27-year old Cedric Benson came to the Bengals a couple of years ago and he’s now starting to live up to the billing he had come out of Texas.  He played in 13 games (all starts) for the Bengals last season and he carried the ball 301 times for 1,251 yards (4.2 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  He also caught 17 passes for 111 yards (6.5 avg) last year.  Benson is a battering ram type of running back who does his best work between the tackles and he can handle a heavy workload.  He has now played in 60 games (35 starts) in his 5 years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 935 times for 3,591 yards (3.8 ypc) with 18 TD runs.  Benson has also caught 63 passes for 476 yards (7.6 avg) in his NFL career. 

26-year old Bernard Scott was quite a find for the Bengals last season out of tiny Abilene Christian.  He played in 13 games (2 starts) as a rookie last season and he carried the ball 74 times for 321 yards (4.3 ypc).  Scott also caught 5 passes for 67 yards (13.4 avg) last season.  Scott is a good change of pace back for the Bengals as he gives defenses a much different look than Benson does.  Scott also returned 16 kickoffs for 504 yards (31.5 avg) with 1 TD return as a rookie.

26-year old Brian Leonard will serve as the Bengals’ third down back again in 2010.  He played in 14 games (1 start) for the Bengals last season in which he carried the ball 27 times for 84 yards (3.1 ypc).  Leonard also caught 30 passes for 217 yards (7.2 avg) including 1 catch that helped them beat the Steelers on a 4th and 10 in the 4th quarter with the Bengals trailing at the time.  Leonard has now played in 32 games (8 starts) in his 3 years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 115 times for 394 yards (3.4 ypc).  He has also caught 60 passes for 400 yards (6.7 avg) in his NFL career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR  THE BENGALS RBs in 2010:  B

30-year old starting QB Carson Palmer just hasn’t looked the same since the Steelers hit him with a cheap shot in the playoffs a few years ago but they need him to get his groove back.  The running game of the Bengals masked Carson Palmer’s so-so season.  He played in all 16 games for the Bengals last year and he completed 282 of 466 passes (60.5%) for 3,094 yards with 21 TD passes and 13 INTs (83.6 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 39 times for 93 yards (2.4 ypc) with 3 TD carries last year.  Palmer has now played in 81 games in his career with the Bengals and he has completed 1,662 of 2,631 passes (63.2%) for 18,724 yards with 128 TD passes and 80 INTs (87.9 QB Rating).  Palmer has also carried the ball 147 times for 266 yards (1.8 ypc) with 5 TD carries in his career in Cincy.  The Bengals have improved the depth and quality at both WR and TE and they hope that will spur Palmer to get back to his former Pro Bowl self in 2010.  Palmer has led the Bengals to a 42-39 (51.9%) record in his career starts with them during the regular season.

The Bengals better hope that Carson Palmer stays healthy so they don’t have to use his backup, 30-year old J.T. O’Sullivan.  O’Sullivan played in 3 games for the Bengals last season in which he completed 4 of 11 passes (36.4%) for 40 yards with 0 TD passes and 0 INTs (47.5 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for 12 yards (4.0 ypc) last season for the Bengals.  O’Sullivan has now played in 17 games in his NFL career and he has completed 145 of 257 passes (56.4%) for 1,866 yards with 9 TD passes and 13 INTs (69.9 QB Rating).  O’Sullivan has also carried the ball 39 times for 145 yards (3.7 ypc) in his NFL career.  O’Sullivan has a career record of 2-6 (25%) in games he has started in his NFL career.

Nepotism at it’s best is why 25-year old Jordan Palmer is the Bengals’ #3 QB.  They look the same but this Palmer is very short on talent and the Bengals would be in deep trouble if he were forced into the starting lineup for any reason.  His only NFL experience came in 2008 for the Bengals when he played in 3 games.  In those games, Palmer completed 7 of 12 passes (58.3%) for 41 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 INTs (25.3  QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 1 time for 4 yards that year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BENGALS QBs in 2010:  B

The Bengals’ whole 2009 season hinges on Carson Palmer’s health.  When he got hurt last season it ended any hopes of the Bengals competing in 2008.  With J.T. O’Sullivan as the new backup instead of Ryan Fitzgerald the Bengals would be only a tad better than last season if Palmer were to get injured again in 2009.  The Bengals do have some players in place on offense that Palmer should have another solid season if he can just stay healthy.  He has a very quick release and a strong arm which really suits this offense just right.  J.T. O’Sullivan won the starting job at the start of last season for the 49ers but he quickly lost it by putting the football on the ground or in opposing DBs hands.  Still, O’Sullivan is a upgrade over Fitzgerald.  Carson Palmer’s younger brother Jordan will be the #3 QB for the Bengals again this season.  But, the Bengals don’t have much faith in him because they had nothing to lose by giving him a chance to play over Fitzgerald last season but didn’t.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  B-

30-year old placekicker Shayne Graham was nails last season as he only missed 3 kicks the entire season!  Graham played in all 16 games for the Bengals last season and he made 31 of 34 field goals (91.2%) and all 37 of his extra point attempts.  Look for Graham to have another good season as the Bengals figure to have an explosive offense in 2008.  Graham has now played in 97 games in his NFL career and he has made 152 of 178 field goals (85.4%).  Graham has also converted 233 of 235 (99.1%) extra points in his career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A

The Bengals have brought in Ben Utecht to battle Reggie Kelly for playing time.  Kelly played in 15 games for the Bengals last season and he caught 20 passes for 211 yards (10.6 avg) without catching a TD.  Kelly will likely be in on running downs while Utecht gets the bulk of the passing downs.  Kelly has now played in 136 games in his NFL career and he has caught 153 passes for 1,511 yards (9.9 avg) with 5 TD grabs.

27-year old Ben Utecht is a huge player at 6’6″, 251 pounds.  He was brought in by the Bengals to give the team another weapon in the passing game.  Utecht played in 14 games for the Colts last season and he caught 31 passes for 364 yards (11.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Look for Utecht to better those numbers with the Bengals as he might be the #3 target in the passing game for Carson Palmer.  Utecht has now played in 41 games in his NFL career and he has caught 71 passes for 800 yards (11.3 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C+

The Bengals drafted 3 receivers to compete for playing time behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  Chad Johnson is an impact #1 WR for the Bengals as he is a big time playmaker.  Johnson has the speed to go the distance and the strength and courage to go over the middle and make a contested grab.  Johnson played in 16 games for the Bengals last season and he caught 93 passes for 1,440 yards (15.5 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 6 times for 47 yards (7.8 ypc).  Look for Johnson to have another huge season as he is building a Hall of Fame worthy resume’.  Johnson has now played in 108 games in the NFL and he has caught 559 passes for 8,365 yards (15.0 avg) with 49 TD catches.  He has also carried the ball 21 times for 143 yards (6.8 ypc) in his career.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has great hands and he does all of the dirty work over the middle for the Bengals.  He played in 16 games last season for the Bengals and he caught 112 passes for 1,143 yards (10.2 avg) with 12 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 5 times for 14 yards (2.8 ypc).  Look for Houshmandzadeh and Johnson to give the Bengals one of the most devastating WR combos again in 2008.  Houshmandzadeh has now played in 88 games in his NFL career and he has caught 415 passes for 4,878 yards (11.8 avg) with 33 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 22 times for 133 yards (6.0 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.

5’8″, 183 pound Antonio Chatman is currently the starting #3 WR for the Bengals but that could chance should one of the rookie WRs step up this season.  Chatman played in 13 games (0 starts) for the Bengals last season and he caught 19 passes for 149 yards (7.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 5 yards last season.  Even if Chatman wins the #3 job at WR for the Bengals he likely won’t put up huge numbers.  Chatman has now played in 64 games in his NFL career and he has caught 93 passes for 966 yards (10.4 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  He also has carried the ball 13 times for 75 yards (5.8 ypc) in his career.

23-year old Glenn Holt also will compete for the #3 WR job on the Bengals.  He played in 16 games for the Bengals last season and he caught 16 passes for 143 yards (8.9 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also carried the football 2 times for 2 yards (1.0 ypc) last season.  Holt will more likely be playing a lot on special teams and in multiple receiver sets in 2008.  Holt has now played in 27 games in his NFL career and he has caught 17 passes for 146 yards (8.6 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also has carried the ball 2 times for 2 yards (1.0 ypc) in his career.

25-year old Marcus Maxwell is a big guy at 6’4″, 205 pounds and he could provide the Bengals with a big target.  He played in 5 games for the Bengals last season and he only caught 1 pass for 5 yards.  He’s a longshot to make the Bengals’ opening day roster.

Rookie Jerome Simpson is on the small side at 6’1″, 193 pounds and he played at a very small school (Coastal Carolina) so he has a huge jump to make to the NFL.  Simpson played in 11 games (all starts) for Coastal Carolina last season and he caught 41 passes for 697 yards (17.0 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  Simpson has a good shot to win the #3 job for the Bengals at WR this season.  He finished up his career at Coastal Carolina having played in 45 games (38 starts) in which he caught 161 passes for 2,720 yards (16.9 avg) with 44 TD grabs.

Andre Caldwell is a rookie from Florida and he can flat out fly as he can run a 4.35 40.  He also has nice size at 6’0″, 207 pounds and should be able to handle the pounding in the NFL.  He played in 11 games (all starts) at Florida and he caught 56 passes for 761 yards (13.6 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  Caldwell was never to go to guy at Florida but the Bengals won’t need him to be one either.  Caldwell played in 53 games (35 starts) in his career at Florida and he caught 185 passes for 2,349 yards (12.7 avg) with 16 TD grabs.

Huge 6’5″, 220 pound rookie receiver Mario Urrutia will also battle for playing time in Cincinnati this season.  He played in 10 games (2 starts) last season for Louisville and he caught 35 passes for 501 yards (14.3 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He was never a go to receiver at Louisville so the Bengals see him as a #4 or #5 WR that helps out on special teams.  Urrutia finished his career at Louisville having played in 34 games (18 starts) in which he caught 130 passes for 1,891 yards (14.5 avg) with 16 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A

27-year old Jeremi Johnson doesn’t is a bit short at 5’11″, but he packs a wallop as he weighs in at 260 pounds.  Johnson is a good runner near the goal line as he always seems to be moving forward.  He also is a good receiver when the Bengals decide to get him the football.  Johnson played in 16 games (9 starts) for the Bengals last season and he carried the ball 7 times for 25 yards (3.6 ypc).  He also caught 6 passes for 32 yards (5.3 avg) with 1 TD grab last season.  Johnson probably won’t get to touch the football much this season either as the Bengals have a lot of depth at tailback.  Johnson has now played in 80 games (50 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 48 times for 141 yards (2.9 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also has caught 55 passes for 269 yards (4.9 avg) with 6 TD grabs in his NFL career.

Converted TE Daniel Coats will be the #2 fullback for the Bengals while also playing tight end on occasion.  Coats is 6’3″, 255 pounds and he’s a good receiver out of the backfield.  Coats played in 15 games (3 starts) for the Bengals last season and he caught 12 passes for 122 yards (10.2 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C+

Rudi Johnson is coming off his worst season of his NFL career and Chris Perry and Kenny Irons are coming off serious injuries so it will be interesting to see how the RB position shakes out for the Bengals in 2008.  Rudi Johnson looked like his years of running hard between the tackles starting taking it’s toll last season.  He appeared much weaker and slower last season.  If he doesn’t rebound early in the season the Bengals’ might not stick with him as it’s feature back.  Johnson played in 11 games (9 starts) for the Bengals last season and he carried the ball 170 times for 497 yards (2.9 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also caught 13 passes for 110 yards (8.5 avg) with 1 TD run.  The Bengals would love for Johnson to get back to his previous form which would make the offense very formidable but it remains to be seen if he has anything left in the tank.  Johnson has now played in 81 games (59 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 1,441 times for 5,742 yards (4.0 ypc) with 48 TD runs.  He also caught 101 passes for 588 yards (5.8 avg) with 1 TD grab.

Kenny Watson should be the #2 RB this season for the Bengals based on his play last year.  Watson could even push Rudi Johnson aside like he did last year at times as he looked like he could handle the whole load and remain effective.  He also is a much better receiver than Johnson is making the offense more explosive while he is on the field.  Watson played in 16 games (5 starts) for the Bengals last season and he carried the ball 178 times for 763 yards (4.3 ypc) with 7 TD runs.  He also caught 52 passes for 374 yards (7.2 avg).  Look for Watson to start adding to his career numbers as he deserves to touch the football a lot this season for the Bengals.  Watson has now played in 73 games (9 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 345 times for 1,596 yards (4.6 ypc) with 9 TD runs.  He also has caught 132 passes for 1,011 yards (7.7 avg) with 2 TD grabs. 

Chris Perry has flashed potential in the past after the Bengals used a first round pick on him a few seasons ago but he’s very injury prone.  In fact, he didn’t play a down last season.  He still has a good enough upside to think that he could compete for a big role on the offense in 2008.  Perry has played in 22 games (3 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 73 times for 337 yards (4.6 ypc) and he has also caught 63 passes for 403 yards (6.4 avg) with 2 TD grabs.

De De Dorsey finally got to touch the football last season and he ran with it giving him a good chance to get some playing time for the Bengals this season.  Dorsey played in 12 games (2 starts) for the Bengals last season and he carried the ball 21 times for 183 yards (8.7 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 19 yards (4.8 avg).  Dorsey played in 13 games (0 starts) before the 2007 season but he never got to touch the ball on offense.  Dorsey has a nice upside and the Bengals have a lot of runners with injury histories so he could move up the depth chart by just staying healthy.

Don’t forget Kenny Irons who was a rookie last season.  He tore his ACL in Training Camp last season and he might still not be healthy for a few more months but he has a nice upside.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C

The Cincinnati Bengals are banking everything at the QB position on Carson Palmer because if he misses any time in 2008 the season will go down the toilet.  That being said, Palmer played in every game last season and he got stronger as the year went on.  Palmer is one of the best QBs in the entire NFL but he sometimes gets frustrated with his teammates as says things he shouldn’t.  Palmer has enough arm to make every throw but he needs time in the pocket because he can’t run the ball.  Palmer started all 16 games for the Bengals last season and he completed 373 of 575 passes (64.9%) for 4,131 yards with 26 TD passes and 20 interceptions (86.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 24 times for 10 yards (0.4 ypc).  Look for Palmer to have a much better 2008 as he looked skittish in the pocket at times as he was still recovering from ACL surgery that he had the last January.  Palmer has now played in 61 games (all starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 1,305 of 2,036 passes (64.1%) for 14,889 yards with 104 TD passes and 63 interceptions (90.1 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 102 times for 135 yards (1.3 ypc) with 2 TD runs.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will  be the Bengals’ #2 QB this season and he has a lot of limitations.  He’s very smart as he graduated from the Ivy League (Harvard) but his arm is weak and the Bengals’ would have to limit the playbook if he were starting.  Fitzpatrick appeared in 1 game for the Bengals last season and he didn’t attempt a pass or run the football.  Fitzpatrick has now played in 6 games (3 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 76 of 135 passes (56.3%) for 777 yards with 4 TD passes and 8 interceptions (58.2 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 17 times for 64 yards (3.8 ypc) with 2 TD runs.

Jeff Rowe and Jordan Palmer (Carson’s brother) will battle for the #3 job this season.  It will be interesting to see if there is any nepotism going on in Cincy.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B+