By Brad Wilbricht
AZRedReport.com
Carson Palmer wants out of Cincinnati. In fact, the former Heisman Trophy winner is so fed up with the Bengals organization that he's vowed to retire rather than return to the team next season.
Normally when a player makes a stand like this, there's a good possibility he's bluffing. In this case, Palmer appears to be sincere. His local house being up for sale and recent remarks about him having $80 million in the bank validate his threats to walk away from the game.
Palmer doesn't need football -- but teams around the league need him. For obvious reasons, the Cardinals are one of the first teams that come to mind.
As much as Palmer wants out as quarterback in Cincinnati, the Cardinals are in equal need of bringing one to Arizona. While the Cardinals struggled in several areas in 2010, dismal play at the quarterback position cost the team any shot at contending for a third consecutive division title.
Why Palmer over names such as Kevin Kolb or Kyle Orton, who have been pillars of the quarterback conversation this offseasn? Palmer is a more proven commodity -- what you see is what you get. While his days of torching opposing defenses are likely over, Palmer is good for a QB rating of somewhere around 85.0 just about every season, and that will get the job done in the NFC West.
The fact that Arizona struggled in several areas -- and not just at quarterback -- last season is another reason to go after Palmer instead of the other rumored options. Palmer, thanks to his public criticism of the Bengals and his demand to be traded, can be had for much less. A third- or fourth-round pick might be enough to land him. Getting Kolb and Orton, meanwhile, would likely require at least a second-round pick, maybe a first-rounder in Kolb's case.
If the Cardinals are able to hang onto their first few picks while addressing the quarterback situation, a quick turnaround might be in order. With the No. 5 overall pick, players such as Texas A&M OLB Von Miller and CB Patrick Peterson of LSU could be available and would offer a big upgrade for a defense that was a disapppointment last season. Both players have been extremely impressive throughout the draft process and should make an immediate impact wherever they end up.
In Round 2, selecting a left tackle from a deep group -- albeit an unheralded one -- could help alleviate some of the ongoing issues along the offensive line. Some of the tackles who could be available at No. 37 are Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod, Villanova's Benjamin Ijalana and Chris Hairston of Clemson.
But getting some combination of those players requires addressing the quarterback position outside the draft.
From Palmer's perspective, Arizona should be a desirable destination. Palmer has spent the last seven seasons in the cold, blue-collar city of Cincinnati. He has managed to stay in good standing with the fans, but his upbringing in California -- along with his playing days at USC -- never made for an ideal match.
The Cardinals would provide Palmer with a perch closer to home, warmer weather and a fan base that would borderline worship a legitimate name under center following the trials and tribulations of last season.
Also awaiting Palmer in the friendly confines of the desert: All-Pro wideout Larry Fitzgerald, as well as a talented group of young receivers waiting to break out.
Palmer knows the importance of being surrounded with playmakers -- remember when Chad Ochocinco was known as Chad Johnson and was actually productive? Palmer and Ochocinco have seemingly fallen out of favor, and despite the resurgence of Terrell Owens, visions of throwing to Fitzgerald could leave Palmer pushing for a trade to Arizona more than anywhere else.
With memories of Derek Anderson, Max Hall and Richard Bartel still fresh in the minds of the Cardinal faithful, Palmer coming to Arizona would be nothing short of pure bliss. Not only would he bridge the gap to the franchise's potential quarterback of the future, John Skelton, but his arrival would likely keep Fitzgerald around for the long haul.
All things considered, it almost makes too much sense not to come true.
