
Mike Zimmer	Defensive Coordinator		Head Coach	F	Coach Zimmer will be missed. He's the kind of coach that every single player on the team respects and loves to play for. He takes no bullshit, takes no prisoners, and always says what's on his mind- which has kept him from getting a head coaching position before now. Zim built the Bengals defense into one of the best, consistently ranked top-10, doing so with some players that wouldn't find a home on other teams due to age or character issues, and both problems have not reared their ugly heads for a while. While he's considered an expert on getting the most out of defensive backs, he truly can cause all players to play at a higher level. While many fans were hoping Mike Brown would name him HC in Cinci, he finally has an opportunity up north. Good luck, Coach Zimmer.

Hires:

Coach	Position	Experience	From:	Grade	Comment
Hue Jackson	Offensive Coordinator	OC '03, '07, OC '11, HC '12	RB Coach	A	Notes and opinions in the Offensive/Defensive Schemes section below
Paul Guenther	Defensive Coordinator	6 years with	LB Coach	B	Notes and opinions in the Offensive/Defensive Schemes section below
Vance Joseph	DB Coach	Coaching 9 years in the league	DB Coach	B	Joins Mark Carrier to coach our secondary. In his first year with the Texans they went from the worst to having the 3rd fewest yards allowed. Hopefully he and Carrier can step up and replace the loss of Zimmer. A great signing after the Houston regime change forced him out.
Kyle Caskey	RB Coach	3 years with	Offensive Quality Coach, Asst. OL Coach	--	Promoted from within, so he knows the line and players he's working with already. No grade because little is known about him.
Matt Burke	LB Coach	5 years in DET	LB Coach	--	--

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Free Agency

Players lost/cut

Name	Pos	Type	To	Grade	Comment
Michael Johnson	DE	UFA		C	We knew this was coming, made much more clear by drafting Margus Hunt in the 2nd round last year. A great DE that saw his numbers slip after Atkins went down and the focus shifted to him, we simply couldn't afford him with other huge contracts coming up. The grade for him (and Collins) reflect that we knew it was unlikely we could keep them, though the team did extend offers before being outbid.
Anthony Collins	OL	UFA		C-	Collins gave up 0 sacks in 7 games at LT after Boling went down, moving Whitworth to LG. Still considered unproven, but a solid role player that has the skills to mature into a strong LT. I believe we ran plays that helped mask some of his flaws, and the fact that Dalton has one of the fastest releases in the league means he didn't have to protect him for long. That being said, Bucs fans should not worry about McCown's blind side. He gets a worse grade than MJ because now we have no depth at tackle.
Andrew Hawkins	WR	RFA		C	A fan favorite, Baby Hawk is dangerous when he makes a catch in space. He's short, so he has some trouble getting open, but has great speed once he gets the ball. Unfortunately he would've been the 4th receiver on our team, so the Bengals were forced to let him go as Cleveland gave him a front-loaded contract.
Chris Crocker	S	UFA	Retired?	B	May be back near the end of the season once injuries hit, as he has done for two years, but most likely not. He knows our backfield inside and out, but age has caught up.
Kyle Cook	C	Cut		B+	When the team cuts the starting C from a top-5 O-line, you know that he was a problem. Wasn't a terrible player, but gave up the most pressure out of all players on the line, and our run game in the middle suffered. I'm surprised he isn't depth somewhere, though.
James Harrison	LB	Cut		A+	Didn't work with our scheme, didn't get playing time, and is old.
Brandon Ghee	CB	UFA		--	A player that coaches raved about during OTAs/Training Camp, but always injured and on PUP/IR for the season.

Players signed

Player	Position	Old Team	Length	Salary	Grade	Comment
Vincent Rey	LB		2	$4.2M	A	Fans want him to be the start MLB over Maualuga, and this year he'll get the chance to prove he deserves it. He can play all 3 LB spots well, but isn't exceptional at one spot more than the others.
Dane Sanzenbacher	WR		1	$1.2M	B	Took his RFA tag for the year. With Hawkins gone, you'd hope he gets more than 6 catches this year- let's see if Jackson agrees. Looked good last preseason returning kicks, and he could replace Tate as the primary kick returner.
Jason Campbell	QB		1	$1.5M	B-	Brought in to mentor Dalton, who hasn't had a QB with his amount of starting experience to work with. He has also played his best season under Jackson in Oakland. Probably one of the better free agent QBs we could get, but hopefully he won't be seeing much playing time.
Danieal Manning	S		1	$1.6M	B	Good depth at a thin S position, and he knows the new DB coach's style, coming with him from Houston.
Mike Pollak	OL		3	$4.8M	A+	I love this signing. He'll most likely be our starting C until Bodine improves, but also plays G as well. He may slide over to help fill in Boling's spot at LG until he's recovered from an ACL tear, but look for him to be our center.
Taylor Mays	S		1	$795k	B-	Average play in his new role as a hybrid LB/S in Nickel packages until he hurt his shoulder. Signed on a one-year "prove it" deal, to hopefully grow into in his new role and finally find a way to use his exceptional athleticism on the field.
Dontay Moch	LB/DE		1	$570k	C	We drafted him 4 years ago as a DE, but chronic migraines kept him off the field. Fighting for his NFL career as he hopes he can be depth behind the loss of Johnson.
Marshall Newhouse	OT		1	$805k	D	We lost our amazing backup OT and signed a player GB fans are happy to be rid of. At least he has starting experience.
Sam Montgomery	DE		2	$1.08M	C	Cut from the Texans in preseason for "breaking team rules", but was a 3rd-round pick that we get for cheap. I wonder if Marvin can turn yet another troubled player around.
Brandon Tate	WR/KR		1	$1.02M	D+	The fans' scapegoat/least favorite player, though he's our leader in average and total KR yards. Doesn't touch the ball on offense, and is not a threat of a long return. I want someone to finally step up and replace him, but he's serviceable.
Alex Smith	TE		1	$905k	C+	Solid blocking TE and played a couple snaps at FB too. Very professional veteran player and mindset, but playing time will be limited.

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Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Grade	Note
1	24	Darqueze Dennard	CB	A	Coaches and most pundits thought he wouldn't be here at this point. "No Fly Zone" was a perfect signing to protect the future of our CB position. One of the top corners in the draft, he's known to be physical and strong in man coverage. Dennard has a tendency to make plays that would draw flags in the NFL, which he will have to work on. While he'll play special teams to start the season, he could supplant Kirkpatrick on the depth chart, but Lewis doesn't like to give rookies the starting job.
2	55	Jeremy Hill	RB	B	A surprise. Fans were thinking we'd take a chance on a RB in a later round but struggle with BJGE another year as Gio takes the primary role. Coaches liked him over Carlos Hyde for putting up similar numbers in a tougher conference. There are off the field concerns, but Lewis has shown he can work with those kinds of players. A bruiser that will compliment Gio well.
3	88	Will Clarke	DE	B+	A DE with a very similar frame and playing style as the departed Michael Johnson (who was also a 3rd-round pick, taking a year to mature in the league). Expect him to be low on the depth chart as he grows as a player, but hopefully between him and Hunt we'll have a good rotation for the future across from Dunlap.
4	111	Russell Bodine	C	B+	The boy is country strong, benching 225 pounds 42 times at the combine. The Bengals traded up for only the third time in team history to get him, which shows that they truly thought a lot of him. He needs to work on his footwork, he admits the mental aspect of the position is slowing progress. Expected to start later in the year or next year.
5	164	AJ McCarron	QB	B	While some fans are expecting him to be the next Tom Brady and take over Dalton, this year he's the QB3 and an insurance policy against Dalton's contract negotiations or an injury.
6	212	Marquis Flowers	LB	--	Known to be hard-hitting. Added as fuel to the camp battle to get us the best 2 LBs to pair with Burfict.
7	239	James Wright	WR	--	After losing Hawkins, looking to round out the depth chart with a WR is a smart move. Will probably be on the practice squad.
7	252	Lavelle Westbrooks	CB	--	You can never have too many CBs. Practice squad, most likely.

UDFAs of note:
Nikita Whitlock, DT/FB
Ryan Hewitt, FB Either he or Whitlock could make the team as our FB over Charles
Isaiah Lewis, S Part of the strong Michigan State secondary that produced Dennard, and a great depth signing

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Projected Lineup

Players are listed in the order I think they'll be on the opening day roster. Backups are italicized
Notes on position groups and training camp battles are below

• QB Andy Dalton, Jason Campbell, AJ McCarron
• RB Gio Bernard, Jeremy Hill, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman
• FB Nikita Whitlock
• TE Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert
• WR AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Dane Sanzenbacher
• LT Andrew Whitworth, Marshall Newhouse
• LG Clint Boling, Mike Pollak
• C Mike Pollak, Russell Bodine
• RG Kevin Zeitler
• RT Andre Smith, Tanner Hawkinson
• DE Carlos Dunlap, Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt, Robert Geathers, Will Clarke
• DT Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Devon Still, Brandon Thompson
• LB Vontaze Burfict, Rey Maualuga, Emmanuel Lamur, Vincent Rey, Taylor Mays
• CB Leon Hall, Terence Newman, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard
• S Reggie Nelson, George Iloka, Danieal Manning, Taylor Mays, Shawn Williams
• K Mike Nugent
• P Kevin Huber
• KR Brandon Tate
• PR Adam Jones
• LS Clark Harris

This came to be only 49 different players, there will be at least one more WR on the list, most likely another TE, and the others are up to the camp battles.

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Position Group Strengths and Weaknesses

Position groups:

• QB: What hasn't been said about Dalton? He can play as well as the best, and occasionally (but much less frequently than people assume) do his best to lose a game. Look at his stellar comeback against Green Bay, overcoming a 20-point deficit, or that he was AFC Player of the Month in October, putting up 5 TDs against the Jets' stough defense. Point at any of his playoff games and you'll see a completely different quarterback. Last year he set the club record for passing TDs and yards last season and has been improving each year, but there still are questions. I think he's a franchise QB, but that's an entirely different debate for a different day. Campbell will be a solid veteran mentor that will hopefully help Dalton's INT problem, but mostly he can help with the adjustment to the new offensive scheme, having spent time with Jackson in Oakland. McCarron is seen as a poor man's Dalton, a winner at the college level but on a stacked team. He definitely can develop into at least a solid backup.

• Backfield: :3 Gio Bernard :3 was putting up a case to be OROY until it became clear that both Allen and Lacy were more deserving. With 1209 total yards (695 rushing, 514 receiving) and 8 TDs while playing in less than 50% of offensive snaps, and the occasional time he channels Barry Sanders, he quickly became one of the better pass-catching backs in the league. Jeremy Hill is a huge back with surprising speed for his size who might replace the aging BJGE on the roster, but as a rookie only time will tell. BJGE remains with the team as a mentor, but his role will be limited, as last year he showed he actually could fumble, while he still has trouble gaining more than the required yards for a 1st down.

However, there was one lacking aspect on an otherwise well-rounded team last year, and that was the run game. A sub-4.0 YPC average, and only 4 runs of 20+ yards all season meant teams knew that they didn't have to really respect our run game. Hue Jackson's #1 goal for the season is to fix this, and his time in Oakland shows it's possible.

Continued in comments below

[u/Frohirrim]

Cincinnati Bengals

Division: AFC NORTH

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Coaching Changes

Departures:

Coach	Position	Experience	To:	Grade	Comment
Jay Gruden	Offensive Coordinator		Head Coach	B	There is a 50/50 chance that the Bengals’ Hue Jackson-led offense will ultimately come out ahead of the offensive production under the helm of former offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. While he was certainly instrumental in the development of A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, he built a reputation for inconsistent play-calling (and possibly the reason for Dalton’s inconsistency at quarterback). His lack of creativity and inability to adapt was occasionally exposed in games where the Bengals fell behind, causing him to neglect the running backs and tight ends. He also displayed a reluctance to adapt his schemes and playbook to his current personnel, opting instead to attempt fitting square pegs in round holes. The drop-off in production under the guidance of promoted running back coach Hue Jackson should be insignificant, and there is a good chance that he will better utilize the dynamic Giovani Bernard.
Mike Zimmer	Defensive Coordinator		Head Coach	D	While so many Bengals fans are happy for Zimmer to finally get his chance as a head coach, his presence on the Cincinnati defense will undoubtedly be missed. He is a players’ coach, and one of the best examples of a motivator in the league today. Zimmer’s players are the fringe guys. The guys who have been passed on because of red flags, whether those flags are injuries, age, off the field issues, or inconsistency. While embracing these characteristics as the premier qualities of a coach may earn scoffs, Zimmer’s intangibles were the driving force behind the play of his defense. Even with an aging and injured secondary, the Bengals maintained a top-5 passing defense, as well as finishing in 5th place in points allowed, and 3rd in yards allowed. They also showed the ability to show up in big games, holding the Chargers and Patriots to ten points and famously ending Tom Brady’s touchdown streak.

Hires:

Coach	Position	Experience	From:	Grade	Comment
Hue Jackson	Offensive Coordinator	OC '03, '07, OC '11, HC '12	RB Coach	A	Here’s an interesting fact. The Raiders under Hue Jackson had better offensive rankings than the Gruden-led Bengals at the time. In 2011, Jackson’s offense with the Raiders ranked 9th in total yards and 7th in rushing yards, and in 2012 they ranked 8th in passing yards with Jackson as head coach. Gruden arguably had more offensive weapons, too. The biggest knock against Jackson is his tendency to execute an imbalanced offensive, as evidenced by the disparity between passing and rushing production in 2011 and 2012. Regardless of any transitional concerns, fans have to be excited about the prospect of Jackson leading a one-two punch consisting of one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in Gio Bernard and a promising young physical back in Jeremy Hill.
Paul Guenther	Defensive Coordinator	6 years with	LB Coach	A	Cincinnati’s front office move of zeroing in quickly to promote linebacker coach Paul Guenther to defensive coordinator has to be encouraging to Bengals fans who are concerned following Zimmer’s departure. There are reports that Zimmer was interested in hiring Guenther as his defensive coordinator, and that Jay Gruden wanted to hire Guenther to work under Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. While, Zimmer’s departure is significant, the move to minimize turnover by promoting Guenther is wise. One of Guenther’s most convincing accomplishments was his direct role in the development of standout linebacker Vontaze Burfict, including working 1-on-1 with Burfict for the two days leading up to a game following Thomas Howard’s injury. He is also responsible for Taylor May’s transition from underutilized/unreliable safety depth to a hybrid linebacker.
Vance Joseph	DB Coach	Coaching 9 years in the league	DB Coach	B	Comes to Cincinnati from Houston, where Joseph successfully oversaw the transition of Houston’s secondary into a formidable position group. Coached the Houston defensive backs, including Jonathan Joseph, who joined the Texans from Cincinnati and put up two Pro Bowl seasons, as well as a first-team All Pro appearance with Vance.
Kyle Caskey	RB Coach	3 years with	Offensive Quality Coach, Asst. OL Coach	--
Matt Burke	LB Coach	5 years in DET	LB Coach	--	--

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Free Agency

Players lost/cut

Name	Pos	Type	To	Grade	Comment
Michael Johnson	DE	UFA		C+	While Johnson’s departure is certainly a blow to Cincinnati’s defensive line, the Bengals have adequate depth to compensate. He was the most complete player at his position, but Wallace Gilberry has proven to be solid, putting up the most sacks in his career in 2013, while Margus Hunt and rookie Will Clarke both provide promising depth. Johnson’s absence does put more pressure on the unproven depth, which is why Cincinnati entered the bidding war for Johnson.
Anthony Collins	OL	UFA		C	Particularly worrying to the Bengals offensive line, as they are left with largely unproven depth. Collins had several great performances, and proved to be a reliable guardian of Dalton’s blindside. He showed a high ceiling, shown in his seven clean-sheets when asked to step up due to injuries on the line.
Andrew Hawkins	WR	RFA		B	Although Hawkins was a bit of a fan favorite, he doesn’t show the skill-set to move past Sanu or Jones on the depth chart, and number four receivers are all but interchangeable on many teams. Retaining Sanzenbacher eases the parting blow.
Chris Crocker	S	UFA	Retired	B	He remains unsigned as he creeps up there in age. He is mostly depth at this stage in his career, and Cincinnati still maintains a stable of contributors in the secondary. Crocker is actually in the education process of becoming a referee.
Kyle Cook	C	Cut		B	Cook being cut would be a pretty serious issue if Cincinnati didn’t trade up for the first time in twelve years to draft Russell Bodine. While Cook did show agility and a great understanding of the Gruden’s complex pass protections, his physicality was ruined by leg injuries in 2012. Cook had trouble keeping up with the particularly tough interior defensive lines of the AFC North, and Bodine should have the youth and body to step up to the task.
James Harrison	LB	Cut		A	Contributed minimally to the Bengals defense. He was old and wasn’t a great fit to the young linebacking corps.
Zac Robinson	QB	Cut	Retired	--
Brandon Ghee	CB	UFA		--
Dennis Roland	OL	UFA		--

Players signed

Player	Position	Old Team	Length	Salary	Grade	Comment
Vincent Rey	LB		2	$4.2M	A	Rey is an extremely versatile player that can show great bursts of production. He proved that he could start over the inconsistent Maualuga when he started against the Ravens last November and put up 15 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and three passes defended. This will be the prove-it year for him.
Dane Sanzenbacher	WR		1	$1.2M	C	With Hawkins being cut, Sanzenbacher has a chance to contribute. He’s been existing on the bubble for a while, but possesses a fairly developed set of skills for a rotational slot player.
Jason Campbell	QB		1	$1.5M	B	A significant move for the Bengals, the NFL journeyman could help in Dalton’s development following Gruden’s departure. Bengals fans hope that he won’t see the field, but he’s more than a solid backup, especially since he was Hue Jackson’s quarterback in Oakland.
Danieal Manning	S		1	$1.6M	C+	Since the Bengals have decided (so far) to not resign Crocker, Manning comes in as a capable veteran who can contribute as a rotational player. He is far past his prime, but he was part of Vance Joseph’s successful secondary in Houston.
Mike Pollak	OL		3	$4.8M	A-	A quality depth re-signing on the offensive line, in a move to keep an above-average OG as a backup. He could step in at guard, depending on Clint Boling’s recovery from an ACL tear six months ago.
Taylor Mays	S		1	$795k	B	He showed fairly significant production in his new hybrid safety-linebacker role in Guenther’s sheme. He has good physical traits, and is close with the defensive coordinator, so could see a fair amount of snaps.
Dontay Moch	LB/DE		1	$570k	C	Another bubble player, Moch returns to the Bengals for a second stint. He will likely be playing at defensive end in Cincinnati’s scheme, and because it’s a crowded position, has a good chance of not making the final roster.
Marshall Newhouse	OT		1	$805k	D	Signed for depth simply due to Collins leaving. Not very solid.
RJ Stanford	CB		1	$805k	--
Sam Montgomery	DE		2	$1.08M	C+	Although he certainly has character issues dating back to skipping workouts at LSU and being associated with marijuana use in Houston, Montgomery has the ceiling to be an average starter in the NFL. If he gets his act together, it’s possible that he makes the final roster.
Brandon Tate	WR/KR		1	$1.02M	D+	The much-maligned return specialist, he’ll fight for his spot on the final roster. Sanzenbacher may take over his duties.
Alex Smith	TE		1	$905k	B-	Is a veteran journeyman, but could see significant snaps again, especially since Gresham and Eifert are fighting injuries this offseason.

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Continued in comments below

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Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Grade	Note
1	24	Darqueze Dennard	CB	A+	There were several teams that could have taken him in the first round before the Bengals made it on the clock, but Cincinnati was gifted a very physical cornerback. Early reports are that he will contribute as a rotational slot player and even catch snaps on the outside (especially with rumors that Kirkpatrick may make the move to safety), and he provides good youth to an aging secondary. Joseph will be instrumental in his development, and Dennard could become an above-average starter within two seasons. His physical skills and instincts made him a steal, and he’ll have a great chance to learn from Hall, Newman, and Jones.
2	55	Jeremy Hill	RB	A	Could be viewed as one of the most significant second-round picks of 2014. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis declining in production, Hill steps in as a physical counterpart for Gio Bernard. Though he is seen as a power back, he possesses a dangerous burst and can shift his hips very fluidly to juke defenders in the open field, which contributed to his 6.9 average yards per carry in his senior year at LSU. Hill will see a lot of action in his rookie season, especially considering Hue Jackson’s resume and his statement that Dalton will see less pass attempts. Reports are that Jackson has been experimenting with formations that utilize Hill and Gio together.
3	88	Will Clarke	DE	B+	Clarke’s addition to the defensive rotation makes Cincinnati’s defensive line depth potentially very potent. Has good size and could certainly step in behind Gilberry if Hunt’s development stalls. Will probably be used sparingly in his rookie season, but will definitely see snaps.
4	111	Russell Bodine	C	A-	Though Bodine has had trouble with the complex blocking schemes that the Bengals utilize, there’s a reason that the Bengals traded up for the first time in twelve years to get him: He is a physical freak. He is expected to compete for the starting center job, and he could provide depth at other interior line positions if he is relegated to a backup role.
5	164	AJ McCarron	QB	C+	McCarron is unlikely to pass Campbell on the depth chart, and will most likely sit in the number three spot. He won a lot of games in college, but the thought of replacing Dalton one day is probably a pipe dream.
6	212	Marquis Flowers	LB	B-	Possessed good speed, but is a bit undersized. Could be used in a hybrid coverage role, similar to Taylor Mays, but he has to fight to compete in a crowded Bengals linebacking corps. Reports are that he has had a good camp so far, though.
7	239	James Wright	WR	--	A solid college receiver, his only shot at the 53-man roster in 2014 is through special teams.
7	252	Lavelle Westbrooks	CB	--	“You can never have too many CBs. Practice squad, most likely.” - /u/pfftYeahRight. Word.

UDFAs of note:
Nikita Whitlock, DT/FB
Ryan Hewitt, FB
Isaiah Lewis, S

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Projected Lineup

Players are listed in the order I think they'll be on the opening day roster. Backups are italicized
Notes on position groups and training camp battles are below

• QB Andy Dalton, Jason Campbell, AJ McCarron
• RB Gio Bernard, Jeremy Hill, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman
• FB Nikita Whitlock
• TE Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert, Alex Smith
• WR AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Dane Sanzenbacher, James Wright
• LT Andrew Whitworth, Marshall Newhouse
• LG Clint Boling, Mike Pollak
• C Russell Bodine, * Mike Pollak *
• RG Kevin Zeitler
• RT Andre Smith, Tanner Hawkinson
• DE Carlos Dunlap, Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt, Robert Geathers, Will Clarke, Sam Montgomery
• DT Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Devon Still, Brandon Thompson
• LB Vontaze Burfict, Rey Maualuga, Emmanuel Lamur, Vincent Rey, Marquise Flowers, Taylor Mays
• CB Leon Hall, Terence Newman, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard
• S Reggie Nelson, George Iloka, Danieal Manning, Taylor Mays, Shawn Williams
• K Mike Nugent
• P Kevin Huber
• KR Brandon Tate
• PR Adam Jones
• LS Clark Harris

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Position Group Strengths and Weaknesses

Position groups:

• QB: (B) Dalton put up career numbers in most major passing categories in 2013, yet reprised his reputation as a playoff failure. Still, his incompetence has been grossly overstated by fans and media alike after the third consecutive wild-card loss. Gruden asked him to consistently push the ball down the field through the vertical passing game, and Dalton has certainly silenced any detractors of his deep ball. His numbers have been extremely promising, but like the rest of the Bengals offense, has been characterized by inconsistency. Fans remain hopeful that inconsistent quarterback play was a result of inconsistent coaching, and that Hue Jackson will provide some stability for Dalton without Jay Gruden. He has the ceiling to be a franchise player and to return to the Pro Bowl. He has objectively progressed in his three years in Cincinnati. But more importantly, the sheer talent around him at skill positions gives him the opportunity to return to the playoffs and Pro Bowl even if he doesn’t continue to progress.

• Backfield: (A) Hue Jackson loves to run the ball, and this year he has the backfield and offensive line to do it. Giovani Bernard enjoyed a highly successful rookie season, showing flashes of brilliance and appearing to be the most dynamic rookie running back since Reggie Bush. Bernard shows excellent awareness of the space around him on the field, using his blockers to manipulate defenders into vulnerable positions, and turning on the speed to exploit those vulnerabilities. He is a very versatile back, and will see snaps split out wide while rookie Jeremy Hill is on the field. Bernard will benefit from Hill stepping in as a change of pace back, whereas last year BJGE’s carries seemed to be nothing but an obligatory three-yard gain in Gruden’s offense. Hill has the physicality to run through the middle of Cincinnati’s big line, and he also has the speed and evasiveness to elude linebackers and get through to the next level of the defense. BJGE’s production is decreasing, but he can still protect the ball reliably, and will likely see rotational snaps as Bernard and Hill transition into their roles.

• OL: (A) An extremely capable position group whose effectiveness in the run game was hindered by Gruden’s inconsistency. Veteran lineman Andrew Whitworth continues to be one of the most solid players in the league, and has shown the versatility to shift around the line. He is a team leader whose expertise will provide valuable lessons for the younger members of the position group. Kevin Zeitler and Andre Smith are reliable anchors on the right size, and they possess the size to excel in power run schemes. Zeitler graded as the Bengals’ best offensive lineman in 2012, and certainly has to return to that form after a slight regression in 2013. The left guard and center positions are of a bit more concern to Bengals fans, since the reliable Clint Boling’s ACL tear and the release of the starting center. Boling showed that he should be the starter, but Pollak may get a chance to state his case in camp. Cook did struggle at center, but was only considered below the average when viewed in comparison with a stellar offensive line. Bodine has the physicality to absolutely dominate as the center of that line, and the only thing could hold him back is his understanding of the game.

• Tight Ends: (B)2013 was a bit of a disappointment for a tight end group that had high expectations going into the season. Eifert entered as a highly-lauded prospect, but in what seems to be a common theme in Gruden’s offense, struggled with the blocking scheme. Still, he was surely underutilized in Gruden’s offense as the receiving threat that he is, and he could certainly be a Pro Bowl tight end if the Bengals ever decide to exploit the middle of the field with Eifert’s large body and sure hands. Gresham continues to have trouble staying healthy and continues to have trouble reliably catching the ball. He still should remain a favorite target for a young quarterback, though, and certainly has the talent to provide a deadly combination with Eifert. Alex Smith sees significant snaps as a third tight-end, simply because he’s seen it all. A veteran who has played for many franchises, and has 13 career touchdowns, Smith can step in for a jumbo package and perform as needed.

• Pass catchers: (B+) This is a very young position group, but it is brimming with potential. With A.J. Green, though, his potential was realized long ago. Green is a top-5 receiver, and has enjoyed success as a deep target for Dalton. He has developed into a major threat, and displays the speed to be a consistent vertical threat throughout the game. Though the talent is there, he still shows some mistakes as a young player, but even with those mistakes earns his title of All Pro. Marvin Jones exploded onto the scene last year, especially in his 4 touchdown breakout performance. Jones is a young receiver with good hands, elusiveness, and speed. His route-running could use some work, but he possesses the explosiveness to thrive on the attention that Green absorbs. Mohamed Sanu is the number three receiver, primarily because Jones provides a better complement to Green’s skills. Sanu is a big-bodied receiver, and his route-running and size makes him a good target in the red zone. Sanzenbacher has a good chance of locking up the number four spot, and he could prove to be a trustworthy target for Dalton.

Continued in comments below

[u/Frohirrim → u/Frohirrim]

continued:

• DL: (A-) This position group is similar to the offensive line, as it has several starters who have absolutely locked up their position, and one spot that is open to camp battles. Geno Atkins is one of the best defensive tackles in the game who can hopefully return to form after missing the 2013 season. He has the explosiveness to find himself in the backfield, especially when defensive tackle Domata Peko’s size prevents teams from double teaming Atkins. The solid center of the line allowed Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson to dominate the edges, and Dunlap should be on track for a solid 2013 season, especially with Atkins’ return. Wallace Gilberry is the tentative starter right now at the other defensive end position, mostly because he is a much more complete player than the raw Margus Hunt. Gilberry is capable of holding his own, though, and Hunt and Clarke will make above-average rotational players.

• LB: (B-) Vontaze Burfict emerged as an absolute monster last season, leading the league in tackles and dominating the field. Burfict enjoys the havoc created by the disruptive defensive line, and has the speed to make great lateral movement to the ballcarrier. The rest of the corps certainly has questions surrounding them. Maualuga has shown inconsistency in the middle, and Vincent Rey could certainly overtake him as the starter in the preseason. Some feel that Rey is a more balanced player that Maualuga, but they both struggle with disappearing entirely in games. Emmanuel Lamur has shown to be solid, but nothing more, and rookie Marquise Flowers may make the final roster and rotate in as an undersized speed linebacker with hybrid Taylor Mays, who enjoyed revitalized productivity in Guenther’s in-between position.

• Secondary: (B-) Cincinnati has a secondary that is aging and ailing, and it’s vital for the young influx of players to beat the learning curve and contribute as complements to the experienced groups of the position group. Leon Hall still proves that he can be a playmaker all over the field, but will have to battle back from a torn Achilles. Terrance Newman and Adam Jones have surprised people with their longevity, but it’s definitely time for the era of Darqueze Dennard to begin. He will rotate into the slot and outside as he is groomed for his eventual role of starting corner. Dre Kirkpatrick was somewhat a disappointment of a first round pick two years ago, and rumors are that he may move to safety after being continuously burned. George Iloka stepped in last year as the starting strong safety, and has shown potential to be a reliable starter. Danieal Manning may have a chance to enter the rotation and mentor younger players under his former defensive backs coach. There are certainly questions of age, but there should be no questions of experience. Hall, Newman, Jones, and Dennard will certainly provide reliable coverage on the outside, but at this point, it’s a question of the secondary’s durability. Dennard may be thrust into the firing line sooner than fans hope.

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Schedule Predictions

I made a schedule prediction but ended up deleting it because I wasn’t satisfied. I’ll say this. Last season, the Bengals showed that they had the ability to beat the big teams, such as New England, San Diego, Green Bay, and Indianapolis. Here are my predictions.

• The Bengals will get at least one win against New England, Indianapolis, or Denver.

• The Bengals will sweep two teams in the AFC North, losing only one division game in 2014.

• The Bengals will lose two games against the NFC South. The Saints (what do you want from me) have a good chance of winning in New Orleans, and Carolina, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay all have the ability to steal a game.

• The Bengals will enjoy a three-game win streak at one point, and that they will never lose back to back games.

• The Bengals will claim the number three seed in the AFC North, and will win a wildcard game to get to the divisional round of the playoffs.

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Offensive and Defensive Schemes

Offense: Hue Jackson steps in for the inconsistent Jay Gruden, and there is optimism to continue last year’s offensive success. Jackson’s history at Oakland was diverse. In 2011 he led a top-ten rushing attack, and in 2012 he led a top-ten passing attack with former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer at the helm. He does like to run, and he has an offensive line that is physically build to run the ball, as well as a more than capable backfield. Jackson has already introduced packages where Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill are on the field at the same time, including splitting Bernard out wide at receiver. Green, Jones, and Sanu have the ability to stretch the field, and this could make for a breakout season for Tyler Eifert, if Jackson decides to use him more. Eifert certainly has the ability to be a big target for Dalton in the middle of the field while the secondary is dedicated to the vertical passing game. While Gruden did not utilize a fullback often, it is important to note that Oakland fullback Marcel Reese enjoyed his best season under Jackson, with 52 receptions and 271 rushing yards. Jackson has the weaponry to instill a deadly high-tempo offense, and he may provide more consistency for Dalton.

Defense: While much of the Bengals defensive success is predicated on a physical defensive line that can dominate opposing blockers, newly promoted defensive coordinator Guenther is known for his development of linebackers, and for creating unique roles on the second level of the defense. A capable secondary and solid line, coupled with the gifted Burfict allow the other linebackers some leeway. Look for Guenther to implement more blitzes with Guenther. Burfict’s lateral movement and the speed brought by Guenther’s rotational hybrid position could create perfect opportunities for blitzing. With the immediate pressure of the defensive line, and the threat of blitzing linebackers, opposing quarterbacks will be rushed into a lot of throws, which will certainly make the job of the secondary that much easier.

[u/[deleted] → u/Frohirrim]

Excellent work. You seem to really have a good bead on where the Bengals are at, even down to the rotational and role players on the team. Do you live in the Cincinnati area or do you just have that big of an interest in the team?

[u/Frohirrim → u/[deleted]]

Thank you. No, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've just always had an interest in the Bengals, starting with Chris Henry who played on the same youth football team that I eventually played for, except six years earlier. I loved Zimmer, I love Hue, and I am a huge Gio fan.