Commentary: Forget the Veteran Quarterback Option

Noodling on the Cincinnati Bengals' potential roster on offense, The Enquirer's Joe Reedy writes:

With all indications of a Carson Palmer retirement forthcoming, the Bengals still need another veteran quarterback. Possible names to watch would be Bruce Gradkowski, Billy Volek and Jim Sorgi. As Jason LaCanfora pointed out on the connect the dots between Gradkowski and the Bengals, Gradkowski has experience in Jay Gruden’s system, spending three seasons in Tampa Bay. He has been injured though the last two seasons.

Let me say just one word seven times: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.

Veteran quarterback? Do not want.

Let me be blunt: the Bengals are not going to the playoffs in 2011. A .500 record would be a victory. A winning record would be a miracle and should result in getting Marvin Lewis Coach of the Year honors. But the Steelers and the Ravens have the same "easy" schedule we do and will be hard-pressed to lose more than four or five games each. Bengals wins in 2011 will not be measured in the teens, I guarantee you. My personal over/under on wins is six.

Given the poll results here, I may be in the minority, but I see this as a rebuilding year. Bringing in some retread like Gradkowski, never-was like Sorgi or fading vet like McNabb will only delay the process. They tried this in the Nineties with a string of retread/vet/who? QBs (Paul Justin, anyone? Gus Frerotte? Neil freakin' O'Donnell?) and it didn't work. I say: let's find out what we have.

Is Jordan Palmer the answer? I doubt it -- but let's find out. Does Andy Dalton have the chops for the NFL game? Let's find out.