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.

Players and coaches said selfishness and immaturity had undermined the team. The long rap sheet from player arrests embarrassed the franchise.  The arrests have stopped, and the Bengals are eager to show that 2006 was a fluke. But given that the 2005 AFC North championship is the only above-.500 season the Bengals have had since 1990, it could also be argued that season was the true fluke.

Brown prefers to view last season more as the result of some unfortunate plays than symptomatic of larger failings.  "You drop the ball. You don't kick the ball straight," he said. "One play in a game. Our fate hinged on one play in a game or two, or we would have been where we wanted to be. This year we hope we don't have to worry about things like that. We want to have a larger margin of error."

The Bengals certainly have the potential to be an elite team. But they also could see another season crumble.  An injury to quarterback Carson Palmer would be devastating; the loss of running back Rudi Johnson could be almost as debilitating.  Then there are the age-old questions about the defense, which is still striving to establish an identity. It played better than it is generally given credit for in many games last season, but when it was bad, it was cover-your-eyes awful. That 42-point second half by San Diego won't soon be forgotten.

The Bengals jettisoned some aging veterans and are willing to endure some growing pains to become faster. But star power on defense is lacking unless players such as middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks accelerate their development.  Star power is not a problem on offense with Palmer, Johnson, et al. But there's no shortage of questions there either, because of the unsettled offensive line. Tackles Willie Anderson (foot) and Levi Jones (knee) missed training camp, and Anderson remains a question mark for the opener. Left guard Stacy Andrews and center Eric Ghiaciuc have much to prove.

For the Bengals, the time is now. This is no longer a young team. Anderson is 33. Right guard Bobbie Williams turns 31 and T.J. Houshmandzadeh 30 later this month.

Columbus Dispatch

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