So is anyone concerned about Palmer?

[redsrule2500]

His QB Rating last year was only 77, compared to 2003 Kitna of 87.

It just seems he might not be ready for the position, but hopefully he does much better this year.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396173

[Defender]

He'll be fine. It seemed to me that he had a moment of clarity at one point during the season where everything started to click and make sense, I would suggest it happened during the MNF game, with the comeback at the Ravens being evidence of that. Either way, he's way ahead of where he was last year, hopefully the O-line will stay healthy and cohesive to give him protection. Chris Mortenson even said that he saw Carson joining Chad Johnson in the ProBowl this year...

[Kazkal]

first of all 77 is not all that bad for a first year QB (2nd thing is all your doing is looking at his overall stats) in his last 6 games he had a rating of over 98...he tore up ravens and patriots defense so i think he is more then ready.... I feel alot safer him @ the helm then I do with kitna

[membengal]

His QB Rating last year was only 77, compared to 2003 Kitna of 87.

It just seems he might not be ready for the position, but hopefully he does much better this year.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396173

good lord, talk about a small sample size for comparison's sake...

[MexicanFan]

PLEASE!!! THAT WAS HIS FIRST NFL SEASON AND YEAR AS A BENGAL QB.

THE FIRTS YEAR RATING AS BENGAL QB FROM KITNA WAS 61.1 AND HIS FIRST YEAR AS SEAHAWKS QB STARTING WAS 77 TOO.

DID YOU FOLLOW THE LAST SEASON WHIT PALMER?

[AMC]

Yep 77's not bad considering the levels of defenses we played last year...

What a stretch!

[as_v_1]

I’m not worried about Carson at all. He was really improving over the last 5-6 games of the year. He’s only going to keep improving his game with the more games he gets under his belt.

[turningpoint]

His QB Rating last year was only 77, compared to 2003 Kitna of 87.

It just seems he might not be ready for the position, but hopefully he does much better this year.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396173

i hate stupid people.

[BengalPappaw]

Palmer is making the same type of improvement for the Bengal that he made at USC i.e. that he make between his Freshman and Sophomore and then the Junior year.

He is looking almost a good as he looked his Senior year -- that means he understands and appears to feel comfortable with the Bengal's Offense.

WHAT ME WORRY? NO way

[The Big Orange]

His QB Rating last year was only 77, compared to 2003 Kitna of 87.

It just seems he might not be ready for the position, but hopefully he does much better this year.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396173

i hate stupid people.

Hate's a strong word...but then perhaps "stupid" isn't strong enough...

I have love for even "short school bus" fans

[CantStop85]

The only thing I'm concerned about with Palmer is his tumble in the QB challenge. We can't have him tripping over linemen and running backs in the backfield this season.

[Defender]

The only thing I'm concerned about with Palmer is his tumble in the QB challenge. We can't have him tripping over linemen and running backs in the backfield this season.

As long as they don't lay down like a bunch of speed bumps I think he'll be alright.

[derekshank]

I can be another person who is at least a little concerned about Palmer. I hear all the arguments about how he was getting much much better toward the end of the season, but I think the passer rating is maybe the least important stat in the history of sports. His TD/INT ratio was still awful, even in his last 6 games that we all seem to remeber as brilliant.

I think he is maturing at a very adequate rate, so I'm not doom and gloom here, but I do think most of the fans here have unreasonable expectations out of him. He's not shown me more than flashes of excellence, and I need more than flashes before I'm ready to nominate him to next years pro-bowl.

That said, I do think by the end of the year his stats will be highly respected throughout the NFL, and defenses will begin fearin his capabilities, but in those first few games when our defense is still gelling we really need him to step up... and I think that is reason for concern. Not panic, but concern, that is all.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I'll answer that in one word: Hellf**kingno! In fact I'm more concerned about cat box odor!

[ArmyBengal]

This is one spot, I have no issues with. I don't think we could have expected any more out of Carson last season. 18 ints ?? Big deal. Most of what happened in a negative manner could be chalked up to his first year starting, the banged up O-line, and our defense getting ran the F**K over. Take a look at the defenses he went up against. I think his management abilities really began to show through as the season went on last year. Once again, no issues with Carson...

Have I mentioned the fact I still don't have the warm and fuzzy with our D situation ?? Anyway...

WHODEY !!!

[DesperateDerelict]

I'd like to voice a minority opinion: I truly believe CP will have a 'good', not 'great', year. It's very typical for gifted QB's to be inconsistent in their 2nd and 3rd years as starters - brilliant one game, the next game full of sailing passes and brain farts. Boomer took it a step further - he'd have exceptional halfs and terrible halfs in the same game.

It's a team sport - CP will be needed to bail out the 'D' or a bad rushing attack about as often as they'll be asked to bail him out. WHO DEY!

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Carson was also behind a hobbled line last year, especially early in the season. That makes a BIG difference.

[Sox]

I can be another person who is at least a little concerned about Palmer. I hear all the arguments about how he was getting much much better toward the end of the season, but I think the passer rating is maybe the least important stat in the history of sports. His TD/INT ratio was still awful, even in his last 6 games that we all seem to remeber as brilliant.

I think he is maturing at a very adequate rate, so I'm not doom and gloom here, but I do think most of the fans here have unreasonable expectations out of him. He's not shown me more than flashes of excellence, and I need more than flashes before I'm ready to nominate him to next years pro-bowl.

That said, I do think by the end of the year his stats will be highly respected throughout the NFL, and defenses will begin fearin his capabilities, but in those first few games when our defense is still gelling we really need him to step up... and I think that is reason for concern. Not panic, but concern, that is all.

13 TD's to 8 INT's is "awful"?

That's very respectable given the defenses the Bengals faced.Even more so from a first year starter.

[MacD BengalFan]

I'd like to voice a minority opinion: I truly believe CP will have a 'good', not 'great', year. It's very typical for gifted QB's to be inconsistent in their 2nd and 3rd years as starters - brilliant one game, the next game full of sailing passes and brain farts. Boomer took it a step further - he'd have exceptional halfs and terrible halfs in the same game.

It's a team sport - CP will be needed to bail out the 'D' or a bad rushing attack about as often as they'll be asked to bail him out. WHO DEY!

In most cases you would be right. But I think Carson Palmer will not have that dreaded sophomore jinks. I think he is to smart for that. I think he has the discipline to learn from the mistakes he made last season and avoid repeating them again. He guided the Bengals offense to 3 consecutive 450 plus yards per game before his injury while dissecting some of the toughest defenses in the league. No QB in Cincy history has ever done that. There is no reason he won't do it on a more consistent basis this season and for the rest of his career. He tore teams up at USC, he will do the same starting this season for the Bengals.

[HoosierCat]

I think he is maturing at a very adequate rate, so I'm not doom and gloom here, but I do think most of the fans here have unreasonable expectations out of him.

I agree, I still expect some growing pains. But overall, I feel the same way about CP this year as I did last year: he will be fine.

[HairOnFire]

What are unreasonable expectations? The very reason I didn't predict a dramatic reduction in interceptions is due to my belief that Palmer will still experience plenty of growing pains. He's a work in progress. Plus, he's a gunslinger. He takes chances. But the other side of the coin is that I expect more positive plays and a better chance of prevailing in games where the Bengals have fallen behind by more than two scores.

[kingwilly]

Palmer will have a great year, here's why:

- He is better. 3rd year, 2nd starting, All pertinent numbers will improve. TD/INT ratio, YPC, YPA, Comp. %. This will be a very efficient year, even if he doesn't set new team records.

- O-Line is healthy, Knock wood as camp opens, but this line is miles ahead of where they were last year health wise, and now via draft has better depth/talent.

- same squad f weapons(+) and scheme.

blah blah blah....enough said. Palmer will not have a down year. He will stay healthy and rock the block.

[HoTbOy]

If u Are concerned about CP, the rest of the AFCN should be in panic mode because I think he is much better than the other 3 QB's in our division. I think a healthy Perry should cut down on some INT's because you don't have to go deep into double coverage all the time...It seems like every week I was hearing, the Bengals are playing another top 10 D. If he remembers he has other weapons than Chad he will be fine...

[BengalszoneBilly]

: I think a healthy Perry should cut down on some INT's because you don't have to go deep into double coverage all the time.

I think seeing a "healthy" Perry means you're looking at "Tab," not Two Carry."

The odds of seeing a healthy "Chris Perry" would rank right up there with seeing Elvis alive...and playing cards with Bigfoot, an honest politician, and a smart blonde all at the same time aboard the Millenium Falcon from Star Wars!

[AMC]

: I think a healthy Perry should cut down on some INT's because you don't have to go deep into double coverage all the time.

I think seeing a "healthy" Perry means you're looking at "Tab," not Two Carry."

The odds of seeing a healthy "Chris Perry" would rank right up there with seeing Elvis alive...and playing cards with Bigfoot, an honest politician, and a smart blonde all at the same time aboard the Millenium Falcon from Star Wars!

It could happen!!!!!!!

Like that Storm Trooper isn't crazy!!!!!!!! Haaaaaaa