Signing defensive tackle Domata Peko to a five-year contract extension through 2014 might be the best move the Bengals made during the offseason. The run stuffer does a great job providing all important pressure up the middle on passing downs, especially for a team that offers little from their rush ends.  With Peko, Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom signed to long-term deals, the Bengals defensive line is solid even if they don't put up big sack numbers.  

Bengals beat writer Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News sees a big difference in the new regime.

"It has adopted a tougher, more aggressive, in-your-face philosophy and mentality under new coordinator Mike Zimmer and new linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald in an attempt to improve on its No. 27 overall ranking," Ludwig wrote on his blog.

"The unit definitely needs to be more stout at the point of attack because it’ll play 13 games against returning 1,000-yard rushers this fall."

Here's Chick's projected opening line-up on defense:

LE — Robert Geathers, Jonathan Fanene

LDT — Domata Peko, Jason Shirley

RDT — John Thornton, Pat Sims

RE — Antwan Odom, Frostee Rucker

SLB — Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks

MLB — Dhani Jones, Jim Maxwell

WLB — Keith Rivers, Brandon Johnson

LCB — Johnathan Joseph, Deltha O’Neal

RCB — Leon Hall, David Jones

SS — Chinedum Ndukwe, Dexter Jackson

FS — Marvin White, Corey Lynch