Looking Back at The 2009 Bengals Offense

As the 2009 season unfolded, it was clear that this Cincinnati Bengals team would be very different from years past.  Since Carson Palmer became the team's quarterback, the Bengals have been considered a passing team.  Fans have grown accustomed to seeing balls thrown deep into the secondary to the likes of Chad Ochocinco, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Chris Henry.

With Palmer missing all but four games in 2008, that season became a complete disaster. The offense was one of the worst I have ever seen.  Houshmandzadeh left for Seattle after the season, creating a huge void.  

Other holes remained unfilled as the team's top draft choice, offensive lineman Andre Smith, was unsigned and not in playing shape.  Tight ends Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht both suffered season-ending injuries during training camp.  

However, the Bengals' biggest concern was the health of their franchise quarterback.

As the regular season progressed, the Bengals and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski emphasized their commitment to running the football.  They wanted to protect the football, control the clock, and wear down opposing defenses.  

For the most part, the strategy worked, even though it undoubtedly caused fans' blood pressure to rise each Sunday.  The offense seemed to do just enough to win, often doing so late in the fourth quarter.  Such late-game heroics earned them the nickname "Cardiac Cats".

The offense peaked in a 45-10 victory over the Chicago Bears on Oct. 25.  Palmer completed 20 of 24 passes for 233 yards and five touchdowns.  Cedric Benson ran over, around, and through his former team for 189 yards and a touchdown.  The leading receiver was Ochocinco, who caught 10 balls for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

The victory over the Bears was the turning point of the season for the offense.  Palmer had just six touchdown passes in the final eight weeks of the season.  Another player was lost to injury when Henry broke his arm against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 8. Any deep threat was pretty much eliminated as teams doubled Ochocinco on just about every play.

Despite various injuries throughout the season, the identity of this offense did not change.  They were a running team that would ride Benson, Bernard Scott, as long as they could.  Looking back, I think that they were too much of a running team.  Palmer broke the 300-yard passing mark once.

Hence, the million dollar question.  Will Palmer ever return to his 2005 form?

Since having his knee destroyed in the 2005 playoff game against Pittsburgh, Palmer has shown flashes of the greatness he once displayed.  However, he has been inconsistent.  I would tend to think his knee is not the problem.  Palmer showed better mobility this year than ever before.

Will the addition of offensive weapons help?  Is the run-first approach handcuffing him?

Whatever the problem is, it needs to be fixed.  The Bengals won the AFC North title with an average offense and strong defense.  If the offense can find a balance between running and throwing the football, and be successful at both, another playoff birth is certainly a possibility.

Read more in The Wight Pages .