Palmer will "bounce back" and thrive with his new team

Arizona fans are wondering what they have in quarterback Carson Palmer -- or, more specifically, what he has -- but relax, people. Palmer will "bounce back" and thrive with his new team.

So says Hue Jackson, Cincinnati's special assistant to the head coach in charge of the Bengals' running game and the guy who sprung Palmer out of Cincinnati.

That was two years ago when Jackson, then head coach of the Raiders, swung the deal that took Palmer to Oakland where he was supposed to lead the Raiders to the playoffs. Only he didn't, and two years later both he and Jackson have new addresses. Nevertheless, one thing hasn't changed: Jackson's belief that Palmer is a premier quarterback.

"I still think he is," he said during the Bengals' three-day mini-camp. "Carson is in the right situation. I know Bruce (Arians, Arizona's head coach), and he's a terrific offensive coach -- one of the better offensive minds in this game. He'll get the best out of Carson.

"There's no question the guy can throw the ball. There's no question he can still play and make good decisions. And he's seen every defense known to man. I just think it's about the chemistry of the offensive unit, and we were getting there in Oakland when I had him. I thought the next year he would have been two times better, but we never will know because that never happened. But Bruce has a really good football player."

Apparently, the Raiders didn't think so. They dealt Palmer to Arizona for a an exchange of low-round draft picks this year and a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2014 -- this, after they spent a first-and-second rounder to acquire him.

In essence, they gave the guy away, and some people will tell you it's because you can't win with him. Jackson isn't one of them, insisting that Palmer will get straightened out in Arizona, where the Cardinals haven't stopped looking for a successor to Kurt Warner since he retired.

"(Palmer) has receivers, he has tight ends and Bruce will get those guys to protect for him," said Jackson. "They'll understand about protection and what it really means to a quarterback. I think he'll do well for them.

"I have nothing but respect for Carson. I've always said that hard times are what make good quarterbacks, and he's been through some tough ones. He'll bounce back and do well."

-- More Story :story.officialnflfansshop.com

-- If you need the Nike NFL Jerseys:Click Here