Tony Pike to the Bengals ?

[Dadraftnick]

With the sad play of both of our back up QB's , and Tony Pike burried in the Carolina Panther's depth chart, both the Dayton daily news and Kirkendall are speculating that the Bengals may trade for him or pick him up if released.

I would NOT give up a draft choice for Pike (someone the Panthers likely to cut)but, the Bengals could trade a guy like CB Johnny Sears , CB Rico Murray ,or LB Reshard Jenty (players the Bengals are likely to have to cut.

I would love to see QB Tony Pike on the Bengals, he is the kind of guy that could devolop into a good QB some day.

Question About Backup Quarterback Problem: What About Tony Pike by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 12, 2010 10:23 AM EDT in Analysis 48 comments

More photos » Al Behrman - ASSOCIATED PRESS

9 months ago: Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike (15) in action against Miami (Ohio) in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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If you combined J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer's performances from last Sunday, it would look something like this.

COMP ATT CMP % YARDS TDs INTs Rating

14 31 45.2% 135 1 3 29.0

Excluding his legendary 1.7 passer rating performance on January 3 against the Jets last season, Palmer has never recorded anything lower than a well earned 32.3 rating during the team's 10-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on September 7, 2008. Ryan Fitzpatrick's lowest passer rating as a starting quarterback with the Bengals? Against the Browns on September 28, the now Bills quarterback recorded a 44.5 passer rating. Jon Kitna recorded a 47.6 passer rating during a 34-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on October 13, 2002.

You have to go back to the days of Akili Smith to find a quarterback rating so low. During a 12-3 win against the Cleveland Browns on October 29, 2000, Smith recorded a 27.9 passer rating, recording 84 yards passing, completing seven of 20 passes, one of which went for an interception.

However, it does seem a rather unfair comparison, doesn't it? I wrote all of that for fun and for informational reasons. For one, starting quarterbacks during the regular season benefit from a lot of work during the week, or during the season. O'Sullivan and Jordan didn't receive that heading into the Hall of Fame game.

Marvin Lewis said of his backup quarterbacks:

“I don’t think either of them played as well as we need them to play. ‘Nuff said,” Lewis said.

In response, Dayton Daily News' Carlos Holmes wonders: What about Tony Pike?

A player who could be of some interest is former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike, who is in jeopardy of being released by the Carolina Panthers. He’s buried on the team’s depth chart behind starter Matt Moore, rookie second round pick Jimmy Clausen and Hunter Cantwell. Pike has taken limited snaps in training camp and his days with the Panthers are likely numbered. The quarterback was selected by Carolina in the sixth round of this year’s draft.

The Bengals showed some interest in the Cincinnati product during the draft process. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if the team rekindled its interest should Pike become available. He would give the Bengals a young quarterback to groom behind Palmer.

Kirkendall

Bengals could look down the Pike for quarterback

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Thursday, August 12, 2010, 08:05 AM

The Cincinnati Bengals are in desperate need of an upgrade at the backup quarterback position behind starter Carson Palmer. Backups J.T. O’Sullivan and Jordan Palmer performed miserably in the Hall of Fame game on Sunday.

Head Coach Marvin Lewis didn’t beat around the bush when asked by the media to assess the performance of O’Sullivan and young Palmer.

“I don’t think either of them played as well as we need them to play. ‘Nuff said,” Lewis said.

The quarterbacks’ play would have gotten them yanked from a sandlot football game. Now the question is being asked if either is the answer at the backup position?

Who’s out there?

With the current free agent pool of quarterbacks Olive Oyl thin, the Bengals will be in no hurry to sign another passer. The team will likely wait for the first round of cuts to see what’s available.

A player who could be of some interest is former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike, who is in jeopardy of being released by the Carolina Panthers. He’s buried on the team’s depth chart behind starter Matt Moore, rookie second round pick Jimmy Clausen and Hunter Cantwell. Pike has taken limited snaps in training camp and his days with the Panthers are likely numbered. The quarterback was selected by Carolina in the sixth round of this year’s draft.

The Bengals showed some interest in the Cincinnati product during the draft process. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if the team rekindled its interest should Pike become available. He would give the Bengals a young quarterback to groom behind Palmer.

Teams must trim their rosters to a maximum of 75 players by August 31. The next wave of cuts will come on Sept. 4 when teams must cutdown to their 53-man rosters.

Big C

[bwillycuse]

Im starting to think anything is better than the two backups we have. Id do it in a second, but I still think we need even another guy that has some proven NFL experience.

Palmer goes down season is over. Should have a little insurance.

[HairOnFire]

Palmer goes down season is over.

Yup.

The one area where the Bengals have consistently failed to add adequate depth is at backup QB. Current #2 JT O'Sullivan is a scared and jittery turnover machine that would have me calling for the punter on 2nd down.

That said, I can't stand Tony Pike and don't regard him as the answer to any question worth asking.

[jjakq27]

I couldn't figure out why they took him once they took Claussen. Hopefully Pike would get the chance to come home.

[TJJackson]

I can't stand Tony Pike and don't regard him as the answer to any question worth asking.

But why?

As I ask this, I am neither a fan nor a hater of Tony Pike - I am only asking for what you see (or dont see, as applicable) in him that leads you to feel as you do?

The only real negative I know of is that he had some injury issues in college.

[jjakq27]

Palmer goes down season is over.

Yup.

The one area where the Bengals have consistently failed to add adequate depth is at backup QB. Current #2 JT O'Sullivan is a scared and jittery turnover machine that would have me calling for the punter on 2nd down.

That said, I can't stand Tony Pike and don't regard him as the answer to any question worth asking.

How many teams have adequate backups after there No. 1 goes down? In fact how many teams even have legitimate No. 1's. Maybe 60 or 70%?

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

[Kazkal]

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

As of Late seems like teams are quite worried about backup position encase something happens to the starter...How long ago did the eagles draft Kolb?Chargers Have always spent mid rounders on QB's even though they have great starters...After Favre left the packers they spent several picks trying to find a backup for Rodgers...Well I think most team's don't have viable 2#'s but doesn't mean you shouldn't try find one more so when your 1# has had some injury problems during his career.

[kingwilly]

Tony Pike would be no better than Jordan Palmer is throwing with the 3rd and 4th team groups.

If the Bengals are seriously concerned about the play of their back ups, then they would be smart to go get a veteran like Duante Culpepper. Now, before you all attack me for bringing up that name, consider this.

He fits the "cast-off" mentality.

He has a very good arm.

He has far more experience than JT and Jordan combined.

He would not cost any more than JT and Jordan combined.

He would give the Bengals a better chance to win games than JT would.

If Carson goes down for any more than a game or two, there is very little chance that JT can command this team to better than 500.

[volcom69]

Im not a fan of the back up QB postion, but truth is the o-line never gave either guy a chance to show anything. Ill wait till after sundays game to see if the o-line gave either guy a chance to win the spot. After this game i hope the coaches decide what they have in back up QB and what they have with this o-line

[Stripes]

As much as J.T. and Jordan struggled Sunday, the thought of bringing in Pike just makes me sleepy. Haven't the Bengals had enough novelty quarterbacks lately? It sure was neat to see a national champion Buckeye quarterback in stripes, and it sure has been neat seeing Carson's brother in stripes. I've just about lost interest though, and a Bearcats quarterback won't change that.

I'd like to see a better backup too, but I think it's too late for that. Draft someone in the 3rd or 4th round next year.

[jjakq27]

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

As of Late seems like teams are quite worried about backup position encase something happens to the starter...How long ago did the eagles draft Kolb?Chargers Have always spent mid rounders on QB's even though they have great starters...After Favre left the packers they spent several picks trying to find a backup for Rodgers...Well I think most team's don't have viable 2#'s but doesn't mean you shouldn't try find one more so when your 1# has had some injury problems during his career.

Are they backups or replacements? I think there is a difference.

Regardless there will be a significant drop off if Palmer goes down for a long stretch no matter who is back there.

[derekshank]

This team needs a healthy Palmer. If he's out for more than a few games, they just won't be very successful.

That said, if he were to be out for 2-3 games and the Bengals were in the hunt and wanted to win a couple of them, I think Jeff Garcia would be the guy to get. He's reasonably mobile which would be good for an O-Line that struggles in pass protection, and he qualifies for wiley old veteran status, and could get more from this offense than JT can imo.

[Kazkal]

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

As of Late seems like teams are quite worried about backup position encase something happens to the starter...How long ago did the eagles draft Kolb?Chargers Have always spent mid rounders on QB's even though they have great starters...After Favre left the packers they spent several picks trying to find a backup for Rodgers...Well I think most team's don't have viable 2#'s but doesn't mean you shouldn't try find one more so when your 1# has had some injury problems during his career.

Are they backups or replacements? I think there is a difference.

Regardless there will be a significant drop off if Palmer goes down for a long stretch no matter who is back there.

Rivers needs a replacement? Rodgers needs a replacement? Mcnabb still had plenty left in him...I understand the point say when packers drafted rodgers to replace Brett...Me Personally though I'd prefer a Vet backup<Better then JTO> vs someone whos being developed to replace Carson.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Let's get real here. No way Pike ends up in stripes.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Im not a fan of the back up QB postion, but truth is the o-line never gave either guy a chance to show anything. Ill wait till after sundays game to see if the o-line gave either guy a chance to win the spot. After this game i hope the coaches decide what they have in back up QB and what they have with this o-line

I am a fan of every back-up position, in particular the QB position. But this is why Pike would struggle if nothing else here, he would get hurt so fast behind this line, if not any line in the NFL, that he basically becomes a project, who also will need to adjust more to dropping back from under center.

If the Bengals' are willing to develop someone (and they need to) with high upside, he's a good candidate. Expecting him to be an immediate upgrade to JP or JTOS is probably something that won't happen.

So yeah they need to look elsewhere for help this year.

[jjakq27]

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

As of Late seems like teams are quite worried about backup position encase something happens to the starter...How long ago did the eagles draft Kolb?Chargers Have always spent mid rounders on QB's even though they have great starters...After Favre left the packers they spent several picks trying to find a backup for Rodgers...Well I think most team's don't have viable 2#'s but doesn't mean you shouldn't try find one more so when your 1# has had some injury problems during his career.

Are they backups or replacements? I think there is a difference.

Regardless there will be a significant drop off if Palmer goes down for a long stretch no matter who is back there.

Rivers needs a replacement? Rodgers needs a replacement? Mcnabb still had plenty left in him...I understand the point say when packers drafted rodgers to replace Brett...Me Personally though I'd prefer a Vet backup<Better then JTO> vs someone whos being developed to replace Carson.

All I'm asking is are you looking for a guy that can spell Carson for a few games or someone to completely take over if he's down permanently? Matt Cassel comes to mind but he didn't have the year last year that he did in 2008 when Brady got hurt. There aren't too many guys out there like that. So to think that there are guys that are equal to the starting QB or that there won't be a drop-off is a little optimistic. I'd like to find a good veteran QB but they don't seem to be around. We had veterans like Kitna and Fitzpatrick at one time and that wasn't exactly a good thing at the time either.

I am more concerned with other areas of the team that are out there performing every week. Hopefully he will remain healthy and his line will give him the protection he needs.

[HairOnFire]

How many teams have adequate backups after there No. 1 goes down?

Our closest rivals, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, are the first two that come to mind.

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

I think it's a hot topic right now simply because of how badly both backups played in the most recent meaningless game. But ignoring how quickly some reach for the panic button I think there is legit cause for concern. We're pretty deep into the era of Marvin Lewis and during that entire time backup QB has always been a weakness.

[jjakq27]

How many teams have adequate backups after there No. 1 goes down?

Our closest rivals, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, are the first two that come to mind.

I think too much is made of the backup QB position.

I think it's a hot topic right now simply because of how badly both backups played in the most recent meaningless game. But ignoring how quickly some reach for the panic button I think there is legit cause for concern. We're pretty deep into the era of Marvin Lewis and during that entire time backup QB has always been a weakness.

I can't argue with your points but again are they one game managers or long term starters should their QBs go down? Bulger and Leftwich have been starters and I really like the dynamic that Dennis Dixon brings. I just wonder about his durability. But we now seem to be built more like those two, so defense and the rushing game could carry them and allow them to be successful with a backup QB for about a game or two.

Depending on how this season goes for Carson, I could see a scenario where we possibly draft his replacement next year.

[derekshank]

I'd be willing to bet that if Palmer was serving a 4-6 game suspension, JT and Palmer Jr wouldn't be the only options on the roster.

[membengal]

Kitna was a better-than-average back-up, Hair.

[whizzo]

rumor has it that miami's shopping thigpen... always liked him. he'd definitely be better than JT or little palmer. jeanty for thigpen? who else we gonna cut?

[Kazkal]

I'd like to see them just give Little Brother a chance with the 2nd Stringers instead of JTO vs always coming in at the 4th qrt..I also liked what Jordan did today aslong as he doesn't make mistakes he has the tools.

[ArmyBengal]

Hate both JT and Jordan. Many here thought they should have addressed the QB spot in the draft and we've seen very little to suggest that would have been wrong. That being said, they would have had to take someone early on to be better than what we have currently. Thing is, I would have liked to see them take someone I think they could develop further.

If they think they can get Pike, I really don't have an issue with it, but it doesn't solve our problem.

Didn't they bring in JT relatively late in the game ??

It won't surprise me if they make a move with a backup QB.

Then again, it won't surprise me if they don't...

[HairOnFire]

Kitna was a better-than-average back-up, Hair.

Kitna was inherited, demoted as planned, and eventually allowed to leave without a fight. In fact, he left without a contract offer.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I would like a backup who, if called on, could keep teams from playing 9 in the box. Nothing spectacular, but at least slightly serviceable. The Culpepper suggestion isn't terrible. Problem is, you need to do that at the beginning of OTAs, it's too late now.

At this point, I'd be tempted to go with 1 QB and just have Bernard Scott run the damn option if Palmer gets hurt.