The Bengals will be the most watched team in the preseason. Literally. They are on HBO's 'Hard Knocks', a reality-type show that followed the 2008 Cowboys last season before the first game was played. That might be for better or worse, as The Bookie has several friends who have dubbed multiple nicknames involving jail or prison for the trouble-finding Bengals. Quarterback Carson Palmer is one more year removed from his ugly ACL tear suffered in the magical 2005 playoff season, although an elbow injury allowed him to play in only four games last fall and essentially doom the Bengals to a 4-11-1 record. His wide receiver corps is thinned, however, as Oregon State studs T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Chad Ochocinco (yes, I've been waiting more a year to type that in this rreport) have departed via free agency and/or are causing trouble with their contract. On the positive side, oft-troubled Chris Henry will likely get chance to make an impact and the offense couldn't do much worse than in 2008. Cincinnati scored a paltry 17 touchdowns for the SEASON, easily worst in the league in that department, as well as fewest yards. The O-line has to be better in order to keep Palmer healthy, avoid anything close to the 51 sacks allowed last year and improve on the league-worst 12.8 ppg.

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On the defensive side of the ball, head coach Marvin Lewis is far more optimistic. Despite the offensive struggles, Cincy still ranked 12th in total defense last year. There were only 17 sacks and 12 interceptions, so the Bengals still ranked only 19th in points allowed. Expect more impact big plays from bigger and more physical athletes (Southern Cal pipeline, with MLB Rey Maualaga joining OLB Keith Rivers and OLB Frostee Rucker in the front seven) as the defense should improve just by the offense not being so woeful.

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