Chillin' At the Water Cooler With Bengals Fans: What Fans Expect in 2008

I live and work in the Metro Cincinnati area and the Bengals are usually on everyone's brain. During the season, I will gather a few of my co-workers (Tom Otten, William Morgan and Dave Chandler) together "at the water cooler" and discuss some Bengals topics.

The 2008 season begins this Sunday when the Bengals play the Ravens. Last year, there were high expectations for Cincinnati when these two met on Monday Night Football. What's the buzz heading into this year's contest?

Sportz: Alright, what do you see the Bengals doing against the Ravens this Sunday?

Tom: They will lose. At least that's my bet.

William: Winning a close, tough game by six.

Dave: Sneaking away with a win ... or making Flacco look like a future Hall Of Famer like so many other quarterbacks in the past.

Sportz: This one's tough. Nothing in the preseason lends me to think Cincinnati will win ... but Baltimore is starting a rookie QB. Man, if the Bengals defense gets smacked down this week, you may as well throw in the towel. The young defense had an up-and-down preseason. I'm trying to figure out if this is a defense on an upswing or just another bad Bengals D.

Tom: I think the defense will gel as the season wears on. The run defense looked good in the preseason. If the pass rush gets a little better, we'll be fine.

William: Well, I think we will always have problems with our defense. Not going to lie there.

Dave: Can't be worse that defenses of the past. Only good thing about being bad is you can only get better. Cutting Deltha O'Neal was a silly move. Young secondary gets even younger.

Sportz: Speaking of Deltha ... who surprised you most that they got cut: Deltha, Willie Anderson or Rudi Johnson?

William: Deltha O'Neal. Didn't see that coming. Disappointed in that move.

Dave: Deltha. Always nice to have an experienced third corner with a Pro Bowl past.

Tom: Rudi was on his way out; Willie was beat up and old; I guess O'Neal was the best of the bunch. But they were only using him to return kicks? I guess our secondary is much improved over last year.

Sportz: Yeah, Rudi and Willie were beat up and expensive -- not a good combo. Now that Rudi's gone, how do you feel about the Bengals new running attack?

Tom: 'Bout the same, if not a little better than last year. Perry looks good, Watson is still on the team and DeDe Dorsey is a solid back-up. No problem.

Dave: Chris Perry and Kenny Watson splitting carries and more receptions from the backs. Even if Perry can stay healthy, Watson will get lots of work.

William: More speed with Chris Perry should help. We really never had a speed back.

Sportz: Does the lack of efficiency from the first team offense concern you? I mean, it's hard to tell if Carson Palmer and those injured receivers can get back on the same page.

William: I think so. They played together for a long time. They'll be alright.

Tom: I figure there won't be much passing goin' on until everyone is healthy. Chad, T.J., Carson are all questions. The O-line hasn't shown much in the way of protection. Perhaps Ben Utecht will help out sufficiently..

Dave: I'm somewhat concerned. Hopefully a preseason thing with T.J. sitting out and lots of inexperience. No fear though as Chris Perry will lead us to the promised land. Joking.

Sportz: I gotta get your take on this: Chad Johnson is now "Ocho Cinco". His mama named him Chad; I'm callin' him Chad. What about you guys?

William: Still Chad.

Dave: "The Second Best Receiver On The Team"

Tom: Ocho Stinko when he drops balls. Ocho Flinko for what he says about his team. Ocho Plinko when he gets bounced on his head.