2007 Cincinnati Bengals
The 2007 Cincinnati Bengals season is the 39th season for the team in the National Football League. They will try to improve upon their 8-8 record in 2006 and are looking to return to the playoffs and avoid narrowly missing them as they did in 2006.
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[edit] Offseason
[edit] Coaching changes
Head coach Marvin Lewis will be entering his fifth year with the Bengals. He will be joined with offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan.
[edit] Departures
- Safety Kevin Kaesviharn signed with the New Orleans Saints.
- Guard Eric Steinbach signed with the Cleveland Browns.
- Linebacker Brian Simmons signed with the New Orleans Saints.
- Tight end Tony Stewart signed with the Oakland Raiders.
- Linebacker Marcus Wilkins signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
- Wide receiver Kelly Washington signed with the New England Patriots.
- Defensive tackle Shaun Smith signed with the Cleveland Browns.
- Center Rich Braham retired at the end of the 2006 after recovering from an early-season injury.
- Cornerback Tory James signed with the New England Patriots.
- Defensive tackle Sam Adams was released and signed with the Denver Broncos.
- Linebacker A.J. Nicholson was released.
[edit] Signings
- Defensive tackle Michael Myers from the Denver Broncos.
- Linebacker Edgerton Hartwell from the Atlanta Falcons
- Cornerback Blue Adams from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
[edit] 2007 NFL Draft
| Round | Overall | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | Leon Hall | Cornerback | Michigan |
| 2 | 49 | Kenny Irons | Running back | Auburn |
| 4 | 114 | Marvin White | Safety | TCU |
| 5 | 151 | Jeff Rowe | Quarterback | Nevada |
| 6 | 187 | Matt Toeaina | Defensive tackle | Oregon |
| 7 | 230 | Dan Santucci | Guard | Notre Dame |
| 7 | 253 | Chinedum Ndukwe | Safety | Notre Dame |
| compensatory selection |
[edit] Suspensions
Chris Henry, after repeated off-field run-ins with the law, he was suspended for 8 games (½ the regular season) after a private meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Odell Thurman, another NFL player currently under contract with the Bengals has had legal troubles and still appears to be in trouble with the Bengals as well. Generally speaking, head coach Marvin Lewis has repeatedly avoided or refused to speak about his status with the team after Thurman was suspended for the all of 2006. When he applied for reinstatement in July of 2007 he was denied and was further suspended the entire 2007-08 season. The exact reason for the extension was not specified by the league but many suspect it had to do with an drunk-driving incident earlier that same month. His suspension prompted Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew to call the NFL officials "Hypocrites" for promoting alcohol sales and consumption during games but punishing players for drinking.
[edit] Off-field incidents
Chris Henry was arrested for driving without a license and a seatbelt, which led to the meeting with Goodell and his subsequent suspension for 8 games. In May, it was reported he failed a drug test as part of his parole agreement but shortly after the announcement was made it was recanted by the Kentucky police department.
Levi Jones was involved in an altercation with linebacker Joey Porter of the Miami Dolphins. Allegedly Porter and some others ambushed Levi, physically assaulted and robbed him. Porter was charged with a misdemeanor for assault. Jones characterized the incident as a "cowardly assault".
AJ Nicholson was arrested for the second time in as many years but for domestic violence. His wife dropped the charges but due to statutory state laws the state continued to press charges. On the day his arrest was announced he was released a few hours later by the Bengals.
Odell Thurman, who was suspended for all of the previous season but still contractually bound to the Bengals, was reportedly involved in an assault at his home but the hearing was cancelled as no charges were leveled before the hearing date.
[edit] Long term and/or important injuries
David Pollack, injured last season with a broken neck vertabrae will spend this season in rehab with the hopes to return in the 2008-09 season.
Kenny Irons, the 2nd round draft pick, experienced a serious knee injuring during the preseason putting him on Injured Reserve for his rookie year.
Chris Perry experienced another injury which threatens to keep him out the entire season. In August he was placed on the PUP (Phycially Unable to Perform) list meaning he will be out a minimum of 6 games.
Henderson fractured his wrist during the preseason and was put on Injured Reserve.
[edit] Preseason Games
In the previous preseason the Bengals went 4-0. The Bengals 2007 preseason run ended at 1-3, with its final victory the game against Indianapolis in which neither Carson Palmer nor Peyton Manning came prepared to play.
The preseason started off with a loss to the Detriot Lions at their dome. The big focus was the limited showdown and relationship between Palmer and his former mentor Jon Kitna. The Bengals' starting team did not score a touchdown in their possessions, walking away with 2 Shayne Graham field goals and a huge time of possession advantage before they were benched. The Lions' starters did not score a TD during their possessions during that same time. In this game the 2nd round draft pick, Kenny Irons, experienced his season-ending injury. Detroit went on to win the game.
The second game was against the New Orleans Saints. Again, the starting Bengals offense failed to score a TD and settled for several Shane Graham field goals. LB Henderson suffered a season-ending wrist injury late in the game.
The third game was at the home of the Atlanta Falcons on a Monday night. The starting Bengals played until the 3rd quarter and scored two touchdowns to end their drought. Shayne Graham was injured on a kickoff during an attempted tackle and did not return to kick any PATs or kickoffs, which meant the Bengals made a conversion attempt on 4th down and attempted a 2 point try. Atlanta's starting team, lead by Joey Harrington since Vick's legal troubles will keep him from the team, also managed two touchdowns. The Bengals went on to lose the game.
Their fourth and final game, also their only preseason win, took place on the 31st of August. Neither starting quarterback came prepared to play; though Palmer at least wore his uniform, while Manning dressed up in a Colts polo. Cincinnati scored 14 points in the 3rd quarter, with no score coming from the orange jerseys before or after that quarter. Indianapolis scored 6 in the 4th quarter, falling 8 points short of victory.
[edit] Regular Season Games
[edit] Week 1 vs. Baltimore Ravens
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Bengals | 9 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
- Game weather: 82°F (Mostly Cloudy & Slight Rain)
- Game attendance: 66,093
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers: (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser, Ron Jaworski, Michele Tafoya & Suzy Kolber
In their very first Monday Night home opener, the Bengals and their offensive firepower began their 40th Anniversary season in Game 1 of the Monday Night Football doubleheader against the defending AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens, with last year's top defense. In the first quarter, Cincinnati managed to cash in on a Raven fumble with QB Carson Palmer completing a a 39-yard TD pass to WR Chad Johnson (whose TD celebration was on the sideline, in the form of a Hall of Fame jacket.) Later, the Bengals managed to turn another fumble recovery into points as kicker Shayne Graham kicked a 23-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Baltimore finally managed to score with RB Musa Smith got a 6-yard TD run. Cincinnati would resond with Graham kicking a 40-yard field goal, while Ravens kicker Matt Stover ended the half with a 36-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Bengals defense struck big, as OLB Landon Johnson recovered a McNair fumble and returned the ball 34 yards for a touchdown, along with the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore took the lead with Stover getting a 23-yard field goal, while Safety Ed Reed returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. Fortunately, Cincinnati regained the lead by turning an interception into a huge score as Palmer completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh (followed a successful 2-point conversion by RB Rudi Johnson). After the Ravens managed to recover a Bengal fumble on Cincinnati's next drive, Balitimore had one final chance. Eventually, the Bengals held their ground and won.
The Bengals defense had a total of 6 takeaways while the offense only turned over the ball twice. The game was relatively close in score with the final chance to tie up the game coming with a bit more than one minute left on the game clock. The defense held Baltimore out successfully scoring the tying touchdown after they had "goal to go" for 8 consecutive plays (after penalties extended their opportunities). The Bengals lineman, Willie Anderson and Levi Jones did not play most of this game due to injuries.
With the win, Cincinnati began its season at 1-0.
[edit] Week 2 - Bengals at Browns
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Bengals will hit the road to meet fellow Ohioans, the Browns, on September 16.
This game will be aired nationally on CBS.
[edit] Week 3 - Bengals at Seahawks
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Bengals will head northwest to face the runner-ups of 2005 - the year the Bengals won the AFC North division - the Seahawks.
The game will be aired nationally on CBS.
[edit] Current roster
Template:Cincinnati Bengals roster
[edit] Coaching staff
| Cincinnati Bengals 2007 coaching staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
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[edit] Preseason schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time/Result | Game Site | TV | Final Score | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 9, 2007 | Detroit Lions | 7:30 PM EDT | Ford Field | TBA | 26-27 | 0-1 |
| 2 | August 18, 2007 | New Orleans Saints | 7:30 PM EDT | Paul Brown Stadium | TBA | 19-27 | 0-2 |
| 3 | August 27, 2007 | Atlanta Falcons | 8 PM EDT | Georgia Dome | ESPN | 19-24 | 0-3 |
| 4 | August 31, 2007 | Indianapolis Colts | 7:30 PM EDT | Paul Brown Stadium | TBA | 14-6 | 1-3 |
[edit] Regular season schedule
The 2007 Bengals' schedule includes two Monday Night Football games for the first time ever. They will appear in nationally televised games up to four times this season (the fourth game, versus the Steelers, is set as a "flexible time" and depending on the predicted interest in the game may be moved to showcase other late-season playoff race games).
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
Judge calls NFL 'hypocrites' http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070821/SPT02/308210037/
