Last season was a frustrating for Bengals fans just as it was frustrating for Bengals fantasy owners. Chad Johnson, while still having a good year, had spans of 8 and 4 games without a touchdown. Carson Palmer had 20 picks and only an 86.7 rating. TJ Houshmanzedah had a great season, but only one touchdown in his last six games. The Bengals running game was mediocre at best last season leaving a lot of question marks surrounding Rudi Johnson who was plagued with injury and Kenny Watson who performed well enough to maybe wrestle the starting job away from Johnson. Watson averaged 4.3 yards per carry whereas Johnson, possibly hampered by his hamstring injury, only averaged a measely 2.9.
Despite the 7-9 record, the Bengals were sometimes the most exciting team to watch, thanks in large part to their porous defense. Who can forget that exciting 51-45 loss to the Browns, the game that put Derek Anderson on the map. While the Bengals have helped address some issues of their defense in the draft, I foresee another fun year to watch the Bengals high octane offense, only to see them end up 7-9,8-8, or 9-7 due to the defense giving up the points right back. It also seems like Chad Johnson might not be very happy which could also throw a wrench into the Bengals season, however this discontent might be a fantasy gem also Ocho Cinco is already not well liked amongst fantasy owners. If he is there in the 3rd or 4th round I can’t imagine passing on him. Ocho Cinco might not be the team player everyone loves, but he has the ability to score a great many points in one week (especially in yardage bonus leagues).
2008 NFL Draft Picks
1. LB Keith Rivers Southern California
2. WR Jerome Simpson Coastal Carolina
3. DT Pat Sims Auburn
4. WR Andre Caldwell Florida
5. OT Anthony Collins Kansas
6. DT Jason Shirley Fresno State
7. FS Corey Lynch Appalachian State
8. TE Matt Sherry Villanova
9. DE Angelo Craig Cincinnati
10. WR Mario Urrutia Louisville
2008 Bengals Schedule
- Week 1- Sep 7 @Baltimore 1:00pm
- Week 2- Sep 14 Tennessee 1:00pm
- Week 3- Sep 21 @N.Y. Giants 1:00pm
- Week 4- Sep 28 Cleveland 1:00pm
- Week 5- Oct 5 @Dallas 4:15pm
- Week 6- Oct 12 @N.Y. Jets 1:00pm
- Week 7- Oct 19 Pittsburgh 1:00pm
- Week 8- BYE
- Week 9- Nov 2 Jacksonville 1:00pm
- Week 10- Nov 9 @Houston 1:00pm
- Week 11- Nov 16 Philadelphia 1:00pm
- Week 12- Nov 20 @Pittsburgh 8:15pm
- Week 13- Nov 30 Baltimore 1:00pm
- Week 14- Dec 7 @Indianapolis 1:00pm
- Week 15- Dec 14 Washington 1:00pm
- Week 16- Dec 21 @Cleveland 1:00pm
- Week 17- Dec 28 Kansas City 1:00pm