Cincinnati Bengals 2012 Preview.

Well it a new NFL season getting underway, and our beloved Bengals look to repeat their efforts of last year and have back to back playoff appearances for the first time in over 20 years. The play from Rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green took the NFL world by surprise, and is all the more reason many have doubt about the 2012 Bengals. Although we had some quality additions and not a lot of quality subtractions this Cincinnati Bengal football team will look a lot the same at almost all positions as you will see while I breakdown each position in this preview of the 2012 Cincinnati Bengals.

////Quarterbacks//// Although now days in the NFL, it seems as if it's inhumane to not have QB controversy every off season, we are a team that will not have to worry about that, not only this year, but hopefully in the many years to come. Even though we have a Solid #1, we better hope he never goes down, because we have no quality backup behind him. Only Carrying two quarterbacks, in my opinion after watching pre-season, the Cincinnati Bengals best #2 options is on Practice squad in Zac Robinson.

////Running Backs//// Our biggest off season addition came in the back field, when Bengals sign free agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He is no question the starting back and one of the few new faces you will see for the Bengals, his signing is just a sign that the Bengals are becoming a passing football team. Also the fact that the two guys backing up Green-Ellis are more receiving type backs. Bernard Scott will be your #2 back, but will start the season on the Injury List, Brian Leonard will be listed as your #3 running back, but will more than likely have 3rd Down responsibilities as well. Cedric Peerman is on the depth chart 4th but not likely to see any snaps, and we have one fullback on the depth chart, Chris Pressley, which is also a clear sign of what this offense is becoming.

////Wide Receivers//// Even the we are really moving into our West Coast style offense that we knew Gruden was bring in, and more pass Oriented, we don't have the quality receivers for the systems in my opinion. After A.J. Green, who's clear the #1 guy, who else is there? The depth chart has Brandon Tate being the #2 guy, but honestly do he scare anybody, is he a guy that can take pressure off A.J. Green? I don't think so. Andrew Hawkins is the #3 guy, or the guy you will see in the Slot a lot, and had a really eye opening season last year, but he has to show consistency before you can have belief in him. #4 Guy is Armon Binns, a guy who spent all of last year on practice squad and although showed promise in pre-season, you have to wonder how well he'll do when it counts, against starters. Ryan Whalen follows him on the depth chart, a guy who was on the roster last year but didn't see much of the field, he's a guy that you will also run slot most the times he in the game, another unproven guy. The two rookies, Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones finish out the List of receivers on the roster. Both these guys are big targets who is more suitable for the outside, and will see some play time because of the non-stability we have after that #1 guy. Andy Dalton has already been on record saying, he expect it to be fluctuation at the #2 spot.

////Tight Ends//// When it comes to the tight end position for the Bengals, it's honestly the most disappointing position on the feel for us. The tight end position is so important to the success, and execution of the west coast offense, and our #1 guy, Jermaine Gresham has been a disappointment with the inconsistency, or not inconsistency but the fact that we all know he has more potential and can be a lot better than what he has put on display the last 2 years. Backing up Gresham is Donald Lee, rookie Orson Charles and newly signed Richard Quinn. None these guys are a threat to Gresham's jobs or guys that can allow us to effectively run two tight end sets, these guy are more blocking tight ends than anything. Coach Gruden said Greshem his the potential to be like them two guys in New England, I show hope he shows us a little more it would certainly help this offense especially since we're at the receiver spot. Greshem needs to be become the best #2 option for Andy Dalton.

////Offensive Tackles//// The starting tackles are familiar faces, Andre Smith on the right, and Andrew Withworth on the left. Smith is guy who in my opinion has yet to live up to that top 10 pick we used on him, and never will, his durability is questionable and Dennis Roland is a guy has to stay ready on his toes backing up Andre. Andrew Withworth is by far our best offensive lineman and he has the most important job in protecting Dalton's blind side, Anthony Collins is listed as his back up.

////Guards//// One of our 2 first round picks was to fill the need at this position. Kevin Zeitler, rookie out of Wisconsin, had a great camp and has look really well. Clint Boling is listed as the starting left guard who I believe is helped a lot by the skill of the guy he plays next too, Withworth. Rookie Trevor Robinson and before mentioned, Dennis Roland is listed as back ups, and that fact show's how thin we our on the O-line.

////Center//// With Kyle Cook been placed on the IR, the Bengals went out and signed veteran Jeff Faine. He's a guy who very familiar with the offense we run and Kevin Zeitler said " He knew all the line call within his first week with the team." So even though we may not miss a beat with Faine, if he was to go down we have no other center, Trevor Robinson is listed as his back up, so let's keep our finger crossed.

////Defensive Line//// We have a lot Defensive Tackles that our young, hungry, and very talented and I believe is our most talented position on the field along with the Defensive Ends. Left to right goes Carlos Dunlap, Domata Peko, Geno Atkins and Michael Johnson. Dunlap can be an all-pro in my opinion if he can stay on the field, Peko does an extraordinary job clogging up the middle, Geno Atkins is and will be an all-pro if he stays on field, looking forward to seeing him coming of a 2011 pro bowl season. Michael Johnson is quietly becoming a leader on this young defensive. These guy are very important to this Defense and no doubt is the strength. The guys backing, this group up is guy with good track records like Robert Gathers, and top free agent Jamaal Anderson. Plus top rookie D-tackle from Penn State Devon Still.

////Linebackers//// After the initials 3, there not much behind them. You have Rey Mauluga, Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard your usual suspects, but after that the only guy I think worth mentioning is Dan Skuta who has been really coming along since late last year. With Mauluga decreasing durability he become rather important. Vontaze Burfict a rookie who barely made the roster and Vincent Rey is another guy I don't think going to see much of the field. Honestly, I think Dan Skuta will be the first guy off the bench backing up all three of the starting guys.

////Defensive Backs//// Defensively I think our clear weakness is the secondary. It was the weakness last year, and it will be the weakness this year. Some wonder where our first round draft pick is, outside of Zeitler. Dre Kirkpatrick was our first, 1st round pick and has yet to step on the field since the BCS National Championship game. He was a guy who was suppose to start, but after a off the field injury he will start the season on the injury list and likely be there for the first 3 games(You heard it hear first). Honestly I don't see him playing much at all this season, and as I said on draft day, this guy is a high risk pick that I don't think will pan out for the Bengals. Leon Hall is the best corner on this football team and that not a good thing, because I don't think he would carry that title on any other NFL team. I like the signing of Terrance Newman and Jason Allen but both these guys have durability questions and consistency question. Nate Clements has did well here, but also has shown in consistency. The bright spot in this secondary and the best player behind that front seven, I think no question has been Reggie Nelson. He's has revamped his career every since he touchdown in Cincinnati. Taylor Mays is now the full time free safety, and as much as Marvin Lewis love this guys size, some would say that's the only reason he still here. We all know the potential Mays have, but let's be honest, at times he has look scared, and like straight trash, he quickly become known as the Safety that's afraid to fill holes. Jeremy Miles could easily take that job in my opinion, and Nelson back up George Iloke is a big guy with a lot of potential.

////My Opinion/Projection//// Overall this Bengal football team will look almost identical to last year in every way, As long as Andy Dalton And A.J. Green Avoid Sophomore slumps. However, if they have any bit of Sophomore slumps this can be an ugly season for the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2012 I have the Bengals finishing with the same record as last year, going 9-7. Honest that 9-7 can be 7-9, or I wouldn't be surprise at all if it's 11-5 I can see it being possible. I see a decrease in production for A.J. Green for the simple fact he is the only offensive threat we have, he is the only guy D-Coordinators will be concern about, so he will see double, and bracket coverage all year. I hope Greshem emerge as that top tight end everybody believe he can be, the time is now for him, he either do it now, or be the guy that can't get it done. I think cutting Jordan Shipley was a premature act of the Bengals front office, and I believe it weakened this offense even more. I have no belief in any of the other receivers on this roster to emerge as threats which is why I say the time is now for Jermaine Greshem. Sometime tells me Dalton will have similar #'s to last year, maybe a little better even though Green will be harder to find. Green reduction in numbers, but Dalton a jump in numbers? How is that possible, you ask? I think with Benson being gone, Gruden will spread it out a little more and Dalton will have more opportunities, also spreading it out will have to be one the ways you get Green loose. I believe Green-Ellis can be very productive for this football team, I only see him aveaging 12-15 carries a game, but he can be a good receiving back as well, part the role he play in New England for past few years. This team, like last year, will go as far as the defensive allow them to go, They are an extremely young defense, but they return nearly all their starters, and with one the best Defensive Coordinators in the business I think they will only get better from last year, and they were not a bad D last year. Being a Bengal fan, of course I won't them to go undefeated and win a ring, but the realist in me see 9-7 for this team fighting for a wild card spot and even though that's Identical to last year, they will be better this year. The Schedule is much more difficult this year than last, and this year we will get a true evaluation of this team and direction of this franchise. I'm sure I speak for everybody when I say, boi I'm glad football is back, Enjoy the season! John G.Dunn II jgdunn.blogspot.com