2012 Cincinnati Bengals Team Preview: Will Dalton Find a Way?

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

Expectations for the Bengals heading into 2011 couldn't have been any lower. Their franchise quarterback didn't want anything to do with the franchise, their marquee wide receiver was traded away at the eve of training camp and they lost an elite cover corner in free agency. Meanwhile, other top free agents stayed away in droves, and even coach Marvin Lewis was hanging by a thread, in small part because the lockout prevented owner Mike Brown from finding someone better. Then they looked awful in the preseason - not just losing, but appearing very much overmatched. The Bengals were on the short list of teams favored to have the top draft pick in 2012.

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