Developing days : Carson Palmer's evolution as the Bengals' starting quarterback accelerates in training camp, where he must establish his leadership, forge a rapport with his receivers, get comfortable in the offense—and deal with enormous expectations

Sporting News, The, July 19, 2004 by Matt Crossman

"It comes with the territory," Palmer says. "There's going to be tons of pressure on you, always, on and off the football field."

True enough, but to whom much is given, much is expected. Considering how much Palmer has been given and the team's success last season, the expectations surely are that the Bengals will make the playoffs. If you think that's the overbearing media heaping unfair expectations on Palmer, consider his expectations: "I expect us to win every game. You can't go in ever thinking you might not win. I know it's very lofty and a little too high expectations, but if you don't go in expecting to win them all, what are you trying to get out of the season? You can't go in and hope you win half your games?'

Palmer is prepared for the firestorm that will result when he plays poorly. Before winning the Heisman Trophy as a senior at USC, he was routinely and harshly criticized. He has had his job called for before. "I saw him fight so much adversity," says Norm Chow, his coordinator for two years at USC. "He never complained. It was a non-issue for him. That part of his personality will surely allow him to fight through that."

Palmer won't be expected to carry the load himself. Lewis has constructed a potentially strong offense, with the explosive Johnson at wideout and running back Rudi Johnson battling rookie Chris Perry for carries. The team also added a new starting guard, Bobbie Williams, to an already strong line and traded talented but disgruntled tailback Corey Dillon. With all that talent should come a more explosive offense.

"In order for us to be a better team in '04, we've got to do new things," Lewis says. "We've got to make big plays. We've got to force ourself to push the football down the field and keep the pressure on the defense."

Palmer can make every throw. He has more arm strength than Kitna, so the offense surely will push the ball downfield more. Palmer's year on the bench--getting accustomed to the NFL life, seeing the greater speed of the game, learning about schemes and coverages--will help him as he picks up the offense's new wrinkles in camp. Having Palmer as the dear-cut starter will make it easier for coordinator Bob Bratkowski to install a system around Palmer as opposed to installing a broader system while the two quarterbacks competed for the job.

"I think it's difficult to say you can equally split reps and compete to be a starting quarterback" Lewis says. "I don't recall one time where that's ever worked in the NFL."

Texans quarterbacks coach Greg Roman likens learning an offense to putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle. A quarterback has to learn how each piece fits together. He says training camp is vitally important for a young quarterback, as it has been for the Texans' David Carr, the No. 1 pick overall in 2002.

"As a quarterback, it's just such a great opportunity to get used to the speed of the game, and it's a time to identify what you're capable of doing," Roman says. "It's also a great time for the quarterback and receivers to build a rapport with each other, to learn the subtleties of each other."