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Bengals continue to learn harsh lessons in loss to Atlanta
Carson Palmer throws for two touchdowns, but the defense surrenders big plays to new Falcons QB Joey Harrington.
Comment: How do you think the Bengals will do this year?
Game photos | Bengals Notes
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
ATLANTA — Here's what the Bengals discovered at the Georgia Dome on Monday night:
Their No. 1 offense knows how to score — touchdowns. And their
Extras
No. 1 defense continues to give up explosive plays.
Despite two Carson Palmer TD passes, the Bengals dropped a 24-19 decision to the Falcons in front of an announced crowd of 65,525. The building featured thousands of empty seats — a sign that apathetic fans aren't thrilled about a season without suspended quarterback Michael Vick.
The Bengals' starting offense has accounted for five scores — three field goals and two touchdowns — in 13 possessions. But there's a bigger problem to worry about than offensive and defensive consistency.
Cincinnati is suddenly in the market for a kicker because Shayne Graham exited with a right hip pointer in the second quarter and didn't return. The injury forces the Bengals to sign a kicker for Friday's preseason finale against Indianapolis.
Palmer's TD passes came in the second quarter — 8 yarders to wide receiver Chad Johnson and rookie tight end Daniel Coats — but Graham's absence led to two failed 2-point conversions.
Palmer was 15-of-22 passing for 136 yards and a 115.0 passer rating, while his counterpart — Joey Harrington — resembled Joe Montana and Joe Namath as he completed 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and a 118.0 rating.
The first half was a tug of war with Atlanta holding onto a 14-13 lead.
The Falcons struck first when Harrington floated a 28-yard TD pass to Adam Jennings down the right sideline.
Cornerback Deltha O'Neal, thinking he had solid safety coverage, allowed Jennings to release past him. But safety Chinedum Ndukwe couldn't recover in time, and Harrington's pass was on the money.
The Bengals answered with a 17-play, 83-yard drive that culminated with Palmer's pass to Johnson — the starters' first touchdown in nine preseason possessions.
Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall had the words, "I own 85," shaved in his hair. But Johnson had five catches for 83 yards with a long gain of 31, and burned Hall on a slant in the end zone.
Allen Rossum's 59-yard kickoff return set up Harrington's 12-yard TD pass to Jerious Norwood for a 14-7 Falcons' lead, but Palmer and Johnson hooked up on a 31-yard play that led to Coats' 8-yard TD.
Bengals safety Dexter Jackson suffered a blow to the head trying to tackle tight end Alge Crumpler in the first quarter and didn't return. Defensive tackle John Thornton had two sacks and wide receiver Chris Henry caught a 58-yard TD pass from Doug Johnson.
Comments
By Larry
August 29, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Are the stoolers so pathetic their fans turn to a Bengals blog?
By James E. Kauffman
August 28, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Ray, you are right. no defensive coaching and mediocre players who are made to think they are pro bowlers by the media.Jim
By James E. Kauffman
August 28, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this
Marvin Lewis should be ashamed of the bengals defense.I assumed that with his experience with the steeler defense he would make the bengals a good defensive team.This defense has been like this way too long and marvin had better get some new coaches on defense or Marvin will be looking for a job elswhere.It doesn’t do any good to draft defensive players if the coaches can’t come up with a good defensive scheme. jim k.
By Coco & Bogey
August 28, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
First of all, we think you’re great Chick. We got to watch the game on TV down here in Cape Coral with our good friends Frank & Linn. It should be obvious to everyone by now, the Bengals have very little depth on offense and virtually none on defense. At the present, the defensive backs are a sorry sight. The third wide receiver the Bengals need will be picked up off the waiver wire because there aren’t any keepers in camp at this time. And now possible problems with the kicking game. Yuk
By HSV-ED
August 28, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
You win champtionship with defense and the Bengals play defense like they are scared they will be beat on every play. There is no confidence by the players of the guys they play with, and I wonder if they have any confidence in the scheme they are asked to play. Unless this is turned around, the Bengals will be last in the AFC North.
By Rod
August 28, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Bengals have weak schedule…12-4…division champs…1 and out in playoffs. Ratbirds will place second….Stains 3rd…and the Stoolers will bring up the rear. New England will be Super Bowl champs
By NP
August 28, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
Boring defense. why do we always tackle by the shoe string? There can’t be a receiver in the league that is afraid to cross the middle on the bengals. They let you catch the ball then try to surround you and hug you to the ground.
By marc
August 28, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
The D is the big question-mark. We typically get the opponent to 3rd and long and then give up a 10 - 15 yard pass.I don’t understand why our corners give so much cushion to the WRs. If the Colts game last year taught us anything it was that the WRs would run inside the cushion, turn arround and Manning would hitthem for a quick 5 - 7 yard gain. The D-line looked good against some runs - but seemed to get pushed back on quite a few plays.
By Steeler Man
August 28, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
3-13 Go bungles
By 21
August 28, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
10-6 baby!!
By Koozebane
August 28, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
I’m not going to base an entire season on pre-season mistakes in the secondary.
Yeah, there’s plenty of work to be done on pass defense. That’s why I’ll leave plenty of room for improvement before throwing my hands in the air and declaring the whole season a disaster.
WHO DEY
By William
August 28, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
A pathetic performance in the secondary. No defense. 8-8 season at best. For someone who is supposed to be so good at developing defensive talent Marvin Lewis is a HUGE dissapointment.
By BIG PAPA
August 28, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
SAME OLD SONG FOR THE BENGALS, ALL OFFENSE, NO DEFENSE 6-10 RECORD. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
By carl
August 28, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
5-11
By Susan
August 28, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Enough about MV. Let the season begin. WHO DEY !!!!
By chuck
August 28, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
7-9
By Donna
August 28, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
I agree with Jim. Way too much about that nameless quarterback from Atlanta. I couldn’t get into the game hearing about him all night. I don’t think he should ever be allowed in the NFL again. He’s an adult, he should have known better. The Bengals….8-8
By Paul
August 28, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
I had the sound turned off the first half so the kids could finish homework…ESPN had great camera coverage! I watched about 1 quarter of the 2nd half and please tell them to shut up about MV. Sorry, I can’t feel sorry for a guy who kicks a helpless dog, never mind strangles or drowns it. What scum. I for one hope he gets back in the league and plays his first game against the Browns…the dog pound will eat him alive.
By chris
August 28, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Well lets see we have no one behind rudi wow we could of had steven jackson but took chris perry we have no third reciever i say 7-9 hows kenny irons workin out
By Jim
August 28, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
I also got sick of hearing about Michael Vick. They need to give it a rest.
I predict a 7-9 year.
By brad
August 28, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
i tried rooting for the bengals, but i don’t think they have it in them.i don’t see how they h ave survived this long. they won’t make it to the top. i hate to say that about the bengals but have had to many problems.
By Michael Keaton
August 28, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
a sign that apathetic fans aren’t thrilled about a season without suspended quarterback Michael Vick.
Hey Ludwig, get a clue—empty seats for a preseason game means people have no interest in attending practice games for the same price as a regular season game whether it be Atlanta, Dallas, Denver or anywhere else where people love football but hate getting gouged.
By Al
August 28, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Go Bengals and take the Reds with you.
By Jeff K.
August 28, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Let’s hope the were still in evaluation mode on D, otherwise its going to be a long year.
By Larry
August 28, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Year 30 for season tickets so I have seen it all. Given the fact that the defense and offense is showing basic vanilla reads offensively and defensively it’s difficult to judge without starting personnel. The injury bug could spell trouble if the trend continues and started are healthy to start the season. I would expect 7-9 to 11-5 for the 2007 season.
By Larry
August 28, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Year 30 for season tickets so I have seen it all. Given the fact that the defense and offense is showing basic vanilla reads offensively and defensively it’s difficult to judge without starting personnel. The injury bug could spell trouble if the trend continues and started are healthy to start the season. I would expect 7-9 to 11-5 for the 2007 season.
By preacher,franklin,ohio
August 28, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
same,old,news,bad,god,bless,them,all.
By gibby
August 28, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Chuck Bresnahan has got to be the worst Defensive Coordinator in the NFL. If laymen can see his cushion defense does not work how can a “professional” coach such as Marvin Lewis not see it? Marvin makes excuses for this guy on a weekly basis and I for one am sick of it.
By PHIL
August 28, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
O LOOKED GOOD.D NEEDS WORK. THE VICK DISCUSSION FOR 3 HRS DID INTRRUPT THE GAME FOR ME. I HOPE ESPN CAN GET SOMEONE TO CALL PLAY BY PLAY ON THE FIELD RATHER THAN PLAY AFTER PLAY THE COURTS.
By no defense
August 28, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
defense looks bad
By jim
August 28, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
I would have enjoyed the game more had I turned off the audio. Before we are done with this issue of a particular former Atlanta QB who ought to have his name remain nameless, the media folks are obviously going to do their utmost to get us to feel sorry for him. It is disgraceful.
By jason
August 28, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
IT’S THE BENGAL’S PEOPLE, WHY WOULD YOU HAVE ANY EXPECTATIONS. IF YOU WERE AN INVESTOR WPOULD YOU INVEST MONEY IN THIS FRANCHISE, I HOPE NOT.
By Jonah
August 28, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
The first string offense looked strong, with Rudi getting some strong (and long) runs, Carson and Chad looked in sync, though Housh looked a little off. The run defense looked stronger than it had, doing a good job limiting Warrick Dunn. The pass defense has me incredibly worrried - any team that makes Joey Harrington look like a stud QB has to start hitting the panic button. I’m rooting for them anyway - WHO DEY!
By WHODEY
August 28, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Superbowl bound baby, this is the year!!!! WHO DEY!!!
whodey.com
By Jerry D Boulton
August 28, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
I expect another 8-8 season
By ray
August 28, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
I do not see any big things happening with the bengals this year. I think this year will be a bad year for the bengals.