Sources: Palmer Wants out of Cincinnati...or Retire

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Sources reveal to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will request a trade or contemplate retirement if no trade is made. Palmer has personally made no comment regarding the report by ESPN. Of course, the Bengals had no comment on the matter.

It's apparent why Palmer wants out. Mort provides the answer.

"Palmer has become the object of fan frustration in the past two years and sources said he has grown frustrated with the team's inconsistencies."

Here's the numbers for Palmer since being tabbed as the Bengals starting QB.

Year	G	GS	QBrec	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int	Rate
2004	13	13	6-7-0	263	432	60.9	2897	18	18	77.3
2005*	16	16	11-5-0	345	509	67.8	3836	32	12	101.1
2006*	16	16	8-8-0	324	520	62.3	4035	28	13	93.9
2007	16	16	7-9-0	373	575	64.9	4131	26	20	86.7
2008	4	4	0-4-0	75	129	58.1	731	3	4	69.0
2009	16	16	10-6-0	282	466	60.5	3094	21	13	83.6
2010	16	16		362	586	61.8	3970	26	20	82.4
Career	97	97	42-39-0	2024	3217	62.9	22694	154	100	86.9

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/23/2011.

After a fantastic 2005 season, Palmer's second in the NFL as a player (he sat his entire first season as he learned the ropes), Palmer's production has been in a steady decline. The numbers completely bear that point.

I can see why. Mort's sources state that Palmer is "frustrated". Over the past two years (at least) there's a reason Palmer may be frustrated. The Bengals have no offensive identity. The philosophy seems to change on impulse. In 2009, Cincy was primarily a running team with Cedric Benson carting the load. The Bengals were 10-6 and won the AFC North.

This past season, the Bengals snared Terrell Owens via free agency and drafted Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley. Maybe the Bengals would evolve into a passing team. It never materialized and the Bengals finished 4-12. Since that magical 2005 season, Palmer's passer rating has declined in seasons where he was the full-time QB. The crowd at PBS has also shown its disdain over Palmer and his bad decisions and lack of accuracy.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If the Bengals decide to give in to Palmer's demands, look for Palmer to attempt a reunion with his USC head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle. Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent and even though Caroll says he wants Hasselbeck back in a Seahawks uniform, he could go the way of Palmer if he is available.

Here's what makes me laugh about this. If the sources are correct, Palmer is saying "deal me or I quit".

Yeah, I want that guy running my offense.

Update: Just about a half an hour ago, Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer posted on his blog that the Bengals are currently not entertaining any offers for Palmer. Bengals team president Mike Brown did confirm that Palmer requested a trade.

Update #2: Palmer's agent, David Dunn, released a statement on the affairs between Palmer and the Bengals. Again, Reedy has this posted.

“Carson met with Bengals owner Mike Brown recently. They both expressed profound disappointment in how the team fared last season, and in how it has generally performed during Carson’s tenure with the team. Because of the lack of success that Carson and the Bengals have experienced together, Carson strongly feels that a separation between him and the Bengals would be in the best interest of both parties. Carson could not respect the Brown family any more than he does or be more appreciative of what the Browns have done for him and his wife Shaelyn and his family.”

You can consider this a bit of fluff. All the rights things were said, er, written. There isn't exactly the phrase "requested to be traded" in there, but "separation" was. Maybe it is time for Palmer to go elsewhere. He obviously doesn't want to be in Cincinnati any longer.

Off the Wall NFL Predictions for the 2010 Season

OK. They may not all be off the wall, but they are a bit out there. It didn't really take me long to come up with this list or the reasons behind them.

I may lose a few friends and I may gain a few with these.

1. The New York Jets will not make the playoffs.
Gutsy, I know, but I'm not alone on this one. Skip Bayless of First Take on ESPN doesn't have the J-E-T-S making the postseason bonanza either. I've heard too much yap out of the Jets ever since the end of their season last January. And how does Antonio Cromartie say the Jets are the "Miami Heat of the NFL"? Wait. They are. All the names and no hardware.

And where do people get this team is so talented? On defense, sure. I completely agree there. The offense is not loaded. You lost your top rusher from last season (Thomas Jones). You lost a Pro-Bowl guard (Alan Faneca) and you're better? Must be that Santonio Holmes deal. And look on the other side. It's Braylon Edwards. Holmes will miss the first four games and Edwards hasn't seen a pass he can't drop. The receiving corps, including the tight end, is serviceable at best. Half the teams in the NFL are better at receiver and end than the Jets.

Then it must be getting LT. Please. LT hasn't done much over the last two seasons. Don't tell me the Jets talented because they're simply aren't. They're just a bunch of hot air.

2. The Steelers will go 4-0 in Ben Roethlisberger's absence.
I truly thought Dennis Dixon was a far better option than Byron Leftwich. Dixon proved that last season when he led the Steelers into Baltimore and almost pulled off a win. That was all I needed to see from Dixon. I bet that's all the Ravens wanted to see from him, too.

I think the Steelers will struggle once Big Ben returns because of all the changes that will need to happen.

3. The Cincinnati Bengals will once again go undefeated in the AFC North.
People are chattering about all the weapons the Bengals have on offense, but they are selling the defense short. Way short. They were a top-5 unit in the NFL last year. But how can the guys in stripes go undefeated in the division again. I know I picked the Ravens to win the division. The Bengals have a tougher non-divisional schedule. But Cincy knows they can beat them all again. Confidence.

And that offense isn't too shabby either.

4. Jay Cutler will make the Pro Bowl...legitimately.I know the Bears have no legit #1 receiver. I know Greg Olsen hasn't exactly shown the promise that made him a first round pick. I know Matt Forte, a decent receiving back, fell off last season. Cutler gets there because of Mike Martz. Martz is an offensive genius. Ask him and that's what he'll tell you. I know the Bears offense struggled in the preseason, but that was preseason and having an opener against the Detroit Lions can build confidence. There's that word again.

Cutler has the arm but he's lacked the knowledge. Martz will provide that for Cutler and the Bears QB will have his best season thus far.

5. Anquan Boldin will have a better season than Larry Fitzgerald.
I don't think this limb is too long. Boldin has the up and coming Joe Flacco while Fitz has Derek Anderson. Who would you rather have at QB? Look at the supporting cast for each, too.

Boldin: T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Ray Rice, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap
Fitz: Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, Beanie Wells

See what I mean?

6. Carson Palmer will have a better season than Tony Romo.
People look at the Cowboys and, like the Jets, talk about all the talent. Palmer has the deepest, most talented skill position players since he's been a Bengal. Chad Ochocinco, T.O., Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Greshem, Cedric Benson.

It's as good as what Dallas has. Maybe just a tad better.

7. Reggie Bush will lead the NFL in all-purpose yards.
This whole Heisman thing will spark Bush to have his best season as a pro. Some still label the former Trojan as a bust, but they will eat their words this season...if I'm right, that is.

And I'm going to be right. Starting tonight, Bush will actually make his "arrival" as a top-notch NFL player.

8. Statistical leaders for the 2010 season.

• Rushing Yards: Frank Gore, SF
• Passing Yards: Palmer, CIN
• Receiving Yards: Andre Johnson, HOU
• Sacks: DeMarcus Ware, DAL
• INT: Jonathan Joseph, CIN
• TDs: Gore, SF

Gore plays in a division that has awful defenses (St. Louis, Seattle, Arizona) and he gets six games against those teams. That should translate to almost 900 yards and 10 TD in those games alone.

Johnson is purely the best receiver in the NFL.

Ware is a freak of nature.

Joseph is underrated and should have made the Pro-Bowl last season. Motivation.

And finally...

9. Brett Favre's consecutive game streak will end and NOT because of it being the end of the season.

Favre will miss games (Yes, I said games, plural) due to a concussion and not his ankle. This will end his run...and his season.

There you have it. My bold predictions for the upcoming NFL season.

Agree or not or do you have one. As always, the comments are on and feel free to rant.