C I N C I N N A T I   B E N G A LS
Go-To Guy | Weakest Link | Burning Question | Offseason Movement

Glance Head coach: Dick LeBeau 2001: Results 2002: Draft picks Training camp: July 25 at Georgetown (Ky.) College  2002 Schedule Date  Vs.  Time  Sept. 8  S.D.  1 p.m.  Sept. 15  at Cle.  1 p.m.  Sept. 22  at Atl.  1 p.m.  Sept. 29  T.B.  4:05 p.m.  Oct. 6  at Ind.  1 p.m.  Oct. 13  PIT.  1 p.m.  Oct. 20  Open     Oct. 27  TEN.  1 p.m.  Nov. 3  at Hou.  1 p.m.  Nov. 10  at Bal.  1 p.m.  Nov. 17  CLE.  1 p.m.  Nov. 24  at Pit.  1 p.m.  Dec. 1  BAL.  1 p.m.  Dec. 8  at Car.  1 p.m.  Dec. 15  JAC.  1 p.m.  Dec. 22  N.O.  1 p.m.  Dec. 29  at Buf.  1 p.m.

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

Cincinnati fans long for the days of Ken Anderson, the quarterback. The fact Ken Anderson, the coach, is tutoring the Bengals' quarterbacks is little consolation.

This season, Cincy fans have another QB who they hope can rekindle the bygone days of filling the air with touchdown passes. Free agent Gus Frerotte signed when given the chance to compete for the No. 1 job with holdover starter Jon Kitna.

"Every player we take to training camp will be competing and the best players will play," head coach Dick LeBeau said. "Jon will be No. 1, yes, but everybody is in a competition."

If Frerotte wins the job, it would make five different opening-day starters in as many years.

The Bengals' offense is young -- and getting younger. First-round draft pick Levi Jones and third-rounder Matt Schobel are projected starters. "We have new people who have a chance to come in and contribute at left tackle with Levi Jones at some point during the season and the same at tight end with Schobel," team president Mike Brown said. "And we have all the other players back with a year's more experience."

Cincinnati ranked 23rd in total offense (300.0 yards per game) last season, up from No. 28 in 2000. However, the rushing game plummeted from third to 18th -- a difference of 37.6 yards per game. Leading rusher Corey Dillon's production fell 120 yards last season despite 25 more carries than in 2000.

If there is any cause for alarm it's on defense: Linebackers Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes -- lynchpins of the league's ninth-ranked unit -- are entering the final years of their rookie contracts.

"I said last year that I didn't think we were miles away," LeBeau said. "I think we made some good additions. I think it shows in the way we have competed. We have been a competitive team.

"I really believed that we could [become competitive] in one offseason, and I really believe we can do it in two."

The Bengals had a 52-108 record in the 1990s -- the losingest team in the '90s and the worst record by any team in any decade of NFL history. In the 21st century, the Bungles get an "e" for effort: 4-12 in 2000, 6-10 in '01. A two-win improvement this year would give Cincy its first .500-or-better mark since 1996 (8-8).

Another positive: The Bengals have all 22 of their season-ending starters from last year under contract.

Fact Player  G  Avg. *  Terrell Davis  78  97.5  Corey Dillon   78   91.3   Emmitt Smith  185  87.4  Curtis Martin  108  85.8  Marshall Faulk  121  78.0  * Rushing yards per game Minimum 50 career games

Corey Dillon, RB -- How does a player who signed a five-year, $28 million contract improve his game? By catching on to the third-down scheme. After being on the receiving end of only 18 passes in 2000, Dillon nearly doubled that total (34) last season, including three for touchdowns.

"He's made it a focal point of his game and he's done a good job of it," LeBeau said. "I think that will only add to our offensive potential."

Dillon also rediscovered the end zone via the ground; he scored 10 TDs, matching his 1997 rookie-season total.

In 78 career games, he is averaging 91.3 rushing yards. Ten running backs rushed for 1,300 yards or more in 2000. Only three, Dillon (1,315), Stephen Davis (1,432) and Marshall Faulk (1,382) repeated in '01.

The Bengals ended last season with back-to-back victories, and Dillon said it was a nice jumpstart on 2002. "It's reassurance that we can do some things next year," he said after scoring two TDs in the season finale as the Bengals downed Tennessee 23-21. "Rest up, get back to training camp and come back and try to be better."

Fact Bob Trumpy was a 12th-round pick in the 1968 draft. He went on to play 10 seasons with the Bengals and played in two AFL All-Star Games and two Pro Bowls.

Tight End -- The team released high-dollar veteran Tony McGee (14 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD) after nine seasons. He hadn't played a 16-game schedule since 1999, and the decision to cut McGee, the team's No. 7 all-time receiver, saved the Bengals $1.3 million against the salary cap.

He has signed a three-year, $ 3 million deal with Dallas.

The Bengals could opt for insurance should Schobel and Sean Brewer, a third-round pick in 2001, fail to develop. However, Brown says the team isn't actively pursuing anyone. "We've filled a lot of holes as it is," he said. "I don't know that we have to get a player at any specific position."

The release of McGee, who had one year left on a three-year, $5.4 million contract and was the longest-tenured Bengal (136 games since 1993), was a welcomed surprise to Brewer. "I'm very much looking forward to [this season]. It's like they just put a steak out in front of me -- more like a five-course meal."

Cincinnati's other TE is Kirk McMullen, who has two NFL starts. Nick Williams, a converted fullback, stepped into an H-back role last year. Brad St. Louis also played briefly at tight end last year, but he is the long snapper.

Even with a QB, is there a receiver who will step up?

Much of the receiving corps' problems stem from poor QB play. But can you name the player who led the Bengals in TD catches? Darnay Scott? No. Peter Warrick? Nope. Ron Dugans? Nada.

Corey Dillon, with three -- one-fourth of the team's total of 12.

Scott, a second-round pick in 1994, and Warrick (first) and Dugans (third), drafted in 2000, must do better than a combined 145-1,737-5. Second-year offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski has hinted at replacing starters Scott Warrick.

Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, both 2001 draft picks, have shown flashes, but aren't considered big-play threats. Then again, Warrick was and isn't.

Bratkowski has spent the last few months tinkering with his system, one that led the NFL in passing five years ago with Seattle. "I would say basically there are minor changes," he said. "We don't want to make major changes and have everyone relearn it all again.

"If we get better at those two things -- throwing downfield further and running it further -- that will increase our yards-per-attempt."