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The Bengals:
Preseason Is Where It's At
In August, Even Cincinnati Can
Dream
By Eric Gilkey
Special to Outsports
The preseason is what every Cincinnati Bengals fan looks forward
to: the annual soap opera of selecting an opening day
quarterback; the inevitable draft holdouts that have us alternately bemoaning upper management and player
greed; the glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, this year will be the year Bengal Fans will come close to realizing the 1989 vision of “The Jungle”
that has since been cut down into firewood. Yeah, that’s right—Bengals fans are the
sadomasochists of the NFL.
Preseason is where it’s at when you haven’t made the playoffs in over 12 years.
The familiar signs seem to point to another comfortably numb season. The quarterback duel between Gus Frerotte and Jon
Kitna remains a heated battle, with Frerotte recently taking opening day honors. Talented rookie tight ends Matt Schoebel
and Sean Brewer are inked as starters in a league and offensive scheme they have never played a down in. And acquired
receiver Michael Westbrook continues the “Ki Jana Carter Training Camp Curse” by breaking his wrist in the opening days
of practice, leaving him out of all four preseason games and questionable for the start of the season.
Coming into the 2002 season though, the Bengals started pulling things together. There were no holdouts this year, and
everyone reported to camp on time. Most major signings occurred without the usual low-balling approach to negotiating. Is
there a roar somewhere in that old tiger meow? Let’s start with the easy:
Defensively, the team had made great strides on its line—if you haven’t heard of these guys yet, it’s only because the
offense hasn’t been producing. Takeo Spikes mans a line full of grade A studs, backed with Brian Simmons and Justin
Smith. Oliver Gibson provides his steadfast presence in a returning line that finished ninth in the league last year. Smith,
coming off an impressive rookie season last year, has proven to be one of the hardest working players in Bengals recent
history—and it shows. Total stud. Did I mention I got his autograph?
Offensively, the Bengals operate like the personality of an eighteen-year-old boyfriend: shallow then deep, shallow then
deep. Having the number one and number two tight ends enter as rookies could spell trouble, and the Bengals have been
notoriously absent in establishing tight end production. That’s a big no-no in today’s league that expects a tight end to be
a blocking receiver. Time will tell if these sprouts flower by harvest time.
And how’s this for a stat? The Bengals have started six different quarterbacks in the last six years. Any inconsistency at
this position leaves the team vulnerable for leadership, though all three quarterbacks (Frerotte, Kitna, and Akili Smith) have
proven potential. A toss up, with no quarterback guaranteed of his current position at the end of the season. The big
question is: Will the quarterback battle that stretched until the final preseason game help or hurt the team? Quarterback to keep an eye on: Akili Smith.
Fortunately, the running game for the Bengals brings the most depth at any position. Perennial Pro Bowler Corey Dillon is
the mast from which all flags wave, and his supporting cast is unrivaled. Brandon Bennett is solid as backup, and provides
a different look to opposing defenses than Dillon’s bully strong-arm approach. Truly, an offensive position stacked with
talent. Running backs to watch (when not watching Dillon): Rudi Johnson/Curtis Keaton. Johnson broke several records at
Auburn held by Bo Jackson, and gained multiple 100-yard games in the preseason. Keaton’s yards per carry average have
been amazing.
Wide Receivers get high marks as well. Third-year player Peter Warrick continues to become a go-to receiver with his
quickness, though his hands sometimes need some stick-em. Michael Westbrook takes over as veteran receiver in place of
Darnay Scott, who was released by the Bengals soon after the opening of camp. Though Westbrook’s
temperament has been unstable in the past, it is likely to be an improvement over Scott, who had trouble taking over responsibilities as top
receiver. A very deep squad that has a host of skills, but their production will largely rest on the quarterback’s shoulders.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson are reliable and fast, but young.
Receiver to keep an eye on: Danny Farmer. A quiet force the last two years whose time has come.
Kicking. Normally something taken for granted, but not for the Bengals. After a horrendous season last year, Neil Rackers
returns very strong this year. The Bengals used a fourth round pick to grab Travis Dorsch with the assumption of releasing
Rackers, but Dorsch’s ability lies more in punting than field goal kicking. I swear, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the
Bengals need to give Rackers another shot. The guy kicks better than a mule—it’s his game face that makes me skittish. But
with Dorsch in the mix, it seems unlikely for Rackers to return. Look for him to be on the outside looking in. Kicker to watch: Nick Harris. He can punt with the best.
The talent is there, and Coach Dick LeBeau has infused an iron man attitude lacking in so many previous years. While the
playoffs may seem unlikely, the Bengals definitely have the raw materials and have built a team that could be around for
years to come. If they get some steam going, they could end up surprising everyone, similarly to what New England did last
year.
God, I love preseason. Let the speculation begin!
August 28, 2002
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