2010 NFL Underachievers: 10 Cincinnati Bengals That Need To Step Up
The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals have been a collective failure through five games.
The blame can be placed on a bunch of different players. The offense can move the ball but are unable to score touchdowns, the defense has gotten zero pass rush and some of the coaching decisions leave you scratching your head.
There isn't just one player that is responsible for this sluggish start.
Let's look at 10 Bengals that need to improve their play to give Cincinnati even a remote chance of going to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in over 20 years.
10. Andre Smith
1 of 10
A mammoth of a man with a mammoth of a contract, last year's sixth overall pick has been a big disappointment so far.
He was drafted on the basis that he was a superb run blocker and above average against the pass.
So far in his Bengals career he has proven he is good at drawing false starts.
Smith has improved through the course of the season and now is the time to shut up the long list of skeptics and be a contributor to a disappointing offensive line.
9. Dhani Jones
2 of 10
He has a show called "Dhani Tackles the Globe". His 2010 season should be called "Dhani Can't Catch the Globe".
His age is beginning to show and the speedy recievers are leaving Jones in their dust.
He is leading the team with 38 tackles, but his pass coverage leaves a lot to be desired.
The team defensive captain needs to anticipate better to make up for his lack of speed.
8. Andre Caldwell
3 of 10
What happened to this guy?
Caldwell was essentially the No. 2 receiver in the playoffs last year against the Jets.
Sure the Bengals drafted Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham to upgrade the offense, but Caldwell has fallen off the face of the earth this season.
He has eight catches for 56 yards on the season for an average of seven yards a reception. He only has six yards after the catch.
When Shipley went down most assumed Caldwell would step right in and the offense wouldn't miss a beat. After watching a game with Caldwell as the No. 3, fans were left crossing their fingers Shipley made a speedy recovery.
Time to be a playmaker Caldwell, get some YAC!
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7. Domata Peko
4 of 10
Peko was paid big bucks to help clog the interior of the defensive line. The Bengals allow 111 yards a game on the ground and Peko is part of the problem.
He only has seven tackles and just a single one of those being for a loss.
Zero sacks
Zero pass deflections
Zero QB hurries
Zero QB hits
6. Bernard Scott
5 of 10
He has been solid when he is lined up in the backfield, averaging 4.6 yards a carry.
But he has been mediocre at best returning kickoffs. He only averages 19 yards per kickoff.
With the poor play of the offense, field position is crucial and Scott needs to find some holes.
5. Antwan Odom
6 of 10
Wait, this guy had five sacks in one game before?
The biggest reason the pass rush stinks is Odom.
He has a mere three tackles and one pass deflection.
Odom has struggled all season to get any sort of pressure on the QB. The Bengals D needs pressure to get turnovers and Odom is not producing.
Is his achilles heel injury fully healed?
We'll have to wait another four weeks to find that one out as he serves his four game PEDs suspension.
4. Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski
7 of 10
Fans have been begging for him to be fired for years now, but the lack of points with the ultra talented offense is inexcusable.
The predictable play calling is killing the run game and putting way to much pressure on the QB.
He doesn't know how to utilize Chad and T.O. together and never seems to make the right call on third down.
3. Chad Ochocinco
8 of 10
Two reality shows, one TD.
Chad wasn't focused on football for six months over the summer and the outcome has been more obvious than Glen Beck's political allegiance.
Chad and Palmer don't seem to have any sort of chemistry, but that's only part of the reason for his pedestrian 26 receptions and 316 yards.
Ocho simply isn't catching every ball like he used to. He is beginning to subscrbe to T.O.'s school of hard drops.
44 targets and only 26 receptions...what's the deal????
2. Head Coach Marvin Lewis
9 of 10
My theory is that Lewis, in the final year of his contract, knows he won't be back and is secretly sick to death of owner Mike Brown.
The way Brown leans over every move Lewis makes has gotten to a breaking point after eight seasons. So why prepare for endless hours every week when you already have one foot out the door?
It's showing on the field. Stupid penalties such as delay of games and bad game planning falls partly on Lewis.
Hard to blame him for wanting to get away from the tight grip of Brown though.
1. Carson Palmer
10 of 10
No surprise here.
Palmer's regression is a big head scratcher.
Is it the elbow?
Is it the O-Line?
Is it the lack of chemistry with his recievers?
Way too many questions and not a single answer. He is not the precision passer he once was, but what's the deal with all the mental mistakes?
His three pick performance against the Bucs cost the Bengals a game. His clock management has been sub-par. His poise in the pocket has stunk. His abilty to avoid the sack has been rookie-like.
The biggest reason the Bengals are 2-3 is Palmer.
He's not the only reason, but as the old saying goes: The QB gets too much credit for wins and too much blame when they lose.
Well, the Bengals are losing and the majority of the blame goes to Palmer.
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