The Bengals defense was much improved in 2008, but some of the numbers were misleading. Opposing teams spent most of the game running out the clock knowing that the Bengals offense was not a threat to score. Still the unit made a huge jump in the rankings and should continue to improve with new players and Mike Zimmer's warm and fuzzy coaching style.

Defensive Comparisons:

Position – 2008 Starter – 2009 Starter

DT--Peko--Peko--No Change
Peko may actually be an upgrade as he continues to improve each season. For a rare occurrence, we are going to give the Bengals front office a large amount of credit for getting Peko in the 4th round. Some Bengals picks actually turn out to be successful.

DT--Thornton--Tank--Upgrade
Thornton was a true professional and solid NFL player. However, he was in the last year of his career in 2008. Johnson will be an upgrade athletically, but he is on his 3rd team in 4 seasons for a reason. Behind Tank, Pat Sims appears to be making huge strides in his attempt to gain playing time. Do not be surprised if Sims is starting before the end of the season.

DE--Geathers--Geathers--No Change
The LB corps for the Bengals is finally rebuilt after the joke of 2007. This will allow Mike Zimmer to focus on using Geathers as a weapon instead of plugging holes. Hopefully, Geathers can return to dangerous form and create problems for the opposing QB.

DE--Rucker--Odom--Upgrade
Odom began last season on the shelf and took a while to get into rhythm with the defense. He is healthy and ready this year and should bring more energy to the D-line. Helping him will be rookie Michael Johnson who is a freak of an athlete. Combined they should bring speed of the edge and stay fresh with a rotation.

WLB--Rivers--Rivers--Upgrade
Rivers jumped out of the gates in his rookie campaign but ended up missing most of the season due to a broken jaw. Luckily, his injury did not require rehab or interfere with him working out. So he enters this season ready to play with added seasoning from 2008. Can you win Comeback Player of the Year in your second season?

MLB--Dhani--Dhani--No Change
Dhani’s career has new legs with his move to MLB. Dhani is the all around LB in the middle with the maniac Maualuga on the strong side and the speedster Rivers on the weak side. The LBs may finally be able to make AFC North teams throw the football.

SLB--Jeanty--Maualuga--Upgrade
Jeanty is a solid plugger in the running game, but he is not as explosive as Maualuga. The knock on Maualuga is that he can be wild and out of control. If so, the Bengals can always turn back to the reliable Jeanty. Maualuga’s playmaking ability is well worth the risk and the Bengals will try to keep him on the field as much as possible.

CB--Hall--Hall--Upgrade
Hall had some trouble in his early starts, but he is now rounding out into a top level corner in his third year.

CB--Joseph--Joseph--No Change
The Bengals have a solid CB tandem. If the defense could get a pass rush one of these guys could make the Pro Bowl.

S--Jackson/White--Crocker/Williams--Upgrade
Neither of the starting safeties are good in pass coverage, but both bring a presence close to the line. In the AFC North, everything is stop-the-run first so they fit with the program. The day 1 2008 safeties did not bring much to the table as Dexter Jackson was not invited to an NFL camp this season and Marvin White did not make the team.

KICKING

K Shayne Graham -- Downgrade
Gingerballs gets a downgrade because the Bengals front office designated Graham as the Franchise Player. Let’s repeat, Shayne Graham is the Bengals Franchise Player. He will be the same kicker as always, very reliable up to 40 yards, very few attempts beyond 40 yards, and kickoffs to the 10 yard line. Many kickers match this description, that is why use of the franchise tag is ridiculous. Sam Swank, who probably made $3,500 to kick for the Bengals, averaged 66.3 yards per kickoff and made his only field goal attempt -- a 49 yarder. Gingerballs will rake in $2.5million this season to perform just like any kicker off the street. In the end, it is not Shayne Graham’s fault that the Bengals front office is full of humungaloid doucheplexes, but decisions like this are why the Bengals have trouble winning.

P Kevin Huber
Kyle Larsen = Not good, he was not invited to an NFL camp this season. The Bengals improved defense could turn games into field position battles. If so, a few yards difference on punts and hang times could change the outlook and mean 3 points in a close game. Or it could just mean padded stats for opposing offenses.