Bengals: Palmer: Not thinking about Chad

Monday, March 24, 2008

Palmer: Not thinking about Chad

Today, at the Bengals' offseason strength and conditioning program, which started this morning, quarterback Carson Palmer was asked about wide receiver Chad Johnson's ongoing negative comments about his situation with the Bengals and his absence from the workouts.

Is it a distraction?

"Not for me," Palmer said. "I’ve seen some of the things but really haven’t paid too much attention to it. I’ve just been preparing to get in shape and return to get back out here and get to work."

Is there a fear that as the situation extends toward training camp and the season it could become truly negative?

"To be honest, I’m not going to get too involved in it. I know the guys that are here are working their butts off and working for a spot. Whoever is going to play X, or the weak-side receiver, is getting ready to start because you don't really know the difference whether he's going to be here or not. I'm not worried. We’ve got a good group of guys, some mature guys, some veteran guys that won’t let any off the field distractions get in the way of what needs to be done, all of the work that's going on right now."

30 Comments:

at 3/24/2008 1:40 PM

Chris said...

Mark,

How much merit can you give to the Bengals estimation that the majority (75-85%) of Palmer's interceptions were a result of the WR running the wrong route? Is there any other evidence that the Bengals provided to indicate this was the case? Because if that's true, I'd rather take a WR that knows the playbook and wants to be on the team than one that has emotional problems every time someone points out one of his mistakes, like CP suggests the team is full of.

Wouldn't be surprised if the Bengals go for a WR in the draft.

at 3/24/2008 2:03 PM

Anonymous said...

Classic classy Carson!

at 3/24/2008 2:07 PM

inappropriate_word said...

Nice little stab by Carson regarding Yoko
Cinco and his little sidekick.
I bet his comments went right over their heads )and below their ankles) . . .
"We’ve got a good group of guys, some mature guys, some veteran guys that won’t let any off the field distractions get in the way of what needs to be done..."

at 3/24/2008 2:41 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Without weapons to throw to,CP will not have a good year.When CP doesn't have a good year,the bengals don't have a good year.He's the only reliable leader on this team & management can't even help the guy.

I'm sorry Carson!!!Your a great football talent that got drafted by the Bungle's.Your career will probably go to waste here in Cincy.This team is always in some kind of turmoil; Bad ownership/Management, unreliable coaching,injuiries,player's unhappy with contracts/coaching,fans unhappy about 1 winning season in 18 years,criminal arrests, bad mouthing ex-players/coaches,(Wonder why when a player/coach leaves Cincy,he's always happier with the new team) & No dire need to want to win.

I was listening to Sirius NFL radio yesterday & even the guys from the show say how bad they feel for CP.They said this is his window,he's in the prime of his career & the franchise needs to support that.There needs to be more(if there is even any) urgency to putting together a winning team.With all the failed QB's in Cincy & now you have one that is a top 5 QB,MB & Co. should be trying harder.Agreed the Utecht signing is good,but not enough to carry this team to the next tier.

I agree the Defense is the main issue(Defense is what wins rings),but without WR's that know what they are doing,CP is screwed.If anyone thinks Chatman(Guy can't even stay healthy) ,Holt, or some rookie sensation is the solution, is crazy.The running game is nothing,the defense was ranked 27th,& Now CJ & TJ are not happy.Agreed if CJ wants to leave,trade him.Nothing worst than unhappy player,that disrupts the locker room.(T.O proved the effect that has)But he better be replaced with equal or better talent.

Whats next?Let me guess another average to sub-par season were the fans are pleased & so is MB(With his pocketbook)

Joe fan-
"Hey, I'm just happy to have a NFL team to root for,win or loss".

MB-
"I'm happy to help".

at 3/24/2008 4:28 PM

hey hey redlegs said...

i can understand why TJ isn't here (it would be nice if he was) he isn't doing it b/c he wants more money or wants to be traded. remember he did the same thing last year and showed up to camp in the best shape of his life and had the best season of his career. that said CJ is out b/c he is a whiney little baby who wants more money (even tho is contract has been redone like 3 times to give him more) you don't need to get a new contract every year. frankly i didn't think he had a great year worthy of a new contract last year. in everywhere else in the world if you sign a contract you are binded to that contract till it is over. i'm sick of whiney football players and baseball and basketball players complaining that they aren't the highest paid players in the world. fulfill you contract and then get a new one.

at 3/24/2008 4:29 PM

Anonymous said...

For all of the people who are worrying about TJ...

Carson said to Jeff Hobson the other day that TJ also did not participate in the so called "spring training" last year and worked out one on one with his own trainer AT HOME (i know pleanty of productive people in my feild work from home -who wouldnt want that when you are across the country away from your family for 8 months). TJ did that last season and had his best season yet in the best condition he has been. He not only caught passes but TD's. I know there are not many who think TJ is like chad but for those of you who think he is... I just had to let that be known... think of it what you will.

Mike form Shmoopdee

at 3/24/2008 6:10 PM

original bengal fan said...

reddlegg why don't you become a denver fan. we will have plenty of recievers all you do is complain are you this negitive in all aspects of your life or just the bengals. if it is just the bengals you need to get anoher team. i believe your life would be alot better

at 3/24/2008 8:01 PM

solidZinc said...

i agree with original bengal fan. reddlegg, how about trying to have a little faith? we still have CP. we just got utecht. now if we can get the running game going (maybe a healthy rudi and perry?) it will take a lot of pressure off CP. i still feel good about our chances if (IF we run the ball) with housh and henry. the steelers win every year with a heavy dose of the run mixed in with some timely passing, why wouldn't that work for us??? i like the addition of utecht because we can run 2 TE sets. with 2 TEs, we can run block better and allow housh and henry to get down the field.

at 3/24/2008 9:30 PM

Anonymous said...

Hey Mark is Odell allowed to practice in this voluntary camp? Any idea when we'll hear something about him? Pre draft? Pre training camp? What do you think the chances are of him getting reinstated? He hasn't gotten in any trouble in a while so Goodell should have no reason not to reinstate him. He needs to get on the practice field to make any impact so Goodell needs to make a decision asap. Thanks

at 3/24/2008 11:14 PM

Unknown said...

The key to our offense is not the WR being here now. It is the scheme and how we will committ to the ground game. Utecht is the best thing to happen for the running game in 3 years. Rudi's last big year we had guys who were great on 3rd down constantly moving the sticks: Schobel, Walter, and Perry. Those guys plus TJ and CJ could move the ball but the last two years we seemed to forget about the true possession guys. Look at the Pats and the Colts, after their big threats they have guys who can read a defense, run the right route, catch the ball and move the sticks.

at 3/24/2008 11:48 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

original bengals fan-
Not sure how old you are, but I imagine I'm a little bit older than you.Experience brings wisdom,reality is reality & the truth hurts.

It may be offensive but it's not a sin.

Can you you show me once where I complain about my personal life on this blog?I didn't think so.Just because I tell it how I see it,does not make me a negative person.I am a bengals fan through family tradition & hometown pride,to tell me to root for another team would be wrong & dis- tasteful.I can be a fan & still tell ya, till MB passes this franchise is screwed.I'm not the only one ,trust me.Do your homework & you will see the truth for what it is,

So ,you really think we have plenty of WR's?LOL
Wake up dude,we have nobody except CJ,TJ, & CH. TE Utecht now in the fold,but he hasn't even played a down with this team,so he does not count.Without those other 3 this franchise is in dire need of a playmaking WR.

My life is fine,I do not need to believe.I know!!!

at 3/25/2008 12:04 AM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Solidzinc-

cool handle,reminds me of science class.I have faith in the creator,in MB I do not.

You said it buddy, IF we can get the running game going.It's all a big IF!!!Alot of weapons in the backfield,but can they get the playcalling right with the right personnel on the field?

We are not the steelers,we are the bengals.To compare us to a team that cut's a player one day after his arrest,would never happen here.They have SB rings,AFC championship titles & divison titles.WE have 1 winning season in 18 years.Don't even go there,unless you want steeler fan'a laughing at you(more).

TE Utecht is a good signing & your right,the two TE set could be dangerous,but it's not enough to take this team to the next tier.CJ is a weapon,if traded that needs to be replaced.Bottomline.TJ is a good reciever,but he's not Ocho.CH,if he can stay out of trouble & catch the damn ball when he is supposed to would be great,just not guaranteed.

Defense,Defense,Defense.This is what this team really needs.A LB that put's fear in the opposition.Then we can talk about Ocho,in another uni.

at 3/25/2008 6:08 AM

original bengal fan said...

not many teams lose there linebackers, running back, both offensive tackles, start a rookie corner and a 2nd year corner on the other side. it made carson force alot of throws add perry, utech,underneath doubling tj and cj would be painful for any team that attempts it. trade down if your 4 top d lineman are gone pick up mendenhall in the first round pick up another 2nd or third round pick d linemen are deep this year. take the reciever from indiana if he is still there. you can pick up 2 very good d lineman. reload like indy and the patriots do let other teams pay for old players. how many teams buy their way to the superbowl. redlegg i am sorry about the comment about your personal life but i am a true fan my father took me to the first home game of the bengals if you remove the 90s we are as good as most teams we are on the right track as far as chad goes he is one of the best but his i and me stuff is geting old we would be fine without him especially if we get our running game going and the underneath passing game we were to predictable last year i am looking forward to next season.

at 3/25/2008 6:28 AM

original bengal fan said...

reddlegg are you related to chad you sound alot like him. i think the bengals did some smart things as far as free agents not getting the 2 d lineman waas a good thing robinson is damaged goods and rogers s a player with a bad attitude the browns have 100 million in the d line that is nuts we can pick up a couple good d lineman in the 2nd ans 3rd rounds we can not trade up because of it is not a smart thing to do and is rarely done by any team. i am so tired of all the negective comments i am a positive person i find it is a good wa to live.

at 3/25/2008 6:59 AM

Carson said...

Defense is what we need. We needed a big hog in the middle like Shaun Rogers or Williams (from Green Bay) (both in Cleveland now). Instead we sign a John Thornton clone from Tennesee. (I don't even remember his name)

Not gonna be enough, they better do something good in the draft or our defense will continue to be ranked in the very bottom of the league.

at 3/25/2008 9:17 AM

Marc in Kentucky said...

Can somebody please let Chad know that our slide coincided with the signing of his inflated contract?

I wish there was a way to get rid of him and his mouth without killing us. I'd be in favor of it. Send him to Arizona or even Alaska, just have him shut up.

at 3/25/2008 9:25 AM

Anonymous said...

REddlegg-
When you tell it like it is and what it is, is nothing but negative... that makes you a negative person.

Also, i am pretty sure we stopped playing the age game along time ago (3rd-4th grade maybe). Age doesnt always bring wisdom. In many case people go senile (see Reddlegg in Colorado post 2:41 and 12:04), or it just means you have been dumber for a longer period of time. Carson will be fine, Chad might be a baby for a bit, TJ will do what he always does, and Henry... who knows. We are looking for improvements in the wrong ways (giants had the lowest salery in the leggue yet still one the big game [for those who are yankee fans or think that money and names buy victorys]). some times life is tough reddleggs, and i know you just want to throw in the towel and just argue to your little hearts desire till your face turn orange and blue, or or purple and black, or or blue and yellow... the fact of the matter is. I am just telling it like it is!

I think Carson will be legue MVP (just sayin)

Mike from Asperger

at 3/25/2008 10:29 AM

Anonymous said...

REddlegg in Colorado said...

"To compare us to a team that cut's a player one day after his arrest,would never happen here..."

Ever hear of a guy named A.J. Nicholson? The Bengals have changed their ways regarding player conduct. That is why they won't draft McFadden, even if he is available, which he might be if he gets past Oakland.

at 3/25/2008 10:33 AM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals will be fine this year at WR, even if Chad sits out (which he won't). TJ and a new-and-improved Chris Henry are a great set of starting receivers, and a healthy Chatman in the slot, with Holt in the mix as well. Don't forget about Bennie Brazell - anyone heard anything about his health?

at 3/25/2008 11:16 AM

Anonymous said...

Oh, and how could I forget about our new receiving TE, Utecht? He should catch about 40-50 this year, taking even more pressure off of the wideouts.

at 3/25/2008 11:25 AM

engelj06 said...

Reddlegg you forgot one thing about when the Steelers cut the player a day after his arrest. He was a backup who didn't accomplish what they needed him to. Their pro bowl LB James Harrison was arrested just days before and is still on the roster. The Bengals may have had issues with legal trouble but at least they are not hypocrits like the Steelers.
The Bengals should shove Chad to the bench and let him rot there this season. This whole thing is about Chad's feelings getting hurt because the media held him accountable for his play on the field and because he is selfish. He got a front loaded contract and no is pissed that other recievers make more a year than he does.

at 3/25/2008 11:42 AM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

D-rod-
With the exception of A.J Nicholsen,Name another.How many arrest's did it take MB & Co. to get that right.It wasn't until Goodell stepped in and told MB he better clean ship.The media scrutiny was one thing,but when Goodell had to step in,that changed everything.

Why do you think Goodell punished the Bengals with Odell Thurman not coming back last season?

If you seriously think this WR corps. is something without Ocho,your nutz.I agree TJ & CH are weapons.I got nothing on TJ,does his job & catches the ball,CH,If he can stay out of trouble,IF.If he can catch the ball when he is supposed too,IF.He still a big IF to me.I give Holt more prop's than Chatman(This guy can't stay healthy),but neither is still a playmaker.Bennie Brazell,got to be healthy & off the practice squad before you can even dream of this guy.

I agree things change,some for better & some for worst.Lossing Ocho is not the end of the world,but his style of play better be replaced,equally or better.

at 3/25/2008 12:05 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Mike from Assperger said-
"In many case people go senile (see Reddlegg in Colorado post 2:41 and 12:04), or it just means you have been dumber for a longer period of time"

AND your point about the two post's,looks like football talk to me?So, who's really being negative?I never,ever call people names or disrespect anyone on this blog.

Classy Mike.Learn how to write & spell before you
decide next time to put people down,it just looks better!!!

I just do not think this team is a playoff team.There are still alot of holes to be fixed & no urgency by management to fix those holes.That's what bothers me.I'm not the only one,the pundits agree.There is a very short window for success in the NFL,with all the parity,etc.. You have to seize the moment when you can.MB & Co. are not doing that.It's just business as usual.

CP is in the prime of his career & the Bengals have had trouble with the QB position in the past.Seize the moment & support your guy,that's my point.I want a championship,not another 8-8 or 7-9 season!!!

MB could care less,he gets paid regardless.

at 3/25/2008 12:31 PM

original bengal fan said...

reddlegg you have to get over the past it is no indication of the future i think the bengals front office has performed very well this offseason you can not blame mb or ml for all the injuries last season it was a freak year no other team could have done better with all of our injurys and the extremly tough schedule early last year if we were able to stay healthy our offence would not have been so predictable and we would have been 10 and 6 instesd of the browns and steelers. you have alot of hate against alot of people you need to lighten up by the way i am52 and a season ticket holder and enjoy being able to watch some of the best atheletes in the world perform i am questioning your fan-hood!!!

at 3/25/2008 12:45 PM

KeepingItReal said...

Dont worry carson, as long as you are a Bengal you can expect the white media in this own to make excuses for you. rememeber' 80% of carson errant passes were the result of "bad route running"? The same recievers that were "all pro" just a year ago are somehow running the wrong routes now? are you people really that damn stupid to believe this garbage? This is cincinnati after all, the believe anything the media tells them. ask Josh hamilton

at 3/25/2008 6:41 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

original bengals fan-

Why do you use the hate word so much.Nobody said they hated anyone?Except you!!! I may not like someone,but hate is a very strong negative word.Please, refrain from going there;it makes you look bad!!! Plus your spelling & grammar is not so hot,making you look even worse.

Now, without an improved defense the bengals are going no where.So we could sit here & talk about WR's all day,but the bottomline is Defense.Which I'm not convinced management did enough to patch up the holes.

So, dream all you want about your draft plans,etc.. Reality is reality & the truth is the truth.Until management hires a GM that knows how to draft,trade, & calm down distraught players,WE the bengals fan are screwed,but I like to be proven wrong.I just do not have faith in MB to guide this franchise to Victory.

Leadership starts from the top & Crap start's at the top,both paths go in the same direction,but have very different ending's. Which path has the bengal's been on the last 18 years.It all starts at the top,that's my point.

"History is your guide to the future".
Unknown

at 3/26/2008 6:15 AM

original bengal fan said...

i never said i hate anyone your negitive attitiude rubs people the wrong way reddlegg do you ever have anything good to say. do you think in any way the injurys last year had anything to do with how the season went? we will be fine this year the bengals front office has performed very well this off season. indy and new england do not buy these overpriced free agents new york does not either and they won the super bowl. do you know if we get anything for justin smith or madiau(sorry about the spelling but not the best at typing) in draft picks. i guess more people are negitive than positive i am just not one of them.

at 3/26/2008 7:21 AM

original bengal fan said...

reddlegg are you a pittsburg or cleveland fan no fan of the bengals would be so negitive. nothing wrong about being a pittsburg or cleveland fan they are true fans though good or bad i believe cincinnati has some fairweather fans some of them blog on this site. is there anything you do like about the bengals

at 3/26/2008 2:56 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

original bengals fan-
I am not being negative,just honest.I want the Bengals to do great things,I'm just a frustrated fan that doesn't think management has done enough to patch up the hole's on Defense.I don't think MB & Co. have performed well this offseason.Decent,but not well

You think Odom,Utecht, & the 2 LB's from AZ are enough to carry this team to the next level?I do not.Just being honest,not negative.

The reason Injuries hurt the team last season is because they did little to nothing in the offseason to address the problems at LB,etc...Hartwell was the big pick up & he didn't even make the team.You see where I going with this.I think LB is the most important position on Defense & we were playing scrubs off the waiver wire.they put all their eggs in one basket in Thurman(Who was suspended,for another year) & Brooks(Whos not proven & always hurt).Pollack wasn't even an option.They did little to nothing to patch up holes & even CB agreed.Grant it his playing calling sucked,but he didn't have any playmakers either.

Everyone I know & hear,agrees Defense is the issue & needs to be FIXED.

at 3/26/2008 3:11 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

OBF-
There is plenty I like about the team.CP is great,T.J shows up,the line is young & durable(With exception of bIg willie), I like Ocho(When he plays & doesn't showboat), I think the young DB's were great draft picks,I like the young safeties, Dorsey showed some promise,I want Rudi to become that force he once was, Watson's a great 3rd down back, & I like ML.

But results are results,that's the bottomline.

The Pats & Giants have management who know what they are doing,That's the difference.They have depth & will pull the trigger in FA or make a trade if needed.Players take pay cuts to play for the PATS & the Giants have a Coach that won't put up with B/S.Plus, the Giants Defense was awesome(& the Pat's Defense wasn't to shabby either)

Defense is the key to to postseason play,The offense in Cincy is fine,with exception of Brat's predictable play calling.

It all starts up top buddy & trickles down.MB is the face of this franchise.Leadership starts at the top.

I can't stand the Browns & the Steelers.Please do not disrespect me by telling me to root for those teams.I am a Cincinnati Native,All the way through.I bleed Cincinnati!!!

Previous Posts

Monday, March 24, 2008

Palmer: Not thinking about Chad

30 Comments: