So this ought to be an intriguing season on the banks of the Ohio River. The shaky defense and questions on offense could result in another disappointing season. But if things go right, the Bengals could take advantage of an easier schedule and set themselves up for an extended January. 

Mike Brown was in the bathroom when the Bengals' 2006 season began going, well, down the toilet.  He was watching from his suite in Denver as Cincinnati scored on a last-ditch touchdown drive needed to send the game to overtime.  "I happened to get up when we scored the touchdown," the Bengals president said at the team's pre-training camp luncheon. "It was time to make a potty call. When I came back out, I couldn't figure out why nobody was rejoicing."

The room was hushed because Brad St. Louis' snap on the extra-point attempt was off target, and the Bengals lost by a point. The next week, Cincinnati lost in overtime to Pittsburgh after Shayne Graham missed a 39-yard field goal at the end of regulation.  A victory in either game would have sent the Bengals to the playoffs. Instead, Cincinnati was left to ponder a three-game, season-ending losing streak and the realization that its 8-8 season was a major disappointment.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

As an NFL prospect two years ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the Wonderlic test in nine minutes. Few players finish the cognitive-aptitude test in the allotted 12.  Fitzpatrick politely declined to discuss the test yesterday, probably out of humility. He scored a 38, about twice as high as the average player but perhaps expected of a Harvard graduate.

The Bengals are counting on Fitzpatrick to apply his quick brain to their playbook. By cutting Doug Johnson on Saturday and acquiring Fitzpatrick in a trade with St. Louis, they took a calculated risk. Johnson proved flawed as a quarterback but was a veteran who knew the offense. Now, the backups to Carson Palmer are Fitzpatrick and rookie Jeff Rowe, a fifth-round pick.

Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson is ranked 95th on the Sporting News' list of the NFL's top 101 players. He rushed 341 times for 1,309 yards in 2006 — his third straight season of 1,300-plus yards. His per-rush average (3.8 yards) should increase because the wide receivers have improved their blocking technique on the perimeter, creating more running room in the secondary.

Johnson chatted recently with Chick Ludwig:

"I pride myself on my durability. With that comes a lot of hard work, dedication and focus. Not only during the season, but in the offseason. There are things I have to do, like diet and exercise, once I leave Paul Brown Stadium, to make sure I'm ready to go.

Kelly encouraged by what he sees in Coats: 'Every week, you see him getting better ... '

The mere mention of Daniel Coats causes a smile to crease Reggie Kelly's face.  After all, Kelly is the teacher, and Coats is his prized pupil.  Kelly, the Bengals' incumbent tight end, has taken Coats under his wing. On Monday night at Paul Brown Stadium, the undrafted rookie tight end from Brigham Young University must fly on his own.

"My little man, 86, is doing a great job," said Kelly, referring to Coats' uniform number. "He's come in as a rookie and shown that he's very mature. He's made some really good blocks and really good catches. Every week, you see him getting better and better.

Wide receiver Tab Perry missed 14 games last year after suffering a severe bone bruise in his right hip during Cincinnati's Week 2 victory over the Cleveland Browns.  Now that he's healthy, he's back to being "Mr. Versatility" — the team's No. 1 kickoff returner, No. 3 receiver and one of its best special-teams tacklers.  "They're asking more of me, and that's fine with me," Perry said Monday. "I'm just trying to focus on picking up where I left off last year."

Quite a stunner: Quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Jeff Rowe were shocked by Doug Johnson's release and the trade with St. Louis for Ryan Fitzpatrick.  "It's a 'Welcome-to-the-NFL moment,' " Rowe said. "As a rookie, you get close to these guys, and then they're gone. It's just a welcome to the business."  "Everybody trusts the organization, trusts the coaches and the decisions that are made, and knows that they're best for the team," Palmer said.

College reunion: Fitzpatrick had lost track of his Harvard teammate — tailback Clifton Dawson.

"I got a knock on my door at the hotel (Sunday) night around 9:30," Fitzpatrick said. "It was Clifton. He had just showed up. Now we're roommates."  Fitzpatrick offered a quick scouting report on Dawson, who will back up Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson: "Tough kid," Fitzpatrick said. "A hard runner and good pass blocker. He'll be a great special-teams guy as well."

Still a Bengal: Fourth-year cornerback Keiwan Ratliff was sleeping with one eye open and his bags packed.  He was on the roster bubble, but it never burst.  "I didn't know what to expect," he said. "It's great to still have a job."

AFC East

The New York Jets won ten games last season, of those ten wins, exactly one came against a team with a winning record. What does that tell me, it tells me that if the Bengals would have played the Jets schedule, our Super Bowl parade would have been awesome. However, this division is all about the Patriots, and it always will be as long as Tom Brady is fathering babies and Bill Belichick is designing his game plans with God. So without any further adieu, I give you the last place team in the East...

4. Miami Dolphins- Remember when Robert Geathers laid that nasty hit on Trent Green in the opener last season, because Trent Green doesn’t. With that being said, the Dolphins have a few players capable of catch a football, including; Ted Ginn, Az-Zahir Hakim and Chris Chambers, but the problem is going to be getting the football to them. Trent Green is washed up (trade him to some gullible schmuck if he’s your fantasy QB), and I wouldn’t let Cleo Lemon quarterback my old high school team. Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and company had better bring 175 percent to every game or this could be a long season.  Best Case Scenario-8-8 Trent Green looks like Dan Marino and the defense gives up one touchdown the entire season.                                                                                                                                     Worst Case Scenario-5-11 Jason Taylor retires, Ted Ginn is a bust and new Head Coach Cam Cameron gives up on the team after he realizes their offense is as potent as the 78’ Buccaneers’.

We will be loading photos today from Fridays Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Indianapolis Colts game.  Keep watching the gallery for the new fan photos. 

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