Cincinnati Bengals’ Carson Palmer demands to be traded
According to reports, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will demand to be traded before the start of the 2011 season, and could seriously consider retirement if the team does not wish to trade him.
During the 2010 season, Palmer threw for 3,970 yards and 26 touchdowns, and was sacked 26 times. He was intercepted a total of 20 times, five of which were made in the end zone and returned by the opponents. Since Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco will not
be coming back to play for the Bengals next year, it might be time for the franchise to look for younger, more inexperienced receivers than the team did in their rather disappointing 4-12 season.
Earlier, Head Coach Marvin Lewis’ contract was extended, thus ensuring that he would be back for the 2011 season. The decision was made after a number of consistent performances by the Bengals during the last five seasons. The team did not finish lower than
fourth place in their division, the American Football Conference (AFC) North.
However, since 2006, they have only had one winning record. They achieved that feat in 2009, when they won their division and went to the playoffs ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they then lost to the New
York Jets in the first round of the playoffs.
The best season of Palmer’s career came back in 2005. He had a season quarterback rating of 101.1 and completed 345 passes out of 509 attempts, giving him a completion percentage of 67.8. He passed for 3,836 yards with an average of 7.5 yards per attempt.
Palmer had 32 touchdowns over the entire season and was intercepted only 12 times. He also had only four fumbles after playing in all 16 games of the season. He threw for the most touchdowns in the league during the 2005 season, as well as leading the league
in completion percentage.
However, a knee injury in the 2006 post-season necessitated surgery on his knee, and another injury in 2008 this time to his elbow, resulted in Palmer’s performance declining steadily over the years.
Palmer was drafted in the first round, first pick overall in the 2003 National Football League (NFL) Draft by the Bengals. Unlike most quarterbacks who are picked first overall in the draft, Palmer did not have any playing time during his rookie year in
the NFL.
Palmer is currently awaiting the birth of his third child and was unavailable for comment.
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