SportsNation Blog Archives
Carson Palmer
Remember when Carson Palmer used to play for the Bengals? Before the pseudo-holdout and the emergence of Andy Dalton, Palmer was actually a pretty good quarterback at times in Cincinnati. Could he be a pretty good QB in Oakland? The Bengals reportedly are on the verge of trading him to the Raiders for a first-round pick in 2012 and a conditional first-round pick in 2013. That sounds like a pretty good haul for a guy who wasn't even playing for the Bengals, don't you think? Or are the Raiders finally getting a potential franchise quarterback out of a bad situation?
More: Would you start Jason Campbell over Palmer if both are healthy?
Are the Raiders overpaying?
In most years, a first-round pick from the Raiders could be an amazing haul. This year, it might result in a pick very late in the round.
- Rank 'Em: Are Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco among NFL's elite receivers?
- Vote: Is Joey Votto a more valuable player than Albert Pujols this season?
- Rank 'Em: Where are Reds in MLB Power Rankings? | Bengals in NFL Power Rankings?
It's been a long wait, but for Cincinnati sports fans, the good news is finally yours again.
The University of Cincinnati got things rolling in 2010 with a BCS appearance (we won't mention the final score against Florida), but that was just the appetizer. Absent from the playoffs for 15 years, the Reds continue to lead the NL Central as the baseball season rolls on toward Labor Day, and highly touted rookie Aroldis Chapman nears his MLB debut. And the Cincinnati Bengals promise to be one of the NFL's most entertaining teams. They might even be good, too.
Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco played their first preseason game together up the road in Canton, and while Owens made more noise talking about his departure from the Cowboys than he did in limited time on the field, his presence helps Bengals games rate as must-see television -- at least in the Queen City.
Nick (Cincinnati)
Is there any hope that Carson Palmer can get back to the form and promise he once showed, or is he just average (or worse) since the injuries? Or is the offensive line more of the culprit of the bad passing offense last year?
ESPN NFL Insider KC Joyner
The issue for Palmer is that he doesn't have anyone who can beat top-line coverage. Cincinnati faces a brutal set of CBs this year and neither Owens nor Ochocinco did much of anything against red-rated CBs last year (check out the Insider article I wrote last week for more details). The Bengals are going to once again be a run-first team. Full transcript
Clay D (NY)
Other than St. Louis, which team in either league has the best pitching staff for the post-season?
Hall of Famer Joe Morgan
First of all, I don't think St. Louis has the best pitching. They have the best two or three guys, but then where do you go? As far as depth and bullpen, I don't think they have the best pitching. I think the Reds have the best pitching with the least amount of pitching experience. I think they have the best 5 starters. They're not as good as Carpenter or Wainwright, but they have 5 good starters. Depth wise, I think the Reds have the best depth. Full transcript
Chaz (Dayton, OH)
Coach, how is your family adapting to life in the Queen City?
University of Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones
We love it. I've said it on numerous occasions, Cincinnati is a big city with small town values with tremendous pride. It's a great city to raise a family, especially with small boys. We couldn't be prouder to be residents of Cincinnati. Full transcript
Carson Palmer says he's all for the Bengals bringing in Terrell Owens to play opposite Chad Ochocinco, a move we can only assume would necessitate Jeff Probst taking on sideline reporter duties for CBS. But would that even be T.O.'s strangest pairing of 2010?
We talked earlier this week about Ochocinco's upcoming run as a "Dancing With the Stars" contestant, but unless Roger Goodell will be dancing with him instead of fining him, that's small potatos compared to Owens reuniting with Donovan McNabb.
The apparently former feud foes will team up with Antonio Gates on Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes" to play Hakeem Olajuwon, Rick Fox and Kenny Smith in basketball. Can a Conan O'Brien appearance on Jay Leno's couch be far behind?
“unlike football, TO seems to be a pretty good teammate when it comes to Reality TV shows. Well at least for the one he did for ABC
” -- phillkoo
“Hey T.O., in case you forgot, those passes will be low and behind you. Good thing in basketball you're allowed to bounce them.
” -- CraigoB52
“Let's hope McNabb doesn't get tired because we all know who T.O. will blame if the Pros don't win....
” -- MShlyank
- Your Rankings: Who are the leading candidates for NFL MVP?
- Chats: Chris Mortensen wrap | Matt Williamson, 12 ET | Mel Kiper, 1 ET
Should we offer a moment of silence for fantasy football owners coming to the realization that Saints safety Darren Sharper has scored more touchdowns this season than Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs or Anquan Boldin?
The Saints are just outside the top 10 in total defense at the moment, which is kind of remarkable when you think about how often their opponents have the whole field to work with after yet another Saints touchdown and yet another Saints kickoff. Sharper may not be the sole reason for the success, given that he shares the field with guys like Charles Grant and Jonathan Vilma, but as a newcomer with a league-best six interceptions and three touchdowns, he's becoming the face of it.
When push comes to shove, 67 percent of SportsNation prefers a great defense to a great offense. But are you ready to give a guy like Sharper MVP consideration?
- Wednesday Chats: Chris Mortensen, 11 ET | Matt Williamson, 12 ET | Mel Kiper, 1 ET
Why didn't AIG have this kind of foresight? As recounted in the Wall Street Journal, Fantasy Sports Insurance launched this year to offer fantasy football owners some peace of mind on their high-dollar investments. Drafted Adrian Peterson but worried about an injury ruining your season? Buy insurance on him and recoup your league fees if he gets hurt (although in Peterson's case, based on his chat with SportsNation, Frank Gore insurance would have been a better investment).
One of the only 50 stars the company offered to insure? Cedric Benson. The same guy who averaged 3.5 yards per carry last season while rushing for a career "best" 747 yards. Forget insurance; we're going to these guys for our draft cheat sheet next year.
Thanks in no small part to Benson, who has 487 rushing yards in five games, the Bengals are 4-1. But does that make him a better MVP pick than Carson Palmer, let alone Peterson, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or other standouts?
Scott (Bakersfield, CA)
Which offseason add has helped their team more Dawkins or Sharper?
Gary Horton
That's almost a push. They are both great veteran players with tremendous leadership skills. Your first inclination might be to say Sharper because of his big plays and his instincts. He can turn around a game with those interceptions. My sources in Denver tell me Dawkins is like another coach on the field and is a huge part of the speed in which Denver has made the transition from a 43 to a 34. That may not show up in the box score, but it is a big factor in their success. Full transcript.
Random (Dude)
DO u have yourself on your fantasy team?
Adrian Peterson
Nope. Frank Gore. And Matt Forte. Full transcript.
- Your Rankings: Are Kyle Orton and Carson Palmer both in your top 10?
- Chat: Gary Horton recaps Sunday and previews Monday Night Football, 4 ET.
To their everlasting credit, SportsNation did prefer Kyle Orton to JaMarcus Russell when ranking NFL quarterbacks on the eve of the 2009 season. Then again, given the option, they probably would have ranked Vince Evans, Y.A. Tittle and Shane Falco ahead of Russell.
The Nation's No. 30 field general back in August, Orton earned his fifth star Sunday, throwing for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win against the Patriots and Tom Brady, the guy voters ranked No. 1 two months ago.
But Orton, who wouldn't have an interception to his name if not for a pick by Randy Moss at the end of the first half Sunday, isn't the only quarterback with upward mobility. The Nation's fourth-ranked quarterback when the 2007 season began, Carson Palmer had slipped to No. 11 this preseason. But after another upset win for the Bengals this week, this time in Baltimore against the Ravens, is he once again top-5 material?
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd have been cleared to play and are in the starting lineup today on "SportsNation" TV.
Discuss the hot topics, vote on the biggest stories of the day and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET. And if you miss that, there's a second helping of "SportsNation" at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Should the Patriots pursue Michael Vick?
New England has a system and has a good track record of taking in troubled players who have made surprisingly few waves once in the fold.
Do the Phillies need to upgrade by adding Roy Halladay?
The rest of the National League East is fading fast, but Peter Gammons argues Philly could write in several years of championships by adding the pitcher.
Where do you stand on instant replay in baseball?
Michael Cuddyer sure looked safe in the replay, but instead of tying the game, he was called out at home last night in Oakland.
Who is the better player?
Manny Ramirez and Mickey Mantle both put up incredible offensive stats on some of the best teams in baseball in their given eras.
Is Chris Henry on the verge of a Randy Moss-type career?
Carson Palmer believes in second acts, and he says his wayward Bengals teammate is poised to provide some noncontroversial offense in Cleveland.
What is "SportsNation" TV and how do you make your voice heard on the broadcast? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
Perhaps Philadelphia fans were upset when the Eagles drafted Donovan McNabb ahead of Ricky Williams because they knew the quarterback would provide far fewer opportunities for them to vent their legendary love of mocking. Or perhaps they're just insufferable.
A perfect fit for a city whose fans are alternately praised for their knowledge and reviled for their cynicism, the quarterback who could be bound for Canton but was definitely bound for the bench just last season got a raise this week. And even if it wasn't the extension McNabb wanted, SportsNation seems to think it was a sign he's an Eagle for life.
- 54 percent think he still needs a little work to be a Hall of Famer
- 46 percent think he'll be remembered as the best player in the 1999 draft
- 72 percent think he'll finish his career with the Eagles
Brotherly Love Fan Groups: Philadelphia Sports | Diehard Phillies Fans | The Philadelphia 76ers Group | Displaced Philly Fans | Flyers Crazy! | Philly Fans
“Cool McNabb you have a cool name and were booed when you were drafted. You get hurt every year and the only time you ever accomplished anything was when T.O. carries your team while in his prime. Most overrated QB now and maybe in history. He definately isn't an iron man, and he seems more like a cancer to the eagles every year then anything else.
” -- AjP_
“And for any McNabb haters who question his abiltiy to win. Only two QB's have won more games (regular season & playoffs) than McNabb as a starter in the last ten years: Peyton Manning & Tom Brady
” -- tmscfinest
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