Carson Desperately Trying To Take Control

Give Carson credit, at least he's trying to become the heart, soul and vocal force of this team. 

Via Joe Reedy from the Enquirer, here's what Carson had to say about Chad OC this offseason:

"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."

When asked what his expectations about Ochocinco this season were, Palmer said: "Well, I really don't know. I haven't talked to him. I haven't talked to anybody that has talked to him. 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.

"We've got Chris Henry ... He's a guy that's had a great offseason, really turned his life around. I'm excited to watch him play. He's a guy that seems like he catches a touchdown every other ball that's thrown to him, he's that explosive. He's kind of taken over for Chad's position and he's a guy that, like I said earlier, does not want to give up that spot right now."

As I have said in the past, Carson needs to be a Boomer Esiason like presence in the huddle and off the field to literally carry this team past the ineptitude of the organization and deep into the playoffs.

Comments

[Jeff]

Playoffs? Playoffs! Who said anything about... playoffs?!

[RK]

I think we need to start refering to Chad By his initals from now on C.O.C. what is better fitting than that

[BengalAnthony13]

Agreed. Carson needs to become the face and voice of the franchise. It's been a difficult task for him with so many other strong personalities like Chad, T.J, etc. Not that that's an excuse to not be more vocal, but it's time that he takes control of this team before it completely implodes on itself.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

Carson is the one player that can bail out Mike Brown's historic incompetence and misanthropic stewardship of this team and potentially take us to the super bowl.

Carson isn't naturally suited to the vocal, outspoken role of leader, but here's hoping all his talk the past couple weeks has some force behind it. Playoffs are a LONG shot this year. Superbowl impossible. But if they can put together another O line that blocks like 2005 in a couple years, then who knows.

I am not holding my breath for that to happen, however, and I fear we will waste Carson's career.

[Major Payne]

This smells to me like Carson is trying to institute a sort of "scared straight" program with The O.C. (I doubt it works, but I appreciate the effort.) I would LOVE to see Chris Henry make a serious push for his starting spot... not because I like CH, but it might force The O.C. to play hard this year.

[Sly Vramavomovich]

Chad isn't going to play hard until he isn't a bengal. Too bad for him by the time he gets out of cincy he'll be washed up and nothing more than a cautionary tale to other disgruntled bengals employees.

[Hofbraunow]

RK: we can't call him that, because the band---Corrosion Of Conformity---will sue him, and i'm sure they could use the money these days...

S.W/B. wrote: "...I fear we will waste Carson's career."

Ya think? It's what the MBB does best...Chad knows it too, but methinks his
epiphany has occured too late...he's clearly tired, of trying to be
a showboat on an at-this-point historically sucky team...
...and the WDR marches on!!!

Major Payne: Now dammit, *I* was going to call him 'The O.C.' ...

...I will trade you an "H.'Mister Money-Boobs' Smith",
for the "The O.C." you have placed on the kiosk...
there should be WDR football cards