Bengals = Cardinals? Not Quite

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Are the Bengals this year’s version of the Arizona Cardinals?

In a word: no.

The Cardinals and the Bengals have many things in common: a talented trio of receivers, a veteran Pro-Bowl quarterback, an underrated defense and a lack of a running game.

But the Cardinals also possessed one aspect the Bengals are missing: the big play.

The Bengals do not have the ability to stretch the field in the same way the Cardinals did because Cincinnati’s receiving corps of Chad Ocho Cinco, Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry are all at their best while executing short square-outs and over-the-middle patterns — especially with the advancing age of Ocho Cinco and Coles, both 31.

As a result, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will have to focus on getting the ball out quickly and accurately to the quick-developing routes.

This works to the Bengals’ advantage because there are questions about Palmer’s ability to throw the deep ball following a torn tendon in his throwing elbow in 2008.

Also, a reconstructed offensive line — which will feature rookie Andre Smith at right tackle and guard Andrew Whitworth shifting to the outside to cover Palmer’s blindside at left tackle — figures to provide less than the requisite five seconds for down-field opportunities to develop.

The Cardinals lived on such plays in 2008, utilizing big-play threats Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to produce 54 plays over 20 yards through the air. The Bengals only had 21 such plays in ‘08.

Without the ability to stretch the field in a similar fashion, the Bengals’ offense will not have the same room to operate, thwarting the running game that offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski is determined to establish.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?