1. With the 21st pick in 2013 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals Select…

October 20, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22) against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 44-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Elam, S, Florida.

I don’t have anything wrong with our fellow safeties out of Florida International, LSU, and Texas, but Matt Elam just seems to be more of a play maker. He also seems to be in the right place at the right time (Ed Reed much?)

2. With the 37th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select… Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

Yet again. Nothing against Jonathan Franklin, Marcus Lattimore, or even Eddie Lacy…well actually I do have something against them.

-Franklin had a less than impressive 40 yard dash for a guy his size

-Marcus Lattimore has torn an ACL…twice!

-Eddie Lacy could not finish his Pro Day because he was “tired”.

3. Any reputable Corner, Wide Receiver, or Linebacker

- The Bengals think that they are sold on Sanu, which I don’t have a problem with, but I am not sold on Marvin Jones or anyone below him for that matter.

- Besides an agin Leon Hall, a mediocre corner in pac-man Jones, and last years first round pick who has yet to play yet in Dre Krikpatrick.. who else do we have?

-At Linebacker we have Vontaze Burfict…. and…. Vontaze Burfict… James Harrison is well.. 34.. and Rey Maualuga is just costing Mike Brown more money for a longer name plate.

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The past two seasons can be dubbed as successful by the Cincinnati Bengals’ standards, but if they want to continue to improve and actually win in the postseason, they need to do a couple of things:

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1. Work on the Pass Protection.

- Last season was the worst season in terms of pass protection that the Bengals have had in a long long time. Andy Dalton had a career high in sacks (whether it is due to Dalton’s inability to throw right away and not hesitate, or the fact that our line gave up too much pressure) either, the Bengals need to get the ball out of the pocket just a little bit fast.

Nov 25, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) catches a pass for a touchdown against Oakland Raiders cornerback Ron Bartell (21) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

2. That being said, Dalton needs to find a Receiver (not Jermaine Gresham) that he can trust to catch the ball other than A.J. Green.

- As we all saw int he play-oof (Mis-Spell intended) for some reason, whether A.J. Green truly just could not get open, or the rumors are true that are plan was to isolate Jermaine Gresham, either it didn’t work. Gresham has very shady hands, and Mo Sanu (whether he turns out to be the No. 2 or not) was not healthy.

Sept. 16, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks on during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

This is probably not this first you have heard of Carson Palmer wanting to leave the Raiders, but if it is, then I have probably made your day.

There are two different reports out of Carson “Stab-You-In-The-Back-With-A-Knife-In-His” Palmer, (Yes that was drawn out and elaborate but I do it for you). One of them says that Palmer would rather play  for less money else where than take a pay cut a play for the Oakland Raiders. The other states that Palmer would rather be a backup for a contender than play for Oakland.

Can anyone in the greater Cincinnati area say that they are surprised? If you do, then you live under a rock somewhere in the Middle East. And yes, the Middle East was necessary because third world countries get all of the NFL Gear that says, “2012 Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers.”

I’m getting off topic, anyways. To all of the people that say Carson Palmer was just leaving Cincinnati to stand up to ownership, what is your excuse now? He reportedly declined a pay cut from $13 million to $10 million. For a guy that says it is not about money, that is highly hypocritical. The Oakland Raiders are willing to stay with Carson Palmer, “For Now” if he would take a pay cut. Now, if he would (but he won’t) take a pay cut, they could use that lower salary to trade him to a more desperate team, but isn’t that what he wants? To play on another team?

So Carson has refused a pay cut that would have possibly landed him on another team. He is isn’t a very smart business man. He is a terrible team-mate. And, this could end up resulting in Carson Palmer never taking a snap as a starting QB in the NFL again.

P.S. I would love to have a reporter ask Palmer, “Carson, since you would rather play for less money on another team, and be a backup for a contender, would you ever consider backing-up Andy Dalton?.” Oh how GLORIOUS of a question that would be. Just to see the look on his face.

So to Carson Palmer who is sitting in his home in California: How are the Bengals looking now?

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