Cincinnati
Bengals

Bengals Team Report

Updated: February 11, 2012 02:10 EST

In last year's draft, the Bengals hit the jackpot by drafting Andy Dalton and A.J. Green as they became the first rookie quarterback/receiver duo to be voted to the Pro Bowl. The task now during the offseason is to build around them.

After plenty of growing pains in the first year of Jay Gruden's West Coast scheme, the Bengals finished 20th in total offense, which marks the fourth straight season they have finished 20th or worse. They have four starters who will be unrestricted free agents in running back Cedric Benson, wide receiver Jerome Simpson and offensive guards Bobbie Williams and Nate Livings. Wide receiver Andre Caldwell and offensive guard Mike McGlynn, who also started some games, are also slated for free agency.

The two biggest positions in terms of need are for a second wide receiver and offensive guard. Green gives the Bengals the ability to stretch the field but when Jordan Shipley tore his ACL in Week 2, they were left without a dependable slot receiver or a consistent one who could catch the short or medium routes. Simpson has great physical tools, but caught less than half of the balls targeted to him and had problems learning the offense.

With a young core of receivers who are either rookies or in their second season, the Bengals need to add a veteran to line up alongside Green. In the past this has meant receivers 30 or over with disastrous results (Laveranues Coles, Terrell Owens, Antonio Bryant) but there are plenty of fourth-year guys like Robert Meachem and Mario Manningham who could help fill that void.

At guard, things are a little more unsettled. Williams will be 35 and is coming off an ankle injury, but he has been one of the more consistent linemen the Bengals have had while Livings has struggled. The Bengals drafted Clint Boling in the fourth round last year and he ended up starting three games at right guard but struggled. One possible scenario could be Boling at right guard and the team re-signing offensive tackle Anthony Collins and moving him to one of the guard spots. New Orleans' Carl Nicks will be one of the top free agents, but the Bengals aren't known for being big spenders on the market.

There are also questions at running back. Benson has rushed for 1,000 yards for three straight seasons but there are doubts that he will be back especially after he was not satisfied with the direction of the offense despite the team winning six of its first eight games. The Bengals want to use two running backs, which does not fit Benson's style or his desire to be the workhorse back. Their best hope in free agency would be that Oakland does not use the franchise tag on Michael Bush. Cleveland's Peyton Hillis also might be an option since he is a physical, between-the-tackles type back that Benson is. The Bengals could also look to the draft for a running back since they have two first-round picks.

Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga has been accused of punching a downtown Cincinnati bar manager, according to local reports.

According to a report on Fox19.com, the manager at Luxe says that Maualuga injured him during a fight this past weekend. The alleged incident took place near closing time at the bar at the corner of Sixth Street and Main Street early Sunday morning.

"One of them said something," manager Sammy Laham said," at which point I repeated myself that they had to leave, and then Rey Maualuga got up, took three or four steps and punched me in the face, more noticeably the eye, then my nose started to bleed. Then security diffused the situation."

The Fox 19 report also quoted a witness to the incident. Cincinnati police are still investigating the incident and Maualuga has not yet been charged.

Maualuga, 30, had a career-high 88 tackles for the Bengals in 2011, his third season in the NFL after being chosen by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2009 draft. He also tied a career best with three forced fumbles. He had previously been arrested for driving under the influence in January 2010.

--There will be some changes on Marvin Lewis' staff going into the upcoming season after Kevin Coyle accepted the defensive coordinator's position at Miami. Besides secondary coach, Jeff FitzGerald is not expected to return as linebackers coach.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Todd Bowles turned down the secondary opening to head to the Eagles. Rod Woodson, who was a coaching intern for the Bengals in 2010 and a close friend of Lewis, could be in the running for the position.

--When the Giants visit Paul Brown Stadium next season, it will mark the 28th time in franchise history for the Bengals to play a regular-season game against the defending Super Bowl champion.

The Bengals are 9-18 record overall but 2-2 in games at Paul Brown Stadium. In 1991 the Bengals beat the Giants 27-24 and in 2008 the Giants posted a 26-23 win at the old Giants Stadium in overtime.

--After training at Georgetown College since 1997, the Bengals are moving their camp back to their home complex at Paul Brown Stadium. This marks the first time the team will be training at home.

Lewis said he is still determining some of the logistics, but it is likely that the veterans and rookies will be staying in a hotel together while camp is taking place.

--Andy Dalton had a busy week between the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl. He was in Hawaii until Wednesday and then was doing the rounds on Radio Row in Indianapolis two days later.

"It's definitely a crazy atmosphere but that's the part of Super Bowl week and there's a joy in it," he said.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "Sitting at home and watching playoff games is no fun. Our goal is to be here but if you look at it we made a playoff run and the future is promising." -- LB Thomas Howard on being on radio row during the Super Bowl.

The Bengals should have a new secondary coach named by the time they go to the Scouting Combine in two weeks. As for talks with Lewis regarding a contract extension, those things are on hold at the moment.

Talks also have not started yet between the team and safety Reggie Nelson and kicker Mike Nugent, who are their top two priorities to re-sign.

MEDICAL WATCH

--CB Leon Hall has started working on an exercise bike and is ahead in his rehab from an Achilles injury.

--S Chris Crocker had a cleanup procedure on his knee but should be ready in time for OTAs.