Carson Palmer

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Carson Palmer
Date of birth December 27, 1979
Place of birth Fresno, California
Position(s) QB
College USC
NFL Draft 2003 / Round 1/ Pick 1
Pro Bowls 2005
Awards 2002 Heisman Trophy
2005-2006 FedEx Air Player of the Year
Statistics
Team(s)
2003–present Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Palmer (born December 27, 1979 in Fresno, California,) is an American football quarterback who plays for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals franchise. He attended the University of Southern California, where he won the Heisman Trophy Award in 2002 in his senior season. He was drafted by the Bengals with the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and signed a 9-year, $118.75 million contract extension on December 29, 2005. Palmer was the first Heisman Trophy winner since Vinny Testaverde in 1987 to be selected with the first pick of the NFL draft.

Carson Palmer's younger brother, Jordan Palmer, is a senior quarterback at the University of Texas-El Paso.

Contents

[edit] Early years

Palmer attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where he passed for 31 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a senior. By the time he left high school, he had set 27 school records. He was also an excellent basketball player, and was named to the 1998 Student Sports Grid-Hoops All-America second team after averaging eight points and eight rebounds per game.

[edit] Collegiate career

Carson Palmer arrived at the University of Southern California in 1998 and immediately competed for the starting quarterback job with Mike Van Raaphorst. Van Raaphorst won, but due to his ineffectiveness, Palmer was named the starter in the ninth game of the season, becoming only the second true freshman to ever start at quarterback for the USC Trojans.

After three inconsistent years at USC, Palmer had a breakout senior year under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who was brought in the year before by head coach Pete Carroll after spending 27 seasons at Brigham Young University and one season at North Carolina State University. Chow was able to bring the best out of Carson Palmer and the USC offense, which led to Palmer being named the Heisman Trophy Award winner, then the fifth Trojan to win the prestigious award — running backs Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), and Marcus Allen (1981) preceded him. Palmer was the first and only Trojan quarterback to be honored with the award until lefty Matt Leinart won it as a junior in 2004.

Carson Palmer completed 309 passes for 3,942 yards and 33 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions during the 2002 season, and later led the Trojans to an impressive 38-17 victory over the University of Iowa in the Orange Bowl. His completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns were all USC single season records. In a November 30 game against Notre Dame, Palmer threw for 425 yards and led his team to 610 yards of total offense, the most ever gained against Notre Dame in each category. Palmer left college as the Pac-10 Conferences’ all-time leader in passing yards (11,818), completions (927) and total offense (11,621), along with 72 career touchdown passes, a USC record at that time — Matt Leinart has since surpassed the record, which currently stands at 99.

His major at USC was public policy and management at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, where he graduated third in his class.

[edit] NFL career

Carson Palmer did not play at all during his rookie season; veteran quarterback Jon Kitna, who signed with the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent in 2001, took every snap during the 2003 season. For his efforts, Jon Kitna was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Palmer, with Kitna mentoring him, watched and learned during games and in practices under head coach Marvin Lewis and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese.

Even though the Bengals finished 8-8, their first non-losing season since 1996, Jon Kitna arguably knew that the Bengals were Carson Palmer's team in 2004. By and large, it was not viewed as a surprise when head coach Marvin Lewis named Palmer his starting quarterback in January, 2004.

[edit] 2004-2005 season

While Carson Palmer suffered from growing pains, he passed for 2,897 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions in 13 games, and the Bengals again finished 8-8. His performance greatly improved the stature of the Cincinnati Bengals among pundits and fans alike. One of his more notable performances was in a December game against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore built up a 20-3 lead going into the final period, but Palmer rallied his team back with 3 fourth quarter touchdown passes to take a 24-23 lead. After the Ravens retook the lead with a field goal, Palmer led the Bengals 60 yards in 8 plays to set up Shayne Graham's game-winning field goal as time in regulation expired. Palmer finished the game with 29 of 36 (80.6%) completions for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the fourth quarter alone, he completed 10 of 13 passes for 200 yards, and two of his incompletions were spikes during the final drive to stop the clock.

Off the field, Palmer and Jon Kitna are good friends and golfing buddies. In 2004, Palmer organized the Carson Palmer Foundation Golf Classic to raise funds for Hillview Acres, a shelter for abused and underprivileged children.

[edit] 2005-2006 season

In 2005, Palmer led the Bengals to an 11-5 record and an AFC North division title, their first division title since 1990. In doing so, Carson Palmer became the first Bengals quarterback to finish with a 100+ passer rating, tied Indianapolis' Peyton Manning for most consecutive games with a triple digit passer rating, led the NFL in completion percentage, and set a Bengals franchise record by throwing a league-leading 32 touchdown passes. He also set the franchise record for highest passer rating in a season.

On December 21, 2005, Carson Palmer was one of five Bengals voted to the 2006 Pro Bowl game. The others were Willie Anderson, Shayne Graham, Chad Johnson, and Deltha O'Neal. This would have been Palmer's first Pro Bowl appearance, but he did not play in it due to a severe knee injury that was inflicted upon him in the wild card round of the 2005 playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati on January 8, 2006. On the Bengals' second offensive play, Palmer launched a 66-yard completion — the longest in Bengals' playoff history — to receiver Chris Henry while Steelers defensive tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen tried to sack him. During the play von Oelhoffen dove into Palmer. Von Oelhoffen collided with Palmer's rigid left leg at the knee, bending it at an awkward angle. Palmer had to be taken off the field on a cart. A magnetic resonance imaging test revealed tears of both the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments as well as cartilage and meniscus damage.

No penalty was called on von Oelhoffen because his path to Palmer was judged to have been altered by Steinbach.

Von Oelhoffen later claimed to apologize for the hit, and even though Palmer has confirmed that Von Oelhoffen has never contacted him, Palmer forgave him, stating that the injury was, "just part of the game." Von Oelhoffen's contract was not renewed by the Steelers following the season and he was subsequently released as a free agent, signing with the New York Jets.

During the off-season, the NFL Rules Committee modified the rule regarding low hits on quarterbacks, prohibiting defenders from hitting a passer at or below the knee unless they are blocked into him. Injuries to Palmer, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese (now with the Chicago Bears) were cited as reasons for the new rule. The so-called "Kimo Rule", also known as the "Carson Palmer Rule", [1] now requires that defenders take every opportunity to avoid hitting a quarterback at or below the knees when the quarterback is in a defenseless position looking to throw with both feet on the ground. [2]

[edit] Rehabilitation and comments

Carson Palmer underwent reconstructive surgery on his injured knee in Houston, Texas on January 10, 2006. Dr. Lonnie Paulos, a surgeon who is independent of the Cincinnati Bengals, performed the operation. Initially, the Bengals organization stated that Palmer had torn the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments with no other damage. However, Dr. Paulos later told the Associated Press that the damage was more extensive and included a dislocation of the kneecap. Dr. Paulos called the injury "devastating and potentially career-ending", which drew a derisive comment from Palmer that implied Paulos simply liked to see his name in print. The Bengals later accepted Dr. Paulos' account [3], however, Carson Palmer promised he'd be at quarterback in the Bengals' regular season opener at Kansas City on September 10, 2006.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis stated: “This is a serious injury, but we are told the procedure went very well. We know Carson, and we know he will apply himself fully to his rehabilitation. This result encourages our feeling that Carson will be ready to open the 2006 season as our starting quarterback” [4].

During his rehabilitation, Carson Palmer has made several other pointed comments, particularly in an issue of Sports Illustrated [5], in which he was on the cover shown using a relatively new form of therapy called the HydroWorx [6]. In the article, Palmer stated that: “I hate the Steelers more than I hate UCLA. Yeah, it’s because I’m jealous and want what they have.” However, he cautioned that the animosity is not directed at the individual players; it was borne from the historic Bengals/Steelers rivalry. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is, in fact, Palmer's friend and former USC roommate.

After the Bengals' 48-17 pre-season victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers on August 28, 2006, which saw Carson Palmer complete 9 of 14 passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns in just less than two quarters of play in his much-expected debut (which included an 11-yard run for a first down that culminated in a slide on his surgically-repaired left knee,) Carson Palmer reiterated his position that he would be starting in the Bengals' season opener at Kansas City.

His performance drew rave reviews from many experts, many of whom expected far less of him less than a year after such a serious injury. ESPN announcer Joe Theismann, himself a former quarterback with the Washington Redskins, praised Carson Palmer for his mental toughness in taking hits and not being gun-shy about staying in the pocket where chances of injury are often high.

[edit] The 2006 Season

Week 1 (Game 1): In his first regular season game on his repaired knee on September 10, 2006 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, Palmer had no touchdown passes in the game, but completed 13 passes in 19 attempts. He was sacked once, by Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen. The Bengals won 23-10 on the strength of touchdown runs by running backs Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson and three field goals by placekicker Shayne Graham.

Week 2 (Game 2): In the Bengals' home opener against the Cleveland Browns, he threw for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 34-17 win. To date, it's his second best performance in terms of yards thrown. He also threw 2 interceptions, but one occurred after his pass bounced off the hands of his intended receiver and the other occurred late in the fourth quarter after the game was already out of reach.

Week 3 (Game 3): Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh's Heinz Field, Palmer threw four touchdown passes (two each to wideouts T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry) and completed 18 of 26 passes for 193 yards. He was sacked 6 times and had 3 fumbles as a result. 2 were recovered, one resulted in a turnover.

Week 4 (Game 4): Against the New England Patriots in Cincinnati, Palmer completed 20 of 35 passes for 245 yards with no touchdown passes. He had 2 fumbles and was sacked 4 times. The game ended in a 13-38 loss.

Week 5: Bye Week

Week 6 (Game 5): Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Palmer was 24 completitions from 37 attempts for 261 yards and 1 touchdown, a 33 yard complition to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Palmer was also brought down twice in the backfield. Cincinnati lost the game 14-13

Week 7 (Game 6): On October 22, 2006, Palmer lined up against a 4-2 Carolina Panthers team. In a 17-14 victory, Carson completed 23 of 39 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Week 8 (Game 7): Against the Atlanta Falcons, Palmer was 24/36 for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns, 12 yard to Ocho Cinco Chad Johnson and a 55 yard to Chris Henry late in the game. He was hit and rushed multiple times. Cincinnati lost the game 29-27.

Week 9 (Game 8): In a division game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore Palmer was 12/26 for 195 yards a touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. He had 2 interceptions which both came off the hands of Cincinnati receivers. Cincinnati lost 26-20.

Week 10 (Game 9): Against one of the top ranked teams San Diego Chargers Cincinnati were up 21-7 at half time but let LT's team come back and win 49-41 with poor defensive plays. Palmer did all he could and ended the day with 31 completions from 42 attempts and a career high 440 passing yards and 3 touchdowns going to Chad Johnson(2) and Chris Henry(1).

Week 11 (Game 10): At the SuperDome Palmer and his injury riddled Bengals faced a tight offensive and defensive outfit in the New Orleans Saints. Palmer was 14/22 for 275 passing yards and 3 touchdowns at the end of the day to lead his team to a 31-16 victory after a 3 game losing streak.

Week 12 (Game 11): The battle of Ohio started at 1:00pm on Sunday the 26th of November when Cincinnati took on another AFC North team in the Cleveland Browns. The Cincinnati defense stepped up and had 5 turnovers including 4 interceptions 2 to Kevin Kaesviharn and 2 to Tory James. Carson Palmer was 25/32 for 275 passing yards and 3 touchdowns at the end of the day shutting out the Browns 30-0 keeping the Bengals playoff hopes alive.

Week 13 (Game 12): The impressive defense of the Cincinnati Bengals backed a solid effort of Palmer in a 13-7 Thursday night victory at Paul Brown Stadium over the Ravens. Palmer completed 21 of 32 passes for 234 yards. He threw one touchdown to T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the 3rd quarter as Cincinnati improved to 7-5.

Week 14 (Game 13): The Bengals rolled to a 27-10 victory at home over the struggling 2-10 Oakland Raiders. Palmer was 20/28 for 297 yards and 2 touchdowns. He did, however, throw 3 interceptions in the game. T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson both had big days, each having over 100 receiving yards. The Bengals improved to 8-5 and one step closer to a wild card birth. They will face the tough Indianapolis Colts on the road next week.

[edit] Career Stats

    Passing   Rushing
Season Team GP Comp Att Pct Yds TD INT Rating Att Yds TD
2003 Cincinnati 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2004 Cincinnati 13 263 432 60.9 2897 18 18 77.3 18 47 1
2005 Cincinnati 16 345 509 67.8 3836 32 12 101.1 34 41 1
2005-06 Playoffs Cincinnati 1 1 1 100.0 66 0 0 118.7 0 0 0
2006 (Updated to: 12.11.06) Cincinnati 13 269 414 65 3399 24 11 98.7 21 23 0

[edit] External links

Preceded by:
David Carr		 1st Overall Pick in NFL Draft
2003		 Succeeded by:
Eli Manning
Preceded by:
Jon Kitna		 Cincinnati Bengals Starting Quarterbacks
2004-		 Succeeded by:
Incumbent
Preceded by:
Eric Crouch		 Heisman Trophy Winner
2002		 Succeeded by:
Jason White
National Football League number one overall Draft picks
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