Cedric Benson: "Let Carson Palmer Out of Cincinnati"

The title is a simple paraphrasing of what Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson had to say about the Carson Palmer situation.

Palmer, who's been with the Bengals for eight seasons (starting seven of them), has been quite vocal about his desire to play in Cincinnati—or rather, his lack thereof. In a nutshell, Palmer said, "Trade me or I retire."

Mike Brown, who is the owner and president of the team, has been very stubborn and has stated the team has no plans to let Palmer go.

Getting back to Benson, in an interview conducted on Sirius Radio, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer, he said, "I love Carson Palmer to death. He's supported me and taught me a lot but I think when a guy expresses himself as strongly as he has it's almost not healthy for the team to bring him back." I can't say I disagree with him.

As a lifelong Bengals fan, it's rough to watch Mike Brown to make one bad decision after another (I have come across a website titled www.mikebrownsucks.com). This one particularly boggles my mind. Palmer's stock is still going to be high across the league, so he should have been kicked out the door before the lockout began.

Palmer led the Bengals to their first playoff appearance in 2005 behind a 32-touchdown, 12-interception season. Unfortunately, the football world knows what would follow in the Divisional Round against the would-be Super Bowl champion Steelers—Palmer's knee was obliterated.

He would never be the same, never again hitting that 32-touchdown mark. His high since 2005 is 28, which came in 2006. He's had a couple of respectable seasons since then, but he was mired in injuries in 2008, and he never regained his form.

If you watch game film before the injury, Palmer's form as a passer was outstanding. He planted his left foot and followed through—very simple, and he executed the throw with great precision and poise. Since the injury, if Palmer is under pressure, he steps, throws and in the middle of the pass will pull that left leg (the leg that was injured) back, thus taking some of his power off the pass.

I admire Benson's willingness to voice his opinion. In the Enquirer article, Benson went on to state that keeping Palmer would be detrimental to the team, and locking him down will only hurt them. I also think Benson is trying to get more time himself—the Bengals won the AFC North in 2009 behind an offense that was heavy on the run. In 2010, Palmer threw the ball over 120 more times than he did in 2009, and look how that worked out. 

Certainly, there is plenty of turmoil in Cincinnati, as Chad Ochocinco has also been vocal about his distress, but this isn't about him. Once this God-awful lockout is over, I would advise Mike Brown to let Palmer out. Trade him for draft picks or a linebacker (a need they really didn't fill in the draft) and throw second-round pick Andy Dalton under center.

The offensive line isn't great, but Cincinnati drafted receiver A.J. Green with the fourth overall pic, and receiver Ryan Whalen in the sixth round. Dalton has tools to use, and sitting behind a disgruntled Palmer is only going to hurt him.

I look forward to the lockout ending so we can all be witness to the end of one of the most irritating sagas in football.