Jim Owczarski, and Paul Dehner Jr.

Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Bengals are already putting 2015 in the rearview, with an eye toward the 2016 regular season. Much has happened already since the Jan. 9 wild card loss to Pittsburgh – but so much more is yet to be decided.

Bengals beat writers Jim Owczarski and Paul Dehner Jr. take a look at six Bengals questions that will loom large over the next six months.

WHO GOES WITH HUE?

Background: Former Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson accepted the job as head coach of the Cleveland Browns and is now tasked with revitalizing the franchise in the same year a number of prominent Bengals could hit the free agent market.

Stat: Two of the top three leaders last year for the Browns in receptions and yards were not receivers. The other is a free agent. The offense finished 28th in yards per play and 30th in points per game.

Observation: Hue Jackson loves players he knows. Such was the case when free agents were added in Cincinnati, even if they didn’t work out. Whether Terrelle Pryor or Denarius Moore, he sought those comfortable in his system. He’s publicly stated last year he believes Marvin Jones has the most unrealized potential of any player on the Bengals offense. The Browns are without any true receiving threats with Josh Gordon’s status with the league and team up in the air. Also, their top receiver, Travis Benjamin, is a free agent. The Browns will throw money at Jones or to a lesser extent Mohamed Sanu (Andrew Hawkins already occupies the slot for the Browns). They are both unrestricted free agents and the Bengals' ability to retain at least one – preferably Jones – lives near the top of the offseason priority list. They could be in for a fight from an old friend and it’s one they need to win.

Bengals' free agents: Who stays, who goes?

WILL VONTAZE BURFICT BE A DIFFERENT PLAYER?

Background: The former Pro Bowl linebacker returned to play the final 11 games of the Bengals season and incurred over $100,000 worth of fines for unnecessary roughness and was suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season.

Stat: Once Burfict returned to the team on Nov. 1, the Bengals defense allowed 15.9 points per game, 89.9 rush yards per game and 327.0 total yards per game. If the team ended the full year with those numbers, the Bengals would have ranked first, first and sixth in the NFL. Burfict also was called for 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalties at the end of the Denver and Pittsburgh games that helped lead to game-winning field goals by the Broncos and Steelers.

Observation: Yes and no. Whether the linebacker’s season-opening three-game suspension is reduced or not, the NFL clearly has its eyes on 55 and a second, more severe punishment for just a singular unnecessary roughness flag is around the corner. He will have to be more conscious of his every move, before and after the whistle so it will change him to a degree. He can no longer just fear a Friday fine for the wayward shoulder or away-from-the-play potshot. But, the wildcard game proved he could continue to be an impact player within the rules.

Bengals caught on Vontaze Burfict's roller coaster

WHO RECEIVES PRESSURE AFTER THE DRAFT?

Background: The Bengals routinely place pressure on specific position groups with their drafts. Last year, taking tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in the first two rounds signaled a youth movement on the edges. The previous year, the selection of Darqueze Dennard placed pressure on an aging group of corners.

Stat: Entering draft weekend the Bengals have held the 21st or 24th selection in six of the last seven years.

Observation: Marvin Lewis loves first-round corners. More than any other position, he’s religious about the need for an elite athlete to man the island. In 2012, he selected Dre Kirkpatrick first overall. In 2014, he selected Dennard at 24. If the trend continues, he could go corner again. With Adam Jones a free agent and 32 years old, Kirkpatrick entering the final year of his rookie deal, the pressure could be applied to them come April. Of course, the Bengals are even more religious about taking the best value and stacking talent regardless of position. Much of the value will be determined by how free agency falls and which players, if any, flee for money elsewhere. For instance, if George Iloka leaves, a safety in the first two days would become a higher priority. Same holds for receiver depending on the outcome with Jones and Sanu. Those are the two most prominent positions that could need an immediate boost in the draft.

IS CEDRIC OGBUEHI READY TO START AT RIGHT TACKLE?

Background: Cedric Ogbuehi was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft despite the fact he was rehabbing from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in his final college game. The Bengals felt he was the left tackle of the future.

Stat: Ogbuehi made his NFL debut against Cleveland on Dec. 6 and saw snaps at left tackle when the starters were pulled late in the game.

Observation: Yes. Upon coming off the non-football injury list, Ogbuehi was used primarily as an eligible extra tackle and in heavy packages. But in practice he was getting first team reps at left tackle during Andrew Whitworth’s veteran day off, so the team is clearly happy with his progress. With Whitworth having turned in an All-Pro campaign and signed for one more season, the open starting tackle spot is on the right side, which is a position Ogbuehi played well for several seasons at Texas A&M. Ogbuehi returned for a year with the Aggies to improve his draft stock as a left tackle, but he turned in a first round grade on the other side, so it should be an easy transition for him to the every day grind of the NFL.

Bengals' Cedric Ogbuehi will let play do the talking

HOW DOES THE DYNAMIC CHANGE WITH KEN ZAMPESE?

Background: Ken Zampese took over the offensive coordinator position from Hue Jackson. Zampese has been the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach each of the last 13 seasons under Marvin Lewis. He’s the fourth offensive coordinator for Lewis. Bob Bratkowski held the job through 2010, Jay Gruden from 2011-13 and Jackson the last two years.

Stat: Each of the last two OC changes the offense failed to rise in overall ranking in the first season.

Observation: Don’t expect the offense to change much under Zampese, that’s actually one of the biggest reasons he received the job. He’s the most qualified candidate to continue the momentum established by Andy Dalton and company last year. Certainly, Zampese will have his own wrinkles, but this will essentially be a build off Jackson’s foundation with Dalton as the maestro. In many ways the reins pass on to No. 14 as much as Zampese. How Dalton handles that and how the relationship between coach and coordinator withstand this new dynamic will be a critical aspect of offseason workouts and mini-camps. Beyond that, most of the key components of last year’s offense should stay in place with only Andre Smith and Jones free agents from the starting 11.

Bengals' new OC Ken Zampese offers continuity

HOW WILL THE DEFENSIVE COACHING CHANGES AFFECT THE TEAM?

Background: Within a week of the season ending, co-defensive backs coach Vance Joseph departed to Miami to become the Dolphins defensive coordinator. He took linebackers coach Matt Burke with him. Then, longtime defensive line coach Jay Hayes took the same position in Tampa Bay. Co-defensive backs coach Mark Carrier was also allowed to leave.

Stat: The Bengals allowed the fewest total points in franchise history by allowing 279 points in the regular season.

Observation: Not much. Following a season in which the Bengals finished No. 2 in the NFL in scoring defense and No. 11 overall, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther lost all of his position coaches. Replacing them is a former head coach and defensive coordinator in Jim Haslett (linebackers), a former defensive coordinator in Kevin Coyle (defensive backs) and a Bill Belichick disciple in Jacob Burney (defensive line). It’s a very experienced mix with diverse backgrounds, but Burney and Haslett are walking into rooms with veterans who have had success and Coyle may have to develop younger safeties and corners quickly. Personalities will have to adjust and mesh, which takes time – but the blend of talent and experience should make this a seamless transition.

Paul Guenther shifts out of Mike Zimmer�s shadow