Cincinnati Bengals: Carson Palmer Was Better Than We Thought and Ochocinco News

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1. Maybe Carson Palmer Isn't so Bad After All

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bill Barnwell at footballoutsiders.com says here that Carson Palmer had the second toughest "schedule for a quarterback who played all season".

Despite this, Palmer had a decent season. Here are his stats:

Quarterback rating:82.4

Completion %: 61.8

Yards: 3,970 (6th best)

Touchdowns: 26 (9th)

Interceptions: 20

Palmer may not have the arm that he had in 2005 but he still gives the Bengals their best chance to win.

2. Carson Palmer Is Going Nowhere

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

Marvin Lewis removed all doubt about his 2011 quarterback when he confirmed here that it will be Carson Palmer.

They really had no choice unless they wanted to start over at the most critical position on the field. Finding a veteran who is better than Palmer is not going to happen. Using a high pick to draft a quarterback is too risky.

3. Ochocinco Option Picked Up

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the final minute of 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)

The Bengals exercised their club option to have Chad Ochocinco back for $6 million. Ochocinco would have received $3.5 million if the Bengals let him go.

Joe Reedy is reporting here that the option was picked up. Joe says it may have been picked up way back in 2007. However, Ochocinco tweeted here that the option was not picked up as of December 21.

To find out why this did happen, click here.

4. Ochocinco Says Racism Is Motivation Against TO

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Tracy Porter#22 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy L

Profootballtalk.com reports here that Chad Ochocinco claims racism is involved with Terrell Owens.

Somebody please shut this guy up.

5. Antwan Odom Is Likely Gone

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 18: Defensive end Antwan Odem #98 of the Cincinnati Bengals is taken off the field on a cart after an injury against the Houston Texans at Paul Brown Stadium on October 18, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Ima

According to this, the most expensive free agent in Bengal history will likely be moving on.

Many viewed Antwan Odom as a game changer after his two sack game against Denver and his huge five sack performance against the Packers in 2009. However, if you take away these games, Odom more closely resembles a bust.

Odom has recorded a sack in only six of the 21 games that he played in for the Bengals. In four of those six, he recorded one sack. Including those games, he has averaged .52 sacks per game. Take those away and the number drops to .19 sacks per game.

In retrospect, the Bengals should have kept Justin Smith. 

In March of 2008, Smith signed a six-year, $45 million deal with the 49ers. Odom signed a five-year, $29.5 million deal with the Bengals.

Smith has not missed a game with the 49ers. Odom missed four games and eight starts with a shoulder injury suffered during practice in 2008. In 2009, he missed 10 games with an Achilles injury. He only played three games in 2010.

This year, Smith has been named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

For a list of Bengal fails in 2010, click here.

6. Playoff Show Canceled

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 8: Cincinnati Bengals cheerleaders cheer for their team against Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)

John Kiesewetter reports here that Channel 12 has canceled their “Bengals Playoff Special” scheduled for Friday.

Darn!