Bengals Could Keep Only Two Quarterbacks

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 26, 2011 11:38 AM EDT

There's some speculation that the Cincinnati Bengals could elect to go with two quarterbacks this year, promoted mostly after Cincinnati's 24-13 Thursday night win over the Carolina Panthers. Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton took every first half snap while his backup, veteran free agent signing Bruce Gradkowski, finished the game by taking every second half snap.

"We’ve always kept three since I’ve been here. Keeping two would indicate a numbers at a position. You want to lay. You want to compete and preseason is the time for the non-starters to do that. But because of the situation, a young quarterback and two new guys, those are the cards that are dealt and I’ll try to make the best of it."

If the Bengals take three, based on the fact Jordan Palmer hasn't taken a snap in consecutive games against the Jets and Panthers, it appears that the Bengals favor Dan LeFevour. Though that argument seems to be a stretch at best.

LeFevour, fan favorite, played one series against the Detroit Lions, handing off twice and completing a seven-yard pass out of the backfield to running back Jonathan Williams. The Bengals allowed LeFevour the entire fourth quarter against the Jets, which was a rain-soaked Sunday evening, going three-and-out during consecutive possessions. It wasn't until his fourth possession (third against the New York Jets) that a LeFevour pass picked up a first down.

That being said, it's far more than what Jordan Palmer has done, considering his only action this preseason came during the first game of the year, completing one of four passes, including an interception.

The idea of only keeping two quarterbacks is based on other positions. Perhaps the team wants to keep Cedric Peerman as the fourth running back, or Colin Cochart as the fourth tight end, they'll have to free that position up elsewhere. And it comes down to an injury, the team can always sign someone off the street; it's not like they won't be able to re-sign LeFevour or Palmer or god-forbid someone better.

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Yes, this would be good..

Keep talent on the team. Our 3rd and 4th QB’s don’t have much of it.. Adios!

Give pizza chants.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Aug 26, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

I've been waiting for this to come up

I am 100% for this!! As you suggested if one of our first two QB’s gets hurt we can pick someone up off the streets. If it happens that duing the same game both QB’s go down we can just direct snap to Ced or Bernard to get through the rest of the game, at this point we would pretty much be screwed anyways.

by biggie22 on Aug 26, 2011 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

I like the 2 qb idea

And the reserve qbs are definitely going to be around if needed.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Aug 26, 2011 12:07 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

Agree, keep 2, and keep Lefevour and Palmer on speed dial.

I don’t think they are going anywhere and there will probably be other options as well.

by goffchile on Aug 26, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it possible

to have LeFevour on practice squad or does he have too much experience?

by the-dude on Aug 26, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally agree with keeping 2 QBs..

Though I think the extra player will be kept on defense.

by Cry on Aug 26, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Could WE Classify another player as the 3rd QB?

Such as a ST’s Player or the extra guy they want to keep that way they are active on game days? Because if you only keep 2 QB’s does it go back to 45 active or is 46 the new number no matter how many QB’s you have (see Brad Smith)

by Bengalsfan024 on Aug 26, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

It's just 46 without regard to position.

by Boomer Lion on Aug 26, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

The new CBA got rid

of that 3rd QB rule. Its now 46 now matter what.

by the-dude on Aug 26, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Yesssssss

We don’t need 3 qb’s, we need 4 TE’s

The official chili of the Cincinnati Bengals

by Gold Star Chili Cheese Fries on Aug 26, 2011 1:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

We should definitely hide the Fevour on the practice squad if posible.

But I doubt we’d get away with that. Gradkowski’s too injury prone to really depend upon. We might need three.

by Doc Scratch on Aug 26, 2011 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

All our backups suck

I still have some hope if Gradkowski is called upon he might rise to the occasion…Gradkowski is only signed for 1.7 million this year but it seems like he’s over paid for the little hes shown. I see nothing in the Fevour…I don’t think he can throw a football 40 yards. I just hope that 1 in front of the .7 for Gradkowski wasn’t the 1 that let Joseph get away. (although I was not a big Joseph fan anyway).

by Tim8194 on Aug 26, 2011 10:51 PM EDT reply actions

2 QB's would be smart

and then, the Bengals start 3-1, lose both QB’s to injury, sign Favre to play the remainder of the season and he leads the Bengals to their first SB victory, riding off in the sunset wearing stripes. :-)

Or, we keep JP as our #2, Dalton goes down, JP leads us to the SB and the Bengals refuse to give CP a sideline pass so he has to sit in the stands like everyone else. Then, following the game MB walks over, gives CP a t-shirt which says “My team won the SB and all I got was this stinking t-shirt b/c I’m retired”.

by WOOD98 on Aug 27, 2011 3:05 AM EDT reply actions