Bengals bounceback

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

When Marvin Lewis came to Cincinnati way back in 2003, he was hired to change the mentality of a perennial loser. To a certain extent, Lewis achieved great success early in his run. After two 8-8 seasons, the club went 11-5 in 2005, won a division championship, and snapped a 15-year playoff drought. Of course, Carson Palmer’s knee got blown out in their playoff loss to the Steelers, and it’s been downhill since. In 2006-2008, Cincy floundered going 19-28-1. The Bengals have a notoriously cheap ownership though, so despite last season’s four-win campaign, Lewis has returned again as head coach. That may end up being a very wise decision.

This offseason the Bengals have gotten nothing but positive news. First, they resigned Cedric Benson to a cap-friendly deal which should keep the oft-trouble RB engaged and motivated. Then, Carson Palmer’s elbow healed up nicely without the dreaded Tommy John surgery many thought he would need. Chad Ochocinco has also looked revitalized, catching everything in camp and making trademark big plays in both of the team’s first two preseason games. Chris Henry has stayed out of trouble, and has looked explosive as well. The one down moment came when long-time Bengal TJ Houshmandzadeh departed for Seattle via free agency, but veteran wideout Laveranues Coles was signed and could actually end up being viewed as an upgrade.

Offensively, the club hasn’t looked this good since the magical 2005 run, and expectations are rising. It took the Bengals five games from their regular-season opener last year to get their seventh catch of at least 20 yards. They’ve already got seven in the first two games of the preseason, a sign that the tide may be turning.

The subject of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this preseason, the mood around the team has seemed distinctly different. If you have HBO, you should really check the show out on Wednesday evenings. I’m guessing that if you do so, you’ll begin to see things as I am.

‘Who Dey’ could again be a relevant chant by the end of the season. Not a moment too soon for Marvin.

Tags: Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco, Chris Henry, Laveranues Coles, TJ Houshmandzadeh