Carson Palmer Talks 19-0
So. A couple weeks back I had the (alleged) audacity to say that I smelled dynasty. By the comments, you can see that many begged to disagree. "An instant classic," one scoffer noted. I was simply "excited," another believed.
Well, boys and girls, I have another instant classic for you tonight, and if it doesn't get every true Bengals fan excited, then I don't know what will. We're all used to crazy predictions and trash talk by that guy in the No. 85 jersey. But the guy throwing to him, well, No. 9 is usually a bit more reserved.
For example, queried today by ESPN's Adam Schefter about the Bengals' chances in this post-Terrell-Owens era, Palmer would only say this:
"I don't know why we can't win the Super Bowl," Palmer said with conviction. "There's absolutely no reason we can't win every game on our schedule."
Hardly a declaration of...what the $^&*???? Can I get that one more time?
"I don't know why we can't win the Super Bowl," Palmer said with conviction. "There's absolutely no reason we can't win every game on our schedule."
That was Palmer? Holy %$#@!!! Win how many?
every game on our schedule
Win what?
the Super Bowl
And all you people thought I was nuts. Well, maybe I am, but if so I'm nuts like Carson Palmer. And that's good company in my book.
(Via T.O.'s Twitter)
Adam Jones Admits He's Rusty; Gets Schooled By Chad Ochocinco
Remember back in February when the Bengals worked out Adam Jones? Much of us didn't like it. Jones left without a deal and the Bengals signed wide receiver Matt Jones. In late March, Adam Jones' agent Ray Savage included the Bengals among a group of teams that were interested. At the time, we simply thought that the Bengals were being named as a way to draw interest and demand from other teams.
On May 4, a report surfaced that the Bengals were working Jones out a second time. Later that day, a PFT post wrote that Jones would be signing with the Bengals. That agreement would come two days later and thus, on May 6, 2010, Adam Jones became a Cincinnati Bengal (a decision that was "hardly unanimous" with the organization).
Since then, Jones has remained in the background, hardly noticed at all, following through on his ambition to ditch "Pacman" altogether. And thus, no Pacman has shown up. In fact, he's received praises.
"He's come in and done everything we've asked him to do at this point," Cincinnati defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle said. "He's been very coachable. He wants to do well and is extremely competitive. He wants to win at everything. He's got that nature about him."
So maybe Pacman is dead and all that remains is Adam Jones. Could it really happen again that the Bengals give a player another chance and he follows through on it? I don't know if it will stick in this case.
However, having played his last regular season game on December 28, 2008, Jones is predictably rusty. And Chad Ochocinco took him to school.
"Chad killed me today," said Jones. "It was my first time playing press coverage in two years, so it was a tough first day. I was on the ground way too many times. But it's good to have a first day."
"I'm going to keep on killing him," said Ochocinco Thursday. "But he's real good. We're going to keep going at it. It's all about the competition and getting better."
Marvin Lewis chimed in on Jones' re-development.
"His transition will be to play snap-after-snap football and prove that he can do that in a competitive environment all of the time," said Lewis. "He needs to be a disciplined player play in and play out and execute the techniques and things we're asking him to do."
Regardless, the fact that mostly all of our Adam Jones posts have been limited and kept to the confines of history and the field, it's encouraging to see Jones matched up against one of the league's better wide receivers to get himself back into his old Tennessee Titans form -- on the field, of course. Because Pacman is dead.
"They didn’t want to rest the 2010 season on a couple of rookies like Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley, Wilcots said. "I think they needed a veteran, experienced receiver to come in and play opposite of Chad Ochocinco. When Antonio Bryant’s knee didn’t respond in time for the start training camp, I think everyone unanimously felt like they had to go out and sign Terrell Owens."
Kareem Jackson's Deal Is Worth $16.3 Million With $10.35 Million Guaranteed
We wrote earlier that Houston signed their first round rookie cornerback Kareem Jackson, who was selected 20th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. This is somewhat important in the scheme of projecting floors, ceilings, contracts, etc.. in regards to the Bengals 21st overall draft pick, Jermaine Gresham.
According to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain (not the yippie-kay-yay-yay version), Jackson's deal is worth a maximum of $16.3 million with $10.35 million guaranteed.
This knowledge will go a long way for the Bengals, who now have their ceiling set. Gresham's potential deal will not hit a higher maximum salary, nor will it have a higher guarantee. Additionally, the 23rd overall pick, Bryan Bulaga was given a deal with a maximum value of $14.75 million with $8.76 million. Even though the 22nd overall pick, Demaryius Thomas would set the actual floor, what the Bengals now have is a measure of what Gresham should be offered.
Reedy: Deal Doesn't Look "Bright" For Jermaine Gresham By Weekend's End
We're trying to keep our eye out on any news regarding Jermaine Gresham's holdout. It's one of those Bengals-related (bad) obsession of ours. Latest reports suggest that we'd be fools to be optimistic in seeing one by the end of the weekend. However, Geoff Hobson speculates that the company representing Gresham could be trying to get a deal done with another first rounder first. It's not like Gresham is waiting or anything. Either way, it's time for us to put on our patient caps for the time being and just wait. Maybe help a certain reader who just turned 21 celebrate one of the best birthdays of his life. Sorry BcBengalFan. But that's it for big birthdays.
In the meantime, one thing we can do is speculate and observe on what the players around the 21st pick are receiving. Today, two players signed contracts. Kareem Jackson's deal has set the ceiling and Brian Bulaga's deal with the Packers has helped provide a clearer picture of the floor.
All contracts are five-year deals.
| # | Overall Pick | Team | Deal |
| 19 | Sean Weatherspoon | Falcons | 17.5 Million; $10.5 Million guaranteed |
| 20 | Kareem Jackson | Texans | 16.3 Million (max); $10.35 M guaranteed |
| 21 | Jermaine Gresham | Bengals | |
| 22 | Demaryius Thomas | Broncos | |
| 23 | Bryan Bulaga | Packers | 14.75 Million; $8.76 Million guaranteed |
Recently we took a wild guess that Gresham's deal could be in the neighborhood of $13.7 million with $9 million guaranteed. Yea, kind of whiffed on that one.
Bengals History of Holdouts
In a recent posting talking about the potential of a Gresham holdout (with me whiffing yet again saying I didn't expect one), we quickly examined how signings typically work in the first round and where Gresham would fit in. Just for kicks and giggles, here's the chart of the team's most recent first rounders and when they signed (or the length of their holdout).
| Year | Player | Pick | Length of Hold Out |
| 2010 | Jermaine Gresham | 21st | ? |
| 2009 | Andre Smith | 6th | Held out 30 days |
| 2008 | Keith Rivers | 9th | Held out 10 days |
| 2007 | Leon Hall | 18th | Missed a practice on the first day of Training Camp |
| 2006 | Johnathan Joseph | 24th | Signed first day of camp. |
| 2005 | David Pollack | 17th | Held out 19 days |
| 2004 | Chris Perry | 26th | Held out 11 days |
| 2003 | Carson Palmer | 1st | Signed two days before the NFL Draft. |
| 2002 | Levi Jones | 10th | Signed first day of camp |
| 2001 | Justin Smith | 4th | Signed one day before first regular season game. |
Cedric Benson Will Not Be Suspended This Year
One of the things we've wondered about, and in some circles worried, was what would happen with Cedric Benson. In late May, Benson was involved in an incident in which he would later be charged with assault. Well, later meaning an entire month, bringing up questions about whether Benson was in fact antagonized or plainly a victim. This was re-enforced when head coach Marvin Lewis proudly defended his running back, saying that Benson was sucker-punched. Both Benson and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met in late July to discuss the incident -- a meeting that Benson called productive.
And apparently it was.
According to Adam Schefter, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has elected to NOT suspend Benson for the incident.
So be joyous. This has been a great week to be Bengals fan. Training Camp kicks off. Bengals sign Terrell Owens. Cedric Benson won't be suspended. Does it much better than this in July?
Comparing The Bengals 2005 Offense Vs. Bengals 2010 Offense
While at my job -- the one that I'm supposed to show up for to put on a happy face, letting them know that I do, in fact, work for them still -- I got a thought in my head that began with wondering which squad at a better group of wide receivers. The 2005 squad or the 2010 squad. Then it morphed into the entire offense. I choose not to do the entire team; simply because I'll just say it right now, the 2010 defense is miles better than the 2005 squad, whose greatest contribution was turnovers (I mean no offense, John). That being said, let's compare the two offenses from 2005 and 2010 and then you guys chime in on your thoughts of the two squad comparisons.


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