Taco John
06-16-2006, 02:53 PM
Star quarterback makes speedy recovery
By Kevin Goheen
Post staff reporter
The plan was for Carson Palmer to increase his workload during the Bengals minicamp, up it from the agility drills and restricted passing he had been performing the past few weeks during organized workouts. Nowhere in the preliminary plans made public, however, had there been mention of the Bengals quarterback jumping into full team drills.
In fact, head coach Marvin Lewis had stated that Palmer would not participate in 11-on-11 team drills.
Plans changed Thursday afternoon as Palmer led the team's two-minute drill session at the end of the second practice on the first day of a three-day mandatory minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium.
It was an impromptu move on the part of Palmer and the coaching staff. Just a little more than five months after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left knee, Palmer continues to progress at a rate the keeps Palmer and team officials "cautiously optimistic" that he could be ready to play at Kansas City in the season opener on Sept. 10.
"I just jumped in and threw the ball a little bit," Palmer said following the afternoon surprise. "Overall it was a great day just because I wasn't bored watching practice. I actually got to do some things and throw some balls. That was fun. It wasn't a good practice as far as I'm concerned. I felt rusty, I felt awkward at times and off-balanced but that stuff will come."
The Bengals are not wearing any pads during this minicamp or tackling. They are practicing in shorts, jerseys and helmets. They will begin wearing full pads and tackling at training camp, which begins July 29 at Georgetown College.
Paul Sparling, the Bengals head trainer, said Palmer's progress and when he'll be actually step onto the field of play in a live game will depend on one person: Palmer.
"We need to see how he goes day by day," said Sparling. "People are looking for the crystal ball. Can you say with certainty that he's going to be ready? No, we can't. We're hopeful. We're optimistic, and we're all shooting for that. Certainly the more live activity he has the better prepared he's going to be when he finally is ready to strap it on and go. Clearly there's the physical aspect. There's also the comfort and confidence issue that only he can address."
The ACL and MCL in Palmer's left knee were torn on Jan. 8 when Pittsburgh defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen hit Palmer just after he released the ball for what would be a 66-yard completion to Chris Henry on the Bengals' second offensive play in their 31-17 playoff loss to the Steelers. He had surgery two days later in Houston, performed by Dr. Lonnie Paulos, and began his rehabilitation immediately.
Sparling said Palmer also suffered minor damage around the kneecap, a condition not uncommon to the type of injury he sustained.
Palmer's goal has been to be ready to play against the Chiefs in the season opener, even though that would be eight months to the day of his surgery. The rehabilitation and recovery process for such an injury generally takes between eight to 12 months.
Sparling said the surgery has, so far, proven to be successful in all aspects despite the severity of the injury. Palmer is only 25 years old, he has never before had to undergo knee surgery and the position of quarterback isn't as demanding on the knees as running back or wide receiver, positions that require quicker stop-and-go movements. Those factors are all positives for a speedy return.
"It certainly is cutting it close," said Sparling. "I much rather would have a little bit more time. But that being said, given the position that he plays, given the successful surgery that's been done so far, given the fact that he's had an uneventful rehab, it's very conceivable."
Prior to Thursday's workout, Palmer had been limited to individual drills that included throwing to receivers on a one-on-one basis. They may or may not have had a defender covering them, but Thursday morning Palmer participated in his first action against a defense during 7-on-7 drills; plays that include skill position players but no linemen.
"He was impressive," said cornerback Tory James. "That shows you how hard he worked to get back. He's a big part of this team. We need him back, and it looks like he's on pace to be right where he needs to be."
James missed all of the 1997 season when he torn his patella tendon that preseason while a member of the Denver Broncos. He returned to play in all 16 games in 1998 but said he didn't feel completely healed until 1999. James had five interceptions for the Broncos in '99 after not picking off a pass the previous season. James has had 17 interceptions in three seasons with the Bengals.
Palmer set four franchise records last season, including throwing 32 touchdowns, in leading the Bengals to an 11-5 record, the AFC North division championship and the organization's first postseason berth since 1990. The Bengals drafted Palmer No. 1 overall in 2003 and he became the team's starter two seasons ago after sitting on the bench and learning behind Jon Kitna as a rookie.
He was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl team along with Peyton Manning of Indianapolis and Tom Brady of New England.
"I'm personally such an (impatient) person, very greedy," Palmer said after the team's morning practice. "I like things to happen and when I want them to happen I want them to happen now. It felt great to be on the field but at the time I realize I'm not ready to step in for team (drills). I realized I'm not ready.
"I'm starting to feel that. Normally, there's no trust, and I was going to go out there and do whatever. For the first time in my career coming off a serious injury I can kind of tell. Hopefully, I'll get more and more feel and more confidence in what my body is ready for."
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060616/NEWS01/606160378
By Kevin Goheen
Post staff reporter
The plan was for Carson Palmer to increase his workload during the Bengals minicamp, up it from the agility drills and restricted passing he had been performing the past few weeks during organized workouts. Nowhere in the preliminary plans made public, however, had there been mention of the Bengals quarterback jumping into full team drills.
In fact, head coach Marvin Lewis had stated that Palmer would not participate in 11-on-11 team drills.
Plans changed Thursday afternoon as Palmer led the team's two-minute drill session at the end of the second practice on the first day of a three-day mandatory minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium.
It was an impromptu move on the part of Palmer and the coaching staff. Just a little more than five months after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left knee, Palmer continues to progress at a rate the keeps Palmer and team officials "cautiously optimistic" that he could be ready to play at Kansas City in the season opener on Sept. 10.
"I just jumped in and threw the ball a little bit," Palmer said following the afternoon surprise. "Overall it was a great day just because I wasn't bored watching practice. I actually got to do some things and throw some balls. That was fun. It wasn't a good practice as far as I'm concerned. I felt rusty, I felt awkward at times and off-balanced but that stuff will come."
The Bengals are not wearing any pads during this minicamp or tackling. They are practicing in shorts, jerseys and helmets. They will begin wearing full pads and tackling at training camp, which begins July 29 at Georgetown College.
Paul Sparling, the Bengals head trainer, said Palmer's progress and when he'll be actually step onto the field of play in a live game will depend on one person: Palmer.
"We need to see how he goes day by day," said Sparling. "People are looking for the crystal ball. Can you say with certainty that he's going to be ready? No, we can't. We're hopeful. We're optimistic, and we're all shooting for that. Certainly the more live activity he has the better prepared he's going to be when he finally is ready to strap it on and go. Clearly there's the physical aspect. There's also the comfort and confidence issue that only he can address."
The ACL and MCL in Palmer's left knee were torn on Jan. 8 when Pittsburgh defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen hit Palmer just after he released the ball for what would be a 66-yard completion to Chris Henry on the Bengals' second offensive play in their 31-17 playoff loss to the Steelers. He had surgery two days later in Houston, performed by Dr. Lonnie Paulos, and began his rehabilitation immediately.
Sparling said Palmer also suffered minor damage around the kneecap, a condition not uncommon to the type of injury he sustained.
Palmer's goal has been to be ready to play against the Chiefs in the season opener, even though that would be eight months to the day of his surgery. The rehabilitation and recovery process for such an injury generally takes between eight to 12 months.
Sparling said the surgery has, so far, proven to be successful in all aspects despite the severity of the injury. Palmer is only 25 years old, he has never before had to undergo knee surgery and the position of quarterback isn't as demanding on the knees as running back or wide receiver, positions that require quicker stop-and-go movements. Those factors are all positives for a speedy return.
"It certainly is cutting it close," said Sparling. "I much rather would have a little bit more time. But that being said, given the position that he plays, given the successful surgery that's been done so far, given the fact that he's had an uneventful rehab, it's very conceivable."
Prior to Thursday's workout, Palmer had been limited to individual drills that included throwing to receivers on a one-on-one basis. They may or may not have had a defender covering them, but Thursday morning Palmer participated in his first action against a defense during 7-on-7 drills; plays that include skill position players but no linemen.
"He was impressive," said cornerback Tory James. "That shows you how hard he worked to get back. He's a big part of this team. We need him back, and it looks like he's on pace to be right where he needs to be."
James missed all of the 1997 season when he torn his patella tendon that preseason while a member of the Denver Broncos. He returned to play in all 16 games in 1998 but said he didn't feel completely healed until 1999. James had five interceptions for the Broncos in '99 after not picking off a pass the previous season. James has had 17 interceptions in three seasons with the Bengals.
Palmer set four franchise records last season, including throwing 32 touchdowns, in leading the Bengals to an 11-5 record, the AFC North division championship and the organization's first postseason berth since 1990. The Bengals drafted Palmer No. 1 overall in 2003 and he became the team's starter two seasons ago after sitting on the bench and learning behind Jon Kitna as a rookie.
He was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl team along with Peyton Manning of Indianapolis and Tom Brady of New England.
"I'm personally such an (impatient) person, very greedy," Palmer said after the team's morning practice. "I like things to happen and when I want them to happen I want them to happen now. It felt great to be on the field but at the time I realize I'm not ready to step in for team (drills). I realized I'm not ready.
"I'm starting to feel that. Normally, there's no trust, and I was going to go out there and do whatever. For the first time in my career coming off a serious injury I can kind of tell. Hopefully, I'll get more and more feel and more confidence in what my body is ready for."
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060616/NEWS01/606160378