Cincinnati Bengals: Should We Start Worrying Now?

Is it too early to worry about the running game of the Cincinnati Bengals?

This is the question posed by ESPN.com on Thursday. 

There are some early warning signs that this could be an issue. Starting tailback Cedric Benson is off to a slow start, recording just 56 yards on 18 carries in two preseason games. He's averaging 3.1 yards per attempt and also fumbled twice, losing one. It's only the preseason. But if the Bengals want to compete in the AFC North this year, they will have to do a much running the football.

The Bengals are an early favorite to win UNDER 7 ½ games during the 2009 regular season at SBG Global.

Marvin Lewis is still the head coach despite having gone above .500 only once during his six seasons in Cincinnati.  This will remain a team in transition.  Quarterback Carson Palmer is back after missing most of last season with an elbow injury.  Now we are left wondering if he has fully recovered from said injury.   He insists he's at 100 percent and it looked that way playing against the New Orleans Saints in their first preseason game.  But according to reports, the franchise quarterback injured his ankle against the Saints.  He'll miss their next game against the New England Patriots. The injury is not too serious apparently, and Carson Palmer is expected to play in the Bengals first regular season game on opening weekend.

Once we get past Palmer there are other obstacles to overcome with the Bengals.  Let's start with the offensive line, which is truly awful.

There is no consistency in the offense.  The quarterbacks last season were sacked a total of 51 times.   Ouch!  The running game averaged fewer than four yards per carry for the third year in a row.  Double Ouch!  And don't expect things to get much better here.

The run defense appeared to be the only ray of hope for the Bengals and now that is even dimming.

Bet the UNDER 7 ½ and thank us later.

Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com