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Here's an ESPN Insider article I just read that I thought the rest of you may enjoy.
Offseason Playbook: Bengals
A look at Cincinnati's philosophy, team needs and a key free-agent move
In a new offseason series, Insider takes an in-depth look at NFL teams before free agency begins March 12. What is each team's philosophy on offense and defense, what are its biggest needs, and which one player could make for an ideal signing in free agency?
Team philosophies
Offense -- This is technically a West Coast offense, but there are some unique "tweaks" under coordinator Jay Gruden that give it some flexibility. The Bengals will throw deeper routes than a lot of West Coast offenses, mostly to wide receiver A.J. Green, but many of their personnel are better suited to the short-to-intermediate passing game. They like three-wide receiver sets to spread the field and will use their tight ends over the middle, and their backs are more of blitz pickup/pass blockers than outlet receivers. They like to think they are physical between the tackles, but they show more zone-blocking looks and even some stretch plays. When the run game is going well, it opens up play-action and bootleg opportunities for quarterback Andy Dalton -- something that really suits his skill set. They would like to get more explosive plays out of their running game, and Dalton needs more passing targets than just jump balls to Green.
Defense -- Coordinator Mike Zimmer runs a very aggressive 4-3 scheme that emphasizes assignment football and a physical style of play that creates turnovers and takeaways. The strength of this unit is a deep defensive line with size and outstanding pass-rush skills, and the Bengals usually dominate one-on-one blocking matchups. They will play a lot of games up front with twists and stunts, and if the pressure is not producing, they are not afraid to blitz and use their linebackers as pass-rushers. However, that can put their secondary into a lot of man-coverage schemes, and when these guys are on an "island," it is cause for concern. Playing man and going to sub packages versus spread offenses really stretches the abilities of the back end of this defense. However, Zimmer seems to be willing to take chances in coverage with the knowledge that the Bengals' good pass rush will cover some of those other deficiencies.
Team needs
1. Linebacker -- Two of the three starting linebackers -- middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and strongside linebacker Manny Lawson -- are unrestricted free agents and neither is really an impact player due to their deficiencies in coverage, but they could come back at the right price. The organization loves rookie weakside linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and the Bengals easily could move him inside to the middle and then concentrate on improving the outside linebacker position with at least one new starter. They need better range and athleticism here, along with some pass-rush skills, and must do a better job of getting off blocks.
2. Running back -- Starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a between-the-tackles "grinder" who gives the Bengals some solid short-yardage production, but he has virtually no big-play ability and there is little explosiveness to this run game. All the running back backups are unrestricted free agents, but it really doesn't matter because they need to be upgraded. Right now, with the Bengals' marginal ability to stretch the field with the run game, defenses are able to "squeeze" Andy Dalton and the passing game. Any success this offense has comes from Dalton's arm, and the Bengals are just too predictable.
3. Safety -- For years this defense has been able to get by on the back end because of a productive pass rush by the front four, and it has masked deficiencies in the secondary, especially inside. Strong safety Chris Crocker is an unrestricted free agent and probably the Bengals' most consistent player, but he is not special and the rest of the safeties in this group are nondescript. The Bengals might look for a guy who is athletic enough to cover tight ends and play some man coverage -- but also physical enough to come down in the box to play the run.
4. Wide receiver -- They continue to get decent production from the young trio of Mohamed Sanu, Andrew Hawkins and Marvin Jones -- especially Sanu -- but they might fit better as role players versus spread sets. The Bengals have been looking for a quality No. 2 receiver to pair with A.J. Green.
5. Offensive line -- This is a pretty good starting lineup if the players are healthy and all return, but the Bengals must keep right tackle Andre Smith, an unrestricted free agent, and get a healthy Travelle Wharton back at left tackle. Getting better inside in this unit is a priority.
6. Defensive end -- Michael Johnson is franchised, but these coaches love a deep defensive end rotation, so there is always room for an athletic young guy.
-- Gary Horton
Key free-agent move
Andre Smith, T, UFA
Smith has developed into one of the premier right tackles in the NFL and is a powerful force in the running game. He has the athleticism to hold up in pass protection against edge rushers. When he gets his hands on an opponent in the running game, he wins. He has the block temperament, footwork and technique to get to the second level, and stabilizes the right side of the Bengals' offensive line.
The start of Smith's career wasn't what the Bengals had in mind after drafting him No. 6 overall in 2009, but he eventually has lived up to the billing he had coming out of Alabama.
While the Bengals have a need to fortify the linebacker core this offseason, the free-agency class at the position is considered weak, with the draft a more likely vehicle to find talent.
Smith was arrested earlier this offseason and dealt with weight and health issues earlier in his career, but he proved himself to be a reliable right tackle in 2011 and especially 2012. The Bengals need him in order to retain the young offensive nucleus that has helped lead the team to consecutive playoff appearances.
-- Field Yates
2013 NFL free agency -- Offseason plans for the Cincinnati Bengals - ESPN
Offseason Playbook: Bengals
A look at Cincinnati's philosophy, team needs and a key free-agent move
In a new offseason series, Insider takes an in-depth look at NFL teams before free agency begins March 12. What is each team's philosophy on offense and defense, what are its biggest needs, and which one player could make for an ideal signing in free agency?
Team philosophies
Offense -- This is technically a West Coast offense, but there are some unique "tweaks" under coordinator Jay Gruden that give it some flexibility. The Bengals will throw deeper routes than a lot of West Coast offenses, mostly to wide receiver A.J. Green, but many of their personnel are better suited to the short-to-intermediate passing game. They like three-wide receiver sets to spread the field and will use their tight ends over the middle, and their backs are more of blitz pickup/pass blockers than outlet receivers. They like to think they are physical between the tackles, but they show more zone-blocking looks and even some stretch plays. When the run game is going well, it opens up play-action and bootleg opportunities for quarterback Andy Dalton -- something that really suits his skill set. They would like to get more explosive plays out of their running game, and Dalton needs more passing targets than just jump balls to Green.
Defense -- Coordinator Mike Zimmer runs a very aggressive 4-3 scheme that emphasizes assignment football and a physical style of play that creates turnovers and takeaways. The strength of this unit is a deep defensive line with size and outstanding pass-rush skills, and the Bengals usually dominate one-on-one blocking matchups. They will play a lot of games up front with twists and stunts, and if the pressure is not producing, they are not afraid to blitz and use their linebackers as pass-rushers. However, that can put their secondary into a lot of man-coverage schemes, and when these guys are on an "island," it is cause for concern. Playing man and going to sub packages versus spread offenses really stretches the abilities of the back end of this defense. However, Zimmer seems to be willing to take chances in coverage with the knowledge that the Bengals' good pass rush will cover some of those other deficiencies.
Team needs
1. Linebacker -- Two of the three starting linebackers -- middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and strongside linebacker Manny Lawson -- are unrestricted free agents and neither is really an impact player due to their deficiencies in coverage, but they could come back at the right price. The organization loves rookie weakside linebacker Vontaze Burfict, and the Bengals easily could move him inside to the middle and then concentrate on improving the outside linebacker position with at least one new starter. They need better range and athleticism here, along with some pass-rush skills, and must do a better job of getting off blocks.
2. Running back -- Starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a between-the-tackles "grinder" who gives the Bengals some solid short-yardage production, but he has virtually no big-play ability and there is little explosiveness to this run game. All the running back backups are unrestricted free agents, but it really doesn't matter because they need to be upgraded. Right now, with the Bengals' marginal ability to stretch the field with the run game, defenses are able to "squeeze" Andy Dalton and the passing game. Any success this offense has comes from Dalton's arm, and the Bengals are just too predictable.
3. Safety -- For years this defense has been able to get by on the back end because of a productive pass rush by the front four, and it has masked deficiencies in the secondary, especially inside. Strong safety Chris Crocker is an unrestricted free agent and probably the Bengals' most consistent player, but he is not special and the rest of the safeties in this group are nondescript. The Bengals might look for a guy who is athletic enough to cover tight ends and play some man coverage -- but also physical enough to come down in the box to play the run.
4. Wide receiver -- They continue to get decent production from the young trio of Mohamed Sanu, Andrew Hawkins and Marvin Jones -- especially Sanu -- but they might fit better as role players versus spread sets. The Bengals have been looking for a quality No. 2 receiver to pair with A.J. Green.
5. Offensive line -- This is a pretty good starting lineup if the players are healthy and all return, but the Bengals must keep right tackle Andre Smith, an unrestricted free agent, and get a healthy Travelle Wharton back at left tackle. Getting better inside in this unit is a priority.
6. Defensive end -- Michael Johnson is franchised, but these coaches love a deep defensive end rotation, so there is always room for an athletic young guy.
-- Gary Horton
Key free-agent move
Andre Smith, T, UFA
Smith has developed into one of the premier right tackles in the NFL and is a powerful force in the running game. He has the athleticism to hold up in pass protection against edge rushers. When he gets his hands on an opponent in the running game, he wins. He has the block temperament, footwork and technique to get to the second level, and stabilizes the right side of the Bengals' offensive line.
The start of Smith's career wasn't what the Bengals had in mind after drafting him No. 6 overall in 2009, but he eventually has lived up to the billing he had coming out of Alabama.
While the Bengals have a need to fortify the linebacker core this offseason, the free-agency class at the position is considered weak, with the draft a more likely vehicle to find talent.
Smith was arrested earlier this offseason and dealt with weight and health issues earlier in his career, but he proved himself to be a reliable right tackle in 2011 and especially 2012. The Bengals need him in order to retain the young offensive nucleus that has helped lead the team to consecutive playoff appearances.
-- Field Yates
2013 NFL free agency -- Offseason plans for the Cincinnati Bengals - ESPN
