Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 732 of 1503)

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Roy Williams (S); Laveranues Coles (WR); Abram Elam (S); Tank Johnson (DT); George Foster (OT).

Offseason Losses: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR); Stacy Andrews (OT); Eric Ghiaciu (C); Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB).

Player to Watch: Keith Rivers, LB.
If it weren’t for Hines Ward’s jaw-breaking crackback block that prematurely ended his ’08 season, Rivers would have probably led the Bengals in tackles last year. Rivers has fully recovered from the jaw injury, as well as offseason arthroscopic ankle surgery, and should emerge as Cincinnati’s best defender this season. He was one of the few bright spots on the Bengals’ defense last year and with the offseason additions of Roy Williams, Abram Elam, Tank Johnson, Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson, Rivers should be freed up to make plenty of plays in ’09.

Team Strength: In Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall, the Bengals have two young playmakers at the cornerback position. Joseph says he’s 100% healthy after missing half of the ‘08 season with a foot injury and is looking to build off the success he had last year before being placed on IR. After being burned repeatedly in his rookie season in ‘07, Hall emerged as the Bengals’ best pass defender in ’08 and could play his way into receiving a contact extension at the end of the year. As long as these two stay healthy, the Bengals have a nice young corner tandem heading into the season.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Matt Cassel (QB); Mike Vrabel (LB); Mike Brown (S); Mike Goff (G); Bobby Engram (WR); Zach Thomas (LB); Eric Ghiaciuc (C); Rudy Niswanger (C), Ashley Lelie (WR); Ikechuku Ndukwe (G); Andy Alleman (G).

Offseason Losses: Tony Gonzalez (TE); Adrian Jones (G); Pat Thomas (LB).

Player to Watch: Matt Cassel, QB.
Following an offseason trade that brought him over from New England, all eyes will be on Cassel this season. He gets to run new head coach Todd Haley’s pass-happy offense and he should team up with young receiver Dwayne Bowe to form a nice duo. Unfortunately, Cassel suffered a MCL sprain in the Chiefs’ third preseason game and he’s expected to miss KC’s season opener. Once he’s healthy, it’ll be interesting to see how he fares outside of the Patriots’ offense.

Team Strength: The Chiefs have a nice offensive trio in Cassel, Bowe and running back Larry Johnson, who reportedly is leaner and in the best shape of his life. While questions remain about whether or not Cassel can succeed outside of the Patriots’ system, Bowe and Johnson should help take the pressure off him in his first year as a Chief. Bowe has a terrific blend of size and speed and has emerged as a legitimate deep threat in the passing game. Johnson is coming off a rough ’08 campaign, but is rejuvenated and ready to rebound. Also, with the offseason additions of Mike Goff and Ikechuku Ndukwe – as well as the continued development of 2008 first round pick Branden Albert – the offensive line should be improved this year.

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Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Greg Ellis (DE); Jeff Garcia (QB); Khalif Barnes, Lorenzo Neal (FB); Erik Pears (OT); Keith Davis (S).

Offseason Losses: Gibril Wilson (S); Jake Grove (C); Justin Griffith (FB); Ronald Curry (WR).

Player to Watch: Darren McFadden, RB.
A turf toe injury limited McFadden to only 499 yards on 113 carries and four touchdowns in his rookie season. But McFadden is completely healthy and is on the verge of leapfrogging Justin Fargas on the Raiders’ depth chart. Even though Oakland’s offensive line is a potential weakness, McFadden will get the opportunity to shine this year as the Raiders want to get him involved as both a runner and receiver. As long as he can stay healthy, the former Arkansas product could have a breakout season.

Team Strength: Can potential be deemed a strength? Quarterback JaMarcus Russell still has a long way to go in his development as a passer, but he certainly has enough weapons around him in McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Chaz Schilens. Of course, Heyward-Bey is a rookie, McFadden has to stay healthy and Schilens (an emerging No. 1 receiver) has to bounce back from the foot injury he suffered in practice a few weeks ago. But again, these players have potential and if they develop together, the Raiders will have a solid offensive corps for years to come. (But that’s a big “if.”)

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