Cinicnnati Bengals: Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, Carson Palmer and Reality TV

Ocho is a twittering, TO is a speculating, Carson isn't talking.  Marvin Lewis is a grumbling.  Cedric Benson is waxing poetic.  What is going on in Cincinnati?

The defense is back after over complicating Week 1 against the venerable Patriots but the offense looks like a reality TV show similar to VH1's I Love New York. 

TO or Ocho could become Tailormade rather quickly and end up spitting on Carson Palmer very shortly.

The Bengals have issues on offense and it is only a matter of time that the frayed nerves and speculation will turn Cincinnati into a debacle should the Bengals head down the lonely road of losing.

Carson Palmer Is Mental?

Palmer Thoughts?

It may be that the Bengals' offense became so run-first last year that Carson has taken several mental steps back from his prior form mentally.

With that being said, remember that Carson is the consummate family man.  His brother is on the team and he welcomed twins into the world before the 2009 season. 

While we would love to forget that athletes are human beings and have personal lives, all we need is to look at TO's (and somewhat Ocho's) career to understand how the personal can drastically alter the sporting life. 

Becoming a parent is a big step in any person's life, Carson may be with the family he cherishes and not on the field. 

Life gets complicated as we get older and the question is if the complications are affecting Carson.

Carson Palmer Is Injured?

Palmer's Elbow?

Is Carson injured?  Hard to tell. 

Again, just as the mental aspect may have been adversely affected, so to may his throwing form by a season of playing hand off football. 

Timing is as much physical as it is mental.

Carson Palmer Is Scared?

Carson Fleeing?

It may be part of mental, but it could be the biggest part. 

Ripping your knee apart, damaging your elbow, damaging your thumb, and it all adds up to a fear of pain and expectation of getting injured again and again.

This is where a good offensive line would help Carson rebound if he has any fear.

The Offensive Line Really Sucks

The Offending Offensive Line

This is not your father's offensive line.  Bengals protection has not been up to snuff since 2005. 

One reason to be optimistic is Andre Smith—though it is the very same reason to be pessimistic. 

The Bengals need to find their footing and side-to-side mobility on the line.

The Offensive Coordinator Sucks

Bob Bratkowski

Bob Bratkowski has not done much if anything in the past few seasons.  His strategy seems predictable and without proper innovation. 

Bob needs to open up the offense and exploit holes in the opponents' zone and balance out the offense accordingly.

Houston, We Have a Problem...

TO and Ocho...

How long until lift off of TO and Ocho?  The answer is likely around Week 8 if things continue along at this pace.

Coming off of the Falcons game, a surely tested offense will have defined itself likely for the remainder of the season, and chances are that TO and Ocho will begin to fray at the edges.

Overreacting? Maybe We Do Not Know What It Is Like to Win?

Offensive Moments 2010

Marvin Lewis needs to help the Bengals transform their offense into the hard-luck, grind it out, medium-range game needed to stay competitive.

Better protection and shorter routes are likely the answer to building up Carson Palmer. 

As long as there is no injury, Palmer should be able to shake off the rust with the entrance of Andre Smith (assuming Smith comes along). 

The offensive line is in sore need of a boost and a couple of key moves should prove that we are all overreacting.

Not being used to winning is the affliction of a Bengals' fan.  When it is expected, it is expected without doubt. 

This is the NFL, boys and girls.  Even the bad teams have a good day and a good team will sometimes start slowly. 

We are a number of weeks away from panic but if there is no sign of improvement, then it is more likely time to look at strategy rather than personnel.