July is the longest month of the year

Alright, so Football season is right around the corner. July always seems to drag on, as we are on the cusp of training camps starting in just 2 weeks. Football season is so close you can almost taste it, but it still only is July 14th, with the regular season being almost 2 months away.  Nevertheless, Cincinnati vs. Dallas happens 3 weeks from Sunday, so there's hope. That being said, let's talk some preliminary Bengals stuff:

Cedric Benson: I have to admit, I was really disappointed to see that Benson put himself in such a dumb situation and found himself arrested.  This has been a problem for the league and continues to give haters more fuel for trash-talk.  I'm hoping that Benson is not suspended by the league, but can't say I would be surprised if he were.  The power running game would greatly suffer if he had to miss the first two to four games as Cincy has to go to New England and also go against Baltimore's ridiculous run defense in week 2.  We need Benson to play in these two games for sure. 

Carson Palmer/ Offensive Production: Due to Benson's possible suspension, I hope to see Caron and Bratkowski air it out throughout the preseason. There needs to be a game plan in place of throwing the ball more than running it.  If Benson is out, Bernard Scott/ Brian Leonard cannot be as effective and therefore need Carson to throw.  Having Coffman, Gresham, Shipley, and Bryant added to the passing attack provides Carson with an absurd complement of weapons.  Palmer and Bratkowski need to work on timing and formations that employ a high percentage of passes to these many players.  I'm hopeful that the extra game (HOFG) will help add the time and game reps (however few they may be) that can get the offense clicking on all cylinders by week 1.

Defense: How sick is this defense? They finished the year ranked 4th without Odom and Roy Williams for the last half of the year, not to mention Malaluga being out at the end of the year.  If these guys can stay healthy (and that's a big if with both Odom and Williams seeming to be a bit injury-prone) then the sky is the limit for how dominant they can be. Adding Pacman to the mix is kind of cool if it pans out, but I'm skeptical in his abilities.  I like the drafting of both Ghee and Atkins to add depth.  Hopefully the team can resign J-Joe to an extension.  I love having the awesome duo. 

Suffice it all to say, I'm ready for some football and really psyched about this team and their chances, even with history and the 4th toughest schedule opposing the Bengals' hopes for the year.  WHO-DEY!!