Interceptions

[Rimington over Marino]

One thing I hope for and expect is improvement upon is CP and Interceptions. I know it was his 1st year. Especially when they were returned for a TD. No doubt the Farrior and Polamalu ints hurt in each Pittsburgh game. The 2 in the NE game was big. 2 ints by Ed Reed in the 1st Ravens game. 3 total ints in 2 games for him. I am not expecting the impossible, just marked improvement.

If you turn around the record in those games plus the game in Cleveland that Rudi, Chad and Palmer all sucked in and PW nor TJ didn't play. The whole offense stunk that game. Don't tell me they had a great defense. Wow that is like 13-3.

They also must stop the running game. 9 times they gave up over 100. Chris Brown could hardly stand up before the game. How can you allow William Green to get 100. One way to stop the run is get a big lead early.

I am running long but I must also mention stopping the TE. That was huge in the Titans game. There were others, it just has to stop.

[OSUBengal]

I suspect his INT total will be better this year now that he has more command of the offense, and is in a better rythm with his WR's.

I think he'll have under 15, somewhere probably in the 12-13 range.

[Spain]

Carsons second year as a sarter he will throw less interceptions thanks for stating the obvious. How long did it take you to think that one up

[Ox]

Carsons second year as a sarter he will throw less interceptions thanks for stating the obvious. How long did it take you to think that one up

Probably as long as it took you to spell the word "starter".

Seriously, I think Carson well have a vastly different start to this season. Defense is where we need to be concerned, as usual.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Palmer said it's his personal goal to have a 4-1 TD-to-INT ratio.

[jditty47]

im guessing 25 td's and like 15-18 ints.

[IfItsBrownFlushItDown]

Palmer said it's his personal goal to have a 4-1 TD-to-INT ratio.

If that's the case, I'll take 28TDs and 7INTS

[BengalszoneBilly]

They also must stop the running game. 9 times they gave up over 100. Chris Brown could hardly stand up before the game. How can you allow William Green to get 100. One way to stop the run is get a big lead early.

If the Bengals cut this number (9) by four, you can add at least that same number to the wins column. And that's with the offense playing at last years level! It all hinges on the defense this year IMO.

Having a high powered offense is the golfing equivelent of "Driving for Show," (case in point: The Colts. Lots of big numbers with Peyton and the rest of the high powered offense, but last time I checked, still no ring on the finger. This ain't rocket science ya know, figure it out!) whereas also having a good defense will have you "Putting for Dough."

I want to see Marvin put away the driver, and sink the 2 foot putt in Detroit. :player:

Oh...and as far as Carson's INT ratio. Don't worry. It's only going to get better as his number of snaps taken goes up, and he gets a few seasons under his belt. His pro career is almost a mirror image of his college one at USC so far.

1998: Just a first-year freshman, Palmer showed his precociousness with an impressive showing at quarterback. After sharing playing time with starter Mike Van Raaphorst in USC's first 8 games, Palmer took over the starting job against Washington to become only the second true freshman to start at quarterback for USC (along with Rob Johnson, who started once in 1991) and continued as the starter against Stanford, UCLA, Notre Dame and TCU in the Sun Bowl. Overall while appearing in all 13 games in 1998, Palmer was 130-of-235 (55.3%) for 1,755 yards and 7 TDs with 6 interceptions. His 130 completions ranks 17th on USC's season passing chart. He also carried the ball 47 times for 116 yards (-2.5 avg.) with a TD. In the Purdue opener, he appeared on 3 series in the second half and led USC to 17 points while going 3-of-6 for 79 yards. The pattern held true against San Diego State, as he was 5-of-8 for 50 yards and 1 score (the first of his career) seeing action in 3 second-half series. Against Oregon State, he hit just 1-of-7 throws for 6 yards playing in 5 series in the second and third quarters. He struggled at Florida State (2-of-10 for 18 yards) while playing all but the first series of the second half. In the Arizona State game, he came off the bench late in the third quarter to guide Troy on a TD drive and spark USC's comeback (he was 4-of-7 for 69 yards and a TD overall in 3 series). He played just 2 series in the third quarter against California, hitting 1of2 passes for 9 yards. He was 8-of-16 for 143 yards and a TD while leading USC to 28 unanswered points at Washington State when he came in midway through the second quarter when Van Raaphorst became ill. At Oregon, he was 10-of-19 for 179 yards as he saw action in most of the second quarter, the end of the third quarter and all of the final quarter. He played the entire Washington game, hitting 18-of-31 passes for 279 yards (all then-career highs) and a TD to become only USC's second true freshman starting quarterback. At Stanford, he went 19-of-26 (a then-career-best for completions; 2 passes were dropped, including 1 in the end zone) for 203 yards and a TD while going the whole way. He was 28of43 (both career bests; he since upped his career high in attempts) for 252 yards and a TD (but he threw 2 interceptions) while going the whole way at UCLA. He was 14of32 for 188 yards against Notre Dame and he ran for his first career touchdown (a 2yarder to put USC on the board and give Troy its decisive points) while playing the entire game. Against TCU in the Sun Bowl, he completed17-of-28 passes for a then-career-best 280 yards and 1 TD, but was sacked 6 times.

He wasn't exactly up for the Hiesman in his first year there, so don't sweat his first year numbers here. He was redshirted in his true second season due to a broken collar bone.

1999: Palmer, coming off an eye-opening 1998 campaign, was off to an impressive beginning while starting USC's first 3 games (Hawaii, San Diego State and Oregon) of 1999 at quarterback as a sophomore. But he broke his right collarbone 2 plays before halftime (scrambling for a 3-yard gain) at Oregon and was sidelined the rest of the season (because of the early-season injury, he was allowed to redshirt).

Do you see why I'd rather he not try to be Micheal Vick? And it has nothing to do with venereal disease!

Here is his sophomore season at USC to give you an idea of what we may expect during his second season as the Bengals starting QB. It's probably not going to be an example of a "Pro Bowl" performance:

2000: Palmer returned as USC's starting quarterback as a sophomore in 2000 after an injury knocked him out of the lineup early in 1999. Although he struggled somewhat in 2000, he often exhibited his outstanding potential. He completed 228-of-415 passes (54.9%) for 2,914 yards and 16 TDs with 18 interceptions. His 228 completions in 2000 put him second on USC's season passing list and his 2,919 yards of total offense was second on the Trojan season total offense list. He ranked 24th nationally in total offense (243.3, second in Pac-10). His 18 interceptions in 2000 tied a USC season mark. His 2,914 yards and 16 TDs in 2000 were the most by a Trojan sophomore. His completions (228), attempts (415) and yardage (2,914) in 2000 were the second most in USC history. With 5 rushing yards on 63 carries (0.1 avg.) with 2 TDs, he was the first fulltime USC quarterback since Reggie Perry in 1991 to finish a season with positive rushing yards. His 5,159 career passing yards through the 2000 season were the most by a Trojan at the end of his sophomore year. In his first game after an 11-month layoff, he was 10-of-20 passing for 87 yards (with an interception) against Penn State. He bounced back from that shaky debut by hitting 25-of-30 passes (83.3%) for 275 yards and a TD (3 of his passes were dropped) against Colorado (on USC's game-winning drivea 9-play, 72-yard drive that began with 1:14 on the clock and culminated with a game-winning field goal with 13 seconds to playhe was 6-of-6 for 68 yards). Then, for the second game in a row (and the first time since Rodney Peete did it in 1987 against Arizona and UCLA), he led USC on another late game-winning scoring drive: this time against San Jose State, he brought Troy back from a 12-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter by guiding the Trojans to 22 unanswered points (overall, he hit 22-of-38 passes for a then-career-high 338 yards with 2 TDs, including 10-of-12 for 148 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter; he had 6 passes dropped. At Oregon State, he was 19-of-38 for 282 yards and 2 TDs, but threw a career-high 3 interceptions. He was 26-of-50 (a career-best in attempts) for 321 yards and a TD against Arizona, but for the second week in a row he threw a career-high 3 interceptions. He hit 15-of-35 passes for 194 yards with a TD and an interception against Oregon and also ran for 31 yards on 5 tries (with a then-career-long 28-yard scramble). At Stanford, he was 15-of-30 for 190 yards (with 2 interceptions) and also ran for a 1-yard TD. He was 19-of-39 for 202 yards and a TD against California, but threw 2 picks and was sacked 7 times. He was 22-of-37 for 279 yards with 2 TDs (and 2 picks) at Arizona State. Against Washington State, he was 12-of-26 for 145 yards and an interception in the first half and was replaced by Mike Van Raaphorst in the second half. He had career highs in passing yards (350) and TD passes (4) in the dramatic win at UCLA while completing 26-of-37 passes (he also gained 31 yards on 5 rushes, including key 35- and 16-yard scrambles, with the 35-yarder being a career long); for his performance, he was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week and USC's Player of the Game versus UCLA. He was 17-of-35 for 251 yards with 2 TDs and 2 picks against Notre Dame and also led USC in rushing with 22 yards (with a TD) on 10 attempts (the first time a quarterback led Troy in rushing since Peete did so against Michigan State in the 1988 Rose Bowl).

[TecmoFever]

Carsons second year as a sarter he will throw less interceptions thanks for stating the obvious. How long did it take you to think that one up

What's a "sarter"?

If you're gonna rip somebody, you might want to make sure you've not written anything stupid yourself.

Just a thought...

[TecmoFever]

Palmer said it's his personal goal to have a 4-1 TD-to-INT ratio.

4 to 1 is quite the lofty goal. I see him reaching it as soon as CJ gets his 1800 yard season. Until then, I'd be ecstatic with a 2 to 1 ratio--30 to 15 sounds fine to me.

[OSUBengal]

Palmer said it's his personal goal to have a 4-1 TD-to-INT ratio.

If that's the case, I'll take 28TDs and 7INTS

thats quite a stretch!

4-1 is a really lofty ratio goal as someone else mentioned.

I'm gonna guess 33 TD's and 13 INT's

[Kazkal]

Well his last 6games

he had 15 TD's 8 interceptions(3 vs the browns score off)so with a season under his belt and more/ better weapons I'll say 10-14 interceptions this year with 28-40 TD's

[derekshank]

Well his last 6games

he had 15 TD's 8 interceptions(3 vs the browns score off)so with a season under his belt and more/ better weapons I'll say 10-14 interceptions this year with 28-40 TD's

I hope you were being facetious Kazkal. I love Carson Palmer, he's the only Bengal I own a jersey for... but most of you guys are dreaming. 28-40 TD's! Combine that with only 10-14 INT's. We are talking about MVP numbers here. He is only a 2nd year starter! (Even OSUBengal’s 33-13 sounds way too optimistic)

He'll be decidedly better than last season (as a whole), but he will certainly not keep up the kind of numbers he put up in those last 6 games for the entire season, and even if miraculously he did... that means he is going to throw something like 22 INT's.

And of course he is going to make a lofty goal of something like 4-1 TD/INT ratio. He might as well make his goal not to throw any INT's, and break Peyton Manning's TD record. The point is, you shoot for something that is fairly unattainable, and end up putting up pretty good numbers. Considering his 1/1 ratio of last year… not to mention even in his last 6 games that we all seem so horny about, his ratio was only 13/8, I’d say even 2/1 is pretty optimistic.

Frankly... I'm not too concerned about the number if INT's he throws as much as when and where. He's going to make mistakes, and flukes will happen on tipped passes and receiver bobbles, but I'd like to see fewer INT's go for TD's, fewer INT's when we are in scoring position, and fewer INT's in the 4th quarter.

I really don't care what his TD/INT ratio is, as long as he can win games in the 4th quarter, and not cost us games by giving away points.

But if I must, my prediction is 25-30 TD's and somewhere around 20 INT's... nothing too spectacular because he still has a lot of learning to do, but pretty damn respectable considering he is only 25, and has only played in 13 NFL games.

[Kazkal]

Ok Int was a bit low on int's but 28 is very reasonable 40 was max far fetch guess that I don't think will happen but hell anything is possible.like the bengals going 12-4,anyways 2-1 td/int sounds about right though

[Rimington over Marino]

Kitna had 28 TDs in 2003. I am hoping for better than that. He should have more options than he did last year. The games after Warrick went down and before TJ took off were the big games for INTs. All QBs are better when they can make their reads and see the whole field. If all receivers are as good as expected, and the defense can consistently get the ball back, I expect him to do better than Kitna did in 2003.

Hpwever if they get the lead early and often I expect a more ball control offense late in the game. That will pad Rudi and Perry's stats.

As was said the defense is a major key here and the biggest concern. Every year we have thought if we can stop the run better, etc. We have done a decent job at home now we have to do it on the road..

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Yes, 40 touchdowns is MVP material. So is Carson Palmer. This year it is going to be a shootout between Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning for the TD record for the year.

[OSUBengal]

Kitna had 28 TDs in 2003. I am hoping for better than that. He should have more options than he did last year. The games after Warrick went down and before TJ took off were the big games for INTs.

Exactly. If Kitna can put up 28 in 2003, Palmer can certainly put up 30+ this year with all of the weapons he has.

Also, don't overlook all of the defense we play this year. Playing Indy, Green Bay, and KC isn't like playing New England, Philly, and the others we played last year.

[derekshank]

I still say you're all crazy... but I hope you prove me wrong... I pray to God you prove me wrong. Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning in a shootout for the TD record? Please God, let it be so!

Ah, but I just woke up. Palmer is not in the Peyton Manning stage of his career just yet. Maybe two years from now.

[HairOnFire]

3675 passing yards

64.3 % Completion Rate

8.02 Avg. Gain Per

31 TD Passes

17 Interceptions

[CBin2k7]

I predict 12-15 interceptions but I don't want to see any back breaking game changing return for touchdown interceptions.

That is the difference between 8-8 and 11-5, regardless of how our defense played

[ArmyBengal]

I predict 12-15 interceptions but I don't want to see any back breaking game changing return for touchdown interceptions.

That is the difference between 8-8 and 11-5, regardless of how our defense played

I agree with not wanting to see the game changing interception from Palmer, but they happen from time to time and some go your way, some don't. With it being Palmers first year as a starter, more were bound to go against.

I disagree with his interceptions being the difference between 8-8 and 11-5 regardless of the defense. Had our sorry excuse for a run defense, and that's being nice, done even a mediocre job of stopping someone, Palmer would not have had to air it out to try to catch up because of being down in a game. Next to that was the play calling by Brat and his willingness to abandon the run at times. Bottomline IMHO, our defense sucked and still does until proven otherwise on the field and that was the reason for another 8-8 season. God please help our defense this year as I don't think I will be able to deal with watching them get ran the F**K over again !!!

WHODEY !!!

[cHaD711Johnson]

I think that most of the interceptions that Carson made were just rookie mistakes.I doubt that he throws 17 this year....I think that anywhere from 10-14 is more likely...The way he played the last few games really has me confident that he can put up pro bowl numbers this year.

[derekshank]

Once again... in those last 6 games, he threw 8 INT's. That works out to 22 for the year. I agree he is going to be great, but he has done nothing to prove that he can limit his number of INT's to the low teens.

[walshfan]

Once again... in those last 6 games, he threw 8 INT's. That works out to 22 for the year. I agree he is going to be great, but he has done nothing to prove that he can limit his number of INT's to the low teens.

you so right my man.....so right.....

[derekshank]

I thought I would look it up again, just to see how all those interceptions broke down. There was only one game last season where he didn't throw an INT, and it was against Dallas... the game we beat them 26-3, however, even there he threw only 1 TD. I think both stats are due to the fact that we got a lead, and could rely on Rudi, instead of making Palmer throw it every single down.

He threw at least one INT in each of his last 5 games, including 3 INT's against Cleveland. I remembered that great 4 TD game... I had forgotten about him throwing 3 INT's though.

It seems that if we get in a shootout Palmer will throw some INT's. Also, in that great game against Baltimore where Palmer threw for 3 TD, and 200 yards in the 4th quarter... he threw for 182 yards, 0 TD's and 1 INT in the first 3 quarters.

That game did a lot to show that he is resilient, but I don’t see it as a ringing endorsement that he is going to lead this team to a Superbowl this year. Palmer was clutch in the 4th quarter, and he will be able to win games for us down the stretch this year too, but we are going to need a defense that can allow Rudi and Perry to carry some of the load.

I think one reason for his large number of INT’s last year was because we forced him to throw it so often. If we can get a lead, and focus on controlling the clock, Palmer’s TD/INT ratio will look good.

If the defense continues to struggle, look for 20 or more INT’s this year.