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| Tuesday, September 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pro Football Weekly | ||||||||||||||||||||
Since the Cincinnati Bengals made their last trip to the playoffs in 1990, they have won a total of 39 games, an average of a little less than five victories per season.
The Bengals have had three head coaches, changed quarterbacks multiple times and restocked their roster, but nothing seemed to work. Since finishing the '96 season with a 7-2 flourish after replacing Dave Shula, Bruce Coslet has gone 10-22. Bengals president and general manager Mike Brown, however, remains steadfast in his support of Coslet. "I have confidence in Bruce," Brown said. "I think he's knowledgeable. I think he's a good teacher. I think he can inspire players. I know his system works. I've seen it work. I think it can come together for us with him at the helm. I really do." The Bengals turned down a draft-trade bonanza to keep the third overall pick and used it on quarterback Akili Smith, then couldn't sign him in time for him to have a meaningful training camp. That means Jeff Blake will get a longer shot at running the team, because Smith will be too raw to be ready in a hurry. Cincinnati has been notoriously bad in the first half of the last eight seasons, going 11-53 overall, including three 0-8 starts and one 1-7. But in '99, the Bengals don't play an opponent that made last season's playoffs until their eighth game. That reprieve should be helpful, because Coslet has a ton of problems to solve on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Here's a position-by-position look at Cincinnati's roster:
Quarterbacks
Running backs Ki-Jana Carter is hurt again, this time with a cyst in his knee. The Bengals count on their fullback to make a lot of adjustments as a lead blocker and in pass protection, and that should allow veteran Brian Milne to keep his job. Grade: C+
Receivers Willie Jackson is the likely replacement for Pickens. The Bengals hope to get something from rookie Craig Yeast, but he missed most of training camp with a bad ankle. Stepfret Williams or James Hundon will get some playing time, at least until Yeast is ready. TE Tony McGee started all 16 games last season but had only 22 catches. The coaches keep saying they have to get him more involved in the offense, but it's not happening. Backup Marco Battaglia has never played like a second-round draft pick. Grade: C-
Offensive linemen The new guards are free-agent pickups Matt O'Dwyer (Jets) and Brian DeMarco (Jaguars). The changes were supposed to be positive, but that hasn't been the case so far. Grade: C-
Defensive linemen Jevon Langford, who has been pressing for increased playing time, and Glen Steele are the outside reserves. Free agent Oliver Gibson was brought in from Pittsburgh to take the NT job from Kimo von Oelhoffen, but that hasn't happened yet. Grade: D+
Linebackers On the outside, Reinard Wilson will pair with Steve Foley. Wilson struggles when he has to drop into pass coverage, but he can get after the quarterback. Foley started only one game as a rookie but appears to have beaten out nine-year starter James Francis, who might be headed for the waiver wire. With Billy Granville and Adrian Ross the top backups, none of Cincinnati's top six 'backers is older than 25. Grade: B- Defensive backsThe Bengals weren't deep at cornerback even before they lost former Pro Bowler Ashley Ambrose to New Orleans via free agency. Corey Sawyer, coming off knee surgery, is listed as Ambrose's replacement, but Sawyer is losing ground fast to rookie Charles Fisher. Artrell Hawkins started as a rookie and made a ton of mistakes early, but he should have learned enough painful lessons to reduce his inconsistency. The Sawyer-Fisher loser will be the third corner, at least early on. The Bengals are so thin they'll almost have to add someone from the waiver wire to play corner. SS Sam Shade, the team's best defensive back for the last two seasons, jumped to Washington as a free agent. Replacement Myron Bell is a quality run stuffer, but his coverage skills don't match Shade's. Greg Myers is the free safety, although he's being pushed by rookie Cory Hall. Grade: D+
Special teams The return game is up in the air. Tremain Mack, one of the NFL's best on kickoffs, will miss the first four games while serving an alcohol-related suspension. Yeast will eventually return punts, but not until his health improves. The recent emphasis on speed should improve the coverage teams, long a sore spot for Cincinnati. Grade: C-
Material from Pro Football Weekly. | ALSO SEE Jaguars preview
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