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Offensive Coordinator: Jay Gruden

The Bengals finally gave Bob Bratkowski the old heave ho, but don’t expect their run-heavy ways to stop. Head coach Marvin Lewis commented in the off-season that the team would get back to running the ball even more.  Jay Gruden is the brother of Jon Gruden and has most of his coaching experience in the Arena League and UFL, outside of being an offensive assistant for his brother with the Buccaneers from 2002 to 2008.  He was a successful Arena League quarterback and will look to implement some of those quick-hit passing concepts into Cincinnati’s offense.

Fantasy Football Impact

QB Andy Dalton: It’s to be assumed that Carson Palmer has played his last game as a Bengal and while the though of that of that might scare most, Dalton not only inherits a very talented young receiving corps but will also be coached by what most league insiders consider to be an up and coming offensive mind. Dalton will most certainly have rough stretches of the season but he does have some potential to be a matchup play during the course of the year.
RB Bernard Scott: Gruden will certainly have a lot of screen plays and check downs to the backs, featuring more high percentage passes for rookie passer to potentially work with. I’d expect some odd formations from the arena league offensive mind which would likely feature a talented receiver like Scott lining up in the slot, as well as in the same backfield as Cedric Benson (or whoever they bring in via free agency). Scott gets an upgrade in PPR leagues and makes for a nice mid round pick in most formats.
WR AJ Green: This year’s Bengals might be a rough version of what Gruden has in mind when it comes to the potential of starting somebody other than Carson Palmer for the first time in seven years. The positive is that AJ Green has the talent to overcome a bad situation and will likely lead Cincinnati in receptions and yardage in 2011. While that may not amount to a weekly starter in PPR leagues, I’d bet on him as a #4 receiver based on talent alone. (If you don’t believe me when I say that Green is one of the best receivers to come out since Calvin Johnson, then maybe you’ll believe this guy → AJ Green Profile).
WR Jordan Shipley: Shipley might end up being the player who benefits the most in the new offense because of his skill set and the passing attack featuring more timing based routes that will command precise route runners in the slot. His sure hands and ability to recognize the weaknesses in an opposing secondary will likely turn into a safety blanket underneath for whoever the quarterback ends up being. He’s going to be a nice late round receiver to take chance on because of his increased role in his second year.
TE Jermaine Gresham: Gresham is a forgotten man by some but Bengals fans in the know are expecting big things from the Oklahoma product. His ability to beat linebackers and safeties down the seam will be utilized quite often in this offense, it will also help that Gresham is going to be more than two full years removed from his torn ACL that cost him his senior season in college. While he may not be an ideal starter, he is a high end backup that’s brimming with potential.

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