A few weeks ago the question about the Bengals was could they repeat their surprising 2009 showing. Now the mystery is how TO and Ochocinco will fit together in Cincy.
The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the biggest surprises in the 2009-10 NFL season but they are out to prove that it wasn’t a one-off. After sweeping all six games against their AFC North rivals and winning the division, the bulls-eye is on their back to not only to fend off the contenders again but to improve on their disappointing playoff appearance.
The Bengals are stinging from their lackluster home loss to the New York Jets and they’ll have to use that as fuel as they prepare for the NFL betting season.
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How Will Terrell Owens Fit In?
There is no question that Terrell Owens is a handful and so is Bengals incumbent Chad Ochocinco, but can the two friends actually get along and not torpedo the team? If both are happy and we see a resurgent season from Owens, the Bengals could have one of the best wideout groupings in the league.
If not, the sour notes will be passed around the locker room much faster and the Bengals – who already have a ton of personalities that have teetered the NFL’s behavior policy – could implode.
The other dynamic here is that the Bengals signed Antonio Bryant to be Ochocinco’s No. 2 man, but now he may have to lose some snaps or his starting job. Owens already took his jersey number from him and if he takes any more, there could be some drama among this group.
This wide receiver corps is the perfect face of the entire team: the upside is they could be the best in the league but the downside is that this could be disastrous.
Key Battle: Mike Nugent vs Dave Rayner, kicker
While the Bengals offense should be explosive, one area where the team is unsettled is at placekicker.
Incumbent Shayne Graham is gone after two key missed field goals in the playoff game against the Jets, which means that Nugent or Rayner will take over.
Both are waiver-wire scraps and while Nugent has the early lead and inside track, the reality is inconsistent kicking could be a recurring problem for the Bengals all season long.
Keep An Eye On: Jermaine Gresham, Tight End
Much of the hype around the Bengals is the arrival of Owens and Bryant, and the receiving corps, but first-round pick Jermaine Gresham might have a huge impact.
Quarterback Carson Palmer has been desperate to have a safety valve to move the chains and a big target up the middle to eat up linebackers and safeties. Gresham is exactly that.
After an injury wiped out his final season in college, Gresham had to recover and prove that he’s worthy of being a first round talent. Had he produced a solid season rather than sit on the sidelines, he could have been a top 10 pick.
The Bengals love to run three wide receivers, one back and one tight end sets and that could lead to Gresham becoming a big part of this offense in his first season.
Can Antwan Odom Recapture His 2009 Fire?
Defensive end Antwan Odom looked like a free agent bust in 2008 but a lot of newcomers do in the first year of a big contract. In his second season, Odom looked like a man possessed.
In just six games in 2009, Odom racked up eight sacks prior to suffering an Achilles injury.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has this defense humming. The cornerbacks are among the best in the business, they are stout against the run, the young linebacking corps is growing quickly and the last thing missing is a dominant sack artist. If Odom can recapture that fire, the Bengals will again rank in the top five.