Still the Underdogs

by raclark11986 on May 16, 2010 10:22 AM EDT

Despite sweeping the division last year and our aggressiveness this offseason, we get no love.

A poll at NFL.com has the Bengals as the highest vote getter for "Which AFC division winner is most likely to be dethroned?", even with the Jets looming over the Pats and questions surrounding the Chargers' new personnel,

Hopefully this sentiment is shared by the rest of the teams in the league.

No one will "sleep" on us this year, but we still have the status of Underdog, especially when facing the Pats, Colts, and Saints.

While the Ravens are the popular favorite to win the North, many of us Who Dey fans expect a repeat of last year's division dominance. So lets take a broad look at our division position by position, well at least the offense for now.

QUARTERBACK

1) Cin: Carson Palmer

2) Bal: Joe Flacco

3) Pit: Ben Roethlisburger, Byron Leftwich, and Dennis Dixon

4) Cle: Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, and Colt McCoy

I'd take Carson's experience over Flacco, his character over Big Ben, his skill over Delhomme, and his intelligence over all of them.

HALFBACK

1) Cin: Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, and Brian Leonard

2) Bal: Ray Rice and Willis McGahee

3) Cle: Jerome Harrison, Montario Hardesty, and Chris Jennings

4) Pit: Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, and Jonathan Dwyer

Of all the excellent running back corps in the AFC North, the Bengals have the most well rounded. We also have the best starter in Ced.

RECEIVER

1) Cin: Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, Jordan Shipley, Matt Jones, and Andre Caldwell

2) Bal: Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason, Donte Stallworth, Mark Clayton, and Demetrius Williams/ David Reed

3) Pit: Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antwan Randle El, Arnaz Battle, and Emmanuel Sanders

4) Cle: Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Chansi Stuckey, Josh Cribbs, and Carlton Mitchell

Looking at these lists of players, cornerbacks in the division will have their hands full this year. I say Cincy wins the arms race, though, by using a high draft pick on a pro-ready prospect and getting a major free agent.

TIGHT END

1) Cin: Jermaine Gresham, Reggie Kelly, and Chase Coffman

2) Pit: Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, and David Johnson

3) Cle: Ben Watson, Robert Royal, and Alex Smith

4) Bal: Todd Heap, Dennis Pitta, and Ed Dickson

The toughest position on offense to rank, Cincy has the versatility, Pitt has the stability, Cleveland has the veteran competition, and Baltimore has the wildcard with two mid-round draftees.

LEFT TACKLE

1) Cle: Joe Thomas

2) Cin: Andrew Whitworth and Anthony Collins

3) Bal: Michael Oher

4) Pit: Willie Colon

Joe Thomas is the dominant left tackle of the bunch. Whit is a 'tweener and Oher is new to pro left tackle. Colon rounds out a list of top-tier tackles.

RIGHT TACKLE

1) Bal: Jared Gaither

2) Cin: Andre Smith and Dennis Roland

3): Pit: Max Starks

4) Cle: Tony Pashos/ John St. Clair

Gaither was great last year at left tackle, at a poition suited for his size he's scary.

GUARD

1) Bal: Ben Grubbs and Chris Chester

2) Cin: Bobbie Williams and Evan Mathis/ Nate Livings

3) Pit: Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex

4) Cle: Eric Steinbach and Floyd Womack

CENTER

1) Bal: Matt Birk

2) Cin: Kyle Cook

3) Pit: Justin Hartwig/ Maurkice Pouncey

4) Cle: Alex Mack

Cook's performance last year against excellent nose tackles and pass-rushers puts him just below the veteran of the group, Matt Birk. Alex Mack played well last year but could rise up these rankings this year.

I'll update soon to include the defense... time for band practice

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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Comments

You obviously see the world through orange and black glasses

Nobody else is wearing them.

by Evil Monkey on May 16, 2010 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

Although I disagree on some of your rankings..

It was cool to see all the players listed out like that.

I think Cleveland beats Pittsburgh twice this year..

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on May 16, 2010 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

word

I had a hankering to visualize the AFC North changes, the rankings are just for fun, speculation, and hype.

MwWsA

by raclark11986 on May 16, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Cin

Is a wildcard to the Ravens then upsets them en route to the AFC Championship!

by tkiller314 on May 16, 2010 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

As much as I love me some Ced Benson, Ray Rice was probably the better back last year. I gotta give the Hbacks to Baltimore.

However, Baltimore’s WRs are vastly overrated. Boldin is a good player, but outside of him, they don’t have anybody that would worry our DBs. We suffocated Mason last year and Stallworth hasn’t played in over a year.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on May 17, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

and…I just happened to take a peak over at the Baltimore Beatdown, and they think that they might have the best WR corps in the league, which might be the most ridiculous projection that I’ve heard this year. Has nobody heard of New Orleans? Or Indianapolis, or, I don’t know, maybe the Packers? You could probably even make a case for the Cowboys too now that they have Dez Bryant. And I don’t want to be too much of a homer, but I think that our Bengals have an opportunity to turn some heads this year as well.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on May 17, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions

You not being a homer...

We do have the WR to turn some heads this year.

by WHYUS!! on May 17, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

We definitely have the talent at receiver to be among the best in the league this year IMO. We have Chad who is a Pro Bowler. The other starter could have a 1000 yard season and noone would be surprised. Add to that a former number 1 pick who is 6’ 6" and ran a 4.3 40 and who appears to be more focused then ever and Matt Jones may surprise a lot of people this year. On top of those 3 we drafted the best slot receiver in the draft IMO (and in a lot of experts opinion). Hopefully Caldwell, Briscoe, Cosby and the rest of the receivers are going to be much improved over last years last 2 receivers that made the roster. Given the fierce competition at the position everyone will be at the top of their game. I say that it is possible that we have as much talent as anyone in the league. Now hopefully that translates to production on the field. I see no reason it shouldn’t!

by C1ncy4Life on May 18, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice look at the division

I think we are tied with Baltimore for running backs, and I think Baltimore should be second for TE, but other then that, nice work

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on May 16, 2010 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

I think Baltimore should actually be 1st in TE's at this point.

We have 2 TE’s, while they may

by C1ncy4Life on May 18, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Baltimore should actually be 1st in TE's at this point.

We have 2 TE’s, while they may have the most physical talent, haven’t played a single game in the NFL. Throw on top of that Reggie who is 33 years old and coming off of an Achilles injury and its hard for me to place them in first. While Heap is getting older and they also have some question marks at TE, with a couple TE’s that haven’t played a game in the NFL, I believe Heap is probably in a better situation then Reggie at this point (Only because I Achilles injuries are the tough to return from, however if anyone can make a great recovery I’d say Reggie could). I guess it depends off what you are going off of. If you are projecting what you think they can do then I can very easily see the Bengals being 1. If you are going off what they have done then its very difficult to have us at first. I guess thats why there is a lot of differing opinions. Like raclark said it is a very difficult position to rank due to all the TE’s who haven’t played a game yet between Baltimore and us.

by C1ncy4Life on May 18, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

dont mind being an underdog

It makes it all the better when we take the division next year.

by goffchile on May 16, 2010 7:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Truth

My 2010 Sports wishlist.
1. Thanks for putting the Reds in first place in May, but unless they're playing like this in October, I'm still on the fence about Dusty.
2. Cavaliers Championship...never mind...Let's go with OSU wining the Big Ten.
3. Bengals win Super Bowl XLV

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on May 18, 2010 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks good but

I agree with atleast being tied with baltimore Ray Rice is just as good as Benson, if not better. I also dont think Cincy can be said to have the best TE group with a rookie, and someone who hasnt caught an NFL pass. Granted Greshem and Coffman both may turn out good and we might have the most talent at the position, but Pit has the proven TE. The centers are all wildcards too, 2 old veterans, and 2 players who are entering their second year starting, but going off last years play it would be easy to argue anyone of them to be the best or second best of the group. Other than that I pretty much agree with your rankings

by JCompton41 on May 16, 2010 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

I lkie the format of your post and it is fun to postulate but it is really early

In the interest of entertainment I would say that Cincy has a slight offensive edge over Baltimore IF, and note the big IF, Gresham, Bryant and Shipley can do what we expect the to and Andre steps up. The reasons for the edge are, IMO our corners can handle their QB/WR combination better than theirs can handle ours. The Oline and running game should be about a wash – both will be pretty good. I think Carson will have a stellar year if someone doesn’t take his knees out.

Pittsburg is still very strong in spite of their troubles. If anybody takes them lightly they are in trouble. Cleveland will also be improved and though I don’t expect them to comtend I think they will have something to say about who will win the division.

The pundits are really seldom right. I don’t think Baltimore is the far and away the best tea in the division. King’s new rankings have them 3rd and GB rated first. I see Baltimore and the Bengals both in the 6th to 7th spot but a lot can change in the next few months. Honestly I give the Ravens a slight edge only because of the strength of schedule but the strength of schedule is also a bit of a crap shoot. One injury in TC can change everything.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on May 17, 2010 9:06 AM EDT reply actions