Cincinnati Bengals last season was their ability to fly under the rada

When it comes time for training camp, Cincinnati Enquirer Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy foresees intense competition, but thinks Lewis may alleviate the practice load a bit.

"Camp may be a little lighter than usual, but it will still be a competitive training camp." Reedy said. "Right now there are two punters, two kickers, and even two long snappers. There's competition at literally every spot. Most of the starters are safe, but the last 10 to 15 spots are going to be interesting."

Given the team's recent run of defensive injuries, Reedy thinks the improved depth of defensive coordinator's Mike Zimmer's squad will be essential to maintaining the success of the NFL's fourth-ranked unit.

"They had depth last year, they could go 18, 19 deep, but now you look at the roster and they're 21, 22 deep." Reedy said. "You hope you don't have the run of injuries on defense again, but it has happened the last few years."

Competition is just what the Bengals may need to avoid complacency. The Browns are on the upswing and the Ravens significantly improved in the offseason. And despite the fact that the Steelers, Cincinnati's chief division rival, has been embroiled in player controversy much of the past few months, they still are a threat to win the division.

Hobson sees the AFC North being just as tough as ever, especially considering the Bengals defense will have six games against quarterbacks that passed for over 4,000 yards last season.

"Cleveland is coming fast and I think Baltimore may have even gone ahead of [the Bengals]. The Ravens did sort of the same things in the offseason the Bengals did," Hobson said. "You look at the schedule and you see the elite quarterbacks. [The Bengals] could be better and maybe go 8-8, 9-7. They can't fall behind early. As long as they hang in the division they can be okay."

Although he forecasts Baltimore as the team to beat in the AFC North, Reedy believes Andre Smith this Bengals team is better than the 2006 squad, which faltered to 8-8 after winning the division with an 11-5 record in 2005.

"I still make Baltimore the slight favorite, they had a slightly better offseason. Drafting Carson Palmer Sergio Kindle, Terrence Cody and a few tight ends was great for them. However, they've got some of the same questions as the Bengals." Reedy said. "I think this [Bengals] team is built better than in 2006, after the last division title. [The AFC North] is probably going to come down to the two games against the Ravens, Week Two and Week 17."

With the 2010 NFL Supplemental Draft taking place today, many wonder if the Bengals will take make a move for Unga—who recently became eligible after breaking a code violation that forced him to leave school. He's coming off an impressive career at BYU and could be a solid insurance policy considering Cincinnati is still waiting to hear whether they will have to start the 2010 season without their top running back Cedric Benson. Benson was arrested and charged with assault on June 29 from an incident that occurred in Austin, Texas at the end of May that involved him punching a an employee at Annie's West.

If a suspension is in place, which could happen Chad Ochocinco considering this is Benson's third arrest since 2008, the Bengals football jerseys would most likely need to add another running back to the depth chart to play alongside Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard—the team's current No. 2 and No. 3 running backs. During his final three seasons at BYU, Unga rushed for 3,446 yards and 35 touchdowns—making him a likely selection in today's draft.