June 3, 2008

Mission accomplished: The Bengals lost steady DE Justin Smith in free agency, but they replaced him with ex-Titan Antwan Odom, a younger player who may prove a better pass rusher than Smith. In the draft, the Bengals may have found a defensive star for years to come in LB Keith Rivers, who figures to start immediately on the weak side. The receiving corps will be deeper than it was a season ago if rookie WRs Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell pan out and ex-Colts TE Ben Utecht lives up to his billing. 

Unfinished business: The Bengals failed to add a starting-caliber defensive tackle. A trade for Shaun Rogers fell through at the last moment, and the Bengals passed on paying a high price for Dewayne Robertson. In addition to Smith, two other steady defenders departed in free agency: LB Landon Johnson and S Madieu Williams. Head coach Marvin Lewis wanted to shake up the defense after a disappointing ’07 season, so some personnel and scheme changes were expected. But is there enough talent on hand for the defense to make a big leap forward?