After Thursday's practices, Carson Palmer threw strong words out there to (most likely) "motivate" Chad Ochocinco to return with the team. Josh Katzowitz tweets:
Carson w/ strong words for 85: "Maybe they’re trying to find a new No. 1 receiver, because it’s hard to work your offense w/out that guy."
Maybe. But this isn't the first time that Carson has had strong words for an absent Chad. Mid-May last year, during an interview with Sirius radio, Palmer played the same tune as he is now.
"T.J.'s (Houshmandzadeh) gone and Chad's pretty much gone, he hasn't been here, so we've got guys that want those two spots, guys that compete day in and day out, when we're out there on the field, running, conditioning and in the weight room lifting. They're guys that want to take over for those two spots. They look every bit capable of doing what we're going to ask them to do."
Palmer continued when he was asked about Chad:
"Well, I really don't know. I haven't talked to him. I haven't talked to anybody that has talked to him. He wasn't here last year so I'm expecting him not to be here at all this year. Last year I think he was here for the mandatory camp but didn't participate in it. So I'm planning on him not being here just because he hasn't been here yet."
If you're Chad, it makes sense why Chad would say that the two don't get along during the offseason. On the other hand, Carson is doing what he should be doing. Working with the players that want to be here and doing whatever it takes to make the Bengals a better football team. Obviously, I'm with Carson on this. Obviously, I'm going to support the guy that's just getting out of practice during voluntary workouts -- as if "voluntary" exists anymore.
Mark this down. Everyone outside of our little circle will blow this out of proportion, calling this a rivalry, or that Palmer and Chad are enemies. This, of course, will be ridiculous and it will be fantastic when the Dayton Daily News runs with it. In truth, this is nothing new. Palmer has always been frustrated by an absent Chad and by the time Training Camp rolls around, both quarterback and wide receiver are once again the best of buddies.