Carson Palmer Looking For Chad Ochocinco
May 31, 2009 by David Kindervater
Filed under Cincinnati Bengals
A few weeks ago, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer sounded disgruntled and seemingly careless about the return of receiver Chad Ochocinco to Bengals’ minicamps and OTAs (I shared his sentiments). After all, Chad was MIA from “voluntary” workouts at a time when the team really needed to be forming some sort of offensive identity. With one of their best players missing, however, that’s obviously a difficult task to achieve.
Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals / Image: Zuma Press
But more recently, Carson spoke with a hopeful tone and said he looks forward to Chad’s return:
“He’s a damn good receiver—that’s obvious, everybody knows that. But the guys that are working here and busting their butt here deserve a shot. When he shows up he’ll show up and hopefully he’s in great shape and he’s ready to play. But I never once said anything about not wanting him here and not needing him. He’s a Pro Bowl receiver. He’s put up a ton of yards. He’s extremely dangerous to cover. We would love him when he comes here, but he’s not here right now.”
Chad will show up when the HBO cameras start rolling for a new season of Hard Knocks. As to the rumor that he has added 18 pounds of muscle and is in the best shape of his life—obviously, that’s yet to be seen.
Source: Bengals.com, Cincinnati.com
Hi David,
I am just writing to comment on your article concerning Chad Ochocinco (Johnson), Carson Palmer, and the Cincinnati Bengals. First of all, I believe it is fair to say that the teams record from last year is not pretty, but maybe HBO sees something in the club worth featuring on ‘Hard Knocks’ that you do not. As far as your dismal projection for what they will do this year, I just want to say that you are simply wrong. Lack of focus, constant distractions, trouble off the field are all areas where this club has struggled in recent years, but these traits do not define this team necessarily. This team if you care to know, did have the leagues most difficult schedule last year. As well, the Bengals also had more players on IR than any other team in the NFL in 2008. Now let’s look for a moment at the division they compete in, the AFC North. Both the Steelers and Ravens are of course in this division. When the Bengals are once again able to compete with teams like that, don’t you think they will be ready for the rest of the league as well? Maybe that’s what HBO had in mind when they decided to feature the Bengals this year. The 4-11-1 record from last year does not tell the whole story, but the story that will unfold after this Cinderella team is featured on HBO beginning this August will surely set the record straight once and for all.