2001 BENGALS
	Corey Dillon is one of the few bright spots in Cincinnati.
	Head coach: Dick LeBeau (2nd year). 2000 record: 4-12. AFC Central finish: 5th. 2001 preseason: 1-2. Season opener: Sept. 9 vs. Patriots. Schedule | Depth chart

When you've been the NFL's worst team for more than a decade, you don't stand pat. So the Bengals, owners of a .318 winning percentage over the last 11 seasons, made a number of offseason moves in an effort to change their image and their level of success.

First, they locked Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon into a new contract that should keep him happy for the next five years. Dillon rushed for 1,435 yards and scored seven touchdowns last year.

By comparison, Cincinnati's woeful passing game netted only 1,946 yards and six touchdowns. That prompted the team to make a number of moves to put some teeth into a pass offense that ranked as the third worst in the team's 33-year history.

Bob Bratkowski was brought in from Pittsburgh to serve as the new offensive coordinator and was given what amounted to a blank canvas to create a new attack that will spread defenses with a number of different alignments while still taking advantage of Dillon's punishing skills as a runner. Personnel-wise, the Bengals, fearing that former first-round draft choice Akili Smith might never live up to his potential, signed veteran free agent Jon Kitna from Seattle to spice up the quarterback competition. And to protect the guy who does win the job, left tackle Rod Jones was released and replaced by Richmond Webb, a seven-time Pro Bowler from Miami.

Cincinnati hadn't planned to go after a new fullback, but when projected starter Nick Williams tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a May minicamp, free agent Lorenzo Neal (Tennessee) got a call that night and was signed the next day.

On defense, the Bengals used free agency and the draft in an effort to improve a pass rush that produced only 26 sacks while allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 59.1 percent of their passes. Newcomers Tony Williams (Minnesota), Bernard Whittington (Indianapolis) and Kevin Henry (Pittsburgh) are all veterans who should still have an upside. Justin Smith, the No. 4 overall pick (who was still unsigned at presstime), was regarded as the best pass rusher available in the draft.

It was a busy offseason, but only time will tell if the effort and money were well spent. This is, after all, a team that hasn't made the playoffs or even managed a winning record since 1990.

Offense
Quarterbacks: The Bengals were hoping one of their top three quarterbacks would take a firm hold on the position during the preseason, but that hasn't been the case. Kitna was recently named the starter, despite less than spectacular play. Scott Mitchell, a 33-year-old in his 12th season, was the long shot heading into training camp, but he has been the most consistent of the three -- although he had a very disappointing Aug. 25 preseason game against the Bills. He's not as mobile as Kitna or Smith, but he has a grasp of the offense and generally makes good decisions. Smith is clearly the most athletic of the three, but there's still no evidence that his performance is ready to catch up to his potential.
Grade: C-minus.

Running backs: Dillon has a new contract and a new outlook, but the Bengals will be happy with some of his old production. He averaged 1,223.5 rushing yards in his first four seasons and already ranks third on the team's career rushing list. Brandon Bennett has been running behind Dillon, but second-year man Curtis Keaton and rookie Rudi Johnson are closing fast. Neal is a fierce blocker who will give Dillon the same kind of help he provided 1,000-yard runners Eddie George, Adrian Murrell and Warrick Dunn in previous NFL stops.
Grade: A-minus.

Receivers: Last season's disaster area should be one of this season's strengths. Deep threat Darnay Scott is back and appears fully recovered from the broken leg that sidelined him all last year. Game-breaker Peter Warrick is a year older and wiser, and his crisper routes reflect increased discipline. Rookie Chad Johnson has been the surprise of camp. While he and Scott are busy stretching defenses, Warrick should be even more dangerous in the slot. Danny Farmer and Ron Dugans will enter the mix when the Bengals flood the field with receivers. Tony McGee is solid at tight end, but depth could be a problem there. Marco Battaglia missed much of camp while recovering from knee surgery, and rookie Sean Brewer also has been hurt.
Grade: B.

		Everyone knows what Corey Dillon can do and what he has already done for the Bengals. But the key to their season is finding a quarterback who can manage the game and play smart. The choices are Jon Kitna, Scott Mitchell and Akili Smith. So far Kitna has been named the starter. The situation doesn't look promising for the Bengals. Kitna left Seattle because he failed to play consistent football. The same level of play would spell contined doom for Cincinnati.

Offensive linemen: This is an all-veteran group, but picking up the new pass protection schemes installed by Bratkowski has been something of a problem. There is still too much thinking after the ball is snapped, although that deficiency should fade. The Bengals ranked second in the NFL in rushing last season, and offensive tackle Webb and Willie Anderson, offensive guards Matt O'Dwyer and Mike Goff and center Rich Braham should be able to help the passing game try to approach a level of respectability. John Jackson, Scott Rehberg and Brock Gutierrez provide depth and a measure of versatility.
Grade: C.

Defense
Defensive linemen: The Bengals have made every effort to bolster a line that played well against the run but had no clue when it came to rushing the passer. Three veteran free agents were brought in, but only defensive tackle Tony Williams has made an immediate impact. He'll team inside with Oliver Gibson, Cincinnati's most productive lineman last year. Tom Barndt and Glen Steele will provide help in the rotation. First-round draftee Justin Smith was handed one of the starting defensive end spots, but his long holdout will set him back. Veteran John Copeland, who was released and then brought back at a lower salary, may get his job back by default, at least for the time being. Vaughn Booker starts on the other side.
Grade: C-minus.

Linebackers: The strongest segment of the defense should be even better with the return of middle linebacker Brian Simmons, who played two seasons as a starter and then lasted just one game last season before suffering a knee injury. Takeo Spikes, the defense's emotional rudder, should challenge for the Pro Bowl, especially if an improved pass rush provides him with more sack opportunities. Steve Foley has some shortcomings in coverage, but he's stout against the run. Adrian Ross, Armegis Spearman and Canute Curtis are the top backups. Spearman started 11 games in the middle after Simmons went down last year but now is playing outside.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: Still the team's weakest area, particularly at cornerback. On the bright side, four-year starter Artrell Hawkins had a terrific camp and finally could be ready to show why the Bengals thought he was worth a second-round draft pick in '98. Rodney Heath still has the edge on the other side, primarily because second-year players Mark Roman and Robert Bean haven't mustered much of a challenge. Chris Carter and Cory Hall are the safeties, with Tremain Mack and JoJuan Armour in reserve. Experienced free safety Darryl Williams won't be available early on because of an ankle injury. Grade: C-minus.

Special teams
Punter Daniel Pope and kicker Neil Rackers faced strong camp challenges from Will Brice and Richie Cunningham, respectively (Brice has since been cut). The Bengals rely more on placement than distance on punts, but Pope needs to improve on his 33.1-yard net average. It might help if he didn't have to work so hard. He was called upon a club-record 94 times last season. Rackers hit only 12-of-21 field-goal tries as a rookie, but part of the problem could be blamed on the horrid kicking surface at Paul Brown Stadium. Rackers has a stronger leg than the ex-Cowboy Cunningham but may not get a chance to use it unless his accuracy improves. Warrick was used sparingly as a punt returner as a rookie, but one of his seven attempts produced an 82-yard touchdown. Mack regressed from the kick returner form that took him to the Pro Bowl after the '99 season, but he's still dangerous and effective.
Grade: C-minus.

Marty Williams covers the Bengals for the Dayton Daily News.

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