Cincinnati Bengals History | 2002 - Bengals.com

2002

Summary

The Bengals began the season in a new division, the AFC North, as the NFL realigned into eight four-team divisions. The Bengals were successful in efforts to keep longtime rivals Cleveland and Pittsburgh as division foes, and the Baltimore Ravens completed the four-team lineup. The Bengals entered the season after an encouraging 2001 finish. But despite some noteworthy individual performances, the team sunk to the worst record (2-14) in franchise history. The team was hit hard by injuries, losing the league's second-highest number of games by starters. The offense got off to a very slow start with free agent signee Gus Frerotte at QB. The offense perked up noticeably after the 2001 starter, Jon Kitna, returned to the No. 1 QB role. For the first time since 1989, Cincinnati had a 3000-yard passer (Kitna), a 1000-yard rusher (Corey Dillon) and a 1000-yard receiver (Chad Johnson). Johnson had the first of his club-record 31 games of 100 receiving yards on Nov. 10 at Baltimore (seven-for-110). On Oct. 27 vs. Tennessee, Dillon raised his Bengals career rushing total to 6542 yards, passing James Brooks (6447) into the all-time franchise lead that he still holds through 2017 with 8061 yards. The Bengals set a team record for pass completions with 350 (since surpassed). But the team was 0-7 before getting a win at expansion Houston. The defense was inconsistent, and with nine TDs allowed on special teams or by the offense, the Bengals as a team allowed the second-most points (456) in club history. On Dec. 30, it was announced that head coach Dick LeBeau would not be retained for 2003.

021222-Bengals_Saints-AP_02122203185-Al Behrman-NEW

League Rankings

Table inside Article
TOTALRUSHPASS
OFFENSE18 (325.4)21 (108.1)13 (217.3)
DEFENSE17 (329.1)22 (125.2)13 (203.9)
020829-Bengals_Falcons-AP_02082902988-Al Behrman-NEW

Year Totals

Table inside Article
PLAYSFIRST DOWNSNET YDS RUSHNET YDS PASSTOTAL NET YDSPTS
OFFENSE1054315173034765206279
DEFENSE976315200332625265456
021103-Bengals_Texans-AP_02110301145-David J. Phillip-NEW

Individual Leaders

Table inside Article
PLAYERCATEGORY
Neil RackersScoring
Jon KitnaPassing
Corey DillonRushing
Chad JohnsonReceptions
Chad JohnsonReceiving Yards
Nick HarrisPunting
T.J. HoushmandzadehPunt Returns
Brandon BennettKickoff Returns
Neil RackersField Goals
Artrell Hawkins, Kevin KaesviharnInterceptions
Justin SmithSacks
021222-Bengals_Saints-Lebeau-AP_02122202499-David Kohl-NEW

Coaching Staff

Table inside Article
COACHPOSITION
Head CoachDick Lebeau
Paul AlexanderOffensive Line
Jim AndersonRunning Backs
Ken AndersonQuarterbacks
Bob BratkowskiOffensive Coordinator
Louie CioffiDefensive Assistant
Kevin CoyleCornerbacks
Mark DuffnerDefensive Coordinator / Linebackers
John GarrettTight Ends
Rodney HolmanStrength and Conditioning Assistant
Tim KrumrieDefensive Line
Steve MooshagianWide Receivers
Darren PerrySafeties
Al RobertsSpecial Teams
Bob SuraceOffensive Assistant
Kim WoodStrength and Conditioning
020830-Bengals_Falcons-AP_02091503367-Jeff Glidden-NEW

2002 NFL Draft: April 20-21

Table inside Article
ROUNDPLAYERPOSITIONCOLLEGESELECTION NUMBER
1Levi JonesOTArizona State10
2Lamont ThompsonFSWashington State41
3Matt Schobel (acquired from Carolina in trade on 4-20-02)TETexas Christian67
4Travis DorschK/PPurdue109
5(sent to Carolina in trade on 4-20-02)145
6Marquand ManuelFSFlorida181
7Joey EvansDENorth Carolina219
020830-Bengals_Falcons-AP_02083002903-Tom Uhlman-NEW

Pro Bowl

Player selected for the 2002 Pro Bowl: FB Lorenzo Neal

020914-Bengals_Browns-AP_02091504829-Jeff Glidden-NEW
Advertising
Advertising