OT: Would you take Carson Palmer No. 1?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:12 pm

Hi all:
 
 With the NFL Draft coming up Saturday, it´s time to play general manager.
 
 Would you take Carson Palmer with your No. 1 pick if you needed a QB? Is he the best player in the draft, regardless of position?
 
 I have my doubts, on both fronts. First, and I´m sure BKrich can correct me if I´m wrong, didn´t Palmer have more career interceptions than TD passes before last season?
 
 All I can think of is the last one-year Pac-10 wonder that the Bengals drafted, Akili Smith. Or the last strong-armed pretty-boy QB from Southern Cal, Rob Johnson. And neither of those thoughts are pretty.
 
 What do you guys think? What would you do?
 
 Take care,
 PK

FloridaGators · Post by **FloridaGators** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 3:29 pm

I would personally take him. I think he´s got the great arm strength and size for a NFL quarterback as well as a the brain for the NFL game. He´s always had talent and I think he found himself last year. He shredded a very good Notre Dame defense and that impressed me very much. I think he´s for real. I have my doubts about the other quarterbacks, especially Leftwich. Sure, he´s gutsy but his compeitition leaves much to be desired.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 3:41 pm

If I was a GM I would pass. I dont doubt his talent,but the record shows that some of the best QB´s in the NFL got drafted well after the 1st round.
 
 I would find a team that wants him,then trade my pick for more 1st round picks in the future.
 
 I hate to say this being a Michigan man,but I would draft Charles Rodgers in a heartbeat with my #1 pick. I think he´s the best pick in this years draft. IMO.

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 4:03 pm

With the Bengals track record of taking QBs in the first round: Akili Smith, David Klingler. to name their more recent busts (was Jack Thompson, the Throwin´ Somoan a 1st rounder?) I´d be wary of taking a QB if I was Cincinnati. In fact, I´d be wary of any Bengals´ top pick. Ki-Jana Carter, Dan Wilkinson, James Francis, the jury is out on Warrick and Justin Smith still.
 
 My problems with Palmer are that he, like another top West Coast QB prospect Kyle Boller, only had ONE good year.
 
 At this point last year, the only QB you heard about was Leftwich, who had a solid season, and may have even hurt himself draftwise by playing on the broken shin. Palmer meanwhile was being discussed as a senior playing our the string of a disappointing career.
 
 Pete Carroll did bring in Norm Chow to mentor Palmer and maybe the lightbulb finally came on for him. He has all the tools, but so did Ryan Leaf after he had his one good year. [ This message was edited by: Neckthai on 24-04-2003 13:04 ]

FloridaGators · Post by **FloridaGators** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 4:30 pm

Palmer ran a close system to the NFL at USC with Norm Chow so I think he´s ready that way. I think he´s more mature and a smarter player than Klingler and Akili Smith as well. I think Rogers is a good player, too Jackdog but no the best in the draft. My sleeper of the draft is Kelley Washington from Tennessee. He scared the living daylights out of me as a Gators fan.

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 4:49 pm

Gator....Braylon Edwards..Go Blue.
 
 Sorry man I know its late but I had to talk some smack,no offense <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">
 
 Washington is very good,but I am a Big Ten man and Rogers height, speed and abililty to catch the ball in traffic is why I would go with him. He could be a force. We will see.
 
 I am rooting for an ex-Gator with my Packers. I like Walker,he had a nice rookie year.
 
 What grad school did you get into brother?

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 5:16 pm

As usual, Bengal drafts have me quivering with anticipation....
 
 I´ve not seen Palmer, but heard that he improved dramatically once he had a decent offensive coordinator. As for trading down, the one most likely was a swap with the Texans no3 pick (coz they REALLY want that WR guy), but nothing ever came of it.
 
 Jack Thompson...sure the Bengies blow a no1 pick on him, but we traded him to the Bucs in 83 for what turned out to be the no 1 pick in 84.
 
 Look out for the Bengals in 03 !!
 
 Regular viewers may recall a similar message last year <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:04 am

lol we sure did dave and that number one pick was ....ricky hunley LB arizona and with there other first round pick they took brian blados OL north carolina
 
 LOL
 
 but the second round pick of the 1984 draft brought us a quarterback from maryland that went on to have a fairly impressive career and took the Bengals to there 2nd Super Bowl of the 80s
 
 NORMAN JULIUS ESIASON
 
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif"> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Sat Apr 26, 2003 6:36 pm

yes.....bengals grabbed erik steinbach second round.....very nice pick!!!!!
 
 now back to palmer he is everything the bengals could hope for in a number one pick
 
 they have had a very very nice off season some real smart moves
 
 defensive tackles carl powell , john thorton
 
 corner back troy james
 
 mike green fullback
 
 added kevin hardy too play inside linebacker and move simmons to the outside to replace takeo spikes........this move will pay off in spades not only for simmons but the team atmosphere
 
 marvin lewis plans to open up the offense and be much more vertical with less reliance on corey dillon
 
 he has brought in bob bratkowski as new offensive coordinator.....and ken zampese as quaterback coach formely of the rams
 
 they have gone out of there way to try some different things this year and put alot of trust in marvin lewis......
 
 mike brown aside....the bengals should begin to finally see a move upwards
 
 maybe the TEAM PARITY FORGOT
 
 has finally found out some ways parity can be used to build a franchise

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 7:07 am

Cinc
 
 Good post my friend - and don´t forget Kelly at TE as well...maybe we can play some 2-TE sets, since it appears that Brewer is incapable of remaining healthy for more than 20 seconds at a time.
 
 Like the WR (Washington) in round 3 !!
 
 Now all we need are some safeties..

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 8:13 am

Bengal fans ,congrats they are having a nice draft. Marvin Lewis is making his presence known.
 
 Maybe he will get on them to fix that field,other then Philly, Cincinnati had the worst turf in the NFL as rated by NFL players.
 
 Good luck on the upcoming season fella´s. It should be interesting. [ This message was edited by: JackDog on 27-04-2003 05:14 ]

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 9:43 pm

Knowing what I know about the QB and WR positions, I would have taken Palmer in a heartbeat if QB was the position I had targeted. As someone who has seen just about every USC game in the last 4 years, I can honestly say, that the tools for Palmer were always apparent. Paul Hackett has a way of ruining prospects. Palmer being one of them. So for me Palmer is a no brainer if you want to take a QB.
 
 As far as best player in the draft, after reviewing some tape over the last few weeks, Andre Johnson of Miami has the most upside of anyone I have seen in this years draft. He´s 6-2 230 lbs and has 4.3 speed. He also has very good hands and makes the tough catch, and is very dangerous after the catch and very physical between the hashmarks.
 
 Needs to work on his routes and staying focused on the game if he´s not involved early in the contest.
 
 I´d take him over Rogers in a heartbeat.
 
 [ This message was edited by: bkrich83 on 27-04-2003 18:44 ]

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 10:26 pm

Thanks for the insights, BK. What do you think of my Bills taking McGahee? Very keen to hear your perspective.
 
 P.S.: Did you go to the Winston Cup race today at California Speedway?
 
 Take care,
 PK

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 11:53 pm

Didn´t go, but watched it on TV.
 
 I love the McGahee pick. They would be smart not to play him at all since they are pretty deep there now, (Henry, Gary, etc.)..McGahee could be something special.
 
 I actually watched some Miami tapes recently, and McGahee is almost an exact clone to LaDainian Tomlinson when you look at his running style.
 
 Great pick imo..
 
 [ This message was edited by: bkrich83 on 27-04-2003 20:54 ]

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:42 am

BK:
 
 Well, you know more than me about football, bro, so I´ll take your word for it! But I don´t like the pick for so many reasons.
 
 1. Need. They don´t need a RB, especially with the pick-up of Gary.
 
 2. Need, part II. They needed first-round defensive help. If Kelsay was their so-called "first choice" before McGahee became available, then why did he slip past so many teams to the second round?
 
 3. Arrogance. Does Tom Donahoe think his offseason dealings -- which were quite good -- were so great that he can ignore team needs to draft a player who *might* play in 2003 and could be a bust?
 
 4. Cap money. The Bills need to use valuable cap money to pay a guy who may not play a down in 2003.
 
 5. Henry is pissed. Travis Henry, who the Bills groomed into a star running back, was pissed at the pick of McGahee, according to wire stories. Great. Just what we need -- discord in the backfield. But the move could motivate Henry even more in 2003. But it also could backfire.
 
 Sure, drafting McGahee is a long-term move. But the NFL no longer is a long-term league due to cap-onomics. What if McGahee doesn´t play in 2003, has a decent comeback year in 2004, has a fine year in 2005 and then is gone as a free agent?
 
 But I guess I could take the Carmelo Anthony approach here, considering I´m a nearly-lifelong resident of Syracuse and love the Orange. If McGahee can help the Bills get that long-awaited Super Bowl victory in year two or three of his contract, he´s free to go anywhere in my eyes. Just like I don´t begrudge Carmelo for leaving one bit. We´re national champions -- ´nuff said. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 28-04-2003 07:44 ]

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:22 pm

I totally agree with you on the need part of it. They do have bigger needs elsewhere with the depth at that position. Which is why I was scratching my head at that pick.
 
 The cap may not be as bad, since he´s hurt and probably won´t contribute much at first, look for his contract to be pretty incentive heavy. I think his actual cap number will be pretty low for a 1st round pick. Still they could have used thta money elsewhere.
 
 From where I sit, its a questionable pick, however if this guy gets back to 100% he´s a much better, more dangerous back than Travis Henry or Olandis Gary. McGahee is a legit homerun threat everytime he touches the ball. With Henry´s running style I see him wearing down early in his career.
 
 I like the player, but this is one of those moves where Donahoe, will either look like a genious or a jackass, and there won´t be any middle ground.