Standing on the practice field, some 50 yards from adoring fans clamoring for his autograph and moments from completing a training-camp practice, quarterback Carson Palmer was trying to make sense of the general perception that his team has gone backward in 2010.
That 2009 Bengals team won the AFC North, swept the division opponents, and made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Yet in most preseason publications, the Bengals are not getting any consideration to repeat.
“I think it’s because we’re the Bengals,”
I think it’s because we’re the Bengals,” Palmer said. “It’s been negative around here for so long. There is a kind of negative feeling when you talk about the Bengals. They expect us to be that team again. Don’t judge this team by our history as an organization. Judge this one on the team that went out and won a division, and then go better. We’re better than we were last season.”
Correction: They are significantly better.
Duplicating their run through the AFC North won’t be easy, but this Bengals team is clearly better than the one that ended the 2009 season with a disappointing playoff loss to the New York Jets. Most preseason picks have the Baltimore Ravens as the favorite to win the division, with Pittsburgh second.
Third for the Bengals? Does anybody pay attention to this team?
For starters, they’re much healthier than they were late last season when they played the playoff game minus five defensive starters. They’ve also added some key pieces to the passing game — see Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant — and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is one of the best in the NFL and has a deep roster of players to use on that side of the ball.
Third?
When I asked receiver Chad Ochocinco about the off-base perception about this team, he didn’t bite.
“Nothing negative, man,” he said. “Nothing negative. We just go out and play and talk —.”
Negative is part of the Bengals reputation, just like the stripes on the helmet. Like Palmer, I think that’s a reason why this is an overlooked team. When I picked them to win the division last season, most thought I was out in space somewhere. The Bengals?
Well, the rocket is still orbiting. I’m still out there, thinking the Bengals will win the AFC North again. With a break or two, they could even wind up in the AFC Championship Game or even that last big game at the end of the season.
“We were a better football team when we started back March 29 than the one that ended the season,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “I think we felt we were a stronger team when the offseason began. Now I think we’re even better.”
March 29 was before Cincinnati added Owens and Bryant and took tight end Jermaine Gresham, who is still not signed, in the first round.
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Associated Press
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