NFL team previews — AFC Central
By Marty Williams
As published in print Aug. 21, 2000
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Bengals WR
Peter Warrick
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The Bengals knew they were going to have to rebuild their offense this season, but the
building process has become much more daunting than originally expected.
QB Jeff Blake started 12 games in 1999 and threw for 2,670 yards and 16 touchdowns. But
he punched a free-agency ticket to New Orleans and will be replaced by second-year man
Akili Smith, who totaled 805 yards, two TDs and four starts.
The top two receivers were Darnay Scott and Carl Pickens, who combined for 125 catches,
1,759 yards and 13 scores. Both are gone. Pickens, long a thorn in the side of management
and the coaching staff, was released, and Scott suffered a broken leg early in training
camp that ended his season and threatens his career.
First-round draft pick Peter Warrick will take over for Scott, with youthful veterans
James Hundon and Craig Yeast and rookie Ron Dugans battling for Pickens’ spot.
The Bengals thought they were going to be without RB Corey Dillon, who had vowed to sit
out the first 10 regular-season games, but he finally agreed to a one-year deal.
Dillon has had three straight 1,000-yard seasons, but he has fought a kneecap problem
and is the only Bengals runner with substantial experience.
The defense, which gave up a club-record 460 points, will also have a new look. There
will be at least four new starters and one position change — all of which will put
even more heat on Bruce Coslet, who is 21-36 in three-plus years as head coach, including
3-13 in ’98 and 4-12 in ’99.
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade C |
| Coslet has walked a fine line with Smith during the
preseason, trying to give him plenty of practice work and game time without wearing him
down. Smith may not be a rookie, but he’s still going to go through rookie-like
growing pains. Scott Mitchell has had a good camp and could be more help than originally
expected. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade B- |
| Dillon’s signing has turned a definite problem area into
a plus, provided he’s in shape physically, mentally and emotionally. The last two
areas are the biggest concerns for the oft-moody tailback. There are no proven runners
behind Dillon. Michael Basnight is out with a broken wrist, and FB Nick Williams still has
to show he can run as well as block. Top of page |
| Receivers |
Grade C |
| The Bengals knew all along they wouldn’t have Pickens
this season, but they were counting on Scott to be a mentor to what has now become the
youngest WR corps in the NFL. Warrick is the real deal, but now he must become the
featured guy. Hundon and Yeast have good speed but are short on experience and have
durability questions. Dugans, who teamed with Warrick at Florida State, could be a factor.
Tony McGee looks like the prototype tight end, but the Bengals couldn’t get the ball
to him even when Pickens and Scott were spreading defenses. Top of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade C+ |
| This may be the best group of linemen the Bengals have had in
years, although that isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. ORT Willie Anderson is
overdue for serious Pro Bowl consideration. OLT Rod Jones isn’t in Anderson’s
class but has made strides in that direction. Matt O’Dwyer and Brian DeMarco provide
some stability at the OG spots, although O’Dwyer will sit out the first two games
while serving an NFL-imposed suspension for his part in an altercation outside a New York
night spot. Rich Braham is a fixture at center, but his early-season status has been
clouded by recent knee surgery. Free-agent OT John Jackson adds 12 years of experience,
and Mike Goff is the best of the young backups. Top of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade C |
| The Bengals are going with a four-man line in their base
defense. The pass rush needs to show marked improvement to compensate for a shaky
secondary. DE John Copeland’s offseason conditioning work seems to have given him the
step he’s been missing. Free agents Tom Barndt, a tackle from Kansas City, and Vaughn
Booker, an end from Green Bay, are upgrades, but they’re still trying to mesh with
the holdovers, Copeland and OT Oliver Gibson. Glen Steele, Jevon Langford, Michael
Bankston and Reinard Wilson are the top reserves, although the Bengals’ patience is
wearing thin with Wilson, a first-round pick in ’97 who has done almost nothing. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade B |
| Now the Bengals’ strongest area — and it may be for
years to come. Brian Simmons takes over in the middle of the new 4-3 alignment and has
been making plays all over the field. Takeo Spikes stays outside and will get more chances
as a pass rusher. Steve Foley needs to improve his consistency, but he’s not a weak
link. Billy Granville, Canute Curtis and Adrian Ross are capable backups. Top of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade C- |
| There have been a lot of changes from last year, but
it’s too soon to tell if they were all positive. Free agent Darryl Williams (Seattle)
is the new free safety. He’s better in pass coverage than run support, and he adds
stability to a secondary that has been sadly lacking in that area. Cory Hall started 12
games at free safety as a rookie but is better-suited for strong safety. Tom Carter, who
played only one full game with the Bengals after being claimed from Chicago in December,
is set at left corner. Some have questioned his instincts, but on this team he’s the
most instinctive corner available. Erratic Artrell Hawkins is in his third year as a
starter at right corner, but he hasn’t made the strides his coaches had hoped
he’d make. Rookies Mark Roman and Robert Bean are probably too green to challenge
Hawkins right now, but they may get a chance later. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade B- |
| In Tremain Mack, Yeast and Warrick, Cincinnati has three of
the NFL’s most dangerous return men. Mack made the Pro Bowl last season for his work
on kickoffs. Yeast had only 10 opportunities on punts, but he averaged 20.9 yards and
returned a pair for touchdowns. Warrick could be equally productive, but he may not get
many chances because the Bengals are so thin at receiver. Punt and kickoff coverage used
to be flat-out embarrassing, but an influx of speed has improved that area. PK Doug
Pelfrey, once the NFL’s career leader in FG accuracy, has slipped considerably and
was having a hard time fending off rookie challenger Neil Rackers at presstime. P Brad
Costello was being pressed almost as hard by Daniel Pope. Top of page |
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