Cincinnati Bengals backup Quarterback Jordan Palmer has taken the lead and organized voluntary team workouts. Jordan Palmer is the younger brother of self proclaimed “80 Million Dollar” man Carson Palmer. The same Carson that stated that if the Bengals didn’t trade him that he was going to retire. Last time I checked he had not been traded…so it’s safe to assume that he will be retiring…right? It sounds as if baby brother thinks so because he made this statement to the AP:
“I’m going to prepare like I’m the starter until somebody tells me I’m not,” he said. “If you’re the backup and the starter gets hurt or is traded or retires, you’re next in line. That’s the natural progression.”
When asked about receivers Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens Jordan said that team is assuming that they won’t be back. Now if it comes about that Chad and T.O. actually do not return to the Bengals it will come as no surprise. T.O. is currently a free agents and I’m not sure who is willing to sign him to another contract. His time with Cincinnati ended with knee surgery after leading the team last season with 72 receptions, 983 yards, and 9 touchdowns. It’s clear that T.O. is a good receiver, but he is 37 and how many more times does he want to have to prove himself to teams?
Chad on the other hand has had a very public feud with head coach Marvin Lewis during the off-season. Earlier in the year Chad even went as far as challenging Marvin to a cage match.
Both Chad and Marvin went back and forth a few times through the media but things had been quiet until recently during an NFL owners meeting when Marvin Lewis had this to say when asked about Chad’s MLS tryouts:
“How does he do at anything? What has he ever done that he’s completed? What circle has he ever connected in any way?”
That probably wasn’t the most appropriate way to answer the question but what does Marvin have to lose? The Bengals clearly made their decision; Marvin has a new contract and Chad does not. So now that it’s unlikely that Chad and T.O. will be playing together again I just have one question….will there be no more new episodes of the T.Ocho Show?