04-04-2021, 11:07 AM
Big picture I think the Bengals are still 2 good drafts away from being serious contenders. The coaching staff is a huge question mark and this roster this has glaring holes at multiple spots. Carson Palmer made the playoffs in his 3rd year but that roster had a good foundation when he got drafted in 2003. At offensive line they already had Willie Anderson, Levi Jones, Eric Steinbach , Rich Braham and later Bobbie Williams. At receiver we already had Chad Johnson / Houshmandzadeh and a good running game with Rudi Johnson. Palmer also had a head coach in Lewis who had previous experience as a super bowl coordinator unlike Taylor who was a QB coach and Anarumo who was DB coach. Even the 2011 team you had Whitworth/ Smith at tackle with Bobbie Williams. Gresham at TE. You had two young studs in Atkins/ Dunlap with Peko at DL. Leon Hall was a legit CB1 and had Reggie Nelson at safety. They also had assets to trade to gain draft capital. They flipped Palmer for a 1st and 2nd. They traded Chad Johnson to the Patriots for a 5th that ended up being Marvin Jones and traded Keith Rivers to the Giants for a 5th that ended up being George Iloka.
