Palmer Clears First Hurdle

As I mentioned in my preview of the 2006 Cincinnati Bengals, how far they go rests squarely on the surgically-repaired knee of Carson Palmer.

After last night, Palmer appears ready to take them back to the playoffs. In his first action since being "von Oelhoffened" last January, Palmer was 9-14 for 140 yards and tossed 3 touchdown passes. After initially appearing slightly uncomfortable in the pocket, Palmer quickly settled down and began playing like his old self. He even took off for an 11-yard scramble, which likely raised Marvin Lewis' heartrate quicker than those late night calls from local sheriffs do. But that scramble is a sign that Palmer is back.

The issue with Palmer wasn't whether or not he was physically ready to play, it was whether or not he was mentally ready to return. And last night, Palmer showed that he was indeed to read. Carson Palmer will be the team's starting quarterback when the Bengals open up the regular season in Kansas City on September 10th, and that means that Cincinnati is well-equipped to defend their AFC North crown.