2003 BENGALS
	Dillon has been one of the few bright spots in Cincinnati.
	Head coach: Marvin Lewis (1st year). 2000 record: 2-14. AFC North finish: 4th. Season opener: Sept. 7 vs. Broncos. Schedule | Depth chart

Head coach Marvin Lewis has successfully given the Bengals a physical makeover. An NFL-grade offseason strength-and-conditioning program -- previously foreign to Cincinnati -- yielded noticeably slimmer physiques, faster feet and far fewer injuries through the first three weeks of training camp.

On the job since Jan. 14, Lewis also has gone to work on players' psyches, trying to replace the perpetual self-doubt and hesitation borne of a dozen consecutive non-winning seasons with professionalism and confidence.

Lewis signed free agents who have won in the NFL -- linebacker Kevin Hardy, cornerback Tory James, defensive tackle John Thornton, tight end Reggie Kelly -- in an effort to infuse the locker room with a positive attitude. The goal is to teach players how to win, a skill Lewis summarizes as "making plays under pressure."

Changing the mindset within a losing organization has been and continues to be Lewis' greatest challenge. So far, no detail has been too small for the rookie head coach to attend. Everything, he says, points to the opener Sept. 7 vs. Denver. Only then will the results be known.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Jon Kitna has the elusive job security he has sought. Coaches and teammates respect him. If he can drop his interception number from 16 to 10 and keep his 2002 touchdown pass number around 16, he will have had an outstanding season. Lewis, as a defensive-oriented coach, likes quarterbacks who don't make mistakes. Lewis compares Kitna to Neil O'Donnell and Trent Dilfer, quarterbacks who led their teams to the Super Bowl. Though Kitna is the only one of four quarterbacks returning from last season's team, the position is more stable now than it has been since Jeff Blake's Pro Bowl season (1995). Gone are last year's opening day starter, Gus Frerotte, and former first-round pick Akili Smith. Departed, too, is Joe Germaine, the former Ohio State star who became a major distraction when Bengals president Mike Brown dangled him as a possible December 2002 starter. This year, the roles are clear. Low-maintenance, 10-year veteran Shane Matthews signed with the Bengals and quietly will fill whatever roll Lewis asks -- which is now as Kitna's backup. Palmer has done and said all the right things. Many fans are clamoring for Palmer to start, to which the reigning Heisman Trophy winner says, "I ain't ready." Consistent play from Kitna could keep the Bengals in contention into November or even December. That scenario would keep Palmer on the bench, which is best for the long-range future of the franchise.
Grade: B-minus.

Running backs: Corey Dillon is just one of four backs in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons. Dillon has been a one-man show for most of his pro career, and Lewis is trying to teach him the importance of being a team player and leader. Dillon and the offensive line need to be more productive in the redzone. Brandon Bennett is Dillon's backup. He plays well when called upon and was one of the AFC's best kickoff returners last season. Gone are the top two fullbacks, Lorenzo Neal (Chargers) and Nick Luchey (Packers). In their place is Chris Edmonds, playing his third position in as many seasons with the Bengals. He's moved from linebacker to tight end and now to fullback, where Lewis likes Edmonds' athleticism and defensive mentality.
Grade: B-plus.

Receivers: No. 1 wid receiver Chad Johnson has set a goal of 1,800 receiving yards, a number reached only once in league history (Jerry Rice, 1995). Johnson is serious and has caught everything thrown his way at camp and in preseason games. Peter Warrick lost eight pounds, dropping to 192 in the hopes of finding the elusiveness that made him a Heisman Trophy candidate at Florida State. One of the keys on offense is rookie WR Kelley Washington, the third-round pick who has the size and speed to take the double coverage off Johnson. Washington missed the preseason opener to get an ill-timed second opinion on his surgically repaired neck, but he came back to take a hard hit in the second game. T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Danny Farmer provide role-playing depth and special-teams help. At tight end, Kelly has provided the blocking and leadership Lewis has wanted. With Matt Schobel slowed by a nagging hamstring injury, Tony Stewart has started at H-back. Tight end could be a major factor in the offense for the first time since Blake was the quarterback.
Grade: B.

Offensive linemen: Lewis moved Mike Goff to center (from right guard), Matt O'Dwyer from left guard to right and inserted rookie second-round pick Eric Steinbach into the lineup at left guard. Lewis wants to improve the interior play of the line. Former starting center Rich Braham re-signed to add depth at center and both guard spots. Right tackle Willie Anderson, a durable and consistent run blocker, is poised for his first Pro Bowl season. He reported to camp three pounds below his listed weight of 340. Anderson has been dominating in camp and the preseason. Solid second-year pro Levi Jones is the left tackle, and depth at tackle was helped considerably by the waiver pickup of Alex Sulfsted (Redskins). Journeyman Scott Rehberg is getting a shot to back up Anderson. Overall, though, the starting line has not looked sharp early in the preseason.
Grade: C-plus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Lewis signed Thornton, Powell and Duane Clemons in free agency, and a weakness from 2002 has been transformed into a likely strength in 2003. Thornton is on the verge of stardom, and Clemons could have a big sack year in spot duty. With defensive end Justin Smith and defensive tackle Tony Williams on the right side, the line has stopped the run in the preseason and put pressure on the quarterback with just a four-man rush. The defense will be vastly improved if the Bengals don't have to resort to blitzing to manufacture pressure.
Grade: B-plus.

Linebackers: Lewis replaced popular Takeo Spikes with Hardy in free agency and put Hardy in the middle for the first time in his career. His smarts, range and big hits make this a logical move. The double benefit comes from moving former middle linebacker Brian Simmons to the outside, where the speedy former North Carolina star was an All-American. On the strong side, Adrian Ross is pushing incumbent Steve Foley for the starting job. Ross lost 15 pounds and regained speed in the offseason program.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: Other than newcomer James, the secondary is the most suspect area on the team. Lewis says Jeff Burris has reclaimed his former swagger at the other corner spot, and Artrell Hawkins is a solid nickel back. Six veterans are vying for roster spots at the two safety positions, and no player has appeared to set himself apart from the crowd. The starters at the end of camp are Marquand Manuel (strong) and Mark Roman (free). Lewis and Frazier want to play more press coverage and increase the number of interceptions from nine, which tied for last in 2002. Grade: C-minus.

Special teams
Lewis has dedicated a great deal of practice time to drilling what had been the NFL's least productive kick-coverage and return units. Improved coaching and bringing in better depth at all positions should make special teams less of a liability. Placekicker Neil Rackers figures to get more than the 18 FG attempts he had in 2002. Nick Harris should be back as the punter after holding off a mild challenge from Travis Dorsch. Another project has been to rebuild Warrick's confidence as a punt returner by teaching him basic skills, such as the right position to catch the ball. Bennett is a solid kickoff returner.
Grade: C.

Mark Curnette covers the Bengals for the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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