For the first time since 1990, the Bengals are thinking playoffs. Of course, the Clippers in the NBA thought last season was their year, too, but at least they closed the gap. The Bengals are gaining some believers even though they have had a hard time recruiting big names in free agency and don't send out the mass of scouts that other teams employ.

It was a minor victory that the Bengals drafted as low as 10th. Normally, they draft in the top five. What gives the Bengals optimism is their offense, which ranked 23rd last season despite talent at the wide receiver and running back positions. Halfback Corey Dillon has five consecutive 1,100-yard plus seasons and is only 27. Peter Warrick and Chad Johnson offer quickness and speed at the receiver position and Michael Westbrook replaces Darnay Scott as a challenger for a starting receiver job.

	CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Corey Dillon has rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first five seasons in the NFL.
	Location: Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ken. Rookies report: July 25 Veterans report: July 25 Preseason schedule:    Aug. 9: at Buffalo    Aug. 17: at Indianapolis    Aug. 24: New Orleans    Aug. 29: Atlanta

The question -- as is always the question in Cincinnati -- is whether the Bengals have enough at quarterback. Jon Kitna was adequate as the starter last season, but he wasn't good enough to turn the struggling franchise out of its losing doldrums. That's why they signed Gus Frerotte, who brings a strong arm to the competition. The Bengals ranked last in the league is scoring offense, producing only 226 points.

On paper, the Bengals have the league's fourth easiest schedule, facing opponents with a .463 winning percentage. Only five times do they face teams with winning records last season. In the league of parity, the Bengals have a chance. But if they don't take advantage of it, the name of the Bengals will remain one of sports futility.

Man in the spotlight
Linebacker Takeo Spikes is in the spotlight because he's become the conscious of the franchise. He's one of the next best things at the middle linebacker position to Ray Lewis. How the Bengals handle him could show which direction they are heading as a franchise. Spikes spoke out against players who weren't working out with the team during the offseason. He's a leader on the field. But he's also in the last year of his contract. The Bengals want to re-sign him to a long-term deal along with outside linebacker Brian Simmons, but if they don't, the Bengals, as a franchise, might be heading backwards.

Key position battle
Jeff Burris versus Robert Bean at cornerback. For years, the Bengals have been crying that they lack great cornerbacks. Burris cost the Bengals $2 million to handle the job, but he is coming off a tough season with the Colts. For the Bengals to win, they need better play from their cornerbacks. They've needed better play for years. Burris has been a starter since 1994 when the Bills were ending their days a Super Bowl team.

Injury update
Quarterback Akili Smith is coming off major hamstring problems, but he's not a factor. He's a distant third or fourth on the team's depth chart. Cornerback Rodney Heath hopes not to carry over his hamstring problems to this season. At minicamps, the team had plenty of hamstring injuries at tight end. Maybe the team needs to work on better hydration to prevent these hamstring pulls.

Rookie report
The Bengals believe they found their left tackle of the future with Levi Jones. He may challenge Richmond Webb for a starting job this year. The problem is that the team could have used that 10th choice in the first round on a cornerback or an offensive threat such as tight end Jeremy Shockey. Second-round choice Lamont Thompson was slated to be the team's starting free safety but the team refused to protect him fully for salary had he been injured attending the team's offseason workouts. So he didn't show, and the team will go with a veteran.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.