2 Cincinnati Bengals

ENEMY LINES An opposing scout's view

The Bengals have the scariest offense in the division. They have the potential to score every time they touch the ball.... Rudi Johnson is for real. He doesn't have home run speed, but he's an instinctive runner. They'll have a nice one-two combination with him and [rookie] Chris Perry.... They're loaded at receiver. Chad Johnson can fly. Kelley Washington is a big guy with 4.4 speed. T.J. Houshmandzadeh can run. The slowest guy is Peter Warrick, and he has the quickness to be a dangerous slot receiver.... They've made a lot of changes on defense. They brought in Nate Webster to play middle linebacker, but he's undersized. If they can't keep blockers off him, he's going to get swallowed up. They moved Kevin Hardy to outside linebacker, which is a natural spot for him. Brian Simmons is a playmaker.... Their secondary is suspect. Deltha O'Neal has had one good year, Rogers Beckett is a hitter with no ball skills, and Kim Herring doesn't have much speed. Tory James is probably the best player back there, and he's more of a nickel guy than a true starting corner.

" Rudi Johnson is for real. He doesn't have home run speed, but he's an instinctive runner."

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP with 2003 statistics

2003 RECORD: 8-8

NFL RANK (rush/pass/total):

OFFENSE 13/12/13

DEFENSE T-25/24/28

COACH: Marvin Lewis; second season with Cincinnati (8--8 in NFL)

OFFENSE