Dan Pompei

Before the season, many people thought the Cincinnati Bengals could be a "surprise" team. They have been a surprise team, but the surprise has been how bad they are.

How could a team that appeared to be ready to turn the corner start out 1-4? They have Carson Palmer, arguably the game's best young passer, and a number of complementary playmakers. They did not have any major offseason personnel losses.

A number of problems have contributed to the Bengals' early season inefficiencies. Among them:

Injuries
No one wants to hear it, but the Bengals have been hurt by injuries probably more than any team in the AFC. Seven players who began training camp as starters have missed a total of 15 games. They have been devastated at linebacker, running back and offensive line.

None of the linebackers they slated as starters before the season are playing. They started their game against the Patriots with four healthy linebackers. Three of them were not with the team in training camp. They finished the game with two linebackers. They had to move defensive end Robert Geathers to linebacker against the Chiefs. Since Marvin Lewis took over in 2003, the team has had seven middle linebackers, including the starter in their last game, the immortal Anthony Schlegel.

They have been playing without their best three running backs — Rudi Johnson, Kenny Irons and Chris Perry.

In five games, they have had four different starting offensive line combinations, and have played 10 different combinations during games.

Suspensions
The Bengals don't have a legitimate third receiver because Chris Henry, who caught 15 touchdown passes over the last two years, is suspended until Nov. 11.

Odell Thurman, the most talented defensive player the Bengals have, is suspended for the season.

Former first round pick Jonathan Joseph was suspended for the loss to the Chiefs.

Responding poorly to adversity
The Bengals, by their own admission, have not paid enough attention to character in the draft. It shows when times are tough.

Critics have said the Bengals lack chemistry, but chemistry usually is borne of success. The absence of character — solid team leaders — has been more harmful to the Bengals than the absence of chemistry. No one would have really made a big deal out of Chad Johnson's sideline meltdown if the Bengals had won that game.

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Some have said Lewis could pay for this debacle with his job. The chances of that happening are miniscule. Lewis helped turned the Bengals around, and deserves a little leeway. Besides, Bengals owner Mike Brown is one of the most patient owners in the sport. He also is not known for his willingness to fire coaches before their contracts expire, and Lewis is signed through 2010.

There have been rumors that Lewis would welcome the hiring of a general manager. And it probably wouldn't be a bad thing. The Bengals could use someone to give the organization more direction and take some of the pressure off Lewis.

They have had some tough breaks, but they have had too many draft picks that haven't worked out well, especially on defense — Thurman, the injured David Pollock, Frostee Rucker and Keiwan Raitliff among them. Perhaps a general manager could help make better choices in the future.

But a general manager couldn't do anything about keeping players healthy. And really, that has been the Bengals' biggest problem.

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