2006 season recap
Bad ending
With quarterback Carson Palmer fully recovered from major knee surgery, Cincinnati started strong in 2006 and was heading toward a playoff berth. Needing only one victory in their final three games to secure a spot in the postseason, the Bengals collapsed, losing all three, and missed the playoffs.
Key camp questions
Can Carson Palmer lead the Bengals back to the playoffs?
Palmer made a stunning comeback last year after suffering a knee injury in the wild-card round of the playoffs in 2005. But even though he threw for 4,035 yards and 28 touchdowns and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl, his team collapsed in December, missed the playoffs and finished 8-8. Now that he has proven to be one of the top-performing quarterbacks in the NFL -- and proven he has the heart and drive to come back quickly from a serious injury -- he needs to hone his leadership skills and keep his young team focused for a full 16 games.
Can the defense improve enough to support the championship-caliber offense?
The offense can't win games alone, and with a pass defense ranked dead last in the league in 2006 (tied with the Vikings), the Bengals looked to the draft to provide depth in the secondary. Cornerback Leon Hall from Michigan could see time early depending on the progress of Johnathan Joseph, who injured his foot at minicamp, and Deltha O'Neal, who is coming off a less-than-stellar 2006. Rookie safety Marvin White, a physical presence downfield, also could earn a starting spot. But with an aging line and inexperienced linebackers, all that youth could be wasted in Cincy.
How will the team compensate for the loss of Chris Henry?
While Henry serves an eight-game suspension, Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman will fight for the third receiver spot behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson. Both Perry and Chatman finished last season on injured reserve and are eager to contribute to the offense in 2007. The speedy Perry in particular should help stretch the field. In addition to filling in for Henry, the duo also will split the punt and kickoff return jobs.
Key position battle
C Eric Ghiaciuc vs. Alex Stepanovich
Longtime center Rich Braham retired after last season, and his position is essentially Ghiaciuc's to lose. Ghiaciuc filled in for the injured Braham last season, and after a shaky start eventually found his groove at the position. The more experienced but injury-plagued Stepanovich signed a one-year deal with the Bengals in March after three seasons snapping for the Cardinals.
Rookie spotlight
CB Leon Hall
The Bengals' first-round draft choice has an excellent shot at starting this season. At Michigan, he set a school record with 43 career pass breakups. While he doesn't possess explosive speed, the former All-American will find a way to make a play and won't let up until the whistle blows.
On the spot
Coach Marvin Lewis
After a season in which there was more ink about the team's off-field exploits (10 Bengals' arrested in the past 15 months) than the team's on-field pursuits (finished 8-8, missed the playoffs), all eyes will be on Lewis to set a fresh tone in the locker room and keep things positive from the first day of camp. Character questions cannot continue to plague a team with the potential to win the division.
Fantasy focus
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Owners who can pronounce his name (and even those who can't) would do well to land Houshmandzadeh. A borderline No. 1 or 2 fantasy receiver, the Oregon State product had career bests across the board last season and will remain a prominent option in the Bengals' pass attack.
