Questions for the Cincinnati Bengals at the Preseason Half-Way Point

The second half of the NFL preseason is upon us and, of course, the Cincinnati Bengals have a few questions that must be answered.

Will Carson Palmer be ready to go? The third game of the preseason is usually the most significant, with starters playing most, if not all, of the first half. The Bengals will be missing their quarterback on Thursday night when the Rams come to Paul Brown Stadium.

Palmer is still nursing a sprained ankle he suffered in the first preseason game. It appears that the Bengals are just being extra careful with their franchise quarterback. Even with J.T. O’Sullivan being a major upgrade over Ryan Fitzpatrick as Palmer’s backup, the fate of the Bengals rides on Palmer’s shoulders.

Reports are that Palmer has been throwing and might play in the final preseason game on Sept. 3.

Will Chad Ochocinco be kicking extra points? The Bengals signed free agent kicker Sam Swank to replace the injured Shayne Graham. Graham did not play last week in New England because of a strained groin and will miss this week’s game as well.

Tight end? Anyone? Anyone? The tight end position has taken a major hit so far. Reggie Kelly is out for the year with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Ben Utecht has been dealing with the effects of his fifth concussion and wondering if he will ever play football again.

Will the Bengals’ defense continue to improve? Does anybody realize the Bengals had the 12th ranked defense in the league last year? With the return of Keith Rivers and newcomers Rey Maualuga, Tank Johnson and Roy Williams, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer looks to continue putting pressure on opposing offenses.

Is Chris Henry a changed man? Henry’s talent and physical abilities have never been a question. It has been off-the-field wrongdoings that have plagued the wide receiver. He has managed to stay out of trouble and will certainly be a valuable weapon if he can continue to do so.

Will Andre Smith ever play for the Bengals? The Bengals are offering Smith less money than last year’s sixth pick and this year’s seventh pick. It doesn’t make any sense, unless you are a fan of this team and understand the idiocy of the owner.

The Bengals host the Rams on Thursday night at Paul Brown Stadium. It will be the first home game of the preseason. For the first time since 2005, the Bengals will not be on live television in the Cincinnati area. The last game to be blacked-out was the final game of the 2005 preseason against Indianapolis.

Ochocinco Does Mucho as Bengals Beat Patriots, 7-6

The Cincinnati Bengals earned their first victory of the preseason by beating the New England Patriots last night, 7-6.

Just as last week’s loss to New Orleans really didn’t mean anything, this victory holds no significance as to how the AFC North standings will look come December.  However, there were some encouraging performances that are worth noting.

The Bengals’ defense was very impressive. They put pressure on Tom Brady with an aggressive attack. Robert Geathers registered a sack of the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Again, the preseason means nothing as far as win total goes, but this defense has me really excited. Coordinator Mike Zimmer has these guys flying around and swarming to the ball. A good defense can allow the offense to relax and not feel it has to score 30 points every game.

Carson Palmer did not start last night after twisting his ankle last week. I saw him standing on the sidelines, so it must not have been that bad. Marvin Lewis knows that the fate of this team is directly related to that of his franchise quarterback. 

J.T. O’Sullivan got the bulk of the playing time at quarterback. He and Chris Henry connected on a 24-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.

Chad Ochocinco had three receptions for 69 yards.  He is playing like the Chad of old; having fun and making plays.

Ochocinco made the play of the game last night, even though it had nothing to do with his ability to catch passes.

After Henry’s touchdown catch, my kids and I were celebrating the score. When I focused back on the television, I noticed them showing Ochocinco jogging off the field after the extra point. I didn’t understand why he was in the shot since Henry caught the touchdown pass.

Then, I saw the replay.

Ochocinco kicked the extra point. Apparently, Shayne Graham was bothered by a sore groin during pregame warmups. Deciding not to risk injury to his starting kicker, Lewis allowed Ochocinco to attempt the extra point. 

Disaster waiting to happen? Mockery of the game? Hardly.

Ochocinco blasted a strong kick and split the uprights. He had an ear-to-ear grin on his face as he approached the sidelines.

The receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson also handled kickoff duties to start the second half. Surely, this experiment would not end well.

Wrong again.

He booted the ball to the New England nine yard line.

Ochocinco calls himself the most interesting footballer in the world. It’s hard to argue after a performance like last night.

Cincinnati Bengals: Injury Updates

After suffering a sprained ankle last Friday in New Orleans, quarterback Carson Palmer is listed as probable for Thursday night’s game in New England.

Rey Maualuga, Brandon Johnson, and Evan Mathis are back, and should see action against the Patriots.

Other injury updates:

Out: TE Ben Utecht (concussion), C Dan Santucci (foot), DT Pernell Phillips (groin), CB David Jones (foot)

Probable: TE Matt Sherry (shoulder), FB Fui Vakapuna (knee), TE/LS Brad St. Louis (turf toe)

Thoughts on the Cincinnati Bengals’ Preseason Opener

After an extended weekend in Cincinnati, I am back to the monotony of work.

The Bengals opened the preseason with a 17-7 loss in New Orleans. Of course, the outcome of a preseason game is not important. However, the performance of individual players does hold value.

Preseason games mean different things to different people. Coaches look at it as an opportunity to evaluate players in game situations. Established veterans want to avoid injury while rookies and backup players are fighting for their professional lives.

Fans (or at least this fan) really don’t care what happens after the first quarter.

The fact is that I really don’t want to see J.T. O’Sullivan on the field much this year. I want to see Carson Palmer.

However, I do understand the significance of the backup player and the need for him to get repetitions in game situations. No one knows when his number might be called.

Anyway, I was satisfied with the Bengals’ first-team offense. Nothing really blew me away, but I did see some positive things.

The pass-protection was good. Palmer had time to throw the ball and looked good doing it. 

Chris Henry made a nice catch on third down. Chad Ochocinco tip-toed down the sideline for a big gain after a catch.

After Jonathan Vilma intercepted Palmer in the first quarter, Andre Caldwell chased him down and caused a fumble. Andrew Whitworth, who was also hustling down the field, recovered the loose ball. It’s nice to see that type of intensity during a preseason game.

The first-team defense looked really good. After a Cedric Benson fumble gave the Saints the ball on the Bengals’ six-yard line, they forced a three-and-out. The defensive line put pressure on Drew Brees, forcing him to get rid of the ball sooner than he wanted to. 

Safety Chris Crocker said, “That’s the way we practice, very intense, very focused.”

The Eagles Were Not the Only Team To Offer Michael Vick a Contract

Michael Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, but Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported this morning that Vick was offered a contract by another team.

Yes, kids, that team was the Cincinnati Bengals.

Just a little over two weeks ago, Bengals’ owner/president/czar/fool Mike Brown said the team was not interested in signing Vick.

By the way, the Bengals are in New Orleans to take on the Saints.

Cincinnati Bengals: We Don’t Need No Stinking Scouts

Yesterday, I listed some of the key matchups that could present themselves as the 2009 Bengals season unfolds.  I received a comment from someone named Anonymous.

Excerpt from my post:

Mike Brown vs Bengal Nation
Since his father passed away, Mike Brown has made a mockery of this franchise. He is one of the most despised owners in sports. Whether it be the lack of a scouting department or absence of a general manager, another losing season will simply add fuel to the fire in Cincinnati.

Comment from Anonymous:

Please elaborate on this lack of scouting which is constantly used as a knock against this organization. You may want to do some research as to where the Bengals stand in regard to drafted players still in the league. I think you will find out that they are in the upper tier of the NFL in this area. To me this would indicate that the scouting of talent is not an issue. Nice try however.

 

Anonymous/Mike/Pete/Katie/Troy…whatever you want to call yourself today… 

It would be my pleasure to investigate the issue a little further.  Let’s take a look at the teams in the division and the scouts they have on staff.

Cleveland Browns

Pat Roberts, Director of College Scouting
Donovan Beidelschies, College Scout
Zac Bocian, College Scout
Jake Hallum, Senior Scout
David Hinson, Area Scout
Richard Long, East College Scout
Robert Morris, Southwest College Scout
Chisom Opara, Southeast College Scout
Bobby Vega, College Scout
Paul Warfield, Special Assignment Scout/Advisor to the GM
Bob Welton, West College Scout

Baltimore Ravens

Joe Hortiz, Director of College Scouting
Chad Alexander, Southeast Area Scout
Joe Douglas, East Area Scout
Jack Glowik, Southwest Area Scout
Milt Hendrickson, Midwest Area Scout
Andy Weidl, West Area Scout
Lonnie Young, West Area Scout

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ron Hughes, College Scouting Coordinator
Mark Gorscak, College Scout
Phil Kreidler, Pro/College Scout
Kevin Fisher, College Scout
Bruce McNorton, College Scout
Dan Rooney, College Scout
Dave Petett, Blesto Scout

Cincinnati Bengals

Greg Seamon, Scout

Anonymous also said that the “scouting of talent is not an issue.”  Remember these guys?  All of the following were taken in the first round of the NFL draft.

David Klingler
Dan Wilkinson
Ki-Jana Carter
Reinard Wilson
Akili Smith
Peter Warrick
Chis Perry

Anonymous: If you need anything else, please let me know.

My Favorite Cincinnati Bengals Not in the Hall of Fame

Paul Brown and Anthony Munoz are the lone members of the Cincinnati Bengals enshrined in Canton, Ohio. With the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend, I am listing my favorite Cincinnati Bengals who are not, and probably never will be, in the Hall of Fame. With or without a spot among football’s elite, they will always bring fond memories of orange and black to me.

Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp: The Time Is Now

The Cincinnati Bengals are at Georgetown College and ready for their first practice today at 3:00 PM.  The Bengals are looking to rebound from a 4-11-1 disastrous 2008 season.  Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco are both looking to regain their status as one of the league’s best quarterback-receiver tandems.

In June, Ochocinco told NFL Network, “There is no 85 without 9 and there is no 9 without 85.”

Ochocinco has been quite the social-media butterfly this summer, becoming a regular user of Twitter.  From his “Yo Momma” jokes to the fake face tattoos, OGOchoCinco never ceases to entertain.  Even though NFL officials said no tweeting during games, Ochocinco said, “I’m going to take this tweet to the next level and take it extreme.”

Ochocinco appears determined to make fans forget about last year’s horrible season.  Much of that will depend on whether or not Palmer can stay healthy.  After missing most of last season with an elbow injury, Palmer says his elbow is strong and ready to go.

While not saying this is a make-or-break year, Palmer did say, “The time is now.  We’ve got a lot of talent.  We’ve got a lot of good people, good individuals.”

Hopefully, one of those good individuals includes Chris Henry.  Bengal fans, coaches and players are counting on him staying out of trouble.  If he can do that, look for him to have a big season.  Talent has never been a question with Henry.

The Bengals have 78 players in camp.  Free agent rookie guard Colin Dow was cut after failing his physical.  First-round draft pick Andre Smith remains unsigned.

« Previous Page

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010