Today Big Blue View takes a look at the Cincinnati Bengals in preparation for their game against the Giants.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Bengals logo circa 1967
2008 Record: 0-2
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis
Last time they met: The Bengals defeated the Giants 23-22 on December 26th, 2004 in
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Bratkowski
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Zimmer
KEY ADDITIONS: WR Jerome Simpson (2nd Round, Coastal Carolina), WR Andre Caldwell (3rd Round, Florida), TE Ben Utecht (from Colts), DE Antwan Odom (from Titans), DT Pat Sims (3rd Round, Auburn), LB Brandon Johnson (from Cardinals), LB Darryl Blackstock (from Cardinals), LB Keith Rivers (1st Round, USC)
KEY DEPARTURES: WR/RS Tab Perry (released), T Adam Kieft (not tendered), C Alex Stepanovich (to Falcons), DE Justin Smith (to 49ers), DE Bryan Robinson (to Cardinals), LB Landon Johnson (to Panthers), LB Lemar Marshall (not tendered), LB Caleb Miller (not tendered), LB Odell Thurman (released), LB Anthony Schlegel (released), S Madieu Williams (to Vikings), K Aaron Elling (not tendered)
Notes and Quotes:
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Carson Palmer defended Wednesday the control that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis maintains in the locker, even as Bill Cowher, the former Steelers coach and CBS NFL analyst has said Lewis has emotionally lost his players. "What somebody says on the outside -- who has no idea what's going on here, all he sees is 0-2, it's kind of an easy thing to throw out there," Palmer said. "In no way has Marvin lost this locker room or lost any attention from players. We're going about it as business. It seems like it's the end of the world to a lot of people, (but) this team still has a lot of hope left, we have a lot to play for, a lot of pride."
- Giants coach Tom Coughlin is not counting on an easy victory Sunday against the struggling Bengals. "Well, they've still got a good football team. We've done all our research. I've gone back and looked," Coughlin said Wednesday. "I know all the numbers. I know they were 10th-rated offensively. I know they have a lot of outstanding football players. What they did last year -- throwing for over 4,000 yards and only having 17 sacks -- was amazing to me. They're a team that's a work in progress, as they say. They're very talented."
- Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, formerly of the AFC North division rival Steelers, has three 100-yard receiving games against the Bengals.
- Bengals middle linebacker Dhani Jones spent four seasons (2000-2003) with the Giants.
- Against the NFC, Bengals quarterback Palmer has a 9-5 record in starts and has 26 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions for a 92.1 passer rating.
- Bengals wide receiver Glenn Holt is averaging 30 yards on kickoff returns, fifth best in the NFL.
BY THE NUMBERS: 29-4 -- Bengals record under head coach Marvin Lewis when they have a positive turnover differential.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "No. No, there ain't (stuff) to celebrate right now. Excuse my language but there ain't (stuff) to celebrate." -- Bengals wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco, on the team's 0-2 start and major offensive struggles.