FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Cincinnati Bengals - Changing Their Stripes?

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: If there is one constant on this team, it is Carson Palmer. Sure, Palmer didn't have his best season a year ago, but his off seasons are better than many QBs best years. In reality, other things factored into his poor season (injuries to the line, injury to Rudi Johnson, receivers pouting). The only issue here is what happens in Cincinnati if Palmer gets hurt. They have no one groomed to come in. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe are in their second seasons with the team and Carson's brother, Jordan, is fighting for a spot. Heat Index: 8

Running backs: Injuries have hurt this unit in the past couple of years. Workhorse Rudi Johnson finally hit a wall; Kenny Irons blew out his knee in his first preseason game; Chris Perry has never been able to stay on the field. Well, Rudi and Perry are healthy again, with 2007 surprises Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey around to give the offense a different dynamic. Cincy needs this unit to get back to form to allow the entire offense to explode. Heat Index: 4

Receivers: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best receiving combos in the NFL. T.J. tied for the lead in receptions; Chad was third in receiving yards. However, this could be the last season either is in Cincinnati. Johnson's issues with the team are well documented. T.J. is in his final contracted season. Chris Henry is finally gone and there are several guys trying to step into that #3 spot. Rookie Jerome Simpson will get a strong look, as will Andre Caldwell and Antonio Chatman. Chatman is the only one with experience and could get the nod. Heat Index: 8

Offensive line: Injuries did a number on this unit last year. Willie Anderson and Levi Jones saw their bodies break down last year. Anderson could be replaced by Stacy Andrews, the Bengals franchise tagged player. Guards Andrew Whitworth and Bobbie Williams are very steady. Eric Ghiaciuc is serviceable . Heat Index: 7

Defensive line: This is a unit that must improve if the defense is going to have any chance to positively impact games. Free agent Antwan Odom takes over for departed Justin Smith and the rush end. Robert Geathers and tackles Domata Peko and John Thornton are nice players ... but they just can't seem to pressure the QB (Bengals were last in the league in sacks last year). The team did go out and draft Pat Sims and Jason Shirley for depth. Heat Index: 3

Linebackers: This has been a disaster area. That Odell Thurman/David Pollack pairing never happened, Ahmad Brooks can't stay healthy and the team watched a lot of backups leave. They did get lucky by finding Dhani Jones last season. Free agent Darryl Blackstock, Brandon Johnson and Rashad Jeanty are decent fill-ins. The key will be getting first round pick Keith Rivers in camp and ready to start. Heat Index: 4

Secondary: This is a very young unit, but loaded with talent. CB Jonathan Joseph is poised for a breakout season. Second year CB Leon Hall did well last year, though he was beaten quite a bit. Safeties Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe showed promise in the last month or so of 2007. That is five years of NFL experience in that secondary. Guys like Dexter Jackson and Deltha O'Neal will be called on for veteran leadership. Heat Index: 6

Special teams: Their specialists are pretty good. Shayne Graham isn't great, but he is very consistent. Punter Kyle Larson is outstanding at placing kicks. The problem here is the return game. They haven't found anyone to be their go-to return man and they did a poor job in kick coverage. Injuries to starters can force special teamers into bigger roles and tire them during coverage teams. Antonio Chatman and Deltha O'Neal could end up being the returning kicks. Heat Index: 2

Coaching: Despite what everyone may think, Marvin Lewis isn't worried about getting fired. This offseason, he showed a lot of guts by standing up to Chad Johnson and finally getting rid of Thurman and Henry. Still, this team is stuck in Mediocre-ville. Heat Index: 5

Intangibles: This is an emotional team all over the place. They have a lot of youth in key spots and a lot of egos around the clubhouse. These things can snowball either way depending on the win-loss column. Heat Index: 5

Total Heat Index: 52
The Bengals play in a very tough division and face a very tough schedule. They are the kind of team that could make a run at the AFC North crown ... or fall right back into Bungle-dom.