Dan Pompei

The 2008 version of the Bengals might not be any better than previous models, but these Bengals will be different.

Coach Marvin Lewis is showing less tolerance for those who don't conform with the program. Witness the team cutting productive third wide receiver Chris Henry and promising linebacker Odell Thurman. Also, look at Lewis' stern response to the posturing of wide receiver Chad Johnson.

Lewis is putting up with less these days. And that can't be a bad thing.

The hope is the Bengals can get down to the business of football this year without the distractions of suspensions, arrests and outbursts. But Johnson's situation remains volatile.

The Pro Bowler demanded a new team and a bigger paycheck. The Bengals said they were unwilling to give him either. Johnson may or may not get with the program, but either way there is sure to be drama forthcoming.

If Lewis really wants to clean up the Bengals, he will stop drafting—or convince Mike Brown to stop drafting--players who eventually will give him headaches.

The Bengals added a few more this year, taking defensive tackle Pat Sims in the third round and defensive tackle Jason Shirley in the fifth. The Bengals didn't stop there, adding another character risk, wide receiver Maurice Purify, as an undrafted free agent.

If not for these issues, the Bengals could devote all of their focus to matters like improving their 24th ranked running game and their 26th ranked passing defense.

Hot seat
Okay, so imagine this. Chad Johnson becomes a season-long soap opera. Not too difficult to imagine, right?

And who then becomes the primary weapon at the disposal of Carson Palmer? That would be T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The same T.J. Houshmandzadeh who has his own issues with the Bengals. He stayed away from some offseason activities to protest the fact that they have not extended his contract.

But Houshmandzadeh should be motivated to perform like the Pro Bowler he is once the Bengals start playing games that matter, because he's in the final year of his contract.

Overheard at camp
Lewis is indicating there will be a shift in the way the Bengals move the ball. Look for fewer three and four wide receiver sets and more two tight end sets. That's why the Bengals signed free agent Ben Utecht.

With more two tight end sets should come more runs and fewer passes. Coaches seem to be re-committed to the run game, but it remains to be seen if the Bengals are any more capable of running the ball.

The Bengals are counting on Rudi Johnson bouncing back from a terrible season in which he averaged 2.9 yards per carry. The word is Johnson will report to camp in great shape, with 15 added pounds of muscle. And the hope is that between Johnson, Kenny Watson (who had a team leading 763 rushing yards) and Chris Perry, the Bengals will be able to shift the emphasis of their offense.

Comings and goings
The defense also will have a new look with Mike Zimmer calling the shots. Zimmer, who ran the Falcons defense a year ago, will maintain the Bengals' four man front. But some of the faces will be different.

Antwan Odom, a free agent acquisition, will take over for Justin Smith at defensive end. First round draft choice Keith Rivers figures to be the new starting weakside linebacker. And Zimmer is hoping second year man Marvin White can replace departed free safety Madieu Williams.

Predictions
There are a lot of loose ends on the Bengals, and teams with a lot of loose ends typically come unraveled at some point during four months of pushing and pulling.

On the plus side, the Bengals have one of the finest quarterbacks in the game leading them to battle. But Carson Palmer can't do it all by himself.

He'll need help from his unhappy wide receivers, from his unreliable running backs and from his unknown defense. If the Bengals are better than 7-9, they should be partying in the streets of Cincinnati.

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