Bengals’ offense seeks to end big-play drought

CINCINNATI — Bill Lazor's statistical study of the Cincinnati Bengals' offense during the offseason left him feeling the same as he did on all those discouraging game days. The numbers confirmed what his eyes had seen so many times.

Some mighty small numbers filled up the columns measuring big plays. The Bengals were one of the most inept teams in the league at getting the ball downfield, the main factor in a second straight losing season.

"Statistically, it looks just like it felt," the Bengals' offensive coordinator said. "You were there."

The main emphasis in Lazor's overhaul of the offense has been finding ways to get big plays out of an offense that finished last in total yards and near the bottom in big plays as well. It all begins with Andy Dalton, who is coming off one of his least-effective seasons.

The eighth-year quarterback completed 59.9 percent of his passes and averaged 6.69 yards per attempt, both figures his worst since his rookie season. Dalton repeatedly was off-target on long passes. He also was under constant pressure, which limited the time for receivers to get open downfield and contributed to the lack of long passes.

"This group has been one of the best groups in Quarterback Andy Dalton hopes to rebound from one of his worst years as a pro, when the Bengals’ offense finished last in total yards and failed to generate many game-breaking plays downfield.

the NFL — since Andy came into the league — on vertical passes," coach Marvin Lewis said. "And we weren't very good. So that alone is the first thing."

The 2015 season was Dalton's best as he worked behind a veteran line. The Bengals had 63 pass plays of at least 20 yards, nine shy of the league high shared by the Saints and Jaguars. Last season, they managed only 34 such plays, a huge decline. The Saints led the league with 72.

The passing game wasn't the only failed area. The Bengals' longest run was only 25 yards, the worst in the league.

Injuries played a role. Tight end Tyler Eifert hurt his back in the

second game and was out for the rest of the season. Top draft pick John Ross was severely limited by two shoulder injuries and didn't catch a pass.

In 2015, by contrast, every part of the offense — receivers, tight ends, running backs — provided game-turning plays.

"Guys did a good job of making tough, contested catches," Dalton said of that season. "I was being accurate with the ball, and guys were catching and running. I think there were probably some broken tackles in the run game and different things. It's a big thing we want to do."

The Bengals failed to score a touchdown in their first two games last

season and fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese. Lazor took over as an interim coordinator, got the job after the season, and was given a lot of latitude to reinvent the offense.

The new playbook provides many opportunities to try for a big play.

"It's not on everything, but there are definitely chances to take shots down the field," Dalton said.

The Bengals traded with the Bills for left tackle Cordy Glenn and drafted center Billy Price in the first round as part of their line overhaul. Ross is back and making impressive plays during camp. Eifert signed a one-year deal and was cleared to practice on Monday.