The 2008 football season was a disheartening one for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 4-11-1 finish was very disappointing to say the least, and largely resulted from the absence of star quarterback Carson Palmer, who missed virtually the entire year due to injury.

Once Carson Palmer went down, we all knew it would be a rough year. Without Palmer, the team was anything but dangerous, and its offense virtually non-existent.

Ryan Fitzpatrick did his best, but his skills were nowhere near that of Palmer’s, and the offense struggled greatly for it. This wasn’t much of a surprise considering his lack of NFL experience.

Chris Henry is making a name for himself in a Bengals jersey, so the loss of T.J. may not seem as bad as Bengals fans would think.

TJ Houshmandzadeh wasn’t playing like himself, and injury issues limited him too. If there’s anything good about last season, the last few games showed that Cedric Benson was a capable running back, and gave the team a new weapon.

Entering the 2009 season, the Bengals were more hopeful than they had been the year before. While the team had lost TJ Houshmandzadeh in the off season, the acquisition of veteran receiver LaVaerneus Coles, combined with the emergence of Chris Henry as a newly reliable option, made it seem as if the Bengals might be a halfway decent team again this season.

If the Bengals defense can stay in the middle of the league and not give up too many points - with the Bengals offense - they can compete in every game during the season.

Carson Palmer and Chad Ocho Cinco make one of the best QB WR combination in the NFL. If they are on the same page the Bengals may be a playoff contender. Chad’s antics off the field may be tiresome to most, when the Bengals are winning Ocho Cinco seems to be forgiven.

Check out the Bengals fan zone at RootZoo Sports. With the NBA season tipping off, make sure to play their basketball pick ‘em.

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