Brooks Team
2007 Advances NFL: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals followed a 11-win 2005 season with a disappointing 8-8 record last year. Cincy had nine players arrested in a nine-month period until January. With the improvement of the defense and the same explosive offense, the Bengals should be a contender once again in the AFC North.
OFFENSE
Carson Palmer threw for 4,000 yards last season. Now he is more than a full season removed from a major surgery on his left knee, so the sky is the limit in '07. Palmer is smart, accurate and has a cannon of an arm.
The corridor Rudi Johnson is the workhorse in this offense. Johnson made some flexibility training in the offseason and put on a diet to improve their speed and quickness. It a punishing runner, but lacks the speed that homerun. Let's see how their work off-season help in that area.
Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh are one of the best starting receiver duo in the league. Johnson is the threat striking the bottom quickly, while "Housh" is the sure hand corridor the path of accuracy. Chris Henry, normally the team number three receivers, has been suspended for the first half of the season. Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman will to fill the vacuum. Tight end Reggie Kelly Palmer gives some solid protection and is a better receiver than most people think.
Inside Line offense took a big hit with the departure of left guard Eric Steinbach and the retirement of center Rich Braham. But the Pro Bowl right tackle Willie Anderson and left tackle Levi Jones return. Bobbie Williams is also back at right guard. Andrew Whitworth will have to step up at left guard. Eric Ghiaciuc, Ben Wilkerson, and Alex Stepanovich compete for the starting job in center.
DEFENSE
Robert Geathers is the specialist end of third step down. Geathers recorded season 10.5 sacks the past. Bryan Robinson is the race to stop the far left that usually comes in third down passing situations. Justin Smith enters the nickel defense and play both end positions to make room for Geathers.
Michael Myers and John Thornton man the center of the line. Myers is a strong run stuffer, but it is not much of a threat of land passage. Thornton is fast, but wears more often than not.
Ed Hartwell steps as the leader of the linebacking corps. Hartwell, a large cap hitter punish and execute, will be abroad. He spreads the mean if you fight. Ahmad Brooks will benefit from the experience Hartwell. Brooks starts in the center. He made many mistakes as he did big plays last season. Brooks expect improvement this season. Rashad Jeanty will be the starting strong side.
The secondary must improve. This unit tied at 31 in yards allowed last season. Expect first-round draft pick Leon Hall, who initially will nickel back, to take the starting job left corner Deltha O'Neal away from the midpoint of the season. Johnathan Joseph enters his second season as the corner Pro starting right. Joseph turned a lot of heads last season and will continue to improve.
Ballhawking free safety Madieu Williams returns as makes strong safety Dexter Jackson. This will be their second season together, so play better than the result of better communication. Jackson may get pushed by the proposed fourth-round pick Marvin White. White is known for being a hard hitter who punishes receivers coming in the middle.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
The coverage units are solid, but more consistency is needed. Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman is expected to win the kickoff and punt return positions work. Shayne Graham has been a solid hitter and has shown an improvement on kickoffs. Punter Kyle Larson was fifth in the league in net average (38.6) and eighth in average gross (44.5).
PREDICTION
The Bengals will follow up a disappointing '06 season with a return to the top of the AFC North. Palmer is back to 100% and the offense explosive enough to offset the shortcomings of the team can have on the defensive. I see a 11-5 final, putting them back into the top and the AFC North champions.
About the Author
 |
 Brooks Team Pro ECMC Berlin Blue Leather Saddle Berliner Fernsehturm New  US $200.00
|
 Brooks TEAM PRO Titanium Leather Saddle Honey US $299.99
|
 Brooks LEroica Embroidered Wool Team Jersey XL US $202.99
|
 Brooks Team Pro Honey Copper Leather Saddle New US $215.00
|
 Brooks LEroica Embroidered Wool Team Jersey S US $202.99
|
 |
Queens Park Rangers FC. Mug
 |
DescriptionQUEENS PARK RANGERS F.C. |
 |
Real Madrid FC. Ice Cube Tray
|
DescriptionREAL MADRID F.C. |
 |
TNA Wrestling: Genesis 2007 List Price: |
DescriptionOn November 11 2007 Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling presented Genesis live and exclusively on Pay-Per-View! On this TNA Home Video DVD release you ll witness the three-hour spectacular in its entirety featuring your favorite TNA superstars such as Kurt Angle Christian Cage AJ Styles Samoa Joe Team 3D Sting the TNA Knockouts the stars of the X Division and many more! In addition the DVD will feature exclusive footage hidden easter egg video a bonus match and much more... |
![Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team [VHS]](http://www.bikerati.com/media/images/i/51CH0DEH6WL._SL75_.jpg) |
Do You Believe in Miracles? The Story of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team [VHS] List Price: |
DescriptionYou don't need to know anything about hockey to be moved by this hourlong documentary about one of the greatest upsets in sports history: the United States' defeat of the vaunted Russian Olympic hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York... |
 |
Mission: Impossible
|
 |
In the Shadow of Two Gunmen - Part II
|
 |
The Cove List Price: |
DescriptionMaybe you've seen it all, and maybe you're already steeped in outraged, activist documentaries. But you haven't seen anything quite like The Cove, unless you can visualize a disturbing combination of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, Free Willy, and the killing of Bambi's mother... |
 |
NBA Live 10 List Price: |
DescriptionThe sixteenth release in Electronic Arts' popular NBA series, NBA LIVE 10 reinvigorates the classic professional basketball franchise with significant new gameplay features. These new additions such as Hustle Plays, Size-ups and realistic rebounding abilities merge with updated Dynamic DNA functionality and deep multiplayer support to provide players with the most authentic NBA video game experience available to date... |
 |
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: Pacific Theater List Price: |
DescriptionFight for control over the skies of the South Pacific in Combat Flight Simulator 2: Pacific Theater. You'll start as a rookie ensign and, if you're good, progress through the ranks. Fly for either the United States or the Imperial Japanese in meticulously realistic aircraft models... |
 |
NHL 2001 List Price: |
DescriptionWhat would you expect from NHL 2001? Thirty NHL teams, including the expansion teams Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild? Yes, they're all there, but the game also has 20 international teams, including Ukraine and Latvia... |
