Oh the Bungles! The Bengals stink. The Bengals will always be doormats......Marvin Lewis is only 2.5 games off of .500 for his career in Cincy. In fact, they're around .500 more often than not. They aren't anywhere near the doormats people make them out to be. The biggest problem during Lewis' tenure has been keeping his players on the field. Injuries have been hitting the team at an alarming rate and then when you add all those prior suspensions to it, it's been rough just to keep the same starters in each week. Merely keeping players healthy will improve this team from 2008 to 2009. Only five players started all 16 games last year.

Mike Zimmer is an outstanding defensive coordinator that is steadily improving this unit. They were the ranked 12 last year and...again, with better health should improve yet again. Antwan Odom came over from the Titans and was supposed to be an impact player even if just attacking the quarterback. He was a flop. Odom must produce better in 2009. A defensive end that opposing offensive lines have to be concerned about is a big key. Robert Geathers is a decent defensive end. Rookie third round pick, Michael Johnson's strength is getting to the passer. He should beat out Geathers or at least play on passing downs. Odom and Johnson could leave them with two defensive ends that are weak against the run. Frostee Rucker is a a run stuffer defensive end that can fill in and provides depth here. In a curious move, the Bengals signed free agent previous trouble maker Tank Johnson. Johnson is adept at rushing the passer from inside and is a solid run stopper. Domata Peko is an excellent tackler for a defensive lineman. 2008 draft picks Pat Sims and Jason Shirley provide depth for a surprisingly solid group of interior defensive linemen.

Rookie linebacker Keith Rivers looked fantastic until he got hurt about midway through last season. Dhani Jones is entering his 11th year. Rey Maualaga was the Bengals second round pick and should be a difference maker. Ideally, he'd be able to play an outside linebacker role. Chances are he will be battling Jones for his spot. Rashad Jeanty and Brandon Johnson can start and/or be quality depth on the outside. Former Packer Abdul Hodge has had his good moments but is running out of time on getting it all together and making an impact in this league. It would be nice to see him step into the middle linebacker role but, he's more likely a late roster cut. The outside linebacker play must overcome the weakness of the defensive ends against the run. The Bengals were terrible rushing the passer in 2008 and should be dramatically improved in 2009.

Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph are former first round picks loaded with talent. While the Bengals could use more quality depth at cornerback, they are loaded at safety. Chris Cocker and former Cowboy Roy Williams are expected to start. The last time Williams played well was when he played for Zimmer. Marvin White started ten games in 2008 and Chinedum Ndukwe led the team in sacks. They provide some quality depth.

The Bengals have been fortunate to land two franchise tackles solidify their offensive line for the last ten years. After Big Willie was released in 2008, Levi Jones was released this offseason. It's a new era. The guards are the heart and soul of this unit, for now. Andrew Whitworth and Bobbie Williams are solid if unspectacular linemen. After losing their center in free agency the Bengals waited until the fourth round to draft a center in Jonathan Luigs from Arkansas. Luigs has played as many complete NFL games as the other centers on the roster. The Bengals have Scott Kooistra and Nate Livings who could each start at guard. While generally just a fill-in, Whitworth can play center. That may be the best option for 2009, at least the early games. At tackle Andre Smith brings his massive potentiato Concy. The Bengals hope he has as much success as some other highly picked tackles have had in recent drafts. A poor performance by the rookie could set their franchise, Carson Palmer, up for some big hits. Smith's play is very important. Anthony Collins is gold the Bengals found in the fourth round of last year's draft. He's a more than capable right tackle that can also switch to left tackle should Smith struggle. Dennis Roland has precious little inexperience to provide tackle depth.

It's been a real long time since the Bengals didn't have a good runningback. Cedric Benson seems to have learned his lesson in Chicago and put his nose to the grindstone in Cincy. After rushing for 747 yards in just ten starts, the Bengals are hoping he'll start hitting his immense potential that made him the fourth overall pick a few years ago. Brian Leonard came over from the Rams in a trade and is expected to provide depth at runningback and fullback. Although young, he has started some games in the NFL. Kenny Watson only had 13 carries last year and his career could be winding down. He does solidify their runningback corps with his experience so it wouldn't be an easy cut if he is. DeDe Dorsey was treated harshly in 2008. The former 2006 draftee project at runningback performed well in preseason and looked poised to make an impact. After a hamstring pull he was abruptly put on injured reserve. There have been plenty of preseason darlings over the years but , if he does well in preseason, Bengals fans are going to be clamoring for him to get the rock. Dorsey also has his share of detractors, but he is an intriguing prospect that averaged a whopping 8.7 yards per carry two years ago. His hands and speed could make him a perfect third down back, if nothing else.

Chad OchoCinco was a shell of his former self in 2008 and many blamed it on their horrific quarterback play. While Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't very good, TJ Housmandzadeh did wind up with 93 catches. There is some quiet concern that Ocho is getting old. If you follow his twitter account, you know he's fired up and determined to make 2008 a distant memory. We'll see. After Housh left in free agency, the Bengals signed Laveranues Coles from the Jets. Coles is possibly the best wide receiver at getting to a spot with his quick feet. It's almost foolsih to play a zone defense against him. Other than short routes, Coles has been underperforming a little more each year and is entering his tenth season. 6 foot 4 200 pound Chris Henry has been waiting patiently for his chance to start. He is one of the more talented wide receivers in the league, yet he has often been getting into trouble. He has remained out of trouble and seems to have turned the corner. If he can win a starting spot, Coles would be very difficult to cover out of the slot and the entire unit would be quite a force. Rookies Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell has little impact in 2008. Caldwell looks poised to become part of the action in 2009, while Simpson seems lost. The Bengals drafted big Freddie Brown from Utah in the seventh round. Brown was a prospect that intrigued plenty of teams. They drafted him so as to not lose out when other teams bid for the undrafted free agent. The interest makes him intriguing. I don't foresee him making an impact in 2009.

Reggie Kelly is their starting tight end but he is more of a blocker. He and fullback Jeremi Johnson are such good blockers they have saved countless broken plays over the years. Rookie Chase Coffman and Colts castoffs Ben Utecht and Daniel Coats provide depth. Coffman could develop into a fine receiving tight end, but can the Bengals afford to not have a tight end blocking next to rookie Alex Smith.

Carson Palmer is always a top quarterback. He has always been and should return to form with plenty of time to let his elbow heal. JT O'Sullivan was signed from the 49ers in the offseason, but(sorry JT) hoepfully won't have to play. Keeping Palmer healthy should be the biggest priority for the Bengals in 2009. Carson's younger brother Jordan holds a clipboard as the third quarterback.

Shayne Graham is an outstanding kicker. Keith Huber was drafter in the fifth round and has impressed some already.