Journal-News.com

Keith Rivers got the phone call he wanted from Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis.

Then came an unexpected surprise when quarterback Carson Palmer dialed him up. From one former University of Southern California star to another, hey, the Trojans are one, big, happy family.

"When I heard the pick, I gave him a call," Palmer said. "I'm excited about having another USC guy in the house, of course. I just wanted to offer him my congratulations, give him my phone number and tell him to call me if he needed anything."

Palmer's Heisman Trophy-winning season (2002) helped him become the No. 1 overall pick of the 2003 NFL draft. Rivers' first season at Southern Cal was 2004.

Palmer's message?

"He told me Cincinnati was an excellent city and a great organization, and that I'm what they need," Rivers said. "He said they've got all the offense. They just need a little help on defense. I'm just excited and definitely ready to come in and help the team out."

The Bengals' Day 1 draft grade? C.

First, they refused to trade up and get the impact defensive tackle they needed in either Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis.

Then they draft some dude named Jerome (Who?) Simpson, a wideout from — of all places — the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in Conway, S.C., just minutes from Myrtle Beach. He could be the next Jerry Rice or the next Bennie Brazell. Who knows?

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com

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