I don't think this has been covered yet, so I decided to do a Bengals season preview.
The offense:
Carson Palmer: Has his legs back under him. He made some mental mistakes last year, and this preseason. Maybe he will make the proper corrections before the season starts. Has the arm to make all the throws. If he can get the Peyton Manning mindset maybe he can win the MVP.
The line: Led by Willie, and Levi this is a formidable group. If they can stay healthy, they have a chance to be one of the best in the league.
The Recievers: Chad is Chad. No need for any more explination there. T.J. is awesome, and one of the most underrated players in the NFL. After that its drawing names from a hat. Skyler Green has looked good in kickoff and punt returns. It may be up to how the third reciever does that defines this years offense.
The Tight Ends: Reggie Kelly is an underrated pass catcher in the Bengals offense. He is under utilized, but mostly because the Bengals use the TE to set up the run primarily.
The Defense
________________________
The Line: This group is a great team. They have two great pass rushers from the outside in Smith and Geathers. They combine those with John Thornton and Domata Peko on the inside to stop the run. This is an underrated group.
The linebackers: The linebackers this year are an athletic group with the full time addition of Ahmad Brooks in the middle. On the outside you have Landon Johnson, and underrated defender against the run, though he lacks in pass coverage. The team cut Ed Hartwell, which will cost some depth. Jeanty is an emerging young linebacker in this group on the strong side.
The corners: Combined with the veteran Deltha O'neal, the young group of Johnathan Joseph, and Leon Hall look to add some athleticism to the secondary. This group will be reliant on O'neal to get back to 2005 form.
The safeties: Madieu Williams is a terrific safety. This group was weakened with the injury last year of Dexter Jackson. Now that Jackson is back the safeties combine with the corners to make the secondary the strength of this defense. Chinedum Ndukwe and Marvin White have impressed in the preseason and training camp, and look to add talented depth.
Special teams
___________________________
Shane Graham: The all time most accurate kicker in NFL history. He is a terrific kicker, with a strong leg. Seems to lose a bit of leg strength late in the season on kickoffs.
Kyle Larson: Has a strong leg. Combined with the punt coverage group they were very good last year at pinning the opposing team deep in their own territory.