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January 23, 2007

Well said: Carson Palmer

Hey all --

In case you hadn't heard, rookie corner Jonathan Joseph on Monday became the ninth (yes, ninth!!!) different Cincinnati Bengal arrest since the beginning of 2006. Joseph was stopped in Northern Kentucky and charged with marijuana possession.

The high number of arrests -- receiver Chris Henry was arrested four times in the past year -- drew the notice of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and had Bengals coach Marvin Lewis finally saying he was going to crack down on player behavior this offseason.

In light of Joseph's arrest, Bengals veterans Willie Anderson and Carson Palmer spoke about the problem. Anderson said younger players were warned at the end of the season not to become "No. 9 or No. 10" and that it had become a joke to wonder which Cincy player would be next.

But Palmer had the harshest words:

"“If it doesn’t stop, we’re not going to have any fans left and I don’t blame them. It’s ridiculous,'' he said on the team web site, bengals.com. "We can’t get through a month without getting a guy arrested. It happens on another team and they’re shocked and surprised to hear about it. With us, you hear about it and it doesn’t surprise you and you just shake your head and say, ‘Another one.’ ”

We say, good for him. The Bengals have become a joke. Let's just hope Palmer's teammates listen and team management starts taking a hard stand on players for these incidents, which have included resisting arrest, burglary and grand theft, driving while intoxicated, boating under the influence and spousal abuse.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:58 PM | Permalink