According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer admitted to reporters that he "continues to have the same throwing program that he has had in the past." With people not named Palmer telling us that Palmer will retire if he's not traded, this doesn't mean his relationship with the team is thawing. This is strategic, calculated, if not cerebral response to let teams know that he's not simply sitting idle, swinging golf clubs and drinking Mai Tais while everyone else in the NFL prepares for a lockout between the owners and players that's reportedly soon to be ending.

Reedy cites the three most likely teams being San Francisco, Seattle and Miami as possible destinations for Palmer. The 49ers would be interesting because the Bengals regular season opener at Paul Brown Stadium would play host to the San Francisco 49ers, who recently drafted Colin Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

As has been repeatedly said, Mike Brown appears more likely to give Hamilton County a break from their lease than trading Carson Palmer when the new league year begins. At the same time, sometimes we think what we read and hear at the surface is different than what's beneath. Would it be surprising if the Bengals reverse course and decide to trade Palmer? The persona of what we've seen suggests, yes. The rest of it, such as drafting Andy Dalton, the advantages of what the team could receive with a Palmer trade, makes us say no. Even though we're fully aware of the Mike Brown persona that's like Magneto drinking "evil more eviler" juice, it's hard to believe that Brown would be that oblivious. LOL. Alright, not really.