Campy's Bengals Page

 Turning the Corner...

Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer have the Bengals ready to take the next step.

(Article also available at Blue Chip Review)

September 13th, 2004

By: Matt McGowan

    Though the Cincinnati Bengals dropped their first game of the 2004 campaign with a heartbreaking 31-24 road loss to the New York Jets, there is something noticeably different about this team. It was easy to see when the Bengals, after a rare Rudi Johnson fumble, refused to give up after falling behind 21-10 in the third quarter in one of the toughest places for a visiting team to play, The Meadowlands. In years past this would have signaled the end.

    Then again, in years past, we didn't have Carson Palmer.

    The second year quarterback playing in his very first NFL game instead rallied the troops, showing the poise of a ten year veteran on his way to 248 yards passing, two touchdowns, and a 105.3 passer rating for the day. He completed throws of at least 20 yards to three different wide receivers and led the Bengals to a stellar 8 of 12 third-down conversion ratio, despite an average of third-down and eight to go. In fact, his only mistake was an interception on the final drive as the team was attempting to complete the comeback. A rookie mistake, he simply didn't see the safety lurking to make the pick. Watching the game and listening to the team afterwards, one gets the sense he won't make that mistake often.

    Finally, there is legitimate hope for the future, and the future begins now.

    Coach Marvin Lewis has this team believing in themselves and their new quarterback. Much of the credit for Palmer's early success can be attributed to Lewis' decision to start Jon Kitna last season and let the young quarterback watch and learn. Indeed, it appears that Palmer has picked up some of Kitna's best traits. He showed calm, cool leadership in the face of what was quickly turning into a blowout, and assured his teammates they were going to come back. He was unflinching in the face of the pass rush, and found a way to make plays. In fact, the only difference I noticed between the play at the quarterback position this year from last year was the physical tools Palmer brings to the table. His passes were sharp, accurate and crisp, and his 53 year bomb off his heels in the face of the pass rush showed he can throw the long ball with the same type of accuracy, even under pressure. No doubt, he is going to be special.

    Granted, there are still a few glaring weaknesses on this team, most notably on defense. The Bengals also have one of the absolute toughest schedules in the NFL this season, with late season road games in New England, Baltimore and Philadelphia looming on the horizon. But make no mistake; this is a very talented, albeit very young, defense, and they will improve. Combined with a steadily improving offense that is already one of the most exciting in the league, this team will be ready to make a move in 2004 closer to the promised land, the NFL playoffs. Sooner or later during this season, it's all going to start to click.

    With Coach Lewis at the helm, I'm betting on sooner.   

GO BENGALS!!!

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