Carson Palmer Doesn't Sound Like He's Counting on Chad Ochocinco

Even Carson Palmer, the unassuming Opie Taylor-looking Bengals quarterback, has his limits. After spending most of the 2008 season on the sidelines with a bum elbow, the 2003 first-overall pick is healthy and participating in voluntary workouts. Which, like previous offseasons, isn't the case with Chad Javon Ochocinco.

He's reportedly working out in Los Angeles, and I don't doubt that -- Chad always seems prepared, at least physically, for the start of the NFL season -- but that's not really the point. Cincinnati won just four times last year, and hasn't had a winning record since 2005, also the last time they advanced to the playoffs. (Coincidentally, that was the other time Palmer suffered a significant injury. Thanks Kim von Oelhoeffen!)

During a Tuesday appearance on Sirius NFL Radio, Palmer spoke about Mr. Ochcocinco and his expectations for the Bengals' mercurial receiver this season. Let's just call them, well, low:

"It's definitely a new look for the Bengals receiver corps but I couldn't be happier with the guys we've got," Palmer said. "T.J.'s (Houshmandzadeh) gone and Chad's pretty much gone, he hasn't been here, so we've got guys that want those two spots, guys that compete day in and day out, when we're out there on the field, running, conditioning and in the weight room lifting. They're guys that want to take over for those two spots. They look every bit capable of doing what we're going to ask them to do."

Huh. It sounds like Palmer isn't counting on Ochocinco for 2009, but maybe he's just referring to organized team activities. Of course, he continued: "... I haven't talked to anybody that has talked to [Chad]. He wasn't here last year so I'm expecting him not to be here at all this year. Last year I think he was here for the mandatory camp but didn't participate in it. So I'm planning on him not being here just because he hasn't been here yet so we'll prepare, like I said."

Prior to last year, Chad's "please, trade me" whining was a lot easier to stomach because he was one of the NFL's best wide receivers. He'd complain about getting traded but still rack up 1,300 receiving yards. But if he's bellyaching and not producing, it's a lot easier to dismiss him as a disgruntled, prima donna pass catcher on the downside of a solid career.

And maybe that's what Palmer's thinking. Or maybe he legitimately is excited about working with Laveranues Coles, and last year's draft picks, Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell. If nothing else, there's less drama, and maybe that's all Palmer is looking for at this point.