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Monday, November 1, 2010
Cook: Bengals offense letting defense down
The Bengals’ sputtering offense failed in the critical stages of Sunday’s 22-14 loss to Miami, and the search for answers began moments after the final gun.
“We need to put more points on the board,” center Kyle Cook said. “I thought things were looking good on our first drive. We went down the field and scored. Terrell (Owens) made a great play on a deflected pass that should have been intercepted for our second score. From there on we put a goose egg on the board. We had a chance on the last drive and just couldn’t come away with it.”
After marching down the field on the opening drive to go up 7-0, the Bengals looked as if they would walk away with the game, but their offense soon became stagnant and predictable.
It was another head-scratching game by quarterback Carson Palmer, who threw a costly interception with 2:54 remaining. It was second and 10 on Miami’s 22 with the Bengals driving. A touchdown would have put the team in position to at least attempt a tie with a two-point conversion. Palmer completed 17 of 38 passes for 156 yards with two touchdowns and that untimely interception.
His dismal performance had nothing to do with his protection, as his center pointed out.
“We gave him all day and there were times where he didn’t get touched at all,” Cook said. “I think the only real pressure we gave up was on that last drive. We went right down the field for the most part, but obviously in the end it didn’t matter because we didn’t come up with any points. Sure, we can play three and a half quarters perfectly, but we have to finish the game out.”
Cook took the loss hard but was optimistic the team could get on track.
“We won a lot of close games last year with the same guys so I think we can turn it around,” he said. “We just need some things to go our way and take advantage of certain situations throughout the game.
“The offense must keep our defense off the field. We have to stay out there and possess the ball longer and give them a break. The defense did a good job. They held them to field goals, which is what you want your defense to do. It was up to the offense to help them out and we didn’t.”
Side note: According to a source with knowledge of the situation, defensive end Jonathan Fanene could be out for 6 to 7 weeks after re-aggravating his injured hamstring.
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