I'm among the crowd that believes the defense didn't play that bad early-- most the late rushing success was the result of 43 second-half plays by the Baltimore Ravens offense, and only 18 second-half plays; inability to sustain a drive by our offense does take a toll.

If you take away the 42-yard reverse and the Joe Flacco 38-yard run, the Bengals still allowed 149 yards rushing -- including 56 yards on the 7:15 to end the game. It should also be noted that the Bengals rush defense only allowed 20 yards, on eight attempts that included a six and four yard loss, in the two drives before the 7:15 drive to end the game.

So, let's take away the 42-yard reverse, the 38-yard Joe Flacco run and the 56 yards rushing on the final drive of the game. Now we're down to 93 yards rushing for the Ravens offense, on 34 carries. That's a Rudi Johnson like, 2.7 yards per carry. Defensively, the Bengals dropped the Ravens, four times, behind the line of scrimmage on rushing plays; a total of 20 yards lost.

But that's football. You can't take away big plays, or game ending sustaining drives to fluff a point about the Bengals rush defense. However, I will maintain that it wasn't the Bengals defense that lost us the game. The offense truly "sucked", giving the defense absolutely no chance to force the Ravens to punt towards the end of the game; their heads were down, with hands on hips, taking massive huffs of oxygen.

Note: James Walker, like Tiki Barber, the so-called experts, do the same thing that novice fans do. Look at the stat sheet, reflect on the stats, and speak about what the stats tell them rather than accumulating all the means that made that end. Ah, who cares. We looked like crap losing a football game. What does it matter, at this point, how they lost. Most fans have already lost hope for the season after a miserable preseason and a frustrating first game; and the Bengals themselves look like a team that's done. Done, I tell you.

One of the most frustrating things with the offense Sunday afternoon, was that Chris Perry mimicked typical Rudi Johnson results. It makes you wonder if it was ever Rudi's degradation, or just a bad offensive line. I have no love for Eric Ghiaciuc, think that Andrew Whitworth is a good tackle ( with more playing time, could be tremendous, if not better than Andrews), but an average guard and think that Stacy Andrews is paid $7 million more than he's proven to be worth (aka, he's here because of his potential, still).

Take note of this little "fun fact". Of Rudi Johnson's games in which he carried the ball 18 times or more (same as Perry on Sunday), Rudi's longest rushing gains-per-game were 15 (against Baltimore), 20, 15 (against Baltimore), 10, and 22.

Except for the play of Johnathan Joseph, Pragmatic doesn't think that the Bengals defense was that good.

Clark Judge accurately says that one "week Cincinnati releases Deltha O'Neal; the next he's making the game-saving play for New England. That tells you something about both franchises."

Peter Kings says of Carson Palmer: "I think I'm starting to think Carson Palmer belongs in Jay Cutlerville. He hasn't been a commanding presence on the field for some time, I'd say going back to mid-2006, and I'm hard-pressed to think of him in the same league with the top five or six quarterbacks. I did put him there in my top 50 in the SI NFL Preview issue, but after watching him Sunday, I almost wish I could have that one back."

Jim Morris says that the Bengals season is already done.

All 11 teams in the Big Ten won this weekend.

The Buckeyes dropped two spots in the polls, and are now 10.5 underdogs against the Trojans this weekend.

Speaking of USC/OSU, this Matt Hinton piece is, actually, a little fun.

Matt Miller raised the stock of Bearcats cornerback Mike Mickens, who could be a first day pick when he enters the NFL draft (if not a first-round pick).

Bill Koch wonders if now is a good time to start giving Demetrius Jones (the transfer from Notre Dame) some playing time.

Don't expect Dustin Grutza for at least another four weeks, says Bearcats trainer, "It would take and act of God for him to come back in three weeks."

After the 52-26 loss to the Sooners, Brian Kelly isn't phased (one bit). "What this shows is that we've got some more work to do defensively. We haven't arrived there yet." Kelly later says, "You're going to think I'm crazy, but I think we can play with the very best." Dude, Brian's crazy.

Since there's a break between the Ohio State University's scary 26-14 win over Ohio University and before the University of Cincinnati Bearcats kickoff against Oklahoma, I figured we'd run another round of links and notes.

Willie Anderson just didn't want to play with the Bengals anymore. "They didn't cut me because I couldn't play. They cut me because I said I didn't want to play there anymore. After 13 years, you get tired of dealing with nonfootball issues." Which, in the end, makes sense with Lewis' less than happy responses to questions regarding Anderson.

Baltimore Sun's Bill Ordine says that in order for the Ravens to beat the Bengals, they must protect Joe Flacco by good conservative play calling and forcing the rush -- whether it works or not.

The Ravens must also pressure Carson Palmer and limit turnovers.

On Fountain Square, at 11 a.m. Sunday Morning, the city will host a party for Bengals fans.

It seems that Carson Palmer has a blog on Delta's web site.

Palmer is very popular among his teammates.

The players, not the coaches, front office or even the media, are telling you, the fans to stick with them, hang in there with and for them. Antonio Chatman even believes that the Bengals "will be in the playoffs and we will be running for a championship this year."

John Thornton relates and understands the fan's point of view, having lost so many games in the 90s through 2002. "You know, when I'm retired and a fan, I'll have those same feelings."

Perry isn't worried about critics, nor injury. "It's out of my hands. I can't control that. So for me to worry is a waste of time."

Kenny Watson would be in Real Estate if he wasn't playing football.

Willie Anderson is in high demand right now.

Interesting results on an Enquirer survey regarding the Bengals.

WDR thinks that the Bengals should include a clause in Jeremi Johnson's contract fining him per day for being overweight. The only problem is that the Bengals can't just add something into the contract. Johnson is signed through 2011, and gets paid handsomely for a fullback. Maybe restructuring his contract isn't a bad thing; nor a clause for his weight. But Johnson would have to agree to it.

Robert Geathers picked up some skills while playing linebacker last year that he'll apply returning as a pass rushing end.

Carson Palmer press conference
Marvin Lewis press conference

DeDe Dorsey likes kick boxing.

Bobbie Williams is proud to be a big family guy.

Antwan Odom on injury: "No pain, no soreness, nothing. I taped it up and it didn't bother me a bit," Odom said Wednesday of his practice experience Monday. "No restrictions. I just tape it up and go. I want to prove to the fans that I belong here."

How does the defense feel about being the weakest link on this team? Mike Zimmer says, "I think they're tired of all that stuff."

The Bengals newest fullback Reagan Maui'a was arrested back in April for misdemeanor battery.

Bad publicity will always take precedence over all the good that players do in the community that never gets documented.

AROUND THE LOCAL COLLEGE SCENE

Paul Daugherty asks where the UC buzz is. Apparently he doesn't read this blog.

The NCAA denied Mauk, again, saying:

“Our review of the facts as presented and possible mitigating factors for this eligibility request was extensive and thorough, exhausting all avenues in the administrative procedures and ensuring a fair process for this student-athlete,” said Carol Iwaoka, the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee chair and associate commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. “Even after reviewing the latest information, the committee was unable to identify compelling factors that might be viewed as beyond the control of the student-athlete and the University of Cincinnati.”

Is it now on the University of Cincinnati to give the Big East a boost?

Brian Kelly press conference

Head coach Jim Tressel gave the seniors a box of 12 marbles, each one representing how many games are left in their college career, pointing out how quickly they go.

Buckeyes defensive lineman Nader Abdallah is a New Orleans native, and thankful that Gustav wasn't a repeat of Katrina.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

OUT
Wednesday: RB Jeremi Johnson (knee), S Nedu Ndukwe (knee), DT Pat Sims (toe)

Did Not Practice
Wednesday: DE Jonathan Fanene (illness)

Limited Practice
Wednesday: WR Andre Caldwell (toe), LB Brandon Johnson (hamstring)

Full Practice
Wednesday: WR Chad Johnson (shoulder), QB Carson Palmer (nose)

Baltimore Ravens

Did Not Practice
Wednesday: DT Kelly Gregg (knee), QB Troy Smith (illness)

Limited Practice
Wednesday: TE Todd Heap (knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), S Ed Reed (neck)

The Bengals announced their team Captains on Monday: Carson Palmer, Bobbie Williams, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Dexter Jackson, and Dhani Jones. Good group of veterans. I like it.

Curnutte observes the team's first regular season practice. Mostly of note is how the team looks health-wise. Antwan Odom, Dexter Jackson, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Rashad Jeanty returned to practice fully. Pat Sims, Andre Caldwell and Dan Howell (practice squad) worked on the sidelines with strength and conditioning coaches while "Chinedum Ndukwe (leg) went inside after stretches."

This is the irony of the Bengals team this year. Everyone suggests that our offense will be the only reason we win games; our defense is so bad, we're told to believe, that it couldn't even contain the Louisville Cardinals offense.

James Walker named his all-AC North team, on offense and defense.

OFFENSE: Big Ben got the nod over Honorable Mention, Carson Palmer. Behind Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, is Honorable Mention, T.J. Houshmandzadeh. No reference of Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco. Bobbie Williams is the only player on the Bengals offense to get the nod over everyone at their respective position; with Andrew Whitworth getting the Honorable Mention.

DEFENSE: Johnathan Joseph was the only player named to lead his respective position; Robert Geathers was named Honorable Mention. Shayne Graham got the nod as the division's best place kicker.

Apparently Pat Kirwan forgot about Keith Rivers when talking about rookies starting during kickoff weekend.

Don Banks surprisingly ranked Ryan Fitzpatrick as the league's 28th best backup quarterback while predicting the Bengals finish third in the AFC North at 6-10.

This blog named the Cincinnati backfield, the worst in the NFL. We think it's about fantasy football rankings, but we don't care. It still pisses us off, right?

With three preseason games in the books, I wanted to take the time to review each position (in some cases, units) as we prepare this week to play the meaningless of meaningless of preseason games, as well as upcoming roster cuts. While I'm not trying to predict the roster -- and definitely not projecting depth chart -- I didn't include every player in some scenarios, but included more than what the team is expected to take (mostly because I'm just not sure who they take, or the play is pretty even between the competition).

Quarterback - Even though Palmer has been assaulted on nearly every play (it seems), he hasn't been sharp -- likely a result of being assaulted. Twice against the Saints, Palmer nearly threw interceptions because 1) the ball was overthrown and 2) the pass was too near the middle of the field intended for a receiver sprinting down the sidelines. With the assault by the opposing pass rush, Palmer is becoming too aware of what's going on around the pocket rather than what's going on downfield. Once protection flaws are worked out, and communication issues resolved, we're confident that Palmer will be Palmer and give the Bengals their best chance to win each week.

Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been one of the few successful offensive players, completing 70% of his passes, with a 6.8 pass-per-attempt average and a 101.3 passer rating (all team highs). His 44 yards rushing is third on the team behind Chris Perry and Kenny Watson. Fitzpatrick's performance proves he'll be a coveted unrestricted free agent next season as a "veteran" quarterback that so many teams need.

1. Carson Palmer
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick
3. Jeff Rowe

Running Back - While it's exciting to see Chris Perry back to full strength, we've been missing our primary feature back, Rudi Johnson due to another hamstring injury -- this time to the other leg. However, along with their troubles protecting their quarterbacks, the offensive line has struggled rush blocking for Perry -- mostly Eric Ghiaciuc. Since the first game, Perry's yards-per-attempt has fallen from 3.8 to 3.4. Watson's 4.7 yards-per-attempt is encouraging, but a majority of his attempts have come against second team defenses, with only one attempt the entire game against the Saints.

I think the Bengals keep Dorsey over James Johnson. Though neither have done much this preseason, Dorsey is a more explosive back while James Johnson is eligible for the team's practice squad. If the Bengals haven't cut Jeremi by now, they won't.

1. Rudi Johnson
2. Chris Perry
3. Kenny Watson
4. DeDe Dorsey
5. Jeremi Johnson

Wide Receiver - Talk about depressing. With Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh nursing and rehabbing injuries ("supposedly", if you believe in conspiracies), the Bengals have been searching for that evasive receiver we hoped would step up. Jerome Simpson's 144 yards receiving is far above Chatman's 63 yards among the yardage leaders at wide receiver. However, passes are being dropped and receivers are not separating from defensive backs, forcing Palmer to hold onto the ball longer. One has to appreciate this bit of irony. If Chad Johnson was traded, then this unit has absolutely no hope going into the season, even though the team signed Chris Henry to help.

I think Andre Caldwell's injury hurts him big. While he's not on the field battling for a spot, the Bengals would be more inclined to keep Holt for experience and versatility on special teams. Caldwell is another player eligible for the practice squad. This is all based on the assumption when Henry returns, not when the season starts. When Henry is reinstated after the fourth game, the Bengals will need to decide whether to keep Holt or Caldwell -- and it's doubtful, no matter what other writers suggest, that the Bengals will let Henry go.

1. Chad Johnson
2. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
3. Antonio Chatman
4. Jerome Simpson
5. Glenn Holt
6. Andre Caldwell

Tight End - Stable as stable comes. Ben Utecht, another glowing offensive player this preseason, leads the team with 10 receptions, second with 108 yards receiving and only one of two players with a receiving touchdown through three games. Reggie Kelly is the league's best tight end blocker, taking a lot of reps in the backfield. If the Bengals keep four tight ends (which includes long snapper Brad St. Louis), then Daniel Coats makes the team.

1. Reggie Kelly
2. Ben Utecht
3. Daniel Coats
4. Brad St. Louis

Offensive Line - We've talked about their struggles, and fantasized of a Jurassic Line. Still, the running game hasn't really taken off and the quarterbacks are struggling to focus downfield rather than the pass rush -- Bengals quarterbacks have been sacked 10 times, and knocked down three times as much. I'm not sure the Bengals will keep a second center, depending on Bobbie Williams to play that role. On the other hand, you could easily replace Nate Livings with Dan Santucci with limited fall in production. Something of note: Kyle Cook took some first-team snaps against the Saints in the third quarter.

1. Levi Jones
2. Andrew Whitworth
3. Eric Ghiaciuc
4. Bobbie Williams
5. Stacy Andrews
6. Willie Anderson
7. Nate Livings
8. Scott Kooistra
9. Anthony Collins
10. Dan Santucci

Defensive Line - Domata Peko has impressed me this preseason against the rush. He's working the line, challenging double teams and finding ways to stuff gaps at the point of attack. Other than that, I think this unit is just down right dreadful. Fanene and Rucker appear like average ends with limited upside, while John Thornton and Jason Shirley have made a library seem like a Metallica concert. Pat Sims, before his injury, impressed me with his aggressiveness and motor-style play. Hopefully we get him back when the season starts. While Angelo Craig has made plays, I've labeled him a practice squad player until either Rucker or Fanene (even though he signed an extension this offseason) are let go. I see no scenario in the world in which Eric Henderson makes this squad -- nor did I see any scenario that the Bengals sign Chris Henry.

1. Antwan Odom (DE)
2. Robert Geathers (DE)
3. Johnathan Fanene (DE)
4. Frostee Rucker (DE)
5. John Thornton
6. Domata Peko
7. Jason Shirley
8. Pat Sims
9. Michael Myers -- I'm adding Myers here for two reasons. The team could be concerned about Shirley's upcoming court case and keeping Myers adds an insurance policy in case Pat Sims' rehabs slowly.

Linebacker - I'm actually more impressed with this unit than I thought I would be before training camp. At WILL, Keith Rivers and Brandon Johnson have combined for 28 tackles and a sack -- Rivers accounts for 17 tackles and that sack. Corey Mays has been solid at backup middle linebacker and Darryl Blackstock's two sacks leads the team. The thing I would be most concerned about is Dhani Jones' nine total tackles through three games. Ahmad Brooks had some first-team snaps at defense when Blackstock suffered a cramp against the Saints. Also expect Carl-Johan Bjork to make the team as he's exempt from the 53-man roster.

1. Dhani Jones
2. Keith Rivers
3. Darryl Blackstock
4. Rashad Jeanty
5. Corey Mays
6. Brandon Johnson
7. Jim Maxwell
8. Ahmad Brooks
9. Anthony Hoke (?)

Secondary - For the most part, I think our starting cornerbacks have done a decent job working on an island. For the plays that you see them get beat, either a dump-truck named Calvin Johnson used his super-size advantage, or the quarterback found a hole in zone coverage. I don't like the play of our safeties -- Dexter Jackson is Dexter Jackson and Marvin White still struggles keeping the receiver in front preventing long plays. White is a hitter though, and his efforts to make sure-tackles have improved greatly since the first game.

David Jones scares the hell out of me, and I don't see much of an improvement with Castille. O'Neal has accepted his role, and done well, as the team's third cornerback giving the Bengals good depth at the position.

1. Leon Hall (CB)
2. Johnathan Joseph (CB)
3. Deltha O'Neal (CB)
4. David Jones (CB)
5. Simeon Castille (CB)
6. Dexter Jackson (S)
7. Marvin White (S)
8. Chinedum Ndukwe (S)
9. Corey Lynch (S)
10. Herana-Daze Jones (S) -- mostly for his special teams work.

Anyway, those are my impressions at this point. If you have more, or want to adjust my impressions because I always miss at least one player (or two) when I do these things, it's all yours.

If the latest poll is any indication, there's a deep divide between Bengals fans. You have the people that concerned with what they've seen in the preseason, but realize that preseason is preseason -- a period in which teams are still implementing schemes, offenses are still working on their timing and communication (see offensive line), and defenses are playing game-speed, still working on their Mike Zimmer aggressiveness. Then you have those that have zero hope for this season, based on what they've seen through the first three games of the preseason.

In the poll, 40% view this season already as a miserable failure. However, 46% of you haven't change your opinion that the preseason is meaningless, though you're justifiably concerned. Another 12% really don't care what happens right now.

However, the more interesting (and a justified position) is that no one, not a single person, thought that the coaches could fix whatever problems this team is dealing with.

The first roster cut down day is tomorrow (Tuesday, the 26th). The Bengals have 76 players on their roster and will need to cut one to hit the maximum. The big roster cut down day is August 30th (Saturday), where we'll learn the team's active 53-man roster.

Prag is liking the progression of our defense, but points out that there's a lot more work to do.

Palmer is questionable against Indianapolis after suffering a broken bone in his nose. He'll be ready by kickoff weekend.

Chick Ludwig writes that Armageddon will start against the Ravens.

Clyde Logan handed his #15 to Chris Henry and picked up #12.

William Rhoden of the New York Times examines the Bengals signing Chris Henry.

At first, I thought last night's offensive problems was a total and complete failure on the offensive line to protect Carson Palmer. There's some truth to that, but not totally. After watching the game again Sunday morning, I realized that the sum of the failure to protect Palmer, was mental mistakes (like missed assignments) and flawed protection schemes (major problem here). It wasn't like the line was manhandled (some were, we'll get to that later). The Saints did a good job overloading with schemes and stunts, while Bob Bratkowski failed at adjusting the protection schemes to STOP exposing Palmer to massive hits. Several times when Palmer was hit, the Bengals sent five people into routes, leaving Palmer alone with the offensive line, who weren't able to prevent the Saints from passing rushing, mostly by over-loading blitzes and adding confusing stunts. I agree with the assessment that 100% of the blame can't be put on the offensive line.

The following is broken up; first pointing out the the times that Palmer was knocked down and the second showing just out awful of a time Eric Ghiaciuc had run blocking. I tried to keep it clean, but I couldn't get it to flow. There's a lot of data here that kind of requires your imagination (at least the ability to see what I'm describing) and ability to go back and forth through the first half. In other words, I didn't go from the start to finish in the first half, instead I'm all over the place.

HIT ON PALMER #1
On third and seven at the Cincinnati 47-yard line with 3:00 left in the first quarter, Palmer lined up in shotgun. The Saints brought five, sending their right defensive end into zone coverage. Perry picked up the blitzing safety off the right edge while Stacy Andrews locked up with the defensive end. Bobbie Williams and Eric Ghiaciuc worked on one defensive tackle while Whitworth and Levi Jones worked on the other. The blitzing linebacker sprinted through a gap between Ghiaciuc and Whitworth. Sadly, neither player made a move on the linebacker and Palmer was blown up as a result. In truth, Ghiaciuc was locked up with his tackle (Bobbie Williams was behind Ghiaciuc watching) while Andrew Whitworth had his hand on Jones' back watching the tackle totally ignoring the blitzing linebacker.

ANALYSIS: I put this one on the offensive line. This wasn't a defeat physically, as much as it was a missed assignment, mental error type of thing. Ghiaciuc should have called something to prepare for the blitz and Whitworth should have kept his eyes up field. Blitzes happen, and in a lot of cases, they are hidden before the snap. Not only did the Bengals fail to see the blitz before the snap, but the line failed to react when he came.

HIT ON PALMER #2 (and near hit)
On first-and-ten at the Cincinnati 34-yard line with 12:00 left in the second quarter, Palmer and the offense lined up off-set I-formation, strong side right (Reggie Kelly at tight end off the right tackle) with Daniel Coats at fullback and Chris Perry at running back. At the snap, Coats ran a pattern into flats to the right. Perry ran to Palmer's right, which was a horrible effort at play-action, helping the offensive line block two guys up the middle -- likely a reaction to the earlier hit with a blitzing linebacker up the middle. The right outside linebacker blitzed, picked up by Levi Jones while the defensive end stunted to his left, picked up by Andrew Whitworth. Essentially, no one was left to block Kevin Kaesviharn, blitzing off the edge. You can blame Palmer on this one, not seeing the blitz coming and adjusting so there's a hat on Kaesviharn. The hit was just a good defensive call, blitzing where no Bengals were left to block him. Palmer didn't see it coming before the snap and the play was dead before ever starting.

ANALYSIS: You can easily credit the Saints, as you could blame Palmer for not recognizing the blitz. I'm not blaming the line on this one. The Saints overloaded the right side, and the offensive line put a hat on someone -- of which, no one came close to Palmer. If you want to blame Palmer, you can, for not recognizing the blitz and calling a hot read. At the same time, it's awfully difficult to recognize a blitz by a safety unless they are on the line of scrimmage, which Kaesviharn was not. Therefore, it's probably best to conclude that the Saints called the perfect defensive play on the sack that lost six yards.

On the next play, Palmer, with plenty of protection, hit Perry on a quick pass up the middle. On third-and-ten, Palmer lined up in shotgun with Utecht on his left and Perry on his right. The Saints brought six, two blitzing linebackers with the front four. Andrews and Jones pushed their defensive ends out and Palmer was cleared once he stepped up in the pocket. Whitworth picked up one of blitzing linebackers. The play only called for all five offensive linemen to protect Palmer -- everyone else went into routes. The last blitzing linebacker found a gap between Ghiaciuc and Williams, sprinting through the lane and almost hitting Palmer. Luckily, the linebacker just missed. Bengals punt.

ANALYSIS: Even though Palmer wasn't knocked down, the blitzing linebacker still penetrated to Palmer forcing the incomplete.

PALMER BECOMES MORE AWARE OF RUSHERS INSTEAD OF RECEIVERS
On third-and-ten at the Cincinnati 12-yard line with 7:00 left in the first half, Palmer in shotgun had over four seconds to make a pass. On that fourth second, Charles Grant hit Palmer's peripheral vision and forced an odd throw (Palmer did some scissor-like thing with his legs) to Perry over the middle, picking up five yards. Bengals punt. At this point, you get the impression that Palmer is more aware of the pass rushers than his receiver's routes.

PALMER HIT #3
The Bengals fourth possession start at the Bengals 23-yard line with 4:29 left in the first half. Palmer drops back, while Reggie Kelly and Chris Perry (in I-formation) run off Palmer's left side into routes. This was the death of this play resulting in another hit on Palmer (and sack). Though that's questionable if it was a sack because Palmer's knee never hits the ground (OK, it was totally a blown call by the refs, but it's pre-season and the refs are likely trying to protect the players). Still, Palmer was rushed, nearly brought down and forced to run -- and Palmer can't run.

The Saints rushed their front four and the Bengals offensive line couldn't keep them from getting to Palmer. Levi Jones had his guy, pushing him deep into the backfield -- as most good tackles do to an end that wants to sprint around them. The problem appeared when the two Saints defensive tackles stunted. The left defensive tackle, in the gap between Bobbie Williams and Eric Ghiaciuc, ran to his right to Ghiaciuc's left shoulder while the other waited momentarily, then looping around. Whitworth chased his defensive tackle, whereas he probably should have let the tackle go, picking up the one that hit Ghiaciuc's left shoulder -- and Ghiaciuc picks up the man that looped around.

In truth, this sack was just a miserable failure with the communication and cooperation of the offensive line working together.

ANALYSIS: On this play, I came to realize that the Bengals offensive line (mostly the guards and center), are having a hell of a time picking up stunts and blitzes. Man on man, the line is just fine. But they are easily getting confused, failing to communicate with each other.

On the next play, Utecht picks up ten yards on a quick pass to Palmer. The Saints blitzed the linebacker off the left tackle and no one picked him. This was poor design by the Bengals offense with Jones picking up the defensive end and Chris Perry running a route in the right flats. Unless Eric Ghiaciuc picks up the defensive tackle and Andrew Whitworth drops back behind Jones to pick up the linebacker (which only happens in video games), this play was doomed. And that's by design. Palmer saw the blitz coming and let the pass go on his third step.

Analysis: Bad design.

On third-and-eight, Palmer in shotgun with Utecht and Watson flanking him, threw a beautiful pass to Antonio Chatman fading on the right for a 19-yard gain. Palmer had plenty of time.

PALMER HIT #4
After a minimal Perry rush up the middle, Palmer threw a pass that wasn't picked off after Jerome Simpson molested the defensive back. It was a good play by Simpson to become the defender, preventing the turnover with just over two minutes left in the first half.

Palmer was hit on the play. Under center, with Perry the lone back in the backfield, Palmer fakes the handoff and throws deep to his left. The blitzing linebacker came from the Palmer's right side, where Reggie Kelly lined up and left for a pass route. Perry ran to Palmer's right, also running a route.

The Saints' left defensive end and left defensive tackle ran a stunt. The defensive end ran around the defensive tackle, picked up by Williams. The defensive tackle ran straight for Willie Anderson to free up the blitzing linebacker of the edge. The stunt worked primarily because the tackle occupied Anderson. With only five blockers, two occupied after a stunt where the blitzing linebacker attacked, Palmer was forced to throw a rainbow pass that was nearly picked off. The offensive pass interference on Simpson forced the Bengals into a second-and-17, which the Bengals couldn't pick up and were forced to punt.

SUGGESTION: The Bengals need to keep more men blockers in for Palmer.

PALMER HIT #5 AND BLOODY NOSE
Bengals get the ball back after a three-and-out by the Saints offense, with 1:06 left in the half at the Cincinnati 36-yard line. After a quick pass to Utecht, Palmer spikes the ball to stop the clock.

On second-and-ten at the Cincinnati 48-yard line, Palmer lined up in shotgun, with two wide receivers on the left, another on the right, and no tight ends. Utecht lined up to Palmer's left and ran a route. Reggie Kelly, lined up to Palmer's right, stepped up in the pocket to help block. The linebacker and safety (Kaesviharn), targeted their blitz between Ghiaciuc and Anderson. Williams pushed the defensive tackle to Ghiaciuc, who was a non-factor. Williams turned to the blitzing linebacker, already picked up by Reggie Kelly. Willie Anderson took the defensive end out. This created a MASSIVE gap for which Kaesviharn to make his assault (and sack) on Palmer. The defensive end on Anderson made the hit on Palmer that forced the bleeding.

ANALYSIS: Kelly likely should have taken Kaesviharn (or the outside blitzer) while Williams, already free after handing off the tackle to Ghiaciuc, picked up the blitzing linebacker.

Levi Jones false started on the next play and flipped out at Eric Ghiaciuc (segue comes next). After a handoff and punt, the half was over.

GHIACIUC CANT BLOCK ON RUNS
On the first offensive possession, Antonio Chatman had the ball stripped with a soft tap from Indiana rookie Tracy Porter on an end-around. Glenn Holt dove on the ball after a horrible effort by Chatman to secure the ball. On the second play, the Bengals lined up double-TE and run behind Andrew Whitworth for a minimal two-yard gain. Kendrick Clancey (the guy Eric Ghiaciuc was blocking) spun around and made the first contact with Perry. After Stacy Andrews was flagged for a false start, Palmer overthrew Jerome Simpson and nearly had the ball intercepted by Mike McKenzie. The Bengals were force to punt. Note on the first possession that Palmer wasn't hit and the pass he three on third down, he had plenty of time because the Saints only brought the front four.

After the Saints took a 10-point lead, Perry rushed the ball behind Bobbie Williams with 5:57 left in the first quarter. Well, he tried to. Perry ran into Ghiaciuc, going backwards where Perry was forced to redirect to the left. Kendrick Clancey (the guy Ghiaciuc was blocking), shed off the block and made the tackle. On Perry's first two runs, Clancey was credited for both tackles. On second and seven, Palmer in off-set I (strong side right), called an audible (likely forcing the called run from left to right), and handed off to Perry running off-tackle to the right. Clancey made the tackle again, but it was Andrew Whitworth's guy this time. Whitworth was forced to take a large step to his right to cut off Clancey who was lined up in the gap to Whitworth's right. Clancey just shed to his right and filled the gap for the stop. You could blame Ghiaciuc (kind of the theme going on here) by not impeding Clancey's first step, one way or another. But that's simply a perception you can make for yourself.

On third down, Palmer completed a 16-yard pass to Ben Utecht for the first down. The Saints only brought their front four and never touched Palmer. On the next play, Palmer hit Perry running in the flats to the left; Palmer was untouched. On second down, Kendrick Clancey stood up Eric Ghiaciuc, threw him to the ground and stuffed Perry at the line of scrimmage.

The Bengals third possession started with 7:33 left in the second quarter with first-and-ten at the Cincinnati 12-yard line. Standard I-formation, Perry took the handoff and ran right-side of the center. When the play was over, Eric Ghiaciuc was laying on his back four yards down field.

QUICK HITS
On first-and-ten at the Cincinnati 14-yard line with 13:11 in the second quarter, Chatman lined up on the left, took two steps back, caught the quick pass and picked up nine yards. The Bengals called the same play, instead passing to Ben Utecht on the right for an 11-yard gain. This was about the closest thing the Bengals offense had for momentum in the first half.

FINALLY
All in all, that was one of the worst games I've ever seen during the Marvin Lewis era Bengals. Pre-season or not, that's just horrible. Exactly what are we supposed to get excited about with that offense? The defense played as well as they've been asked to. After giving up 10 points in the first two possessions, the Saints were shutout.

Still, the story of the game was Palmer's bloody nose, and the inability to get anything going. The second half wasn't much better, but we didn't much care anyway because the focus now is that the first team offense is playing so awful. You can claim injury to the starting wide receivers, if you want. And this team takes a huge hit when both go down.

Either way, if this is a dress rehersal of things to come, then this season will be long and painful.

On the night of January 22, 1989, the Bengals lost to the San Francisco 49ers that left me cursing at the television, throwing pillows and the like, frustrated as hell. After that display, I was reprimanded by my mother after she witnessed her 10-year old son display a foul-mouthed hissyfit. When the pain dimmed a week later, I was able to sit on my rump again and permitted to watch television when spring invited the leaves to blossom.

This January will be the 20th anniversary of the Bengals last Super Bowl appearance. Soon afterwards, we'll see men and women legally allowed to purchase adult beverages at their local pub, knowing they were yet to be born when the Bengals went to their last Super Bowl; how's that for perspective?

The sad part is that you could apply the same frustration with both professional teams in Cincinnati. The only difference is that the Reds won in 1990 and have five world championships on their resume -- the Bengals have two appearances and no world championships; though we do have two conference titles and that should mean something. Still, that was such a long time ago that it seems like it never happened. I'm not talking playoffs, I'm talking championships.

The Reds are in no better shape than the Bengals right now. They're life-less, display no effort in a town that appreciates blue-collar work. With time of unsuccessful trends, fans of professional sports in Cincinnati, justifiably so, attack ownership for not making winning a priority. It forced Carl Lindner out of Reds majority ownership, and it's sealed a nasty opinion of the Bengals owner -- and everyone, I believe, is right to assume such things -- to such a point, that even winning a Super Bowl, won't reverse opinions of him.

Maybe some day, in the future, the Reds and Bengals will fight again for supremacy of what town this is. Is it a baseball town? Is it a football town? At this point, we just want it to be something worth appreciating.

Friday night marked the start of high school football -- in my opinion, the purest form of football today and a proud tradition in the Cincinnati area. Number one St. Xavier (ranked 18th in the nation) faced off against number two Colerain. The underdog Cardinals took an intentional safety with a second left on the clock to beat the Bombers, 13-8. Colerain started out of the gate quickly, taking a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, depending on the defense to win the remaining three quarters. Mason, my old kicking ground, plays Saturday afternoon (2:45 pm). Go Comets!

Tonight being a Saturday night, I'm not expecting much participation in the way of comments and all that. But that doesn't stop dorks like me. I'll be online tonight until, roughly, half time. Though that could change depending on the site's participation, as well as how the game is progressing.

Mark Curnutte is looking for the Bengals to pound the ball tonight, and control the clock -- mostly in response to having the team's top four wide receivers out. It appears he's right. "The wideouts are down, so we have to emphasize running the ball and running the ball effectively," Levi Jones said. "And the young guys at wide receiver are going to have to catch the ball when we need them to catch the ball."

Chris Perry is happy to finally run with a style that he's used to. "Everybody remembers me as a scat back. But I went to school at Michigan, and we run downhill. I just never got the opportunity to do that while I was here." Will Perry be happy being healthy for a full 16-game season? "I mean, not really. I want to have an impact." Good answer.

Mario Urrutia on hopefully playing tonight after not playing the first two exhibition games: "I'm just waiting my turn. When I get it, I'm going to make the most of it. All I can say is the best is yet to come." Another good answer.

Five questions with Shayne Graham.

James Walker responds to the question of the Jurassic Line on his AFC North, ESPN blog. "The Bengals have been discussing it, Kris. They also used it a tiny bit in the preseason. But until I see Marvin Lewis use it consistently, it's difficult to tell if this is a viable option for the Bengals in the regular season. Andrews has experience at guard and obviously he is a great right tackle when healthy. So the key is if Bobbie Williams can make the adjustment from guard to center." Walker could have just reference Paul Alexander confirming that Eric Ghiaciuc has a "firm grip" at center.

Furthermore, in a later question in the same piece, Walker says that Henry is fortunate to play at all this season after Henry was initially suspended for the season pending his latest day in court. I so disagree with this point. Charges being dropped means he wasn't convicted of anything. So why does Henry have to be suspended? Because some guy either fabricated a story, or the guy's lawyer was unable to present a case? It's just another example that Roger Goodell hands out sentences on his own perceptions... and mood of the day.

Adam Zimmer will be across the field as the Saints defensive assistant, likely watching his dad calling the defensive plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.

I wish I could read what JungleInsider writes. But I can't. I don't have $90 to pay for a year's subscription and I tend to like free -- which is something that Cincy Jungle will ALWAYS be.

BJ at BengalsZone wonders if Palmer will "have enough" and complain -- being signed through 2014, that's a real possibility for most players. But I just don't see it from Palmer.

Mike Greenberg actually has a fan web site.

Fake Teams (a fantasy sports site under the Sports Blog Nation umbrella), is toying with the idea of picking up Chris Perry as "a sneaky-good late choice."

Last night's Texans-Cowboys game displayed a too-real result of how violent football is. On kickoff, Texans receiver Harry Williams was falling down, missing a tackle, when he collided with another teammate fracturing his C3 vertebra. From a Bengals perspective, this was reminisce watching David Pollack being carted off the field against the Browns in the second week of the 2006 season. Like Pollack, Williams was able to regain basic motor functions afterwards. But this injury puts severe doubt on anyone's NFL career that suffers it.

There's another Bengals site in town.