The Official mrcool
"1999 Season Preview"
Part One: The Quarterbacks
OR
Yes that is the question. Do you go with Jeff Blake, the wonderkid from 1995 who hasn't had a good game since that year, or do you go with the unproven Akili Smith. You ask why I don't have a picture of Akili in a Bengals uniform? It doesn't exist yet! Is this guy ever gonna get into training camp. Until Akili is signed, Jeff Blake is the starter. If the Bengals are respectable this year, don't expect Akili to get into any games at all this year. However, if Blake falters like he has every year since '96, look for Smith around the first Bengals vs. Browns game on October 10th. As for backups, Eric Kresser should end up as the third string QB this year and rookie Scott Covington will probably end up on the practice squad this year.
BEST CASE FOR BENGALS FANS: We never have to see Akili Smith this year. This has nothing to do with Akili's talents. You see, if Jeff Blake plays well this year, then there is no need for Akili to be rushed into service. If we do see Akili Smith, it means that Jeff Blake has again proved to be useless. Hopefully, Jeff will regain his form from '95 and '96 and puts up a monster year.
Part Two: The Running Backs
OR
Much like Akili Smith, I have no action shot for Ki-Jana Carter because he just never plays. Carter has been hurt every year since drafting him back in '96. Ki-Jana is finally healthy again, and let's hope he doesn't have any freak injuries like last year's broken wrist. Corey Dillon had a decent year last season, running for over 1000 yards. However, he didn't look as dominant as he did back in '97. One reason may be because defenses keyed in on stopping Dillon since the passing game was nonexistant last year. Currently, the fullback position is wide open. There's incumbant Brian Milne, rookie Nick Williams (who is currently out until mid September), and newcomer Nicky Sualua all in the hunt for starting fullback.
BEST CASE SCENERIO FOR BENGALS FANS: We see plenty of both Dillion and Carter. If both these guys stay healthy, the Bengals have a pretty sweet tandem. Dillion is Mr. Inside, busting up opponents, and Carter is Mr. Outside, running outside a right past a tired and beat up defense. Also, Carter has great hands, so look for him a third down threat.
Part Three: Wide Receivers
Will he be here??
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Carl Pickens has said time and again that he will never play for the Bengals ever again. Well Carl, its been a great 7 years, but don't let the door hit you on the butt as you leave. While the loss of Pickens will be a pretty tough blow, the Bengals will still get by. With Carl out of the way, Darnay Scott finally gets a chance to shine. Scott has always been known as a deep threat, but over the course of the '98 season, he proved that he can also run through traffic and take his share of hits. This receiver out of San Diego State will be a star in the league, hopefully sooner than later. As for the second receiver, who knows? Its really wide open, with James Hundon, Willie Jackson, and rookie Craig Yeast all fighting for the spot. Hopefully one of these guys will step up, or else defenses will once again key in on the run.
BEST CASE SCENERIO FOR BENGALS FANS: Scott becomes the star everyone hopes he will be and Craig Yeast becomes the second receiver. Yeast won't start the season as the second receiver since is still recovering from an ankle injury, but he will be fine by the start of the season. Yeast was known as a super fast receiver in college, and he would open up the field with his speed.
Part Four: The Tight Ends
Well, here's one guy fighting it out for top tight end, Marco Battaglia. Marco is in his fourth year with the team, and he may see plenty of time this year. Also fighting for playing time is Tony McGee. Tony has a world of potential, but he just hasn't lived up to it yet. Tony had 22 catches last year for 363 yards, but only one touchdown. Tony's numbers show that he can get up the field easily, he just can't find his way to the end zone. On the other hand, Marco Battaglia had 10 catches last year for only 47 yards. He really wasn't much of a threat down the field. Tony should start out the year for the Bengals at tight end.
BEST CASE SCENERIO FOR BENGALS FANS: We see plenty of both of these guys blocking for Corey Dillon and Ki-Jana Carter. Without two proven wide receivers yet, the Bengals are going to run the ball a lot this year. We'll probably see a lot of two tight end sets, with both of these men blocking, not catching the ball.
Part Five: The Offensive Line
This year's offensive line appears to be much better than the line from last year. The Bengals have added two starters to the line through free agency, Brian DeMarco and Matt O'Dwyer. These two, along with a hopefully healthy Kevin Sargent should hold up nicely against any defense. For once Jeff Blake may have time to throw a pass, rather than scrambling for his life every down. The starting offensive line from RT to LT is: Willie Anderson; Brian DeMarco; Rich Braham; Matt O'Dwyer; Kevin Sargent.
BEST CASE SCENERIO FOR BENGALS FANS: Nobody gets injured on the line. Of course every team wishes for this, but the Bengals are very, very short on reserves. Look for Corey Dillon and Ki-Jana Carter to run a lot to the right, with Willie Anderson and Brian DeMarco opening up holes.
Part Six: The Defensive Line
Well, the defensive line looks different than last year, with two new starters on the line. The Bengals got rid of Clyde Simmons who was a wonderful guy and leader in the clubhouse. These qualities are great for a young team, but Clyde never really did much on the football field. Replacing Clyde will be John Copeland, the Bengals' First Round pick from 1993. John was injured most of last year, but he is finally healthy this year. John has been pretty solid in the past, and look for much of the same this year. Replacing Kimo van Oelhoffen at nose tackle is free agent Oliver Gibson from Pittsburg. Kimo is now the second string nose tackle on the team. Returning at the other end position is Michael Bankston.
BEST CASE SCENERIO FOR BENGALS FANS: These guys play up to expectations. Individually, all three starting linemen are good, but can they gel together? The defensive line is deeper than the offensive line, with van Oelhoffen backing up Oliver Gibson and second year and future Pro Bowler Glenn Steele backing up John Copeland.
Part Seven: The Linebackers
Renard Wilson taking care of business
Ah, finally to the bright spot on the team. The Bengals' linebackers are good. Real good. The group is young, fast, and they hit real hard. The heart and soul of the team is in its two inside linebackers, Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons. The Bengals may have had the best draft out of any team last year, picking up Spikes with the 13th pick and Simmons with the 17th. In last year's draft they also picked up Artrell Hawkins in the second round. Last year Spikes led the team in tackles and Simmons was second, both in their rookie years. So far many experts have already pridicted that Takeo could make the Pro Bowl this year and Simmons is not too far off. These guys are for real, and they will carry the team into the 21st century. The other two linebackers are Reinard Wilson and Steve Foley. Wilson was drafted in the first round back in '97, but he hasn't lived up to his potential yet. It seems that Wilson is a great pass rusher, but he couldn't handle all the Bengals' assignments last year. This year, the defense has been simplified and Reinard has been given the green light to attack the QB. Look for a lot of sacks from Wilson this year. On the other side is either Foley, a third round pick from last year (another steal), or veteran James Francis.
BEST CASE SCENERIO FOR BENGALS FANS: Management can keep these guys in Cincinnati for years to come. Spikes, Simmons, and Foley are all in their second years, and Wilson is only in his third year. These guys will be a powerhouse for at least 10 years for the Bengals if management can keep the guys from leaving.