Some Numbers Through Two

Are the Cincinnati Bengals better in 2009 than 2008? Through two preseason games, the numbers are mixed:

Carson Palmer

2009: 7/11, 133 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
2008: 11/21, 83 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Good sign: In just one game, Palmer had more yards and a better completion percentage than he had in the first two preseason games in 2008.
Bad sign: No points, and the same lone pick. Oh, and Palmer’s hurt…

J.T. O’Sullivan / Ryan Fitzpatrick

2009: 19/24, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT
2008: 17/23, 170 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Good sign: J.T. “Crabby” O’Monday’s has thrown for more yards and more points.
Bad sign: But it’s not an overwhelming difference.

Cedric Benson / Chris Perry

2009: 18 carries, 56 yards, 0 TDs
2008: 18 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD

Good sign: Uhh…
Bad sign: Perry had more yards and more points on the same number of carries.

Chad Ochocinco

2009: 5 catches, 142 yards, 0 TDs
2008: 1 catch, 10 yards, 0 TDs

Good sign: Way more yards in 2009.
Bad sign: still no points.

Laveranues Coles / T.J. Houshmandzadeh

2009: 2 catches, 23 yards, no TDs.
2008: DNP with (alleged) hamstring injury

Good sign: Coles wants to be here.
Bad sign: Has been nothing to write home about.

Chris Henry

2009: 11 catches, 155 yards, 2 TDs
2008: no stats in the first two games

Good sign: It’s all good.
Bad sign: none.

Offense

2009: 725 yards, 14 points (first half: 14)
2008: 565 yards, 30 points (first half: 24)

Good sign: Bengals are moving the ball better in ‘09.
Bad sign: Bengals are scoring fewer points than ‘08.

Defense

2009: 652 yards allowed, 23 points (first half: 13)
2008: 758 yards, 44 points (first half: 14)

Good sign: The D is allowing fewer yards and just half as many points as 2008.
Bad sign: A lot of that can be attributed to backups and scrubs giving up fewer points.