Geathers Recorded 15 Sacks Last Season

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2007 nfl team previews: cincinnati bengals - the bengals followed an 11 - win 2005 season with a disappointing 8 - 8 record last season. With the defense improving and the same explosive offense, the Bengals should be a contender once again in the AFC North. Cincy had nine players arrested in a nine - month period through January.

OFFENSE. - now he' s more than a full season removed from major surgery on his left knee, so the sky is the limit in' 0palmer is intelligent, accurate and has a cannon for an arm. Carson Palmer threw for over 4, 000 yards last season. Running back Rudi Johnson is the workhorse in this offense. He' s a punishing runner, but lacks that homerun speed. Johnson did some flexibility training in the off - season and also dieted to improve his speed and quickness.

We' ll see how his off - season work helps in that area. - chad johnson and t. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best starting receiver duos in the league. Chris Henry, normally the team' s number three receiver, has been suspended for the first half of the season. Johnson is the flashy, while, speedy deep threat" Housh" is the sure - handed, precision route runner. Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman will have to fill the void.

The interior of the offensive line took a hit with the departure of left guard Eric Steinbach and the retirement of center Rich Braham. - tight end reggie kelly gives palmer some solid protection and is a better receiver than most people think. But Pro Bowl right tackle Willie Anderson and left tackle Levi Jones return. Andrew Whitworth will need to step up at left guard. Bobbie Williams is also back at right guard. Eric Ghiaciuc, Ben Wilkerson and Alex Stepanovich will compete for the starting job at center.

Robert Geathers is the third - down pass - rush specialist. - defense. Geathers recorded 15 sacks last season. Justin Smith comes in on the nickel defense and plays both end positions to make room for Geathers. Bryan Robinson is the run - stopping left end who usually comes out in third down passing situations. Michael Myers and John Thornton man the middle of the line.

Thornton is quick, but wears down more often than not. - myers is a strong run - stuffer, but isn' t much of a pass - rushing threat. Ed Hartwell steps in as the leader of the linebacking corps. He could move to the middle if he struggles. Hartwell, a punishing hitter and great run - stopper, will start on the outside. Ahmad Brooks will benefit from Hartwell' s experience.

He made as many mistakes as he did big plays last season. - brooks will start in the middle. Expect improvement from Brooks this season. The secondary must improve. Rashad Jeanty will be the strong - side starter. This unit tied for 31st in passing yards allowed last season.

Johnathan Joseph enters his second pro season as the starting right corner. - expect first - round draft pick leon hall, who' ll initially be the nickel back, to take the starting left corner job away from deltha o' neal by the midway point of the season. Joseph turned a lot of heads last season and will continue to improve. This' ll be their second season together, so improved play should result from improved communication. Ballhawking free safety Madieu Williams returns, as does strong safety Dexter Jackson. Jackson may get pushed by fourth - round draft pick Marvin White.

SPECIAL TEAMS. - white is known to be a hard hitter who punishes receivers coming across the middle. The coverage units are solid, but more consistency is needed. Shayne Graham has been a solid kicker and has shown improvement on kickoffs. Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman are expected to win the kickoff and punt return jobs. Punter Kyle Larson was fifth in the league in net average( 36) and eighth in gross average( 45) .

The Bengals will follow up a disappointing' 06 season with a return to the top of the AFC North. - prediction. Palmer is back to 100% and the offense is explosive enough to make up for any shortcomings the team may have defensively. I see an 11 - 5 finish, putting them back on top as AFC North champions.