With Backups Getting Majority Of The Snaps On Sunday: One Could Be Fighting For A Job

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 7, 2010 11:21 AM EDT in Analysis

Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys figures to feature two things. The 2010 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each team's backups. It's for that reason that a win or loss is rather irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Sure, pounding our chests like Viking warriors after a win surely sounds good; unless you pound your chest too hard and realize the next day that the fist-sized bruise is really sensitive and you're convinced that your chest cavity is about to collapse each time you draw a breath.

But the truth is, the Bengals are not going to feature their starters for very long. And it's very unlikely that they'll dig deep into their playbook. Sunday's battle will be an evaluation and education process for the team's coaches.

And on Friday, the Bengals geared for the ultimate backup showdown.

According to the Enquirer's Kevin Goheed, the Bengals gave J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer a "majority of the snaps in Friday's lone practice, simulating what will happen Sunday".

"It's about going out there and doing your job," said O'Sullivan, who played in three games last season and attempted 11 passes. "When it comes down to it, you're competing for a job. You're trying to get a job in this league. When I'm out there I want to play as well as I can possibly play and get that group I'm playing with to play as well as I possibly can."

Even though the battle of backup quarterbacks is about as sexy as watching turtles mate with Celine Dion in the background (can you imagine?!), the battle could have consequences for the loser. During his visit in Georgetown, James Walker predicted that the team will only keep two quarterbacks, including Carson Palmer, in a way to free up a roster spot for, say a seventh receiver, an additional defensive back or another linebacker.

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Comments

I hope that's true

Honestly, what are the odds that the top two quarterbacks are both knocked out of a game? And in the unlikely event they are, we’re pretty much SOL for that game: how much better would the #3 guy really be than running the wildcat the rest of the way? (Didn’t they do that a bit in late ’08 with Andre Caldwell taking the snap?)

Unless you think you’ve got a young, raw Tom Brady type that you need to develop, which no one believes Jordan Palmer is, the #3 QB is more a waste of a roster spot than anything else. Better that it be used to keep Quan Cosby for his special teams abilities, or hang on to a guy like Dezmon Briscoe who is almost certain to be lost if we send him to the practice squad.

by Mr. X on Aug 7, 2010 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Could be a reason to keep Matt Jones on the roster.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 7, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't go that far

I realize he was a college QB, but that’s starting to be a while ago. Besides, if he’d been that good a QB prospect, he wouldn’t have been switched to WR as soon as he got to the NFL.

It seems to me the point to replacing the #3 QB with someone at a different position is to improve depth where it is likely to be needed (and used). Your original speculation about a 7th LB or WR seems most valid. Not being in a position to go to Georgetown, maybe I’m relying too much on Cincyjungle, but the impression I’ve been getting is that Matt Jones isn’t looking to anyone like the 7th (or maybe even 8th) best receiver we have. If that’s the case, why would we bother to keep him on the roster ahead of a more useful WR, just so he can be the nominal 3rd QB, but likely never take a snap in a game?

by Mr. X on Aug 7, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

RE:

I realize he was a college QB, but that’s starting to be a while ago. Besides, if he’d been that good a QB prospect, he wouldn’t have been switched to WR as soon as he got to the NFL.

My meaning is this. If they keep Jones as the seventh WR, he serves as an emergency QB if two QBs go down in THAT game. After that game, the team goes out and signs a true QB — maybe Jordan, or J.T. depending on whom they release.

But yea, I see that as a long shot too, considering, as you’ve brought up, no one, and I mean NO ONE has been impressed with Jones, as far as reports go from various outlets.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 7, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

...

And if they sign another QB, then they can release Jones. I meant to say that too…

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 7, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

"unofficial" emergency QB.

better say the quoted, b/c people might get confused…LOL

by WHYUS!! on Aug 7, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

How often do you actually get down to QB3 during a regular season game? At that point, you have Matt Jones ready with the Cliff’s Notes version of Bratkowski’s offense (aka 2006 Playoff Game post-Carson-injury playbook written by Kevin Walter’s Mom), basically consisting of two plays:

1.) Hand off
2.) Drop back, check down.

I’d MUCH rather see that happen in a game situation than have the Linebacker-less Debacle that happened against the Pats in that Monday night game a couple years ago…remember that disaster?

by TheWalrus1971 on Aug 7, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh-yeah, I remember.

That was a disaster and I hope that never happens again..
Everybody thinks Matt Jones is slow off the line. Well, he is b/c he’s tall and has some size to him. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t fast, just slow off the line of scrimmage. He can burn someone if in the right situation. I’m not necessarily for Matt Jones, but if he can bring different options to the table, it might be worth considering, at the least. Assuming he’s just as good as the other WRs.
I love it that we have these options..

by WHYUS!! on Aug 7, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Jones

I haven’t seen anything positive on Matt Jones except for when Carson made the comment of him being a freak. I think we need to judge him on his performance in a preseason game. He may be one of those guys that doesn’t practice well but shines in a game.
Jerome Simpson has been receiving a lot of praise, but he still has to prove it in a game!

by DonMegga on Aug 7, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly!

by WHYUS!! on Aug 7, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Caldwell did some wildcat

while he played for Florida I know and was a QB in high school. I’ll bet he could serve as the emergency qb if necessary.

As far as jones goes, I’d much rather keep Cosby than jones. His overall contributions on special teams will be more valuable than anything Jones can bring.

I honestly don’t see how Jones makes the final 53.

by goffchile on Aug 7, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I was going to post something about his

but it’s on the front page now so no bother. Has there been any word on who is winning this competition so far? I was at camp last Saturday and Jordan looked significantly sharper and stronger armed than JTO.

Just wondering if anyone else who has been there can comment.

by Throw the ball on Aug 7, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I don’t think there’s been enough to say for sure. Carson has received the majority of the snaps.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 7, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually do like Jordan better than JT O'sucky..

I have not seen Jordan play with all the 1st stringers. Therefore we actually don’t know if he’s better than JT. I have that hunch about it, b/c JT really sucked it up against the Jets last year. I guess we could find out tomorrow night.

by WHYUS!! on Aug 7, 2010 2:02 PM EDT reply actions