PFF believes the Bengals' roster has gotten worse.

[Hammerstripes]

I can't agree with this article at all. Now, maybe the individual ratings are worse in their eyes, but that's the true flaw of PFF. Football is the ultimate team game. It's not the sum of the parts that drives the result, it's overall team.

So, is this team better than last year? At this point, absolutely and here's why:

1. Healthier Geno Atkins
2. Michael Johnson
3. Pat Sims

Those 3 guys may not account for "grades', but they will have a tremendous impact on the D-line rotation. The line will be fresher and will be much better than last year.

4. Marvin Jones
5. Tyler Eifert

Those 2 were sorely missed last year. They were a big reason why we saw a regression in Dalton.

6. Andre Smith

Being 100% again will provide an instant upgrade to the line.

7. Russell Bodine

NO longer a rookie.

8. The rookie class. This group should provide some good depth in case of injuries.

The negatives:

Lost Gresham
Burfict out with injury

I don't see the Gresham loss as having a huge impact. He will be missed if none of the rookies can step up.
Burfict hurts, but he was out for most of last year.

All in all, there is no way that this team is worse than 12 months ago.