FanHouse Chinedum Ndukwe

Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. " We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

They don't allow you to take a mulligan in pro football. If they did, one has to believe the Cincinnati Bengals would take it for the whole 2008 season. An injured quarterback, problems on defense, and a controversial and somewhat unproductive wide receiver conspired to take Cincinnati down. After a 4-11-1 campaign, the Bengals are ready to (sort of) start over.

It's been almost two weeks since Hines Ward prematurely ended Bengals' linebacker Keith Rivers rookie season. On the fourth play of the Week 7 game, the Steelers wide receiver plastered Rivers, breaking his jaw in the process. The hit was legal -- so legal, in fact, that the league didn't even send Ward an invoice.

Since the incident, Bengals players have both ripped and supported Ward, who admitted he felt bad for Rivers, even asking Chad Johnson to pass along his apologies for hurting him. After the game, safety Chinedum Ndukwe said it was "Too bad [Ward] can't hit someone face up ... It's too bad he has to wait until he's not looking to get him. It's unfortunate that's the type of guy he is."

Yes, it really is too bad Ward didn't ask Rivers if he could block him before he chose to wantonly abide by the rules and do so. Savage.

Linebacker Brandon Johnson was more measured in his post-game response: "... It's part of the game. It was a good block. If I was in Hines Ward's shoes, I probably would have taken the same shot. You can't really blame him."

And today during a radio interview, Rivers, "talking through is teeth" because his jaw is still wired shut, wasn't feeling very forgiving:

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: If there is one constant on this team, it is Carson Palmer. Sure, Palmer didn't have his best season a year ago, but his off seasons are better than many QBs best years. In reality, other things factored into his poor season (injuries to the line, injury to Rudi Johnson, receivers pouting). The only issue here is what happens in Cincinnati if Palmer gets hurt. They have no one groomed to come in. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe are in their second seasons with the team and Carson's brother, Jordan, is fighting for a spot. Heat Index: 8

Running backs: Injuries have hurt this unit in the past couple of years. Workhorse Rudi Johnson finally hit a wall; Kenny Irons blew out his knee in his first preseason game; Chris Perry has never been able to stay on the field. Well, Rudi and Perry are healthy again, with 2007 surprises Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey around to give the offense a different dynamic. Cincy needs this unit to get back to form to allow the entire offense to explode. Heat Index: 4

Receivers: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best receiving combos in the NFL. T.J. tied for the lead in receptions; Chad was third in receiving yards. However, this could be the last season either is in Cincinnati. Johnson's issues with the team are well documented. T.J. is in his final contracted season. Chris Henry is finally gone and there are several guys trying to step into that #3 spot. Rookie Jerome Simpson will get a strong look, as will Andre Caldwell and Antonio Chatman. Chatman is the only one with experience and could get the nod. Heat Index: 8

The Minnesota Vikings and safety Madieu Williams have come to a contract agreement.

The four-year veteran safety has agreed on parameters on a six-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings and is on a plane now headed to Minneapolis, agent Kenny Zuckerman said late this morning.

The contract with worth a total of $33 million.

The Vikings current defensive coordinator is Leslie Frazer. Frazer was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals ... the team Williams has played for since his rookie season of 2004 ... in 2003-2004. Madieu respects Frazer as a coach and gave the team an advantage in signing him.

As for the Bengals, they kinda/sorta wanted Madieu back because of his experience. Cincy has their starting secondary in place (Marvin White, Chinedum Ndukwe), but both just completed their first NFL seasons. What could be interesting is what happens to veteran safety Dexter Jackson, who was though to become a salary cap casulty.