Carson Palmer Thread

[derekshank]

besides people who think loving your family makes you a bitch?

No one said that. Carson is the head of that household. It doesn't mean he doesn't love his family if he tells his wife, look, this is where my career is, this is where we're living until further notice. That's loving your family. Letting your wife run all over you, take your kids across the country and try to dictate your career choices to you, that makes you a bitch.

Again, that's conjecture. I'm guessing his wife isn't the only factor... but it is a factor worth considering. There are plenty of people out there that do what is best for their family rather than what is best for their career. And if his wife wants out of Cincy, it's not a stretch to think "I've made plenty of money. It's time to leave."

That said... Based on what I can tell, they both rather be in Cali since that's where they spend the offseason. This isn't simply his wife making an executive decision. It's something they both want. And this season, they both were clearly upset about having their yard trashed by stupid fans, so she left early.

But in your scenario... telling your wife where she will and won't live, what she can and can't do, doesn't equal "loving your family." In fact, more often than not, it ends up in seeing your kids just on the weekends for the foreseeable future.

[bwillycuse]

besides people who think loving your family makes you a bitch?

No one said that. Carson is the head of that household. It doesn't mean he doesn't love his family if he tells his wife, look, this is where my career is, this is where we're living until further notice. That's loving your family. Letting your wife run all over you, take your kids across the country and try to dictate your career choices to you, that makes you a bitch.

I fully appreciate wanting to spend time with your family.

Baseball players play 162+ preseason and post season games per year. They get paid handsomely for that. They miss seeing their kids grow up because they are on the road a ton.

You know what - Carson just doesn't have that winning internal drive. Doesn't have that love for the game. Football isn't no.1 for him. Just not that important. He accepts mediocrity - so he is doomed to be mediocre.

Favre, Montana, Manning, Brady - They will all play or played until they cant play anymore. They do everything it takes to win. Deep down competitors.

Our QB just took the money and hoped he would win.

31 years old....retire - spend more time with family - Let that sink in.

Don't trade him Mikey.

I hate every player that tries to get out of town like this. DON'T TAKE THE MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DONT THINK THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE!

This is an affront to the fans Carson. Loosen the choke collar and speak up.

[derekshank]

I fully appreciate wanting to spend time with your family.

Baseball players play 162+ preseason and post season games per year. They get paid handsomely for that. They miss seeing their kids grow up because they are on the road a ton.

How much of that time are they forced away from their families? Sure, long road trips can be a week or more at a time... but most of their time is still spent where they live. Coming home to an empty house when your wife and kids are 2,000 miles away for 5 months is a lot to ask. I'm sure ArmyBengal can speak to that. And, playing football just doesn't seem as important to me as serving the country.

You know what - Carson just doesn't have that winning internal drive. Doesn't have that love for the game. Football isn't no.1 for him. Just not that important. He accepts mediocrity - so he is doomed to be mediocre.

Favre, Montana, Manning, Brady - They will all play or played until they cant play anymore. They do everything it takes to win. Deep down competitors.

So, because he wants out of Cincy, he doesn't have drive to win? I'd say it's the opposite. He's always been the guy that puts in the extra hours. The added devotion. The offseason work. He's been constantly surrounded by a circus. At this point in his career he's realizing the same thing that most of us already know. He's not going to win a Super Bowl in stripes.

I hate every player that tries to get out of town like this. DON'T TAKE THE MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an affront to the fans Carson. Loosen the choke collar and speak up.

Remind me what he has done? He privately asked for a trade. It became public... but he didn't take it to the media. He didn't hold press conferences. He isn't visiting a myriad of radio talk shows to badmouth the Bengals. He hasn't said he would hold out, nor has the word "retire" ever come from his lips.

He simply went to Mike Brown and requested a trade. He has remained steadfast in that request to this point... but that is all. I'm not seeing the reasoning for all the outrage.

[HoosierCat]

I hate every player that tries to get out of town like this. DON'T TAKE THE MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DONT THINK THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE!

Let's be fair. This isn't a Carl Pickens situation where the player signs a big deal and then turns around the next day and says he won't play for the head coach. Carson signed his deal in December of 2005 -- going on six years ago.

Remember December of '05? I do, and I doubt very, very much if thoughts of the grass being greener someplace else even occurred to him. The Bengals had their first winning record and were headed to their first playoff game since '91. Carson had the league's best offensive line in front of him and arguably the best WR trio in the NFL. On defense, he had a ballhawking secondary (no. 1 in INTs) that gave him tons of extra chances to score and a couple dynamic, stud 'backers in Pollack and Thurman. Far from being a place to escape from, Cincinnati was suddenly the place to be.

Today? Not so much.

[F.Cleveland]

How much of that time are they forced away from their families? Sure, long road trips can be a week or more at a time... but most of their time is still spent where they live. Coming home to an empty house when your wife and kids are 2,000 miles away for 5 months is a lot to ask. I'm sure ArmyBengal can speak to that. And, playing football just doesn't seem as important to me as serving the country.

Comparing the two professions is an unfare ploy to make this look like an argument no one is making. Comparing sacrifices made playing a sport for millions of dollars a year to those made serving your country is rediculous. And for the record, most military would probably love to be home 7 months a year with a bye week in the middle. They'd probably also love to be retired at the age of 30-40 with more money thaen they know what to do with. Cry me a river.

So, because he wants out of Cincy, he doesn't have drive to win? I'd say it's the opposite. He's always been the guy that puts in the extra hours. The added devotion. The offseason work. He's been constantly surrounded by a circus. At this point in his career he's realizing the same thing that most of us already know. He's not going to win a Super Bowl in stripes.

The NFL is a circus. Plus, you can't win a Superbowl if you are a quitter. Realizations like these need to come at the end of a contract, not at a point where you have been paid tons of money upfront, are the face of a franchise, and without warning.

Remind me what he has done? He privately asked for a trade. It became public... but he didn't take it to the media. He didn't hold press conferences. He isn't visiting a myriad of radio talk shows to badmouth the Bengals. He hasn't said he would hold out, nor has the word "retire" ever come from his lips.

He simply went to Mike Brown and requested a trade. He has remained steadfast in that request to this point... but that is all. I'm not seeing the reasoning for all the outrage.

How did it become public? Do you think the Bengals leaked it? And for the record, nothing has come from his lips. He lets his agent, his real estate agent, and ESPN talk for him. In this day and age, not saying something is just the same as saying the reports are true. I have more respect for someone that will come out and say it (Chad) even if I don't like what he's saying, than I do for someone that runs for the west coast leaving a dear John letter for his agent to disperse. These are not the qualities of a leader.

[derekshank]

Comparing the two professions is an unfare ploy to make this look like an argument no one is making.

The comparison wasn't mine. Someone else pointed out that baseball players have it worse than Palmer has it. I was merely pointing out that it isn't the case if you live in a different city than your family for 7 months of the year.

Comparing sacrifices made playing a sport for millions of dollars a year to those made serving your country is rediculous. And for the record, most military would probably love to be home 7 months a year with a bye week in the middle. They'd probably also love to be retired at the age of 30-40 with more money thaen they know what to do with. Cry me a river.

You read my post, but missed the point. I'm agreeing with you. There are a handful of occupations out there that are important enough to warrant long absences from your family. Protecting the country is one of them. Playing football isn't.

How did it become public? Do you think the Bengals leaked it? And for the record, nothing has come from his lips. He lets his agent, his real estate agent, and ESPN talk for him. In this day and age, not saying something is just the same as saying the reports are true. I have more respect for someone that will come out and say it (Chad) even if I don't like what he's saying, than I do for someone that runs for the west coast leaving a dear John letter for his agent to disperse. These are not the qualities of a leader.

I don't pretend to know who "leaked" the information. But what I do know is that the word "retire" came from Mort and hasn't been reported or discussed by any reporter or PR statements since. To call him a quitter based on that is unfair simply because he's not an attention whore like your the WR that you seem to have deep respect for. He doesn't feel compelled to respond to rumor mongers on the internet... and that doesn't mean he's confirming or denying anything. It just means he doesn't give a s**t what you think.

As for the "Dear John" letter... Get a grip. This is his profession, and he has requested to do it somewhere else. Somewhere that will make his life better and perhaps might give him more fulfillment than the place he currently does it. That's something that most of us would ask from our current employers given the proper circumstances. He may or may not get a positive response to that request... but asking for it doesn't make him a a girl that broke up with you via text message.

[COB]

But in your scenario... telling your wife where she will and won't live, what she can and can't do, doesn't equal "loving your family." In fact, more often than not, it ends up in seeing your kids just on the weekends for the foreseeable future.

I mainly like to talk tough like this on the internet. That way I feel better when I get home and my wife is like, "Here's your hamburger helper, do the dishes so they don't sit around all night, help junior with his math before you put him in bed, by the way are you ever planning to sweep out the garage again, because it's like a gravel pit out there, my mom's coming over, can you go over and thaw out the pipe under her sink? I'll make up the guest bedroom for her while you're over there, her house is too cold right now, if you get all that done then you can get on Bengalszone for five minutes before you pass out from exhaustion to tell everyone how Carson Palmer should should be the big boss man of his house just like you are."

[volcom69]

But in your scenario... telling your wife where she will and won't live, what she can and can't do, doesn't equal "loving your family." In fact, more often than not, it ends up in seeing your kids just on the weekends for the foreseeable future.

I mainly like to talk tough like this on the internet. That way I feel better when I get home and my wife is like, "Here's your hamburger helper, do the dishes so they don't sit around all night, help junior with his math before you put him in bed, by the way are you ever planning to sweep out the garage again, because it's like a gravel pit out there, my mom's coming over, can you go over and thaw out the pipe under her sink? I'll make up the guest bedroom for her while you're over there, her house is too cold right now, if you get all that done then you can get on Bengalszone for five minutes before you pass out from exhaustion to tell everyone how Carson Palmer should should be the big boss man of his house just like you are."

Good one, i enjoyed that thanks COB

[HoosierCat]

Hamburger Helper rocks.

[F.Cleveland]

I don't pretend to know who "leaked" the information. But what I do know is that the word "retire" came from Mort and hasn't been reported or discussed by any reporter or PR statements since. To call him a quitter based on that is unfair simply because he's not an attention whore like your the WR that you seem to have deep respect for. He doesn't feel compelled to respond to rumor mongers on the internet... and that doesn't mean he's confirming or denying anything. It just means he doesn't give a s**t what you think.

As for the "Dear John" letter... Get a grip. This is his profession, and he has requested to do it somewhere else. Somewhere that will make his life better and perhaps might give him more fulfillment than the place he currently does it. That's something that most of us would ask from our current employers given the proper circumstances. He may or may not get a positive response to that request... but asking for it doesn't make him a a girl that broke up with you via text message.

Every media outlet to cover this has said he threatened to retire, not just internet rumor mongers. Mort cited "multiple sources". It's not something people have read into incorrectly. Maybe he doesn't care about what I think and that's his choice. I'm a Bengals fan. I was before he got here and I will be after he leaves. Even if it turns out to be completely false, having the idea out there that he would rather retire than play for the Bengals is extremely damaging. It limits their ability to attract free agents, it sends a bad message to the players under contract, and if he does come back it's going to sour an already contentious relationship with the fans. It says to thousands of kids and adults that spent good money on his jersey that the time they spent supporting him, even through the hard times, a big F you. You can assume his intentions are pure all you want and that he doing it the "right way". F you is still F you no matter how nicely you say it.

When it comes to Carson's fulfillment, I could care less. Not because I'm heartless and don't think he was a nice guy, but because there are millions of people who would give anything for the chance to be where he is. This state suffers from an eroding middle class, high umemployment, and dwindling job opportunities. I simply cannot identify with someone that is too rich to care about his job because it's hard. He was paid a lot of money to be the face of the franchise for the rest of his career, not until it got too hard.

And for the record, more respect does not equal a deep respect. I've wanted Chad gone for a while.

[Kazkal]

Favre, Montana, Manning, Brady - They will all play or played until they cant play anymore. They do everything it takes to win. Deep down competitors.

Yes because thats a fair way to compare him to a bunch Superbowl winners? who barley had to endure any losing seasons?Why not use Berry Sanders I'd say thats a better example being he played for a terrible origination and retired early rather then keep playing for the lions who weren't going to get any better and wouldn't let him play for another team.

[HoosierCat]

I simply cannot identify with someone that is too rich to care about his job because it's hard.

I doubt many would, but I don't think Carson is looking to move on because the job is "too hard."

[volcom69]

Favre, Montana, Manning, Brady - They will all play or played until they cant play anymore. They do everything it takes to win. Deep down competitors.

Yes because thats a fair way to compare him to a bunch Superbowl winners? who barley had to endure any losing seasons?Why not use Berry Sanders I'd say thats a better example being he played for a terrible origination and retired early rather then keep playing for the lions who weren't going to get any better and wouldn't let him play for another team.

True but after Barry retired, the Lions made the playoffs the next couple of years

[volcom69]

Its funny thought to read Peter King saying that he thinks Palmer will be back, because he will love Grudens new offense.

The Wilcots says the Bengals better do something, because Palmer will retire LOL

Man this whole Palmer business is a headache, but it should make for a semi fun offseason considering we dont even know if football will be played or when.

[ArmyBengal]

I think it's entirely to difficult to say what is going through Carson's head in regards to his family.

I can only speak for myself (as anyone can) that everyone makes decisions they feel are in both theirs and their families best interest. I have told my wife in the past that we are moving because that is what I needed to do for my career. That was for me and me alone. I moved my family back to Cincinnati a full 10 months before I came back and was without them because it was in their best interest, not mine. Now I am almost retired, back in Cincinnati, and gave up my military career because I couldn't envision being away from them anymore and putting myself in harms way yet again.

People may think what they want about me giving up my career to be with my family, but I don't care. I don't have a job, am dealing with all the stresses every other person is dealing with in not having a job, and I couldn't be happier. My point is, Carson is going to make those decisions based upon what he has going on in his life and none of know what that is.

Until then, it's all speculation, but I wouldn't fault him either way he goes with this and can understand either side.

[bwillycuse]

Favre, Montana, Manning, Brady - They will all play or played until they cant play anymore. They do everything it takes to win. Deep down competitors.

Yes because thats a fair way to compare him to a bunch Superbowl winners? who barley had to endure any losing seasons?Why not use Berry Sanders I'd say thats a better example being he played for a terrible origination and retired early rather then keep playing for the lions who weren't going to get any better and wouldn't let him play for another team.

Maybe there is a correlation do drive and gumption to success. You get out what you put in. I wouldn't expect a qb who complains about booing has what it takes to win a super bowl.

Rb does not equal qb in importance to team success.

its all just sickening to me. My respect for palmer has diminished greatly the past few seasons. Now I always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb, but to try and force a trade without any comment to his fans on why is weak and kindeof deep down I figured he would go out weak like this.

Cmon Bengals...get people that want to play football.

[derekshank]

People may think what they want about me giving up my career to be with my family, but I don't care. I don't have a job, am dealing with all the stresses every other person is dealing with in not having a job, and I couldn't be happier.

Respect. Most men don't have the courage to do what is best for their family when it means uncertainty and fear in your career path.

I know I took several steps backward in my career path sonincould be closer to the people I care about. I make a lot less money and have a lot less prestige in my current job because of those choices, but I wouldn't change it. Some things are more important that career.

[derekshank]

its all just sickening to me. My respect for palmer has diminished greatly the past few seasons. Now I always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb, but to try and force a trade without any comment to his fans on why is weak and kindeof deep down I figured he would go out weak like this.

You people are funny. You act like Palmer is someone you have had a close personal relationship with over the last 8 years and can't believe he would treat you this way.

In actuality, he's a professional and this is his job. He doesn't owe you an explanation just because you want one. The only person he owes an explanation to is his wife and family.

People take all of this far too seriously simply because it's in the public light. We ask things of athletes we would never want asked of us. I left my last job for my own reasons, and I didn't feel compelled to explain those reasons to any of the many people who asked why I was leaving.

If Palmer doesn't feel obliged to make a public statement to a bunch of fans who trashed his yard and booed him on Sundays as to why he has asked for a trade, I don't view that as weakness. It's more of a "I'm a professional. Mind your own f**king business."

[F.Cleveland]

its all just sickening to me. My respect for palmer has diminished greatly the past few seasons. Now I always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb, but to try and force a trade without any comment to his fans on why is weak and kindeof deep down I figured he would go out weak like this.

You people are funny. You act like Palmer is someone you have had a close personal relationship with over the last 8 years and can't believe he would treat you this way.

In actuality, he's a professional and this is his job. He doesn't owe you an explanation just because you want one. The only person he owes an explanation to is his wife and family.

People take all of this far too seriously simply because it's in the public light. We ask things of athletes we would never want asked of us. I left my last job for my own reasons, and I didn't feel compelled to explain those reasons to any of the many people who asked why I was leaving.

If Palmer doesn't feel obliged to make a public statement to a bunch of fans who trashed his yard and booed him on Sundays as to why he has asked for a trade, I don't view that as weakness. It's more of a "I'm a professional. Mind your own f**king business."

Without fans he has no "profession". With fans, he is paid based in large part due to their emotional attachment to the team and to him as a part of it. Like it or not, he is a role model. My guess is your last profession did not have those same stipulations.

[derekshank]

Without fans he has no "profession". With fans, he is paid based in large part due to their emotional attachment to the team and to him as a part of it. Like it or not, he is a role model. My guess is your last profession did not have those same stipulations.

Palmer has never backed away from being a role model. He does a great deal to help others with his influence.

That said, just because he is a public figure doesn't mean he must divulge all his private information.

He's not obligated to give more information than he has. Whether his reasons have to do with his wife, his own personal feelings about the Bengal organization, just being sick of living in Cincinnati, or something else entirely is not really any of our business. The information that we have is all that is required of him. To think otherwise is to overstate your role as a fan.

[jonahdsage]

its all just sickening to me. My respect for palmer has diminished greatly the past few seasons. Now I always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb, but to try and force a trade without any comment to his fans on why is weak and kindeof deep down I figured he would go out weak like this.

You people are funny. You act like Palmer is someone you have had a close personal relationship with over the last 8 years and can't believe he would treat you this way.

In actuality, he's a professional and this is his job. He doesn't owe you an explanation just because you want one. The only person he owes an explanation to is his wife and family.

People take all of this far too seriously simply because it's in the public light. We ask things of athletes we would never want asked of us. I left my last job for my own reasons, and I didn't feel compelled to explain those reasons to any of the many people who asked why I was leaving.

If Palmer doesn't feel obliged to make a public statement to a bunch of fans who trashed his yard and booed him on Sundays as to why he has asked for a trade, I don't view that as weakness. It's more of a "I'm a professional. Mind your own f**king business."

Without fans he has no "profession". With fans, he is paid based in large part due to their emotional attachment to the team and to him as a part of it. Like it or not, he is a role model. My guess is your last profession did not have those same stipulations.

So should you have to explain yourself when you decide to leave your job to everyone who makes your job possible? Do you call every one of your clients and give them the reasons why you quit? If you are an architect, do you owe it to the people whose house you designed to tell them why you quit? The only person to whom Carson ought to give his reasons for leaving, outside of his family, is Mike Brown (and maaaaybe Marvin).

No job exists that doesn't involve other people, that isn't made possible by other people. I'd much rather have Carson remain quiet than do sit ups in his driveway in front of TV cameras etc. Carson doesn't owe an explanation to the fans and certainly not to those who booed or threw trash on his lawn. If you want to get pissed at somebody in this situation, get upset with the fans who did that crap or with Mike Brown for not putting a winning product on the field. To think Carson is somehow disrespecting the fans by remaining quiet (even though we are all curious and want to know what's going on) is naive and misplaced.

[F.Cleveland]

its all just sickening to me. My respect for palmer has diminished greatly the past few seasons. Now I always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb, but to try and force a trade without any comment to his fans on why is weak and kindeof deep down I figured he would go out weak like this.

You people are funny. You act like Palmer is someone you have had a close personal relationship with over the last 8 years and can't believe he would treat you this way.

In actuality, he's a professional and this is his job. He doesn't owe you an explanation just because you want one. The only person he owes an explanation to is his wife and family.

People take all of this far too seriously simply because it's in the public light. We ask things of athletes we would never want asked of us. I left my last job for my own reasons, and I didn't feel compelled to explain those reasons to any of the many people who asked why I was leaving.

If Palmer doesn't feel obliged to make a public statement to a bunch of fans who trashed his yard and booed him on Sundays as to why he has asked for a trade, I don't view that as weakness. It's more of a "I'm a professional. Mind your own f**king business."

Without fans he has no "profession". With fans, he is paid based in large part due to their emotional attachment to the team and to him as a part of it. Like it or not, he is a role model. My guess is your last profession did not have those same stipulations.

So should you have to explain yourself when you decide to leave your job to everyone who makes your job possible? Do you call every one of your clients and give them the reasons why you quit? If you are an architect, do you owe it to the people whose house you designed to tell them why you quit? The only person to whom Carson ought to give his reasons for leaving, outside of his family, is Mike Brown (and maaaaybe Marvin).

No job exists that doesn't involve other people, that isn't made possible by other people. I'd much rather have Carson remain quiet than do sit ups in his driveway in front of TV cameras etc. Carson doesn't owe an explanation to the fans and certainly not to those who booed or threw trash on his lawn. If you want to get pissed at somebody in this situation, get upset with the fans who did that crap or with Mike Brown for not putting a winning product on the field. To think Carson is somehow disrespecting the fans by remaining quiet (even though we are all curious and want to know what's going on) is naive and misplaced.

I think you both miss my point. Being a player in the NFL is NOT the same or equatable to working in a firm, factory, or anything else that the average person would have as a place of employmnent. He is a public figure. The public pays for his workplace and keeps him employed. It's apples to oranges. Of course you or I would not owe anyone an explaination to anyone other than our families, I get that. That's not naive or misplaced, it's reality. You give up a lot of your rights to privacy when you decide to work in an environment like that and that has been the same for the whole time he's been employed. He himself said he knows that comes with being in his position.

I also don't think he should be telling everyone the details of why. There aren't many reasons he could have for leaving that are going to mesh well with the fanbase or the sporting world anyway. My guess is no matter what he said, it would be portreyed as trivial and would poison any future employment opportunities in the NFL.

The only thing he really should do is to clarify the retirement issue(yes he's willing to/no he's not willing to) because that affects more than just him.

All that said, I still think the whole situation is a bitch move. It's not leadership no matter what his issue is. How many years have we as fans gone through all the crap? He's been here for 8, has won the division and been to the playoffs twice. That's not on par with the Steelers, Patriots, or Colts, but it's sure as hell better than the previous 20 years. I never quit putting up with crap from turd and stealer tards and I never got paid a thing. I can't excuse him quitting after being here for aguabley the best 8-year stretch the franchise has ever had. I'm a Bengals fan, not a Carson fan who also likes the Bengals.

[jonahdsage]

its all just sickening to me. My respect for palmer has diminished greatly the past few seasons. Now I always knew he wasn't the brightest bulb, but to try and force a trade without any comment to his fans on why is weak and kindeof deep down I figured he would go out weak like this.

You people are funny. You act like Palmer is someone you have had a close personal relationship with over the last 8 years and can't believe he would treat you this way.

In actuality, he's a professional and this is his job. He doesn't owe you an explanation just because you want one. The only person he owes an explanation to is his wife and family.

People take all of this far too seriously simply because it's in the public light. We ask things of athletes we would never want asked of us. I left my last job for my own reasons, and I didn't feel compelled to explain those reasons to any of the many people who asked why I was leaving.

If Palmer doesn't feel obliged to make a public statement to a bunch of fans who trashed his yard and booed him on Sundays as to why he has asked for a trade, I don't view that as weakness. It's more of a "I'm a professional. Mind your own f**king business."

Without fans he has no "profession". With fans, he is paid based in large part due to their emotional attachment to the team and to him as a part of it. Like it or not, he is a role model. My guess is your last profession did not have those same stipulations.

So should you have to explain yourself when you decide to leave your job to everyone who makes your job possible? Do you call every one of your clients and give them the reasons why you quit? If you are an architect, do you owe it to the people whose house you designed to tell them why you quit? The only person to whom Carson ought to give his reasons for leaving, outside of his family, is Mike Brown (and maaaaybe Marvin).

No job exists that doesn't involve other people, that isn't made possible by other people. I'd much rather have Carson remain quiet than do sit ups in his driveway in front of TV cameras etc. Carson doesn't owe an explanation to the fans and certainly not to those who booed or threw trash on his lawn. If you want to get pissed at somebody in this situation, get upset with the fans who did that crap or with Mike Brown for not putting a winning product on the field. To think Carson is somehow disrespecting the fans by remaining quiet (even though we are all curious and want to know what's going on) is naive and misplaced.

I think you both miss my point. Being a player in the NFL is NOT the same or equatable to working in a firm, factory, or anything else that the average person would have as a place of employmnent. He is a public figure. The public pays for his workplace and keeps him employed. It's apples to oranges. Of course you or I would not owe anyone an explaination to anyone other than our families, I get that. That's not naive or misplaced, it's reality. You give up a lot of your rights to privacy when you decide to work in an environment like that and that has been the same for the whole time he's been employed. He himself said he knows that comes with being in his position.

I also don't think he should be telling everyone the details of why. There aren't many reasons he could have for leaving that are going to mesh well with the fanbase or the sporting world anyway. My guess is no matter what he said, it would be portreyed as trivial and would poison any future employment opportunities in the NFL.

The only thing he really should do is to clarify the retirement issue(yes he's willing to/no he's not willing to) because that affects more than just him.

All that said, I still think the whole situation is a bitch move. It's not leadership no matter what his issue is. How many years have we as fans gone through all the crap? He's been here for 8, has won the division and been to the playoffs twice. That's not on par with the Steelers, Patriots, or Colts, but it's sure as hell better than the previous 20 years. I never quit putting up with crap from turd and stealer tards and I never got paid a thing. I can't excuse him quitting after being here for aguabley the best 8-year stretch the franchise has ever had. I'm a Bengals fan, not a Carson fan who also likes the Bengals.

Maybe we just see it differently. It's not like he's a public official. People who hold public office (i.e. an elected official) need to be open and part of their job is having to deal with questions with the public. You don't sacrifice that when you become an NFL player. Sure you make a lot of money and are a celebrity, but that doesn't obligate you to anything. I don't see it as being any different really. Would Donald Trump owe an explanation to any of his employees if he decided to retire just because he's a celebrity? As far as what kind of move it is on Carson's part, it sucks, but I just don't know that I can blame him. Maybe once you've made so much money it just doesn't become that appealing. Maybe Carson is one of the few players who really want to win a championship. Maybe Carson doesn't like Cincinnati . . . who knows. TO me it looks like a guy who is burnt out and wants to either make the most of his short time left in the NFL or just be done with it.

And I gotta be honest, it's hard for me to remain a bengals' fan (though I know I won't go anywhere) when other "fans" are throwing trash on our players' lawns or wishing for the death of the owner. If you weren't from here, would that motivate you to deal with an already frustrating situation even more? Add in the fact that it affects kids and wives, too, and I just don't think Carson's position is that ridiculous.

[derekshank]

I think you both miss my point. Being a player in the NFL is NOT the same or equatable to working in a firm, factory, or anything else that the average person would have as a place of employmnent. He is a public figure. The public pays for his workplace and keeps him employed. It's apples to oranges.

It's only different because he's a public figure. But that doesn't mean the standard should be different.

Of course you or I would not owe anyone an explaination to anyone other than our families, I get that. That's not naive or misplaced, it's reality. You give up a lot of your rights to privacy when you decide to work in an environment like that and that has been the same for the whole time he's been employed. He himself said he knows that comes with being in his position.

Yes. And the privacy that he lacks is in regards to idiots knowing where he lives and the media reporting a request made to his boss as news. But that's where it ends. If the media reports something, he has no obligation to comment on it. That's never been his style. He attempts to be as low key as possible. Yes, he's famous, so he'll never have complete privacy, but that doesn't mean he must release an official statement every time his name is mentioned on ESPN.

I also don't think he should be telling everyone the details of why. There aren't many reasons he could have for leaving that are going to mesh well with the fanbase or the sporting world anyway. My guess is no matter what he said, it would be portreyed as trivial and would poison any future employment opportunities in the NFL.

The only thing he really should do is to clarify the retirement issue(yes he's willing to/no he's not willing to) because that affects more than just him.

Fair enough. That's what you want to hear, and you feel like he should clarify it for you. But that is your own subjective standard on what the "right" thing to do would be. And like it or not, that standard is one you've made up on your own. It's arbitrary and has it's whole foundation is based on some idea that you think you've earned the right to know what is going on. But you haven't. Just because you pay to watch him play doesn't mean you're entitled to inside info.

Because there is loyalty and emotional attachment to the sports world, these things get clouded. But really, it's just entertainment. Palmer gets paid to let you watch him play football. Just like Jerry Seinfeld gets paid to make you laugh. Nothing more, and neither of them owe you any kind of explanation or clarification in their future plans.

All that said, I still think the whole situation is a bitch move. It's not leadership no matter what his issue is. How many years have we as fans gone through all the crap? He's been here for 8, has won the division and been to the playoffs twice.

And the truth comes out. You think because you endured the 90's, he should be ok with being a Bengal for life. But he's not a fan. He's a player. It's different.

If you think wanting out is a bitch move... that's your opinion. But your insinuation is that the reason he requested the trade was because the Bengals have been bad. I tend to assume the reasons are much deeper than that. But even if they aren't... even if he just wants to play for a different team because he has lost respect for the Bengals management and coaching staff - he couldn't be handling it in a much classier way, eh?

I can't excuse him quitting after being here for aguabley the best 8-year stretch the franchise has ever had.

You weren't around for the 80's, huh?

I'm a Bengals fan, not a Carson fan who also likes the Bengals.

We're on the same page there. I'm a Bengals fan, and I'll be one whether Palmer gets traded, stays, or retires. My only point is, I think he's handling the situation just fine. He doesn't owe me anything because I own a $50 jersey with his name on the back. I've cheered loudly for him... but I'll cheer just as loudly for the next guy.

Now, if he does that Chad thing, badmouths the Bengals in the national media, threatens to hold out, and then tanks a season... my opinion of him will change. But for now, I've got no real problems with anything he's done.

[bwillycuse]

One day we will get another player like Anthony Munoz who sticks by the city, the fans, and the team.

One day.

I do post nonsense sometimes out of frustration - But this all irks me.

Palmer quitting after 4-12 dismal year.

Possible lockout.

ME probably not renewing my season tickets because whats the point. I will be able to go to games cheaper when the Bengals will be offering late adopters better deals than the early buyers.

bah

GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!