A day after hugs and handshakes, Cincinnati’s owner, Mike Brown, came out swinging.
His franchise quarterback, Carson Palmer, went as far as to sell his house in the Bengals' backyard to prove he wanted to be traded, but the team’s owner said today that, in his mind, Palmer has retired. Brown added that he won’t give in to the quarterback’s demand/request.
The sky is blue, sugar is sweet and the Bengals organization remains the best reality show not on television.
Football is definitely back.
The Bengals drafted Andy Dalton in the second round, could re-sign Carson’s roommate/brother Jordan (awkward) and former Central Michigan stud Dan LeFevour is lingering. So, the Bengals options at QB are a rookie, family member or practice squad star. I think we can do better.
Below is a list of four unrestricted free agent quarterbacks. I believe one of these guys will show up in the ‘Nati come August.
Cincinnati Bengals QB Options
| Marc Bulger | Bruce Gradkowski | Matt Hasselbeck | Matt Leinart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 34 | 28 | 35 | 28 |
| Last Full Season | 2008 (w/ STL) | NA (w/ OAK 2010) | 2010 (w/ SEA) | 2006 (w/ ARI) |
| Best Fantasy Season | 2006 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 |
| Pass Yards | 4301 | 1661 | 3966 | 2547 |
| TDs | 24 | 9 | 28 | 11 |
| INTs | 8 | 9 | 12 | 12 |
| Fantasy Stock | SELL | BUY | BUY | BUY |
Matt Hasselbeck announced Tuesday that he will not re-sign with the Seahawks. So, if the media twister doesn’t pick him up and drop him in Nashville with the Titans, the veteran QB would be a nice option for the Bengals.
If Chad Ochocinco doesn’t return, Hasselbeck will have a young receiving corps with Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson, and rookie A.J. Green.
The reason I say “BUY” Matt Leinart is because the former USC quarterback has become that television show that draws you in only to be cancelled after one season. We need some type of closure on Leinart – be it positive or negative – I want to know if this guy can, with all his skeletons laid to rest (we think), put up numbers and lead a NFL offense down the field. It would be great if his story ended the same as Friday Night Lights.
And if you know the Bengals’ front office, they are all for second chances.
