Carson Palmer: 10 Reasons the Cincinnati Bengals Are Finished With Him

Another week, another bad game by Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer.

In the 23-7 loss to Pittsburgh, the defense allowed a mere three field goals. But it was Palmer who played the role of Santa Claus for the Steelers as he gift-wrapped two pick-sixes for yet another awful performance.

The rapid decline of Palmer is alarming, and it makes you wonder if there is some sort of undisclosed problem the media doesn't know about.

With the eminent departure of Marvin Lewis and many of the key parts of the offense playing their final three games in orange and black, the time is now to include Palmer in that group.

Let's take a look a why the Bengals desperately need to say goodbye to their QB of the past seven mostly mediocre seasons.

1. Palmer Has Declined Every Season Since '05

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass under pressure from Jim Leonhard #36 of the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets def

He currently is tied for first in the NFL with 18 interceptions. With three games to go, he is just three INT's away from setting a career high in that category.

Not counting his four game '08 season, Palmer's QB rating has plummeted every single season, from 101.1 in '05 to 78.1 this season.

He may rank 10th in the NFL with 3,187 passing yards, but anybody who has watched the Bengals knows the vast majority of those yards have come with the Bengals already down multiple scores.

Palmer has been the king of garbage time this season.

2. Palmer Is Mentally Drained

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals gives instructions to his team during the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

His body language has never been a problem until this season. Now he slowly walks to the sidelines with his shoulders slumped with a dazed looked on his face.

The look he had at the end of the Saints game was confirmation of everything. After blowing 10 seconds in a last-second bid to come back and beat the defending champs, he seemed extremely confused and perplexed.

Not the best look for your franchise QB.

The losses have really weighed him down, and the 10-game losing streak is turning his brain into mashed potatoes.

3. Playoffs Wins: 0

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Carson Palmer #9 hands the ball off to teammate Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wicker

It's not like Palmer is Brett Favre and has been to multiple playoff appearances and Super Bowls. Carson has made two postseason appearances in his career and is 0-2. Really it's 0-1, but there is no need to re-hash that '06 ACL injury story.

Palmer has been able to lead his team to glorious records of 8-8 (X2) and 7-9 another season. Why should fans feel so attached to a guy with that kind of track record?

He stabilized a rancid franchise but never could consistently keep them above water like a Peyton Manning or a Tom Brady.

4. Starting To Look Like Jake Delhomme

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Jake Delhomme #17 of the Cleveland Browns readies to pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Jake Delhomme suffered the same elbow injury as Palmer and now has a "dead arm." Delhomme led his team to an appearance in the Super Bowl in '04 and had a pretty solid career till his injury.

He has been abysmal ever since, and now the Browns cross their fingers that a rookie third-round pick will be healthy enough to play on Sunday against the Bengals to make sure Delhomme goes back to the bench.

Delhomme is a pick machine now—just like Palmer. Delhomme no longer can throw any sort of resemblance of a deep ball—like Palmer. Delhomme short arms easy throws that he consistently used to make—like No. 9.

5. Makes Way Too Much $$$ For Cheap Bengals

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Palmer makes over $11 million a year. That's right around the top five highest salaries in the NFL. Does a guy who leads the league in interceptions, has a bad elbow and is mentally shot sound like he should be making top-five money?

Ahhhh no.

The penny-pincher Mike Brown has to be aware of this situation more than any other regarding Palmer.

6. Decision-Making Skills Have Regressed

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

How is it possible that an eight-year pro with Pro Bowls on his resume can tie an NFL record with five pick-sixes on the season. He has 15 since entering the league, which is also the "best" in the league over that time span.

He has also thrown INT's in back-to-back possessions twice this season (Jets and Bucs).

Not only is he making way to many mistakes, but some of them are destroying any chance of winning a game.

7. He's Become Bengalized

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs off of the field following the Bengals 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won 23-17

It's a common term in describing Bengal players who have endured losing season after losing season with no hope in sight.

Sooner or later the player realizes that with the current way the Bengals are structured, winning a Super Bowl is pipe dream.

Palmer never believed that until this season.

But with the sky-high expectations and supreme talent on both sides of the ball, the Bengals crumbled under the pressure. Palmer has been the main culprit and has now become "Bengalized."

8. O-Line Isn't the Problem

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Sure the offensive line hasn't been among the best in the league. But the unit is scrappy and hasn't been a huge weakness on this team.

Sure Andre Smith disappointed again, and the line holds too much. But Palmer has been upright for the most part, and when he does get a little pressure, he has been awful at avoiding it.

What happened to the running Palmer of a year ago?

Sunday against the Steelers, the pocket was clean for the vast majority of the game, and Palmer had plenty of time to throw.

It's another excuse for Palmer that simply isn't accurate.

9. Most of the Offense Is Getting Blown Up

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls out a play against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Image

Might as well completely start over on offense. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski is going to be fired. Cedric Benson and Terrell Owens aren't going to be re-signed.

It doesn't look like the Bengals will pick up the 2011 option on Chad Ochocinco. Reggie Kelly will most likely retire.

So why not blow up the whole thing and cut Palmer? Start fresh with a new QB, RB and a WR or two to go along with Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham.

10. Andrew Luck Is a Stud

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal in action against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

If the Bengals cut Palmer, then the Bengals HAVE to draft a QB with their top-five pick. If they are lucky enough to draft Mr. Luck, the Bengals will be in good hands.

He has lifted the Stanford football program out of the abyss and has had a stellar red-shirt sophomore season.

Luck threw for 3,051 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions as he led the No. 4 Cardinal to an 11-1 record and a BCS bowl game. He also finished second in the Heisman voting.

NFL scouts call him the most complete player in the draft—if he decides to declare early (be crazy not to)—and has the potential of being a franchise QB.