Nine little-known facts about the quarterbacks of the Cincinnati Bengals
When it comes to a decent quarterback story, the Cincinnati Bengals rank right up there with some of the greatest teams in pro football history. Although often not credited as such, the players who have filled the position for the team have often been exceptional. The first star quarterback the team fielded was Ken Anderson. Other players who have played the role for the team include Boomer Esiason, Jon Kitna and Carson Palmer. Here’s a look at ten little-known facts about the quarterbacks of the Cincinnati Bengals.
– The receiver who caught more Boomer Esiason touchdown passes than anyone in the league is Eddie Brown with 39.
– In 2007, Carson Palmer led the entire NFL in interceptions thrown with 20.
– The first player to be signed by the Cincinnati Bengals was their first starting quarterback, John Stofa. Stofa played five seasons of professional football: 1966 and 1967 with the Miami Dolphins, 1968 with the Bengals, and then 1970 and 1971 found him back with the Dolphins for a second tour with the team.
– The first touchdown pass Boomer Esiason threw in his NFL career came in week 7 of the 1984 season. It was his rookie year and it was a 34-yard first-quarter pass to receiver ML Harris in a loss 20-14 against the New England Patriots.
– In 1979, Ken Anderson was sacked a total of 46 times and lost 324 yards. Both are team records for most sacks and most yards lost per sack in a season for the Cincinnati Bengals.
– Jeff Blake’s first NFL touchdown pass came in a 23-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. The pass was thrown to receiver Darnay Scott for 67 yards.
– The last touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Boomer Esiason during his career was a good one, coming in the 1997 season and going for 70 yards to Darnay Scott.
– During the 1981 season, Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson won Comeback Player of the Year, NFL MVP, Bert Bell Award, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and also led the Cincinnati to their first playoff victory in franchise history, as well as the team’s first Super Bowl appearance.
– Carson Palmer has thrown more touchdown passes to Chad Ochocinco during his career than to any other receiver.