If Jordan Palmer Doesn't Win Starting Job, He'll Become The Next Jon Kitna

by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 9, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in Analysis

In mid-April, backup quarterback Jordan Palmer decided to hook up with fellow quarterback Dan LeFevour and the Bengals wide receivers for a workout in Southern California. Jordan organized another workout a month later that included rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and rookie wide receiver A.J. Green. And after Dalton was drafted, Jordan said that he only wants an opportunity to start for the Bengals.

"I’m going to prepare like I’m the starter until somebody tells me I’m not," Jordan Palmer 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."

"A lot could change with my situation next week," Jordan Palmer said.

Jordan reiterated his desire to start, a fire that's increasingly impressive to be honest, but said something that will really stick.

“I definitely want to be the guy, I’m preparing to be the guy. I’ve also told him (Dalton) that if he’s the guy it’s not because I’ve helped him out too much. It’s going to be because he’s more ready and better,” Palmer said. “When Carson came here he had Jon Kitna here to help him be a pro. I’m going to help him be a pro. I’d love to help him get there as fast as he can.”

We're not sure that Jordan can be the new Kitna for a young developing quarterback. But Jordan continues to impress me with his determination to become the starter and if he's unsuccessful, then help Dalton grow as one.

We figured Palmer would always hold a leadership role with the Cincinnati Bengals. Never would we have guessed it would be Jordan, not Carson.

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Sorry Jordan you've gotta go.

If Carson isn’t here to protect you you’re cut and we will bring in a real QB to train Andy.

by JoseOle on Jun 9, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

I just don't know how you can say that

just because he is the brother of a QB that people now dislike you think he should be cut. Thank god you don’t run the team because it would go down the shit hole. who knows who else you would cut and for what reason. If he out performs everyone on the roster after TC, should we still cut him then?

by BigJungle on Jun 9, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

In fairness though, JP has sucked pretty bad in the limited time that we've seen him.

That said, they might as well give him a shot. He has the most experience with the Bengals WR group of any QB out there.

Cincy Jungle Contributing Writer

by Paul Cannon on Jun 9, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

No one is saying that he's torn it up.

But we currently have exactly 3 QBs on the roster (not counting CP9).

There is zero reason not to have a wide open competition at all positions. I have no problem letting Collins and Smith compete for the RT spot; and I have no problems with either of them winning. Same goes for QBs… if JP5 beats out Dalton, great… we have Dalton and someone who is better right now.

A new scheme, a new OC… the bottom line is that we don’t know what we’ve got and scratching people off the list before they’ve been evaluated is not helping this team.

Hopefully it’s anew day in Cincy where anyone can make the starting lineup if they can bring the game. That’s why I’m not keen on the cut Chad talk. If he sucks so bad, let him lose his spot in TC.

by Boomer Lion on Jun 9, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

i don't want to come across as a hater on others views

All im saying is that good teams put the best on the field. If it happens that he is then let him play but in no way am I saying he must be kept. Just give him a shot.

by BigJungle on Jun 9, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

That is exactly right.

If he can win a spot, there is no reason not to keep him. Similarly, if he cannot earn a spot, not even as backup or emergency QB, then there is no reason not to cut him. He’s just like any other player not named Palmer.

by Boomer Lion on Jun 9, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

It's definitely reasonable to keep him around and let him compete for a spot

My point is just that I don’t see him having much of a chance given his poor play (albeit in limited playing time).

Cincy Jungle Contributing Writer

by Paul Cannon on Jun 9, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

That is all true.

You are entirely, 100% correct that the most likely outcome of giving him a shot, based on what we’ve all seen so far, is that he is not an NFL-level QB.

I have said before that what seems to his worst problem is vision. For some reason he just doesn’t seem to perceive people in coverage sometimes and that just makes his throws look incredibly atrocious.

That being said, he hasn’t gotten a shot before and he seems to be busting his hump to get a shot. By giving him a shot we accomplish three good things (in order of their benefit:

1) We send a message to all the guys who haven’t been given a real shot yet (Mathis, Collins, all of the rookies, B. Johnson, Simpson, etc.) – some of whom are free agents and are not wanting to come back only to be pre-snubbed (Mathis and Johnson) – that hey, this is a new time and you absolutely can play your way into the starting lineup. All you have to to is produce. That has clearly not been the case in the past.

2) We establish to all of the more established/lauded players that your job is not secure because you talked the FO into giving you a fat check. YOu still have to show up, work hard and produce results. That has clearly not been the case in the past.

3) We give our team a chance to uncover unrealized talent. Of course most late round QBs aren’t going to turn into your franchise QB for a decade of dominance, however that business with Tom Brady did happen. If NE hadn’t given even given him a serious look because of where he was drafted and the position he played, then they would have lost out on the incredible find that he turned out to be. You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy the ticket.

Cutting Jordan Palmer as soon as business opens (before first cuts in camp) does much, much less. It opens up 1/80th of the roster and like 1/200th of the salary cap.

I don’t think we’ve seen the absolute best JP5 has to offer the NFL yet. His very, very pinky-swear best may not be enough and I have no problem with that. But we won’t be able to properly evaluate that until we see him show up feeling that he has an honest-to-god chance.

Also, he seems to be taking a leadership role in these player-organized camps. That’s a net plus, entirely orthogonal to his final disposition with respect to the game day roster.

by Boomer Lion on Jun 9, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Great points, solid post.

And I definitely agree with the leadership part. Once we get into the season and we need someone who can play, if Jordan Palmer can’t, that will be the time to think about cutting him (if we have better options). Right now, we need team leaders who will show up and work hard to be in the best position to contribute, as well as players who will encourage and motivate those around him. Forget his skill, this offseason has been, by FAR, the most impressed I have been with Jordan. As you point out, right now he’s a huge asset, regardless of whether he ends up on the team.
Also, nice use of “orthogonal”. :)

by Aether on Jun 9, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Jordan makes a good scapegoat

We all have higher hopes for this team than they will acheive,just the truth
I say let Jordan compete for the job
When Marvin turns in yet another losing season he can say"we were grooming AD wait till next year"

I wonder if the stats will still protect the QB,
Will this site continue to write stories about our decent pass protection?

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jun 9, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

I have no problems with the three remaining QB's battling it out for a starting spot

Who’s hungry?

That’s who I want under center.

The idea that lil’ Palmer could be that person and could do decent is a cinderella story waiting to happen.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Jun 9, 2011 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

I never understand the hate for Jordan Palmer? In limited time he’s been bad but you have to think of the situations he’s been put in! He only really had opportunities with back ups or in blow outs where everyone else just wants to get the game over and not play hard. Really we know nothing about him or at least as much as we know about Lefevour!

by ashunte23 on Jun 9, 2011 5:23 PM EDT reply actions