Bengals: On Palmer ...

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

On Palmer ...

To say Carson Palmer is the Bengals' problem is not accurate. In fact, as long as Palmer plays quarterback for the Bengals, they have a chance to win and have a chance to rebuild and compete next season.

He is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL.

He is an excellent leader, as well. Only a true pro would take the blame for the Arizona loss and others.

To hear fans call for Palmer to be benched is something I thought I'd never hear. The fans calling for the Bengals to get a new quarterback have been spoiled by his play. Guess people have pretty short memories to forget the likes of Gus Frerotte, Akili Smith, Neil O'Donnell and David Klingler.

51 Comments:

at 11/20/2007 4:00 PM

Laura said...

Amen, Mark. Can you imagine if it were like the Colts when Peyton threw 6 picks? Sheesh.

at 11/20/2007 4:05 PM

Anonymous said...

They get the big money so they're the big targets, but it's funny how Palmer and Johnson have been the scapegoats.
I think players like Justin Smith and Madieu Williams have a lot more to answer to this season than our starting QB and receivers.
Along with the head coach who's track record of drafting has to be the worst in the NFL.
Without that draft that he inherited that included C. Johnson, R. Johnson, Houshmandzadeh and then Palmer the following year, where on earth would this team be?

at 11/20/2007 4:13 PM

Anonymous said...

at 11/20/2007 4:14 PM

Matt said...

Good post Mark!, It is just ridiculous for anyone to even suggest that Carson be benched.

at 11/20/2007 4:14 PM

Anonymous said...

Mark,
People who say Palmer should be benched are idiots. He is the only reason for hope we have. If the Brown family ( the loser fools that they are) will pick up some good (not over the hill or injured) free agents we could compete again next year. If you think Carson is the problem...you are a fool.

George In Zanesville

at 11/20/2007 4:19 PM

Anonymous said...

Whoever is calling for Palmer to be benched, just quit watching football. You obviously know NOTHING about the game and never will.

Please refrain from having children in the future.

at 11/20/2007 4:24 PM

Anonymous said...

Mark you are right on.

Anyone who thinks Carson is the problem knows nothing about football.

at 11/20/2007 4:25 PM

Anonymous said...

I do believe that Carson Palmer is a great quarterback and deserves to be starting. But how can you call him one of the top-5 QB's in the league based on his stats this year.

Also, I would hope he would take the blame for the loss against the Cardinals. While the receivers could've caught more balls and the defense could've gotten off the field on third down, his four interceptions were the reason the Bengals lost.

The media loves giving Palmer a pass. Remember he hasn't done much in his career compared to the likes of Brady, Favre, Manning, Roethlisberger or even Hasselbeck and Brees.
All of those guys are better leaders then Palmer, because they consistently lead their teams into the playoffs.

at 11/20/2007 4:25 PM

Anonymous said...

Well said Mark. I was at the game and I actually heard one fan near me say " put Fitzpatrick in!". I was in shock. Yes, it was a bad game for him, but I feel some of my fellow Bengal fans are becoming spoiled at his "normal" play week in and week out. This guy is and should be the foundation of this team for years to come. I am pretty sure I didn't hear anyone yelling for Manning to be benched after his six interception performance a week ago. Our fans need to realize who to blame and it's not Palmer - I know that much.

at 11/20/2007 4:26 PM

Anonymous said...

I tend to agree. The thing that upsets me most about the Bengals is how they are wasting Carson's talent. For most NFL teams, there is a direct correlation between the quality of the quarterback and the team's performance. The Bengals are the only exception to that rule I can think of and it makes me sick.

at 11/20/2007 4:36 PM

russ said...

That's ridiculous! Palmer has one or two "bad" games like this a year. The much bigger issue is that he doesn't have the Defense, running game or Wide Receivers to help pick up the team and carry them when Palmer is "off". If Henry and CJ wouldn't have had so many bonehead plays between them the Bengals would have won and nobody would be saying a word about Palmer's performance.

at 11/20/2007 4:40 PM

Anonymous said...

Let's also remember that just around a week ago, arguably the best QB in the NFL threw 6 interceptions in a game. The reason the Colts were still in that game is because of good Defense and an effective running game. If the Bengals had both, we would have probably still won the game. Why is it such a surprise to any knowledgable NFL fan that if you cannot run the ball, the passing game is going to suffer? Carson made a career the last few years on great play action passing, and will again soon.

at 11/20/2007 4:42 PM

Anonymous said...

I agree Palmer is not the problem.

The sad fact is he is not the solution either.

The problem is the Brown family is unable + I believe unwilling to put a consistent winner on the field. They do not have the football expertise to assemble a group of 45 NFL players who can compete at a high level. The 2005 11-5 is a product of the NFL system.

After a decade of top 5 draft picks resulting from bottom 5 finishes they were able to crack the playoffs for 1 game.

Compare this to the successful organizations who never get top 5 picks but consistently out draft the Bengals in draft rounds 2 - 7.

This is where great TEAMS are made. The Bengals don't have a clue how to do this.

at 11/20/2007 4:52 PM

Anonymous said...

I hope nobody has broken their leg.....jumping off the band wagon.
Has everyone forgot where we use to be? Not even the mice on the Titanic jumped ship as quick as everyone (including the media) has. You all should be ashamed.

at 11/20/2007 5:27 PM

Anonymous said...

In regards to Mark talking about the greatness of Palmer to Gus Ferotte and how we fans forget. No we don't, in fact there is no need to forget because this season looks like another 3 and 13 season. Hmmm, that's about the same record as all the years we had "terrible" QBs. Thus my point: Palmer isn't that great, we are still the bungles and our record is terrible with or without Palmer. Please, I have been a bungles fan for years and as a die hard I look at one record--wins and losses and playoffs. Palmer has taken us to one playoff game, oh boy! I'm as happy as a giddy school girl! NO! Fire Lewis and someone needs to tell Palmer he needs to STEP IT UP! He gets paid alot of jack to make plays, let us not forget we are criticizing multimillionaires not school age children. Did anyone see the Enquirer article about how "football players" thoroughly enjoy playing x-box and halo 3 is really big amongst their faves? What a joke! These guys, Palmer included, need to get off their lazy butts that the sports media enables them to have, and start practicing some football!!! I'm out.

at 11/20/2007 6:04 PM

Anonymous said...

People in this town have incredibly short memories except for when it comes to the Big Red Machine.

Seeing Kurt Warner throw left handed reminded me of Gus Frerotte.

The Bengals lose when The Brat doesn't call running plays. Run the ball. It's very simple. The last three years the Bengals lose when they are off balanced.

The next step is calling the right type of running plays for your running back. For Rudi, that means between the tackles. He is not a sweep/spread running back, yet that is what Brat calls.

They want to become an Indy-type of offense but Rudi isn't that guy. Chris Perry is. Kenny Irons is. Kenny Watson is. Rudi isn't.

People tend to forget the numbers Rudi has put up the last three seasons. He's what the Patriots want Maroney to be, a four to six yard pounder.

Despite the injury and poor playcalling, Rudi isn't hitting the hole like he used to. With their spread offense, I think the Bengals would be better off trading Rudi.

at 11/20/2007 6:37 PM

Anonymous said...

The one thing that stands between 0-16 and the Bengals is Carson Palmer...so no one but a lunatic would suggest that an off-day or even an off-year is grounds for benching or trading Palmer. But Chad is an appropriate scape goat. Henry had a bad game Sunday but it should be clear that Chris Henry and TJ are the best receivers on this team. Maybe if Chad actually tried to do things the right way, instead of the Chad way, he could again be considered our #1. Maybe.

Maybe Chad's having an off year too. Maybe next season is what it's all about now. I have said all year and I'll continue to say it until the games reflect something different: our coaches stink. We need talent upgrades at many positions, sure, but come on, these knuckleheads are operating a vertical, aggressive offense. All these swing passes and dink passes simply do not play to the Bengals' strengths and situationally, when you need to gain 22 yards, this is NOT the team to try draws or screens or throwing underneath. The Bengals have a strong but narrow talent vein that goes largely unmined every single game, offense-wise. With our three receivers, you throw long, and you keep throwing long. We haven't tried that enough, and we're 3-7 only because the Ravens and Jets stunk against us.

at 11/20/2007 6:50 PM

Bill said...

4:25 Anonymous and 5:27 Anonymous, please keep posting so that we have a bottom to build up from. You both have no idea what you are talking about. Go watch the Cyclones or something.

at 11/20/2007 7:57 PM

SL said...

A couple of things. First Palmer is one of the 10 best QB's in the NFL so benching him is just silly. Second Palmer is having a down year and making way too many mistakes. Anyone that doesn't notice that shouldn't be allowed to watch the NFL. That being said until the Bengals spend free agent dollars and upgrade the roster they will lose year after year.

at 11/20/2007 8:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Carson's passing rating is down. Peyton's passing is down. The common factor is the offensive line. A quarterback needs time to throw for a vertica passing game. The Bengals, who had perhaps the best offensive line in the league with a healthy Willie, Eric Steinbach, and Rich Brahm several years ago, are no longer dominant on offense. The colts have had three different players at the crucial left tackle position aree also struggling with their offense. Although with Adai their running game has remained adequate. Paul Brown always said that to build a team you start with the five studs up front. Remember the first player he drafted for the Bengals was Bob Johnson, a dominant center. Right now with their present players, the defense has trouble getting three and out while the offense cant avoid three and out. If the Bengals get a high draft pick next year, they will have a difficult choice whether to draft a dominant defensive tackle like Glen Dorsey, or a dominant offensive tackle like Jake Long Right now this is not a good team in spite of having some very talented players like Carson, Chad and TJ. The Bengals need a much better OFFENSIVE LINE.

at 11/20/2007 8:45 PM

Anonymous said...

Oh Contraire, Mark!

I know that Palmer is a superstar or so everyone thinks…..but so is every other starting QB out there, right? I’m not saying they should get rid of him just that I think that he needed to sit down. He’s a very highly paid player and he should be delivering big time results. Sure everyone’s a Bengal’s fan but isn’t it very likely that he’s just not as good as everyone thinks? There appears to be an awful lot of QBs out there on other teams that everyone thinks aren’t good who are doing okay with the talent that they have. John Kitna is one of them. This team is 3-7 yet we keep being rah-rah about the players.

Look at it this way, what better way for the coach to show that he’s committed to winning than to set your #1 cash cow player down? Same for some of the other players too.

I think we are past the time of wishful thinking about this team and we’re past the time where the coach should have exercised authority on this team. Heck yes! Sit Palmer down when he’s hurting the team. Let Rowe or Fitzpatrick take a few snaps. They should have sat Chad Johnson down too for a series or two also after he dropped the ball without even being touched. That might have been the most amazing trick this entire season fumbling the ball untouched.

I’m not trying to be difficult. It’s just that the coach needs to take action and start focusing on the players doing their jobs like they’re supposed to.

Anonymous Bengal

at 11/20/2007 8:56 PM

Anonymous said...

Laura said...
Amen, Mark. Can you imagine if it were like the Colts when Peyton threw 6 picks? Sheesh.

Big difference with Manning. Manning has proven that he's a winner. He's won the Super Bowl and the team is 8-2 not 3-7.

at 11/20/2007 8:58 PM

Anonymous said...

pc said...
They get the big money so they're the big targets, but it's funny how Palmer and Johnson have been the scapegoats.
I think players like Justin Smith and Madieu Williams have a lot more to answer to this season than our starting QB and receivers.
Along with the head coach who's track record of drafting has to be the worst in the NFL.
Without that draft that he inherited that included C. Johnson, R. Johnson, Houshmandzadeh and then Palmer the following year, where on earth would this team be?

I agree and compound that with the fact that the coach brought the team out of preseason not ready to compete. I mean who trains with LBs all through the preseason and then cuts them?

at 11/20/2007 9:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Mark you are absolutely right about Carson. The bad thing about these blogs is at times the comments from the lowest common denominators of society. Sadly it probably will not be long before someone post something to confirm that.

I think that you just did. Why is it that so called fans always use a similar ploy. Trying to shame posters that they don't know anything or are stupid. You sound like some of the so called fans on Bengals.com. They're bigger fans than everyone else and they're going to out shout, or out cuss, or out insult everyone that posts something they don't like.

at 11/20/2007 9:03 PM

Anonymous said...

Gater1848 said...
Good post Mark!, It is just ridiculous for anyone to even suggest that Carson be benched.

11/20/2007 4:14 PM

Anonymous said...
Mark,
People who say Palmer should be benched are idiots. He is the only reason for hope we have. If the Brown family ( the loser fools that they are) will pick up some good (not over the hill or injured) free agents we could compete again next year. If you think Carson is the problem...you are a fool.

George In Zanesville

11/20/2007 4:14 PM

Anonymous said...
Whoever is calling for Palmer to be benched, just quit watching football. You obviously know NOTHING about the game and never will.

Please refrain from having children in the future.

11/20/2007 4:19 PM

See the previous post you loyal Bengal's fans.

at 11/20/2007 9:10 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I do believe that Carson Palmer is a great quarterback and deserves to be starting. But how can you call him one of the top-5 QB's in the league based on his stats this year.

Also, I would hope he would take the blame for the loss against the Cardinals. While the receivers could've caught more balls and the defense could've gotten off the field on third down, his four interceptions were the reason the Bengals lost.

The media loves giving Palmer a pass. Remember he hasn't done much in his career compared to the likes of Brady, Favre, Manning, Roethlisberger or even Hasselbeck and Brees.
All of those guys are better leaders then Palmer, because they consistently lead their teams into the playoffs.

I agree. It's like Palmer is part of the royal family. All they had to do was draft him and we put him on a pedestal. Maybe we shouldn't have done that. Considering what Rorthlisburger has done coming out of a small school what could we be thinking.

at 11/20/2007 9:21 PM

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Mark!

Carson had a bad game, and does have some things to work on.

His heart, and overall QB skill should not be in question.

Go cheer for the Dolphins if you want to continue complaining about the Bengals.

Here's a shocker that has been with us for over 15 years: The Bengals defense is horrible. That is priority one. Give us a top 15 defense, and this offense with everyone back and healthy, and the fair weather, band wagon fans might shut up...unless you have already bought your Patriots jersey.

at 11/20/2007 9:35 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Well said Mark. I was at the game and I actually heard one fan near me say " put Fitzpatrick in!". I was in shock. Yes, it was a bad game for him, but I feel some of my fellow Bengal fans are becoming spoiled at his "normal" play week in and week out. This guy is and should be the foundation of this team for years to come. I am pretty sure I didn't hear anyone yelling for Manning to be benched after his six interception performance a week ago. Our fans need to realize who to blame and it's not Palmer - I know that much.

11/20/2007 4:25 PM

Anonymous said...
I tend to agree. The thing that upsets me most about the Bengals is how they are wasting Carson's talent. For most NFL teams, there is a direct correlation between the quality of the quarterback and the team's performance. The Bengals are the only exception to that rule I can think of and it makes me sick.

While I agree with the latter post and with the correlation of the QB not matching with the team's performance I disagree with the Peyton Manning comment in that the games and the performances were different.

The thing is that if you put both QBs and both teams, the colts and Bengals on paper you would think that Cincy has more talent because of Palmer, CJ, TJ, Henry, and Rudi. What a waste of talent by Cincinnati. Either something is wrong with the chemistry with the players on this team or the talent has been vastly over estimated.

at 11/20/2007 9:43 PM

Anonymous said...

russ said...
That's ridiculous! Palmer has one or two "bad" games like this a year. The much bigger issue is that he doesn't have the Defense, running game or Wide Receivers to help pick up the team and carry them when Palmer is "off". If Henry and CJ wouldn't have had so many bonehead plays between them the Bengals would have won and nobody would be saying a word about Palmer's performance.

I agree. If CJ and Henry would have caught passes in the 4th quarter the game might have been different. CJ's fumble didn't help things either. The trouble with the would've should've thought is that Palmers play resulted in 21 points for the opponent and the defense got the ball back for him practically the entire second half. This loss was definately Palmer's fault.

I appreciate that he took the blame for the loss and I wonder where the rest of the players are on this. There needs to be more than one player taking blame for a bad performance.

at 11/20/2007 9:53 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I agree Palmer is not the problem.

The sad fact is he is not the solution either.

The problem is the Brown family is unable + I believe unwilling to put a consistent winner on the field. They do not have the football expertise to assemble a group of 45 NFL players who can compete at a high level. The 2005 11-5 is a product of the NFL system.

After a decade of top 5 draft picks resulting from bottom 5 finishes they were able to crack the playoffs for 1 game.

Compare this to the successful organizations who never get top 5 picks but consistently out draft the Bengals in draft rounds 2 - 7.

This is where great TEAMS are made. The Bengals don't have a clue how to do this.

What you've said is important. I agree that 2005 was a fluke and I think the difference between a playoff team and Cincinnati is not necessarily the players but how they play. On paper Cincy has just as many good players as say Pittsburgh. The difference is that Pittsburgh players are fundementally sound and Cincy players seem to backslide all the time. I mean we're talking about a professional football team and the coach laments about defensive players not knowing how to tackle.

Sometimes play is so bad that you wonder if there is a rift with players on the team.

at 11/20/2007 9:56 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I hope nobody has broken their leg.....jumping off the band wagon.
Has everyone forgot where we use to be? Not even the mice on the Titanic jumped ship as quick as everyone (including the media) has. You all should be ashamed.

Yawn! That's old hat!

This is a professional sport payed for by the fans. It has to do with playing the game and playing it well. What bandwagon are you talking about? Bandwagon is for High School play.

at 11/20/2007 10:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
In regards to Mark talking about the greatness of Palmer to Gus Ferotte and how we fans forget. No we don't, in fact there is no need to forget because this season looks like another 3 and 13 season. Hmmm, that's about the same record as all the years we had "terrible" QBs. Thus my point: Palmer isn't that great, we are still the bungles and our record is terrible with or without Palmer. Please, I have been a bungles fan for years and as a die hard I look at one record--wins and losses and playoffs. Palmer has taken us to one playoff game, oh boy! I'm as happy as a giddy school girl! NO! Fire Lewis and someone needs to tell Palmer he needs to STEP IT UP! He gets paid alot of jack to make plays, let us not forget we are criticizing multimillionaires not school age children. Did anyone see the Enquirer article about how "football players" thoroughly enjoy playing x-box and halo 3 is really big amongst their faves? What a joke! These guys, Palmer included, need to get off their lazy butts that the sports media enables them to have, and start practicing some football!!! I'm out.

I blame it on the coach. He needs to bring the team out of preseason ready to play football. Heck, both starting tackles weren't in camp until the end of preseason and the starters took practically no snaps in the preseason games. All of that and the coach cuts defensive players at the end of the preseason.

Yes, these people are making big money and they need to pick it up.

at 11/20/2007 10:08 PM

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
People in this town have incredibly short memories except for when it comes to the Big Red Machine.

Seeing Kurt Warner throw left handed reminded me of Gus Frerotte.

The Bengals lose when The Brat doesn't call running plays. Run the ball. It's very simple. The last three years the Bengals lose when they are off balanced.

The next step is calling the right type of running plays for your running back. For Rudi, that means between the tackles. He is not a sweep/spread running back, yet that is what Brat calls.

Personally I think that Rudi is about a yard too deep in the backfield on sets. I wonder if they've considered moving him closer to the line of scrimmage so that he can take advantage of the opening when it occurs. Most of the time he runs to the line of scrimmage and then stops or stutters instead of just running. Also, I wonder if they thought about checking his eyesight because he doesn't seem to see openings the way other backs do.

at 11/20/2007 10:13 PM

Anonymous said...

Bill said...
4:25 Anonymous and 5:27 Anonymous, please keep posting so that we have a bottom to build up from. You both have no idea what you are talking about. Go watch the Cyclones or something.

I've seen many insightful messages posted here. Yours was not one of them. If you had nothing to say they why did you waste time in posting?

at 11/20/2007 10:14 PM

Popcan said...

I can't believe anyone could blame Carson Palmer for this season. He's the best thing to ever happen to this franchise. I wish true football fans would reply in this blog. If so people would realize that a QB can only be as good as the team around them. Look at Archie Manning. He was a great QB on a lousy team, that's why he never won anything. Carson is definitely a rock that can be built on. Carson makes mistakes because he tries to force things because he has too. He has no support. I would be willing to bet that if you put Carson on the Patriots he would have better numbers than Tom Brady. It also doesn't help that the coaching isn't helping him out. It's sad that myself, a washed up Oak Hills high school QB can predict Bratkowski's plays. If I can do it, I guarantee NFL coaches/players can predict the next move. Carson's not the problem, coaching and lack of coaching are!!!!

at 11/20/2007 11:27 PM

Jeff Sagel said...

Yeah, I guess all the nay-sayers are correct, have fun with your season tickets. Why did you buy season tickets? Oh, that's right; it's because of Carson, Chad, and T.J.

Don't you remember the sound of the stadium when Carson went down with the knee injury?

I am more ashamed to be a Bengals fan today, not because of the losing record, but because of the fans that I am associated with.

at 11/21/2007 12:45 AM

Anonymous said...

I'm only playing devils advocate when I mention this, but isn't it depressing that week after week, loss after loss, the same things seem to be discussed:

1. Our coaching staff is abysmal at best

2. Rudi is terrible this year and Watson should be the primary RB

3. Chad Johnson has the mentality of a pouty high school punk who only plays when he wants to.

4. Our defense is tragically bad.

5. Carson Palmer looks like a reject from the XFL.

What's worse than all that is the fairweather fans who celebrate our few wins and demand Palmer be benched when he has an off game. I've been a Cincy fan since a child, but I've never been very proud of our fans. You're either a true fan or you're not, plain and simple...

at 11/21/2007 1:12 AM

Unknown said...

Comments like those make it really easy to turn off the radio. Everyone is entitled to a bad day at work. These are probably the same people that boo Ken Griffey Jr. for being injured.

at 11/21/2007 1:50 AM

Anonymous said...

Suggesting Palmer be benched is silly. To call him one of the top 5 QB's in the NFL is ridiculous. Palmer's QB rating is 13th in the league right now. That's middle of the road Mark, not top 5. How many come from behind, 4th quarter wins, has Palmer engineered during his career? He almost always fails in those situations by throwing interceptions or by fumbling the ball. Winners don't choke with the game on the line.

at 11/21/2007 3:24 AM

Anonymous said...

Ok, so you want to say things like 'He is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the league', but there is nothing wrong with the 4 interceptions he threw. When you have a great player, you expect great things. That is just natural. That is why when I saw Chad holding the ball like he was on some school playground my jaw hit the floor. I can't remember him being so lax in his ball protection. The other team can predict us now. We are lazy play callers and we are afraid of being exceptional. We can't step outside of our comfort zone so we stay small and vulnerable. When the defender can say they can anticipate you. You have a problem. Nuf said.

at 11/21/2007 7:52 AM

Anonymous said...

Some times Cincy fans can be so fickle.....It's a bad year for our boys....but imploding and blaming one of the most talented guys on our team is not the answer....It's the same idiot fans that were blaming Chad for our problems. I mean chad is defiantly not himself..he doesn't celebrate he doesn't do his gimmicks. And we are still losing...Guess that wasn't the problem. At least when Chad did his celebrations and gimmicks it showed he had drive and ambition. the out side media and the fickle band wagon fans took that away from him and called him selfish so he toned it down...I know we have been through 17 years of losing but it has been four years since we had a losing season....And we are short the 2005 draft class...that is not marvins fault....Injury and yes suspension...Give me a break if we would not have taken the trouble makers they would be a steal for another team....Teams have bad years...It's our turn lets just man up and see how this plays out...Carson Palmer is the man....So is Chad...

at 11/21/2007 8:39 AM

bodacio said...

at 11/20/2007 4:52 PM Anonymous said...

I hope nobody has broken their leg.....jumping off the band wagon.
Has everyone forgot where we use to be? Not even the mice on the Titanic jumped ship as quick as everyone (including the media) has. You all should be ashamed.

Possibly this fellow should be ashamed for posing as someone who was a Bengals fan pre-2003. Heck yeah, I think we can all remember where we used to be 1991-2002, and this year ranks right up there with the worst I've seen.

In a league of parody, why would one playoff game convince anyone the Brown family has "turned it around"? Get a grip, Johnny.

at 11/21/2007 9:14 AM

Anonymous said...

Carson is not the problem!The fans are!

How can these men play a decent game when they have 40,000 people booing at them? I was down at the Cardinals game supporting my team, trying to get the people around me excited about the new Bengal's chant "clean 'em Bengals, clean 'em up" all awhile wearing a cut off Tide detergent box on my head. The whole time I was pelted with beer bottles by so many unruly fans it broke my spirit. RIDICULOUS!!!!

at 11/21/2007 11:29 AM

Anonymous said...

Bench Palmer??
Come on.
Throughout this season, the problem has been a lack of fundamental play-making on defense. Example, they contained Marshawn Lynch of Buffalo for most of the game, then he gets one big play at a key time for 60 yards and everybody thinks Lynch had a great game. Truth is the Bengals had him nailed in the backfield but missed tackles. I see this happen time and again on this defence.
Discipline and basic fundamental football are what the Bengals are missing.
But I cannot for the life of me figure out why nobody can instill that in them.

Terry Fries

at 11/21/2007 11:31 AM

Anonymous said...

at 11/21/2007 11:38 AM

Anonymous said...

It shouldn't be Palmer that's benched. It should be Rudi Johnson. How can you play someone that much that will only give you 2 ypc. In my opinion you have to play Kenny Watson a lot more.

at 11/21/2007 11:38 AM

Anonymous said...

He had a bad game. Who would you bench him for - Ryan Fitzpatrick? Don't forget you have CJ dropping balls, Henry dropping balls when he's actually allowed to play, and TJ running to the sidelines every time he gets a bump or bruise. No reason to bench him.

at 11/21/2007 12:08 PM

Anonymous said...

I agree that you can't put it all on Palmer. Yes, he should take the blame but the facts are the coaching staff does nothing to mix up the play calling. The Packers put Farve out as a wide receiver this past weekend on one play just to give the other team a different look. The defense was sitting on a lot of the pass routes last Sunday. Who's FAULT is that?....the coaching staff!!!!!

at 11/21/2007 3:01 PM

Anonymous said...

You can say that Palmer has not been the problem. However, the problem is that he has not been the solution -- and all season. He is the equivalent of a franchise player at quarterback and he has not elevated the play of those around him or provided the leadership to get them out of the doldrums. Coming from Packerland, I've seen Favre fail many times, but not once not swinging. Palmer, I'm not sure he's reaching home plate. He's been at the periphery ALL SEASON.

at 11/21/2007 3:31 PM

Anonymous said...

The anonymous people saying Palmer should sit know absolutely NOTHING about football. Manning threw 6 picks in a game, so did Marino. Last time I checked, Carson has NEVER thrown that many in his life. It happens. If the Bengals weren't so bad as a team, he wouldn't be throwing the ball >70% of the time on offense. When you are trailing, you throw the ball, and defenses tee off on that, drop 7-8 guys in coverage.

Carson Palmer is the reigning Pro-bowl MVP. Ask Reggie Wayne when Carson hit him in stride on a 70 yard bomb, if Carson is any good. Carson had a bad game, but TJ and Palmer are the ONLY talented players on this team. NO DEFENSE + CAN"T RUN THE BALL = CARSON"S LOWER THAN USUAL PERFORMANCE.

at 11/21/2007 9:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis drafted Carson Palmer. That was his first pick ever. Why do people continue to say Carson was not one of his draft picks. Thats just stupid. And how soon we have forgotten the 3-13, 4-12, and 2-14. That seems to slip everyone's memory. He is not a bad at drafting. Injuries and unseen events have diminished his draft picks. But when Chris Perry was playing regularly he was regarded as a player who opened up the offense. Pollack was making strides but he an unfortunate injury. Odell had his off field issues and then the commish (he is a commissioner on the same level of Vince Mcmahon) gave it to him raw. Steinbach was a great draft pick but the Browns didn't want to pay him. Everybody and there momma was singing the praises of Madieu Williams but most have turned on him. It is not the draft that has led the bengal's astray, it is free agency. Not going after Adalius Thomas was idiotic.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2007

On Palmer ...

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