Anybody who saw the complete and total collapse of the Cincinnati Bengals today knows a couple things. They know why Head Coach Marvin Lewis doesn't have a contract after this season. And they know that QB Carson Palmer is not the answer for this team at quarterback.
Palmer, who was picked off three times, including with 14 seconds left, allowing the Bucs to make an improbable comeback and kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.
This time, there was no complaining about the lack of a running game. Cedric Benson ran for 144 yards- his most in a regular-season game since Week 7 of last season. And the front office spent big money to bring in TO, who has enjoyed a big season so far.
So what's the problem? It's Palmer. Even last year, as the Bengals shocked the league and won the division, Palmer's numbers were very average. With 3,094 yards, 21 TDs and 13 INTs, Palmer was good enough to not lose games for the Bengals. But through five games this season, Palmer has 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, and the Bengals find themselves in a big hole in the division early in the season.
Their two wins are more the result of a stout defense than an offense showing up—a 15-10 win over Baltimore (where Cincy settled for FIVE field goals) and an uninspiring road victory against the 0-5 Carolina Panthers.
Last week Cincy fell to the then winless Cleveland Browns. Week 1 saw them get blown out by New England. Today, they blew a game against a 3-1 Tampa Bay team that they are much more talented then. At a certain point, it gets to a point where it's too easy to just pin all the blame on Lewis. Palmer has to be held accountable.
Unfortunately for Cincy, they don't have any other options on the roster to challenge Palmer. Carson's brother Jordan is the backup, with rookie Dan Lefevour the third-string option.
Palmer is the only realistic option the Bengals have of staying competitive. Their schedule the rest of the season is BRUTAL (the combined record of their opponents is 28-21, but 27-12 when you take out two games against Cleveland and Buffalo. Simply put, back-to-back losses has only made their uphill climb that much tougher.
But if you're Cincy, and you haven't made much of a concerted effort to sign Marvin Lewis to be your coach next year, it's time to start thinking about a future QB. Because whoever is coaching the Bengals next season may not want their future hinging on a 31-year-old Carson Palmer, a 37-year old TO and a 33-year-old Chad Ochocinco, who's had no chemistry with Palmer all season.
Carson Palmer is a talented QB. But the Bengals have done everything to surround Palmer with talent to take him to the next level. At a certain point, it may be better to start from scratch. They're already two games behind the Ravens in the division, and the Steelers are set to get QB Ben Roethlisberger back from suspension.
Carson went from being the best QB in his division to third-best very quickly. If he wants to save this team—and his future in Cincy—he has to turn it around this season...and fast.
Summer Altice Summer Glau Sunny Mabrey Susan Ward Susie Castillo
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