But Sanchez played really good tonight. Saying that Palmer was outplayed by him with such a negative connotation was uncalled for.

LOL all the trash the Bungles fans have talked all season long and look how it went down. Beat down horribly by the same team 2 weeks in row. No matter how good they do or how much you hope they will do something a team doesn’t get a nickname like the Bungles for no reason. Glad to see they proved me right once again. Worthless waste to let them in the playoffs. They need to stay where they belong at 8-8 and never a contender. Oh and I know they beat the Steelers twice this year so woohoo for you. Doesn’t change the fact that it was the first time in like ever and it’ll never happen again. Also doesn’t change the fact that as a team they have 6 sb wins. Sorry how many do the Bungles have thas right not a one and they never will since they can’t even make it past the first round lol. Way to go Bungles on another stellar season.

Bank on it.

He’ll let on the CBs walk, or maybe both.
He’ll let Zimmer walk. If it’s about money, he’s as good as gone.
If it’s one thing that is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt it’s the incomptence — complete and total -of Mike Brown.

No way this team makes the playoffs in 2010 with their schedule. They were 1-6 against the rest of the AFC this year counting today’s loss.

but this game hurt me more than any 4-11-1 season could just because i saw carson palmer, the man i thought was the god of golden arms, put together a truly horrific performance. the thing that pained me the most were the same thoughts that PBF had, that carson just can’t get it done anymore. he isn’t the same man we saw in 2005/2006. i love him to death but chris henry or not (r.i.p.), having no deep threat doesn’t cause the terrible overthrows and lack of communication with his receivers.

please bengals organization, for once prove you can be a contender and fix the issues in the offseason and come back strong

Great post. I saw the Bengals make real moves to better near the end of the season. I was confused with the offensive focus. Great game by a few individuals. It was a great season. I hope there are good choices made in the off season. Any insight as to why Carson was throwing the ball so high the entire game?

Carson Palmer is done as a starting QB… we don’t need his sorry ass

We just didnt get some key third downs and they did. Carson DIDNT play that bad. And the D played well. The got screwed bc they were to hyped and overpursued. I

Are we agreed that keeping Ochocinco and Quan Cosby and getting rid of every other receiver is a good plan?

As noted above, Palmer seems to be afraid to take too long to throw and is rushing his passes. Pass-blocking offensive linemen, especially guards, seems to be key. Remember when Max Montoya left the Bengals? What about when Eric Steinbach left for a big contract in Cleveland? I wouldn’t mind the draft going first round wide receiver, second round offensive guard.

Defensive depth. Best available player in some of the late rounds because you never know which position will get hit by injuries.

Tight end? Will Chase Coffman be the next Jerome Simpson or will he play next year?

Placekicker (duh)

Backup quarterback.

If we didn’t have the emotional baggage of being Bengals fans and the sense of impending doom because we believe Mike Brown will find a way to ruin our dreams, there’s a solid core of talent on this team and a lot to be hopeful for. Or maybe I’m just calm because I can channel all my frustration into hate at Shayne Graham.

I am glad you wrote when you did. You said some things that needed to be said and maybe will carry more weight that if we said them. I have been a fan from the very get-go; and as I have said before this team absolutely breaks your heart!
I always wanted to play football but it wasn’t available to me; so if I know what the Bengals are going to do, don’t you think a pro knows the play?
Yes there were some horrible inputs by some very key players and they need to be rectified.
Mike Brown I have no problem at all telling you as nicely as I can; step back, get your family out of it (a fantasy apparently) and let some real professional people in foootball make some hard decisions and upgrade this team!
You are so fortunate you still even have people willing to watch after some of the stunts pulled that I don’t think other teams would even consider that are winners.
Hopefully I said it nice enough, (aggravated to the core) yet still willing to watch and see if you will listen to someone outside of your circle. Ask some winners!

Let’s trade Bratkowski for Brian Schottenheimer. Has he even heard of slants, misdirections, bootlegs, screens, etc????????

I have lived and mostly died with these Bungles, and yes last night they officialy became the Bungles again. I don’t understand the constant praise of Carson Palmer, who proved this year his basically no better than a 2nd tier quarterback, certainly not an upper tier qb like peyton, tom , or even drew brees. And just think how this game might have been a littel different with T.J.

When he wits his receivers in both hands a dozen times and they drop it each time. Carson, while he may need new coaches, is fine. If someones being paid millions of dollars to catch a ball, and it hits two hands and they drop it, its unacceptable, but blaming the quarterback for the receiving cores problems is just silly and knee jerk. If half the drops tonight, some were ugly passes and some just fine, it would have been a totally different game. For once too I can actually say I’m looking forward to the next Bengals season. Its just to bad it’s so far away, and that’s something. Right? I don’t know how many days Shayne Graham will last in this town, people are probably already tearing his doors down. We all need to call the Precinct today and demand the Shayne Graham be taken off the menu.

I am not too worried about Palmer though because we know the emphasis is the running game. Also, during the early part of the year, he did win us games with long game winning drives. Palmer is smart enough to read the game and is one of the few QBs that can run the no-huddle offense and should have been called on to do just that every now and then (didnt happen often enough). Agreed that he struggled technically yesterday – so we need a new QB coach and/or have Kitna back (who left Cincy only because he had a chance to start for the Lions) maybe as a “consultant”(?).
 

Graham isn’t solely to blame but ……. he’s gone. Nugent may not kick deep into the endzone on his kickoffs but ….. he’s normally clutch on his FG’s and would be a stable kicker for the Bengals going forward. This is a no-brainer.

Brutal, brutal game, however, I think the reaction to Palmer’s play is a little overblown. Yes, he struggled this year, but it was a combination of factors. First, the loss of Housh was huge. The feel they had for each other could not be replicated. There were at least 2 or 3 throws made yesterday by Palmer where it was obvious that based on the coverage, he thought the WR would have the where with all to sit down in the open spot, as opposed to continuing the route. Hence some of the throws that were behind receivers. He never clicked with Housh’s replacement Coles. Secondly, other than Chad, the receivers just don’t get much separation from defenders. It adds even more pressure on Palmer to be perfect with his throws. Bengals need another receiver with those skills. Lastly, the Bengals need Coffman to grow up and become that pass catching TE he can be. That position is a game changer.. One that that Bengals haven’t had a playmaker in for years.

All that being said, Palmer did not play well. This loss does fall somewhat on his shoulders. But remember, QBs don’t come around that often. He may not be the same player he was before the knee injury, but he is still very skilled and highly intelligent. Would you rather Delhomme? I still want Palmer leading this team.

That is all. WHO DEY!

Can’t help to wonder if Palmer’s elbow injury from last year had an effect on his passing game this year. Not having the surgery in 2008 when he went down? The question is does he have the strength in his arm to make the throws he use to make? Did the season take a toll on his elbow & will he regain the arm strength & accuracy. Even if he denies it & the Bengals don’t admit to it his arm was suspect coming into this year. When he gets is hand fixed hopefully they will take another look at his elbow, what is the Bengal training staff doing?

The season is over so lets save the smack talk for next year. How about a discussion on the Reds & Pirates & how our small market teams are being smothered by the big market teams & killing our chances to compete. If the salary cap goes away in the NFL we will be having the same conversation about our football teams as well in a few years. Stay on this site for some meaningful discussions, if not give it a rest & we will see you next year.

We will be playing the tough schedule of a division winning team next year. We didn’t face a lot of tough teams out of the division except for San Diego and Minnesota. Bye, Shane Graham, hopefully bye, Bob Bradkowski, bye QB coach, and, if Carson doesn’t show up to play next year then bye, Carson Palmer. Congrats to Bengals ffor winning the division, but we want MORE.

OL Run Blocking (A)
OL Pass Blocking (C )
Benson (A+) Team MVP
Palmer (D-) – accurate he was not, human JUGS gun no more, his arm must be hurt?
Caldwell (C ) – not 100% and a few drops
Coles (D) – early fumble, needs to secure the ball after the catch
Chad (C ) – Good corner, did draw a big PI that could have made a difference
TE’s (F) – If Coates is on this team next year…is Dallas Clark a blocker? Why do the Bengals require a TE that can block? This complicated offense? Say What!
Graham (F) – Clutch he is not, goodbye! Has any other team franchised their kicker?

DL (C-) – Started ok, nobody scares you on the line
LB (D+) – cannot allow big play when you need a stop. Rivers – invisible player. Jones – decent but old
CB (C ) – NYJ were 3rd and long – a pass was coming, completed – not acceptable
S (D) – The great Defenses have a great S – Reed, Polamalu, etc

Coaching

Lewis (D-) Marvin struggles with challenges, has he won one all year? Would have been nice to have a few timeouts and the end of the 1st half. His players did not play – which is his fault

Zimmer (C ) Def was avg yesterday, cannot let a ROOKIE QB beat you

Bratkowski (F) – pass the ball downfield, get creative, horrible offense – you would have been let go at game 8 – but #32 bailed you out.

We need big changes in coaching:
1. Fire Darrin Simmons – get a real special teams coach.
2. Promote Zampese to Off. Coordinator (since we won’t schill out the needed money to get an actually qualified Off. Coordinator… sucks to be a bengals fan)
3. Keep Zimmer at all costs (again… sucks to be a bengals fan since M. Brown won’t schill the money for it)

And we need to cut:
1. Jeremi Johnson (should never have been on the team this year anyway… wish we promoted Chris Pressley)
2. L. COLES
3. S. GRAHAM

Based on Priority:
1. 1st round: QB - get a winner
2. WR
3. FB
4. DE
5. CB
6. Safety

I know he had some bad throws like the one where he misthrew to ochocinco where it could have been a nice td. But what bout the sweet throw to ochocinco in the endzone where ochocinco kinda imitated santonio holmes but then dropped the ball when he hit the ground. If he had held onto that, dont you think all the reports would be talking about that sweet throw?

I disagree that he’s done. We saw him do great against the chargers and he was efficient in the first half of the season. I think he’s become inconsistent as injuries started loading up. And his receivers, only ochocinco has a strong understanding of him. we can say that ochocinco and henry and Houshmandzadeh were his best reeivers. He only has one right now. Look at Tom Brady today. Without Wes Walker, he pretty much only has randy moss and against a strong d in the ravens, he’s completely flopping. I think next year caldwell will be way better and if everyone stays healthy, palmer will be back to his best.

And yes the jets may have outplayed the bengals but really if it wasn’t for two missed field goals and two offensive mistakes, i think everyone would be talking about how the bengals are back

have recievers who make catches. if the ball hits you in the chest hands or body you catch it. that is the recievers job description. recievers that either drop multiple balls or fumble after catching are not champion recievers. that was the difference in yesterday’s game. carson made some bad throws. but they were still catchable. santonio holmes, david tyree, lynn swann. chris collinsworth. collinsworth may have no ring but man that dude could catch a freakin football.

you won me over to you when you spoke up for carson after the chief game. you showed that you should be in the pro bowl today. you were the best player on the field.

you are fired!

…would already have released Graham and Bratkowski. You got a kicker who has cost you the playoffs in 2006, and possibly a chance at a win this year. Then you have a coordinator who finished dead last in offense last year, and I believe 22nd this year. 20 points per game. Any organization that wanted to progess and not just make money, would let these 2 clowns go. You have enough weapons on offense (Carson, Benson, Chad) But no creativity. To the guy that posted this, saying he wouldn’t pile on Brat because Benson had 169 yards and Palmer was overthowing guys, I must say this: in the game I watched, Benson was running into a wall of defenders when he went in the direction of the play call. He made most of his yards by cutting back and running away from the o-line. As for Palmer, its a mechanics problem, (which he should be coached through) combined with a very unimaginative playbook (no wildcat, no quick slants etc).
Not to mention they are terrible at picking up the blitz. We need someone fresh and modern at OC, maybe bring in Norm Chow as QB coach to work on Carson’s mechanics (he is familiar w/ Palmer) and it would be nice to see Zimmer retained and the Franchise let go. Of course, none of these things will happen with MB at the helm.

As a lifelong Steelers fan, I was trying to explain to my eight year old son how lucky he is.

He is already a bigger Steeler fan than myself, and routinely gets up at 6 am to get internet updates on STATS, transactions, etc. He is lucky because in eight years, he has already witnessed two Super Bowl Championship runs and now expects it every year.

Every Monday morning I wake up to, “Dad, Big Ben is fourth in the league in passing, and sixth in Passer Rating” or whatever the situation is for that week.

When James Harrison ran the interception back against the Cardinals, he was going so crazy several things were broken in the living room, but we didn’t care. It was well worth it.

On Saturday afternoon, we were looking forward to another game. Although we were just getting over the disappointment of the Steelers not making the playoffs, we went out to dinner at the local sportsbar to watch the NFL playoffs on dozens of huge screens.

He didn’t understand at first when I tried to explain to him that these are “The Bungles.” It didn’t matter that they were 6-0 in the AFC North or the favorite in this game. It didn’t matter that they had a highly rated defense, and a good ground game.

“They are the Bungles,” I said. “They will figure out a way to lose.” I told him.

My rack of ribs never tasted so good as the NY Jets ran the ball down the Bengals throats the entire game and Carson Palmer choked as he always does in big games. Ocho Cinco disappeared on Revis Island and looked like he was about to cry the whole game.

What a great way to spend my Saturday with my family watching the pitiful Bungles lose again in their first playoff game. I was a little embarassed because this was the team that represented the AFC North, a division known for toughness and grit.

My six year old daughter, who would rather be watching Nickelodeon looked up from her coloring page at the restaurant, and said “What are the Bungles?”

Nevermind, I said. I love the “Oh Shit” look on Marvin Lewis’ face as his team is pounded into oblivion by a couple of rookies.

As I predicted and tried to explain to my son, “These are The Bungles. That’s what they do. From Jeff Blake to David Klingler to Akili Smith to Carson Palmer.” It never changes. Every once in a while they accidentally beat the Steelers, and maybe get into the playoffs…………..but when the game counts, they find a way to lose.

Now he understands. The Bungles are a great opponent to have in the AFC North. I look forward to righting the ship and having the Steelers take their AFC North crown back next year.

The Bungles don’t deserve it.