Current Bengals QB Carson Palmer Isn't Distracted by Future Cowboys WR Ocho Cinco

Today is the first day of the 2008 season. Or at least that's what a bunch of Bengals players in t-shirts and shorts are telling themselves as they begin working out for their next NFL game, which is some five months away.

Two guys not in Cincinnati making themselves better are also two of the team's best players: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. No worries, though; quarterback Carson Palmer doesn't think it's a distraction, even the circus that has become Ocho Cinco and his repeated passive-aggressive trade demands.

"Not for me," Palmer said. "I've seen some of the things but really haven't paid too much attention to it. I've just been preparing to get in shape and return to get back out here and get to work." ...

"We've got a good group of guys, some mature guys, some veteran guys that won't let any off the field distractions get in the way of what needs to be done, all of the work that's going on right now."

I think Palmer's right, even if he doesn't necessarily believe it. Johnson's one of the league's top receivers, but he's also a monumental pain in the ass when he's not happy. Palmer can't spend his off-season agonizing over whether the team can find a way to unhurt Cinco's feelings.

It's not likely that the Bengals will trade Johnson because of the salary-cap implications, but worst case, Houshmandzadeh can step into the No. 1 wideout role and the team can try to find some help early in the draft. And there's always Ben Utecht.