DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Another four-win season jolted the Cincinnati Bengals back to reality.

In coach Marvin Lewis' sixth season, the Bengals found themselves back in the bad old days. They started 0-8. They finished last in the league in offense.

Any chance of change?

There are going to be a lot of changes on the roster, particularly on offense. The Bengals have a lot of decisions to make about their running backs, their receivers and their offensive line. Do they trade Chad Ocho Cinco after a subpar season? Do they use their franchise tag on receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh? Do they try to keep running back Cedric Benson?

But what about the bigger issues, the ones that have held the franchise back for 18 years? Is owner Mike Brown going to hire a general manager, turn the team over to someone with a respected football background, and let Lewis have more say in what goes on?

Of course not. In the most important ways, there will be no significant change.

While other underachieving teams fired their coaches and general managers on Monday, the Bengals went about planning for next year. Lewis has two years left on his contract and is working for a boss who doesn't want to pay someone to do nothing.

So, there's no reason to expect significant change in an organization that has produced only one winning season in the last 18 years. What about more superficial change that gets the team back to at least being competitive? That could happen.

During their descent to 4-11-1, the Bengals showed improvement on defense that was more than offset by the offense's implosion. The defense finished 12th overall.

The overriding question of the offseason involves quarterback Carson Palmer's right elbow, which has a ligament and tendon partially torn from the bone. If Palmer is back, the offense could be competitive. Then the Bengals just have to decide who's going to be out there with him.

The offensive line was expected to be one of the team's strengths, given its depth and experience. It struggled in preseason, when Palmer was hit often and broke his nose, and didn't get much better when the season began. It crumbled when injuries set in.

Both starting tackles — Levi Jones and Stacy Andrews — ended the season hurt. With the line in flux, the offense went nowhere. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick — an unrestricted free agent — finished as the team's second-leading rusher with his scrambles. Benson signed a one-year deal in late September, had three 100-yard rushing games, and will likely test free agency.

Houshmandzadeh, who tied for the league lead in catches last season and was by far the team's MVP this year, also is a free agent. The Bengals could use their franchise tag to keep him for one year, an expensive move that would make him bristle.

"It (shows) no intention of signing you to a long-term deal," Houshmandzadeh said. "And it doesn't make the team better. We have so many other holes to fill."

With an easier schedule next season, the Bengals could return to the average status they've attained in four of their six seasons under Lewis — 8-8 three times and 7-9 once.

Around these parts, that would pass for change.