Wilson: Bengals need to upgrade passing game

The Cincinnati Bengals' passing game is clearly in need of an upgrade.

They ranked 26th in the league in passing offense, averaging only 180.6 yards per contest.

Quarterback Carson Palmer passed for 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

And he didn't have much production out of his receivers other than Chad Ochocinco, who led the team with 72 receptions for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns.

While the Bengals morphed into more of a running team last season, that may have been out of necessity as much as choice.

As the Bengals prepare to go to the NFL scouting combine, improving the passing game is high on their agenda.

"We have to make sure we continue to put good people around (quarterback Carson Palmer)," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We have a big-time player. He's a great leader. I thought he did a great job managing our game."

Palmer passed for 146 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Bengals' playoff loss to the New York Jets.

"You're only as good as your last game," Lewis said "Carson missed some throws at the end he wishes he could have back."

Lewis commented for the first time on signing former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones.

Jones was out of football last season after being cut by the Jaguars following a history of violations of the NFL substance-abuse policy.

Jones' workout was reportedly subpar, according to a Yahoo! Sports report quoting anonymous members of the Bengals' coaching staff and personnel department.

"We signed Matt to give him an opportunity," said Lewis. "We'll put him in with our guys. He's very good athletically."

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