Carson Palmer Thread

[TJJackson]

Boomer Esiason was interviewed recently about his trade to the Jets (this in relation to the Palmer request)

In the interview, he said he asked MB to trade him immediately, and that Brown initially refused his request for a trade; but some months later told him to wait a year and they'd see what they could do. The Bengals then drafted Klingler (and who yet knew how poorly he'd fare? pretty much no one at that time). At the end of the season they called Boomer to let him know they had traded him to the Jets, though they had not wanted to, because that's what Boomer wanted.

What I cannot recall is if Boomer worked his trade request through the media or not.

Anyone remember?

[HairOnFire]

FWIW an earlier rumor claimed the Eagles had let other NFL teams know that Kolb could be had for...(wait for it)...a 1st and a 2nd round pick. Granted, that's just an asking price but if accurate it hows just how laughable is the idea Palmer is no longer worth a single 1st rounder.

Well, that's the thing - that's an opening salvo. What it means is that Kolb is definitely worth no more than a 1st and a 2nd, and likely quite a bit less.

Perhaps, but the Eagles asking price was said to be firm due to that team not having to trade Kolb. In fact, the argument for the Eagles keeping Kolb is as strong as the one for trading him, right? Plus, if a trade actually does transpire the actual value for Kolb would vary drastically based upon the number of bidders. A hard fixed value isn't really possible.

FWIW I mentioned the Eagle/Kolb rumor only because I believe it helps determine the asking price for Kolb seperate from the value of the 1st round draft picks. What the Bengals asking price for Palmer might be is anyones guess, but I doubt very much it's less than the Eagles would ask for Kolb.

[HairOnFire]

Update: New reports attempting to clarify Palmer's demands now insist he has NOT threatened to retire.

WTF? First the media misled us about Chad Ochodinko's option year. Then they waffled and misled about whether Bratkowski would be fired. Now it seems likely that there was no truth to the rumor that Palmer would retire if not traded.

Somewhere anchorman Kent Brockman is shedding a tear or two over the performance of the local Cincy media.

[ArmyBengal]

Seriously ?? I haven't seen that anywhere. Not doubting, just would like to read about it.

I find it funny it took this long to say there was no truth to it, since the rumor has been out there for quite some time.

Why not rebute the rumor immediately after it came out ?? It was part of the original story about him wanting a trade.

Anyway, I was one that never thought he would follow through with it to begin with.

It's just not in a players makeup to quit. If it is, they probably shouldn't be playing.

[COB]

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2011/2/11/1988253/report-carson-palmer-didnt-tell-bengals-president-mike-brown-that-hed

From Cincy Jungle, looks like he was reading a story from Hobson.

[HairOnFire]

Anyway, I was one that never thought he would follow through with it to begin with.

It's just not in a players makeup to quit. If it is, they probably shouldn't be playing.

Yeah, I've called it silly, unrealistic, and attention grabbing but I have to admit the idea he never actually threatened to retire never crossed my mind since it was reported by numerous sources.

Lesson learned.

And the false Chad rumor about the Bengals having an option on the final year of his contract was even worse. Bengal fans spent a silly amount of time and energy weighing in on whether his option should be picked up or dropped due to the money he'd be owed and the cap hit that would result. Yet in the end there was no decision to be made. In fact, we now know the Bengals can dump that fool without it costing them a penny. However, we learned that only after the local press got it wrong for months.

shakes fist/cancels free subscription

[BengalszoneBilly]

Update: New reports attempting to clarify Palmer's demands now insist he has NOT threatened to retire.

Well that sucks ass. I wanted a clean wound here. He leaves, we pick up a QB, and life moves on. I like Carson as a person, but he's just not a winner, and certainly not a leader.

[volcom69]

Im just tired of the drama!!!!!! Just trade Carson and move on, trade Chad and move on, get rid of the drama, and just play football!!!

[BengalszoneBilly]

Im just tired of the drama!!!!!! Just trade Carson and move on, trade Chad and move on, get rid of the drama, and just play football!!!

Don't forget the drama of the looming lockout. It's a drama triple decker for Cincinnati fans.

[jjakq27]

So first of all I find it funny that Carson moving back to SoCal is a breaking story. He bought that property near San Diego at the end of the season so it's puzzling why this is such a surprise. Maybe people thought he would have a winter home in Cali and his family would live here during the season. But it's normal for young parents to position themselves so their kids are already integrated in the area when they get ready for school. Wasn't TJ's whole beef about missing OTA's was that he wanted to be around his kids when they are in school?

Secondly, since Mort broke the story, did or did not every talking head say that Palmer has enough money, blah, blah, blah that he will retire if not traded? I find this whole thing rather odd. Is he having second thoughts? If he doesn't retire is he going to hold out or not report? Or did his representation miscalculate or not know the impact of the CBA on his trade demand? Or has Carson softened with the hiring of Jay Gruden or has he talked to Marvin since then?

As for Boomer back in 1992 I remember that he wasn't happy that they drafted Klingler and that he had started some games during that season. However it was a different era and things didn't have the immediate flashpoint or the calculated presentation to the media that they do now. He seemed to be a pro about it all and didn't complain too much publicly and the local media kept it pretty quiet from what I can remember.

[Sea Ray]

As the draft approaches trade talk will build to a fever pitch and then dry up instantly after the draft results in no trade.

I doubt any trade talk will reach a fever pitch unless a new CBA is signed. No trades involving players are allowed so why get excited about them?

[COB]

Even if Carson or his agent never floated the retirement rumor, they sure kept quiet for a couple weeks while it circulated. T

[HairOnFire]

As the draft approaches trade talk will build to a fever pitch and then dry up instantly after the draft results in no trade.

I doubt any trade talk will reach a fever pitch unless a new CBA is signed. No trades involving players are allowed so why get excited about them?

I doubt most Bengal fans will get excited by any trade talk simply because of Mike Brown's history of squashing any and all trade demands made by players, especially those with as many years left on their contract as Carson has. In fact, I'm guessing most fan responses to any trade talk will fall somewhere between "I like it but it won't happen" or the alternative "I don't like it but it won't happen."

As for no trades being possible until a new CBA is signed? I'm guessing teams won't sit on their hands simply because trades based upon draft picks can't be officially completed until a later date.

[Sea Ray]

As for no trades being possible until a new CBA is signed? I'm guessing teams won't sit on their hands simply because trades based upon draft picks can't be officially completed until a later date.

No way a trade will happen for Seattle's #25 pick in the first rd if the CBA isn't signed until late August. Other than us fans, I haven't heard any trade rumors. I don't think owners are discussing player for draft pick trades because they figure this will be a long lockout

[HoosierCat]

Even if Carson or his agent never floated the retirement rumor, they sure kept quiet for a couple weeks while it circulated. T

Indeed. Josh is just keeping the post count clicking along over at CJ. The Bengals have said ever since this all began that Carson never said anything about retirement when he met with Brown. He just asked to be traded. The retirement report originated with Mort and you're right that Palmer has done nothing to shoot it down.

What's been more telling, at least to me, is that one thing both sides agree on is that Palmer made no demands when he requested a trade. It wasn't "fire Bob, re-sign Ced and promise you'll throw a big Xmas party or I quit," it was just "I want to be traded." The one time Carson's camp was quick to run to the podium in all this was to say that he had not, repeat not, asked for Bob to be canned; meanwhile, the Bengals have denied that letting Bob go had any connection to Palmer's trade request.

This suggests to me that whether Palmer is really contemplating retirement or not, he doesn't seem particularly interested in any changes the Bengals make. He's not looking to be mollified, he just wants out. If he doesn't get out and doesn't retire, I look for him to adopt the TJ model: he'll show up in Cincy when his contract says he has to, and otherwise will be on the West Coast with the family. So forget seeing him at voluntaries and don't be surprised if he, too, develops a convenient hammy (or perhaps elbow) injury that lets him sit out camp and maybe that last game or two of the season when there's no hope anyhow.

[bwillycuse]

Even if Carson or his agent never floated the retirement rumor, they sure kept quiet for a couple weeks while it circulated. T

Indeed. Josh is just keeping the post count clicking along over at CJ. The Bengals have said ever since this all began that Carson never said anything about retirement when he met with Brown. He just asked to be traded. The retirement report originated with Mort and you're right that Palmer has done nothing to shoot it down.

What's been more telling, at least to me, is that one thing both sides agree on is that Palmer made no demands when he requested a trade. It wasn't "fire Bob, re-sign Ced and promise you'll throw a big Xmas party or I quit," it was just "I want to be traded." The one time Carson's camp was quick to run to the podium in all this was to say that he had not, repeat not, asked for Bob to be canned; meanwhile, the Bengals have denied that letting Bob go had any connection to Palmer's trade request.

This suggests to me that whether Palmer is really contemplating retirement or not, he doesn't seem particularly interested in any changes the Bengals make. He's not looking to be mollified, he just wants out. If he doesn't get out and doesn't retire, I look for him to adopt the TJ model: he'll show up in Cincy when his contract says he has to, and otherwise will be on the West Coast with the family. So forget seeing him at voluntaries and don't be surprised if he, too, develops a convenient hammy (or perhaps elbow) injury that lets him sit out camp and maybe that last game or two of the season when there's no hope anyhow.

And I would hope that type of behavior would show to other teams that this QB only plays when everything is going his way.

What team would want as their offensive leader a player that did the minimum when he wasn't in a favorable position. If Carson does that then he should be labeled accordingly. Hopefully by the whole league.

And again- If he plays here and shows that he isn't trying his hardest. The fanbase will crucify him - and rightfully so. He has complained about booing in the past. He hasn't seen anything yet.

[HoosierCat]

What team would want as their offensive leader a player that did the minimum when he wasn't in a favorable position.

Well, there was plenty of interest in TJ even though he went the minimum route his last two years in Cincy, so I would still expect Palmer to draw ample looks. Bottom line, I don't think that the rest of the league views a player not wanting to play in Cincinnati as a negative.

[TJJackson]

I don't think that the rest of the league views a player not wanting to play in Cincinnati as a negative.

This

x2

[COB]

I don't think that the rest of the league views a player not wanting to play in Cincinnati as a negative.

This

x2

It works to Carson's advantage in two ways. First the above. Second,when his play is considered; Yes, he's had a rough few years, but there's always the "well, he's playing for the Bengals" factor, that somehow is used to excuse crappy play. We even hear it on this board. Perfectly good players come here and for some reason they can't play anymore. I say this is total crapola, but it's a real thing in the league.

[jjakq27]

I don't think that the rest of the league views a player not wanting to play in Cincinnati as a negative.

This

x2

It works to Carson's advantage in two ways. First the above. Second,when his play is considered; Yes, he's had a rough few years, but there's always the "well, he's playing for the Bengals" factor, that somehow is used to excuse crappy play. We even hear it on this board. Perfectly good players come here and for some reason they can't play anymore. I say this is total crapola, but it's a real thing in the league.

Marcelus Wiley and Doug Gottlieb were talking about Carson's situation on Friday and Wiley makes a blanket generalization by saying how the "Bingles" have the worst facilities in the league. They may not be the best but they certainly are far from the worst, bubble or no bubble. So yes that kind of uneducated, throw-away dialogue will always be out there until this team becomes a consistent winner. You didn't hear it that much in 2005 or 2009 though.

[HoosierCat]

Perfectly good players come here and for some reason they can't play anymore. I say this is total crapola, but it's a real thing in the league.

I think it depends. Over the years, we've seen two basic types of disgruntled star player.

The first is the Carl Pickens/Corey Dillon/Chad Ochocinco type. They can't play with these coaches, they would rather flip burgers, they want a trade nownowNOW -- but shove enough Franklins at them and they can't wait to pick up a pen and sign a deal.

Then you have the Takeo Spikes/TJ Houshmandzadeh types. For them, returning to the Bengals isn't even a possibility. They have, as Spikes famously put it, done their time. They no longer believe anything the organization says and a full-scale solid gold replica of Mount McKinley couldn't change their minds, They just want out. This looks to me where Carson is, but I could be wrong.

In any event, IMHO what Carson ought to be considering is what happens if he gets his wish and is dealt. Of all the above players, the only one who had any subsequent success is Dillon, and that was in large part because he was traded to a team that was already Super-Bowl-ready. When I look at teams he supposedly prefers, like Seattle or San Fran, I'm not seeing budding dynasties. If those are his options and he isn't really ready to call it quits, it's hard to see how they represent better options that Cincy. (Assuming, of course, he hasn't already burned his bridges with his teammates by asking for a trade...sigh...what a mess...see sig.)

[bwillycuse]

What team would want as their offensive leader a player that did the minimum when he wasn't in a favorable position.

Well, there was plenty of interest in TJ even though he went the minimum route his last two years in Cincy, so I would still expect Palmer to draw ample looks. Bottom line, I don't think that the rest of the league views a player not wanting to play in Cincinnati as a negative.

The writing was on the wall and seattle got burned bad signing TJ. Hopefully they go dumb again and overvalue palmer.

[ArmyBengal]

Why is it a Vince Young, who has maturity issues and hasn't done much of anything, just needs a change of scenery, but Carson is done ??

I think it's the frustration of the fans that won't consider the fact that maybe, just maybe, he really is simply irritated with the organization and is taking issue with all of the things we, as fans, do. I would really just love to hear it from Carson. Throw it all out there for the world to see. Spell it out and go from there.

I will also agree with the thought of IF Carson does come back and half asses it like TJ did, I will openly and as loudly as possible scream, F*CK YOU CARSON. Just like I did with Chad and TJ. I still think Carson is back in stripes.

Oh, for what it's worth, my money would IMMEDIATELY be on the 49er's to win their division if Carson goes there.

[cincy9275]

it just sad that every decent player who has played for mike brown has done every thing they could to get out of here. i can not wait for the day mike brown passes. it will be the single biggest day of celebration cincinnati has ever seen. it will be the equivalent of winning a championship in any major sport.

[COB]

http://www.playerwives.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/carson-palmers-wife-shaelyn-palmer/

The above link is just a little page about Carson's wife. She had twins in Jan. of '09. This last season, 2010, she bailed early and fled Cincinnati, running back to SoCal and leaving Carson here alone to finish the season. Who on here would enjoy watching their wife take their two babies, probably about to take their first steps, and go across the country to be closer to home?

Carson and his camp can blame whatever they want on the Bengals, my belief is that his wife is driving the train, and the train is going to be on the west coast one way or another.

The quote below, from the link I posted, just illustrates how committed they are to the west coast. The Palmers don't like the midwest, they want to be where both of their families are, and the man of the house, Shaelyn, is making that happen one way or another (ie trade or retirement).

Fast Facts: Carson and Shaelyn live in Laguna Beach in the offseason, and are extremely active in that community. During the summer, the two hosted a charity golf tournament for Hillview Acres Children's Home: a live in facility that treats abused and neglected children ages 6-18. The two also funded the construction of a new building on that campus, named The Carson and Shaelyn Palmer Cottage