Carson palmer's status (Dressing Early)

[Clackwoods]

I am reading all these articles about how he is afraid to go out there and get hit and he needs to get used to the game again. I saw him in those workouts before the Redskins game and he looked pretty damn good to me. I don't understand why they don't dress him for the Bills game even if he doesn't play. Just being in uniform and running out of the tunnel with the team and doing pregrame workouts will at least get him a little bit of a feel. I know it doesn't replace game time but I believe this will help his confidence out a little bit. Hell, he could even get in there on some running plays and just hand the ball off. I fully understand how valuable he is to the franchise and there is no need to rush him back but considering how difficult of a schedule we have and there is a very good chance with the team we have we could win the superbowl, I think he should try his best to get out there and play. He plans on playing three quarters against greenbay which is what I don't understand. How is one week going to change you from not playing to playing almost the whole game. At least get dressed Carson and get back into the feel of being on the sidelines in uniform instead of standing over there watching Wright butcher our offense while your holding a clipboard. I am in no way putting Carson down because I love the guy as our QB and I believe he will overtake Manning as the best qb in football very soon but all I am saying is he could just put the uniform and the pads on and go out there and hang out on the sidelines. Tell me what you think.

[redsbengalsbucks]

I think after the Portis injury, that the first two preseason games should be played with all the second/third stringers only. After that let the first teamers knock the rust off in the last two.

[jditty47]

that i wouldnt mind seeing happen.

[Jet23]

I am reading all these articles about how he is afraid to go out there and get hit and he needs to get used to the game again. I saw him in those workouts before the Redskins game and he looked pretty damn good to me. I don't understand why they don't dress him for the Bills game even if he doesn't play. Just being in uniform and running out of the tunnel with the team and doing pregrame workouts will at least get him a little bit of a feel. I know it doesn't replace game time but I believe this will help his confidence out a little bit. Hell, he could even get in there on some running plays and just hand the ball off. I fully understand how valuable he is to the franchise and there is no need to rush him back but considering how difficult of a schedule we have and there is a very good chance with the team we have we could win the superbowl, I think he should try his best to get out there and play. He plans on playing three quarters against greenbay which is what I don't understand. How is one week going to change you from not playing to playing almost the whole game. At least get dressed Carson and get back into the feel of being on the sidelines in uniform instead of standing over there watching Wright butcher our offense while your holding a clipboard. I am in no way putting Carson down because I love the guy as our QB and I believe he will overtake Manning as the best qb in football very soon but all I am saying is he could just put the uniform and the pads on and go out there and hang out on the sidelines. Tell me what you think.

I wouldn't mind seeing him hand it to Rudi 3 times and call it a night.

[ArmyBengal]

I'd like to see him dress as well, but in the grand scheme of things, what difference does it make ?? It won't make him play better the following week and you can't tell me it's going to make any psychological difference in regards to his knee, so who really cares ??

WHODEY !!!

[rishipatel]

I'd like to see him dress as well, but in the grand scheme of things, what difference does it make ?? It won't make him play better the following week and you can't tell me it's going to make any psychological difference in regards to his knee, so who really cares ??

WHODEY !!!

I agree with Army. And I don't think he's waiting purely due to this "fear" that the media has perpetuated. He doesn't need the "feel" of walking through the tunnel, etc... He knows what all that feels like. He is just erring on the side of caution which is perfectly sensible given the situation. No sense in risking further injury at this point. WHO-DEY

[HairOnFire]

I'd like to see him dress as well, but in the grand scheme of things, what difference does it make ?? It won't make him play better the following week and you can't tell me it's going to make any psychological difference in regards to his knee, so who really cares ??

Yup. Having Palmer dress but not play...or do nothing more than hand off a few times...accomplishes nothing.

Seriously, Palmer was one of the most celebrated high school QB's of all time, a four year starter at a major university, and the first overall pick in the NFL draft. You aren't going to get him mentally prepared to play in a meaningless preseason game by using the type of tricks that Dr. Phil might dream up. Jedi mind tricks won't help either. All you need to do is give him enough time to develope confidence in the strength of his knee.

Where's the patience? Wasn't it just 6 or 7 months ago that we were questioning whether Palmer's career might be over? Others speculated that he might return at midseason or after the bye week. So now we're geeking because he doesn't want to play in the 2nd preseason game? Please.

Frankly, this thing has been poorly handled in the press and as a result Palmer is facing alot of unjustified criticism. His rehab has been outstanding due largely to how hard he's worked and prepared, yet somehow he's being questioned now, at the 11th hour, due to how hard the Bengals are pushing the envelope.

Please step away from the panic button.

[IckeyShuffle]

this is our same quarterback that is cool, calm and collected on 4th quarter drives to win the game. Patience and poise, that's our future hall of fame quarterback. I'm loving every minute of how he is handling all this ya-hoo pressure. Its much ado about nothing. the fact that this is even a conversation piece is a testament to his mental toughness in rehab and comittment to the Bengals as a championship team. He was the only who believed he could be back by game #1, and he is the one who will let us know when its ready to have our funnest year in 2 decades. Who the freak DEY!!!

[chrishcovga]

One series in the Bills game is all I'm asking for. I would prefer to not have him play more than a half against the Packers.

[Jet23]

I'd like to see him dress as well, but in the grand scheme of things, what difference does it make ?? It won't make him play better the following week and you can't tell me it's going to make any psychological difference in regards to his knee, so who really cares ??

Yup. Having Palmer dress but not play...or do nothing more than hand off a few times...accomplishes nothing.

Seriously, Palmer was one of the most celebrated high school QB's of all time, a four year starter at a major university, and the first overall pick in the NFL draft. You aren't going to get him mentally prepared to play in a meaningless preseason game by using the type of tricks that Dr. Phil might dream up. Jedi mind tricks won't help either. All you need to do is give him enough time to develope confidence in the strength of his knee.

Where's the patience? Wasn't it just 6 or 7 months ago that we were questioning whether Palmer's career might be over? Others speculated that he might return at midseason or after the bye week. So now we're geeking because he doesn't want to play in the 2nd preseason game? Please.

Frankly, this thing has been poorly handled in the press and as a result Palmer is facing alot of unjustified criticism. His rehab has been outstanding due largely to how hard he's worked and prepared, yet somehow he's being questioned now, at the 11th hour, due to how hard the Bengals are pushing the envelope.

Please step away from the panic button.

I don't agree. I see a benefit in having him dress and prepare for a game, without having him face the inevitable blitzing that he is going to see. Haven't you ever seen 'What about Bob'? It's called baby step therapy. I'm pretty sure that is what Marvin had in mind. It's just another step in the rehap progression.

[HairOnFire]

Haven't you ever seen 'What about Bob'? It's called baby step therapy.

Yeah, but Palmer isn't a baby. More important, I think many people misunderstand the point Palmer is making about taking a hit. He's not a coward and he's not afraid. He's concerned. Specifically, he's concerned that the knee isn't stong enough yet to withstand a hit or allow him to pull up short suddenly. He's concerned that playing in the preseason represents needless risk of injury, and he's right. So I see no harm whatsoever in waiting until Palmer feels the knee is sufficiently strengthened to stand up to the rigors of normal play. And I'm fine with that even if it means skipping the Buffalo game, or the Green Bay game, or the preseason altogether.

[Clackwoods]

Haven't you ever seen 'What about Bob'? It's called baby step therapy.

Yeah, but Palmer isn't a baby. More important, I think many people misunderstand the point Palmer is making about taking a hit. He's not a coward and he's not afraid. He's concerned. Specifically, he's concerned that the knee isn't stong enough yet to withstand a hit or allow him to pull up short suddenly. He's concerned that playing in the preseason represents needless risk of injury, and he's right. So I see no harm whatsoever in waiting until Palmer feels the knee is sufficiently strengthened to stand up to the rigors of normal play. And I'm fine with that even if it means skipping the Buffalo game, or the Green Bay game, or the preseason altogether.

Yea but if he skips the preaseason he won't play in the season opener. Marvin Lewis already said that. Kansas City is a rough place to play and if he isn't playing it is going to be difficult to beat them. We will win the second game but I would prefer to go into the bye week 4-0 instead of 3-1 or 2-2. Our last three games are all against superbowl contenders.

[Kirkendall]

I wouldn't mind seeing Palmer in, but if he only hands off, I agree, I don't think it does any good. I also don't think he needs the feel.. he's played in plenty of games and a lot of big games. If he was younger and immature, then yea, I'd agree. But this guy is praised all the time for being mature and having his head on straight.

It's no big deal anyway, Green Bay is still the target game (2 games in pre-season and he's not missing pre-season entirely) on Monday Night Football.

Speaking of which, was anyone else really disappointed in the MNF telecast -- more so than expected?

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I wouldn't mind seeing Palmer in, but if he only hands off, I agree, I don't think it does any good. I also don't think he needs the feel.. he's played in plenty of games and a lot of big games. If he was younger and immature, then yea, I'd agree. But this guy is praised all the time for being mature and having his head on straight.

It's no big deal anyway, Green Bay is still the target game (2 games in pre-season and he's not missing pre-season entirely) on Monday Night Football.

Speaking of which, was anyone else really disappointed in the MNF telecast -- more so than expected?

I think people underestimate the psychological impact of this kind of a major injury, especially on someone who has never experienced one. Sure Palmer's mature and has played in tons of games. But none since probably the most devastating event of his career. I think that changes a lot of things, and I think it's more than just having his head on straight.

I'm not his psychologist or doctor, so I don't know what the answer is. But there seems to be more at issue here than the physical strength of the knee.

As for MNF, terrible. Worse than the local CBS crews. Even worse than Gumble and Simms.

[Kirkendall]

I wouldn't mind seeing Palmer in, but if he only hands off, I agree, I don't think it does any good. I also don't think he needs the feel.. he's played in plenty of games and a lot of big games. If he was younger and immature, then yea, I'd agree. But this guy is praised all the time for being mature and having his head on straight.

It's no big deal anyway, Green Bay is still the target game (2 games in pre-season and he's not missing pre-season entirely) on Monday Night Football.

Speaking of which, was anyone else really disappointed in the MNF telecast -- more so than expected?

I think people underestimate the psychological impact of this kind of a major injury, especially on someone who has never experienced one. Sure Palmer's mature and has played in tons of games. But none since probably the most devastating event of his career. I think that changes a lot of things, and I think it's more than just having his head on straight.

I'm not his psychologist or doctor, so I don't know what the answer is. But there seems to be more at issue here than the physical strength of the knee.

I understand all that and said it myself before. As for dressing but sitting on the sidelines, and only handing off, I think it has no value -- psychological or football-related. As Marvin said, he needs to take a leap of faith. I think that means getting wacked and getting back up. Not handing off or just standing around like a dolt on the sidelines. That was my point.

Believe or not, the one I couldn't stand the most was Mike Tirico. I have nothing against the guy and I think he does well with college football. He seems like he's too by the book. Perhaps I'm just spoiled by Al Michaels.. but he just didn't do well going with the flow of the game. Maybe it's just me.

Did anyone else notice that Tony K. made Joe H. squirm on a few things and even change his position, or make Joe H. completely contradict what he said only minutes earlier. I thought it was funny.

[Stripes]

Believe or not, the one I couldn't stand the most was Mike Tirico. I have nothing against the guy and I think he does well with college football. He seems like he's too by the book. Perhaps I'm just spoiled by Al Michaels.. but he just didn't do well going with the flow of the game. Maybe it's just me.

Tirico does seem a little too proper sometimes, but I think he makes up for it with his great calls on big plays.

As for Palmer... Dressing and not playing sounds pointless. I think he's ready to get in there, but I'll be patient.

[Jonboat]

Palmer is not scared he's being sensible, he said his goal was the Greenbay game. What difference would playing him a week early matter ? It's not like he just sitting on the sideline in practice holding a clipboard he's getting what 75% of the snaps now granted it's not like gametime but he's still having people fall around him , scrambling ect. so he's getting prepared & that will go alot further for him mentally than dressing with the team.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I think after the Portis injury, that the first two preseason games should be played with all the second/third stringers only. After that let the first teamers knock the rust off in the last two.

After seeing the vague but lengthy injury report on the starters last night on Bengals.com, I think this is pretty much what is happening.

Tonight's game may be a bit of a snoozer - back-up fest.

Willie and Levi are apparently not going to play much, if at all (what's new). So Palmer certainly isn't going to play.

[Jet23]

Haven't you ever seen 'What about Bob'? It's called baby step therapy.

Yeah, but Palmer isn't a baby. More important, I think many people misunderstand the point Palmer is making about taking a hit. He's not a coward and he's not afraid. He's concerned. Specifically, he's concerned that the knee isn't stong enough yet to withstand a hit or allow him to pull up short suddenly. He's concerned that playing in the preseason represents needless risk of injury, and he's right. So I see no harm whatsoever in waiting until Palmer feels the knee is sufficiently strengthened to stand up to the rigors of normal play. And I'm fine with that even if it means skipping the Buffalo game, or the Green Bay game, or the preseason altogether.

What I have a problem wrapping my mind around (other than how Chris Berman still has a job) is how Carson is positive he won't be ready for Buffalo, but plans on playing 3 quarters against GB. Huh?

[HairOnFire]

What I have a problem wrapping my mind around (other than how Chris Berman still has a job) is how Carson is positive he won't be ready for Buffalo, but plans on playing 3 quarters against GB. Huh?

I'm not inside his head, but I'm guessing that Palmer has his own thoughts about his rehab and none of them are in favor of playing a down in the 2nd preseason game....mostly due to the widespread belief that the 2nd preseason game is the least important for veterans. The third game is normally the one that most teams test their starters timing and endurance in so that probably explains why he's more willing to put things to the test. The real question I have is how much of a test he should get.

As for me, I'm not really in favor of Palmer getting an extended look against Green Bay. Id like to see him pulled, regardless of his performance level, after being under center for 2 or 3 drives. Then repeat the trick in the last game and call it a successful preseason.

[Sox]

Yea but if he skips the preaseason he won't play in the season opener. Marvin Lewis already said that.