After hearing about the loss today(I really expected a win.) I was getting pretty frustrated with Palmer. I tried to temper it by remembering the Bengals don't have HBs that like to run, or an offensive coordinator that likes to run. Yes, Palmer lost this game. This wasn't the D's fault. So, I decided to compare Palmer to a couple of today's great QBs through their first few seasons.

Peyton Manning
Season Comp  Att Pct  Yds   Avg  TD  Int Sck     
2001     343  547 62.7 4,131 7.6  26  23  29     
2000     357  571 62.5 4,413 7.7  33  15  20     
1999     331  533 62.1 4,135 7.8  26  15  14     
1998     326  575 56.7 3,739 6.5  26  28  22

Brett Favre
Season Comp  Att Pct  Yds   Avg  TD  Int Sck     
1995     359  570 63.0 4,413 7.7  38  13  33
1994     363  582 62.4 3,882 6.7  33  14  31     
1993     318  522 60.9 3,303 6.3  19  24  30
1992     302  471 64.1 3,227 6.9  18  13  34

Note: I didn't include Brady because that just isn't fair to anybody.

I felt better after looking at this. This is Palmer's worst year, and he is still in Peyton the Great's class. After looking at Favre's number I was surprised that he isn't the mistake prone gunslinger he's been made out to be.

Like any QB, Palmer needs a running game so the DBs aren't hanging back waiting for the pass. This team has to make some dramatic changes to get Palmer, Chad, and TJ some help.

They need a dynamic run game and a cinder block wall O-line. And a brand new defense.

That's all. Have we really come as far as we think we have come?