Don't Believe This Guy Either

When the NFL first decided to re-emphasis its policy towards illegal hits, Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison was repeatedly fined for dangerous tackles to the head. It got so bad that after being fined twice in one week Harrison said he would rather stop playing than keep giving the NFL fine money, then skipped a day of practice to "soul search" and contemplate retirement. At the time, I blasted him because I don't like showy and empty gestures. He was never going to retire and everyone knew that - the money is just too good and he doesn't have any other real skill. Basically, I thought he was just trying to drum up sympathy. (Not surprisingly, it turned out I was right. He didn't retire, the NFL kept on fining Harrison and yet he never missed another day.) Well, I still hate dramatic, empty gestures done for attention so today I'm turning my attention to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, who recently said he wants to be traded from the team and that he would retire from football if his demand is not met. He vowed to, "never play another game in Paul Brown Stadium." (Not that I blame him. The Bengals have flat-lined after looking like they were on the way up and have a reputation as a franchise reluctant to spend money on training facilities.) But, even though he may have his reasons, I just have to say: dude, shut up. You're not going anywhere - you know it and I know it.

Sources close to Palmer say this threat is very real. They point to the fact that Carson has $80 million in the bank and only keeps playing for the love of the game. He doesn't need to play football and the Bengals should take his demand for a trade seriously. First of all, if you love the game so much you don't walk away - at least, not while you can still play. Secondly, I'm not totally sure I believe that number. Palmer's rookie deal paid him well and his second deal also had a lot of guaranteed money, but unless he invested very well and didn't spend a penny of it, then I would assume that number is much lower. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he isn't starving, I just think people could always use more money. Which brings me to my third point: I don't care if you have $80 million in the bank, if you are promised another $30 million just to keep showing up for two more years, then you are going to show up for two more years. $80 million is nice - $110 million is nicer. Plus, it's not just Carson's bank account he should be worrying about. Carson's younger brother, Jordan, is a back-up quarterback on the team, only he's terrible. I think it is a very safe bet that if Carson gets his way Jordan won't be in Cincinnati much longer either and I wouldn't be so sure about the younger Palmer hooking on with another NFL team. Carson can't just be thinking about himself here.

The Cincinnati Bengals owner has since said Palmer will not be traded; they have him under contract until 2014 and expect him to honor that agreement. In the past the Bengals have shown they will not cave in to trade demands and usually come out the winner in these situations. (Just look at Chad Johnson. He's asked to be released roughly 10 times and he's still there.) But, I have a bigger question - is Carson Palmer worth all this? Really, like the Bengals couldn't go 5-12 while paying someone substantially less? Palmer's career has been on a steady decline ever since he suffered a knee injury during the 2005 playoffs. If the Bengals can talk someone into taking him off their hands and get a nice draft pick in return, don't you have to do that? It's not like the Bengals are a player or two away - they need some major help on the defensive side of the ball. Why not get some cap space and additional assets while Palmer still has value around the league? Also, there are going to be some interesting names of quarterbacks out there in free agency. What about a flier on a guy like Vince Young? He could come cheap and might only be in need of a change of scenery, so I'm not totally sure Palmer is that much of an upgrade over him. (At the very least Young doesn't seem like the kind of guy to go around and flaunt his bank book in your face.) So, in conclusion, Carson, while I understand why you want to force your way out of a place you hate, the money is too good and in the end you're going to end up staying. The way the NFL works you're probably going to be released after next season anyway.