AP Pro32 comments about Bengals

NEW YORK (AP) Comments on the Cincinnati Bengals by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 9): Maybe too high at 9, but I love the QB and both coordinators.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 9): Bengals shocked last season by making playoffs. Don't be surprised if deeper postseason run occurs with quarterback Andy Dalton entering second NFL season.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 13): Could squeeze Baltimore and Pittsburgh at top of division.

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune, 13): Bengals play in tough division, but they can hang in there if Andy Dalton doesn't slump as sophomore.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 14): Departure of Carson Palmer signaled shift in emphasis from offense to defense; Bengals fielded top 10 defense in `11 and added one of college football's top CBs in Dre Kirkpatrick.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 14): Old Bengals followed good season with bad one. I think defense will live up to its end of bargain, and Andy Dalton takes next step in his career. He will have to because Bengals were 0-8 against playoff teams.

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 15): Plenty of young talent led by Andy Dalton, but worried about running game and secondary.

Chris Berman (ESPN, 17): Bengals won all the games they should have.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 17): Marvin Lewis made playoffs with rookie QB, WR, and offensive coordinator.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 19): Andy Dalton was terrific in leading Cincy to playoffs as rookie. Tough act to follow, especially in loaded division.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 19): Passing tandem of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green will only get better.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 19): Will QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green shine again or is book out on them and stage set for sophomore slump? As they go, so go Bengals.

Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Updated July 31, 2012