Bengals' big changes, contract drama leave a mark in power rankings

Opinions vary on the Cincinnati Bengals entering training camp this summer.

Some consider the Bengals much better than they showed last season. Joe Burrow put on a near-MVP performance, only to be let down by a miserable defense and some wicked-bad luck.

Others, looking to the future, think that more struggles are on the way as a rebuilding defense and an iffy offensive line weigh things down.

It’s an idea reflected in new power rankings from Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, where the Bengals rank merely 16th:

“I still don’t love Cincinnati’s decision to dump defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for Al Golden this offseason, and I don’t think the Bengals have invested nearly enough in their defense or offensive line this offseason. Ongoing contract issues involving Trey Hendrickson and rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart have me even less convinced that we’ll see a defensive turnaround in Cincy this year.”

It’s a fair take, as those concerns aren’t said louder anywhere than within the greater Cincinnati area. The lackluster effort to get Burrow better protection on the interior stands out just about as bad as the mind-numbing contract standoffs with notable pass-rushers.

Even so, Burrow and the offense lighting up the scoreboard and surging the Bengals to wins will have them jumping closer to the top 10 in a hurry, provided they can overcome the weaknesses.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals’ big changes, contract drama leave a mark in power rankings

Bengals’ big changes, contract drama leave a mark in power rankings

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