Bengals looking to get better on offense
In last year's draft, the Bengals hit the jackpot by drafting Andy Dalton and A.J. Green as they became the first rookie quarterback/receiver duo to be voted to the Pro Bowl. The task now during the offseason is to build around them.
After plenty of growing pains in the first year of Jay Gruden's West Coast scheme, the Bengals finished 20th in total offense, which marks the fourth straight season they have finished 20th or worse. They have four starters who will be unrestricted free agents in running back Cedric Benson, wide receiver Jerome Simpson and offensive guards Bobbie Williams and Nate Livings. Wide receiver Andre Caldwell and offensive guard Mike McGlynn, who also started some games, are also slated for free agency.
The two biggest positions in terms of need are for a second wide receiver and offensive guard. Green gives the Bengals the ability to stretch the field but when Jordan Shipley tore his ACL in Week 2, they were left without a dependable slot receiver or a consistent one who could catch the short or medium routes. Simpson has great physical tools, but caught less than half of the balls targeted to him and had problems learning the offense.
With a young core of receivers who are either rookies or in their second season, the Bengals need to add a veteran to line up alongside Green. In the past this has meant receivers 30 or over with disastrous results (Laveranues Coles, Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant) but there are plenty of fourth-year guys like Robert Meachem and Mario Manningham who could help fill that void.
At guard, things are a little more unsettled. Williams will be 35 and is coming off an ankle injury, but he has been one of the more consistent linemen the Bengals have had while Livings has struggled. The Bengals drafted Clint Boling in the fourth round last year and he ended up starting three games at right guard but struggled. One possible scenario could be Boling at right guard and the team re-signing offensive tackle Anthony Collins and moving him to one of the guard spots. New Orleans' Carl Nicks will be one of the top free agents, but the Bengals aren't known for being big spenders on the market.
There are also questions at running back. Benson has rushed for 1,000 yards for three straight seasons but there are doubts that he will be back especially after he was not satisfied with the direction of the offense despite the team winning six of its first eight games. The Bengals want to use two running backs, which does not fit Benson's style or his desire to be the workhorse back. Their best hope in free agency would be that Oakland does not use the franchise tag on Michael Bush. Cleveland's Peyton Hillis also might be an option since he is a physical, between-the-tackles type back that Benson is. The Bengals could also look to the draft for a running back since they have two first-round picks.
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