Things have been pretty quiet in Cincinnati and that's remarkable by itself. Chad is happy to be here and everybody seems happy to have him. We'll see how long that lasts.

THe big question from a fantasy standpoint is how do you replace Chris Henry production. Well, he wasn't very productive in jail but Chris Perry and Ben Utecht will get the catches. The ultimate key will be who stretches the field to allow Chad and Housh to run routes underneath. ANdre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson, top draft choices, will get the first crack and should because none of the veterans are too exciting. The success of this side of the ball depends on whether or not fans whipping boy Bob Bratkowski can find a way to utilize a pass-catching tight end, a pass-catching running back and two top receivers. If he can do that, this team will roll.

Carson Palmer is the quarterback unless Brett Favre decides to unretire and play in Cincinnati. Beyond Carson, however, there is little. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Rowe and Jordan Palmer are unlikely to be on anybody's draft list unless you own Carson. I suppose you get the top backup just in case. Fitzpatrick has had his moments so he could excite in a pinch.

At running back, the folks in Cincy are drinking the Rudi Cool-Aid. I'm not buying it yet. Marvin and Rudi say the once great runner is ready to return to form and be among the league's best. I gotta see it to believe it. Rudi is old and has been rode hard. It's time to put him up wet. Personally, I'd let somebody who's buying the bunk go after him and then they can sink with him. He might be okay for a sixth or seventh rounder but he's not in my top 15.

And after Rudi, there is not much. Perry has been spotted in a Bengals uniform for something other than the team photo but Kenny Irons, Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey are not like to make a consistent impact that would warrent them being draft highly, even if they play full time. I would say next year, this team takes a runner to replace Rudi.

At receiver Chad and Housh are the top guys but beyond that there are questions. Caldwell and Simpson can and will be good but when is the question. Maxwell, Brown, Purify, Chatman, Holt, Logan and Urrutia have some talent but have yet to prove anything. It will be an interesting competition.

The tight end spot will be something other than a black hole with Utecht on the roster. Reggie Kelly can block but is not a fantasy option. Utecht is and will make an impact. If that run on tight ends starts with Gates, Witten, Heap and others, I'd lay back, take another runner then snag Utecht a round or two later and smile.

Shayne Graham is a good kicker who has suffered with the offense suffering the last two years. Still, he's an automatic start and you won't be unhappy if you take him.

The defense is still a quandry. Will Keith Rivers make a difference? If healthy will this be a top 15 unit. I think the answer to both is yes. Rivers will be a stud from the start, if he signs before camp, and if healthy this can be a very good defense. There's talent at all levels. With new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the team will play a more aggressive style and that will mean more fantasy numbers. Maybe not quite like some years past when the Bengals were at the top of the takeaway list but close and much better than last year.