Bengals' bright spots

[PhilipNelsonFan]

They were few and far between, but here are some of the more positive aspects of Cincinnati's 2008 football disaster, er, season:

A couple lost units found anchors. Anthony Collins was beaten up in his limited action as a rookie, but he also showed enough to be the future for the Bengals at right tackle. It's entirely likely that, in three years, he'll be the only member of this offensive line still active with the team, and he's a piece you can work with. Keith Rivers somehow garnered a DROY vote despite playing only six games; he's 11th on the team in tackles. But though his year was lost to a jaw injury at the expense of Hines Ward, neither of his knees were hurt and he should be better, smarter and stronger next season. His passion for murdering the Steelers should also increase.

That young promising secondary is still there and still promising. The starting secondary for Cincinnati recorded the third-, fourth-, sixth- and eighth-most tackles on the team (LBs all held the other spots) and Leon Hall had three interceptions. (That they all came in one game, well, you can't win 'em all.) All four of Hall, Johnathan Joseph, Chinedum Ndukwe and Marvin White combined to lead the Bengals to the 15th-best passing defense; of the top half, the only team to allow fewer plays of more than 20 yards was Pittsburgh, a highly encouraging stat.

By the way, that much-maligned defense did OK. 12th in the NFL in total yards allowed. 14th in points allowed. If you're the Cincinnati Bengals, mediocrity is improvement. And all the injuries did not help.

Ryan Fitzpatrick wasn't totally useless, and Palmer will return next year. Really, next to nothing about the Bengals offense deserves any sort of praise, but stability at the QB position is underrated and the Bengals will have it for next year. (Now, if Carson can command the locker room, but is that too much to ask?) The Harvard grad performed awfully in most contests but did "execute" down the stretch and should be brought back for next season, although on a good Bengals squad he should be no more than the third-string QB.

Cincinnati has the sixth overall pick in April's draft. Anytime you have the opportunity to infuse talent into your organization, this is a GOOD THING. Cincinnati has plenty of options at this slot and will likely get a first-round-caliber talent with the 38th overall selection as well. Every little bit really helps.