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Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Memo to Bengals fans: Quit bashing Palmer
What’s wrong with Carson Palmer?
I’ve heard whispers that his arm isn’t as strong as it used to be and that the ball doesn’t have the zip that it once did.
Arm-chair quarterbacks, radio hosts and callers speculate that his elbow never fully healed from the injury in 2008. Or they say maybe his injured knee - courtesy of the evil Kimo von Oelhoffen in 2006 - is somehow causing lingering mental and physical problems.
Dave Lapham, color analyst for the Bengals on radio, disputes these claims. He’s seen Palmer working out and playing as much as anyone since he came into the league in 2003.
And let’s remember, he’s been watching in person from the sidelines, not from his couch.
While discussing the team’s issues on 700-WLW recently, Lapham said flat-out that Palmer’s velocity is as good as it has ever been.
He said Palmer needs to make better decisions - which I agree with - but blamed much of the offense’s problems on a line that can’t pass-protect and receivers who are running bad routes and not reading defenses correctly.
Regardless of whether there is an issue with Palmer or not, it’s time to quit complaining about him because the Bengals have no other options.
As far as the QB position goes, our only hope as fans for this season is that he improves.
Even Palmer with an average arm is better than the alternatives - a QB off the street, Jordan Palmer or recently acquired rookie third-stringer Dan LeFevour.
The Bengals can address the QB issue - if there is one - in the offseason.
The focus on THIS season, should be improving the play of the offensive line and receivers.
And let’s not forget everyone’s favorite tackling dummy, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. I’ve defended ‘Brat’ in the past, but even my patience is wearing thin. If we’re going to bash someone, Bratkowski is the one who should be taking the heat.
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