originally written 3/26/06

Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals held a press conference  Wednesday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cleveland. He addressed the media for the first time since his Jan 10. reconstructive knee surgery. The news conference was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was delayed by a snow storm. An upbeat Palmer told the media that he's "where he should be, 10 weeks into rehab." It seems it is still far too early to project a return date for Palmer. The Bengals have a may minicamps and he knows that is too early, but the season return date is to be determined.

One of the biggest concerns this off-season for the Bengals is, who will back up Carson Palmer or be the starter until he returns? The Bengals made an inquiry Monday to David Dunn, the agent for Joey Harrington, the former no. 3 overall pick in the 2002 draft, who's career is done in Detroit. There is interest on both sides but there is not a visit scheduled at this time.

Brian Griese and his agent Ralph Cindrich visited last Saturday but agreed to a five-year deal in Chicago on Tuesday. Griese was looking for a more competitive situation than having Carson Palmer in front of him. "The one thing he told me after visiting with those guys is that he didn't want to string along Marvin (Lewis) and all the coaches there," said Ralph Cindrich, Griese's agent. "He's looking for more than a year, and it was never going to be more than a year in Cincinnati because of Palmer."

The team has also visited with former Rams quarterback Jamie Martin. Martin may be out of options in St. Louis now that the team has signed Gus Frerotte.

The Bengals made contact with the agent of Aaron Brooks but the Bengals situation didn't fit his client because Brooks views himself as a starting quarterback.

The weapons that the Bengals have put together on offense may be stifled a little bit early on in the season if they start the season with a new quarterback. The Bengals may have some growing pains with a new quarterback starting for them. Jon Kitna who recently left Cincinnati for Detroit was a key leader and veteran that this team will miss. In a statement issued through the team Palmer said, "I guess you could you say I have mixed emotions. I'm extremely happy for Jon and his family for the great opportunity he has there. But I also consider him irreplaceable as a player, as a teammate, and a leader in our locker room."

This will have an impact on the fantasy value of all the offensive players for the Bengals. The season after the injury is often a down year for any player. You first have to get your confidence back and feel good moving around at full speed.

Timing is very critical on offense. Chad Johnson may not click well with a new quarterback like back up Doug Johnson or Craig Krenzel. The running game will no doubt be effected by the lack of a passing game. The Bengals may have to rely not on their offense but their defense to start the season. Unfortunately for Cincinnati their defense ranked no. 28 in the National Football League in 2005. The good news is that they still have a solid starting running back in Rudi Johnson. He ran for 1458 yards last season seventh best among all running backs. In 2006 Rudi Johnson may be the more solid of the big three fantasy players the Bengals have. We still have five and a half months to see this play out though.