Well Chad Johnson is making news in a bad way. He missed voluntary workouts. This is not a big deal, but it kind of is a little big deal. Last season Palmer was injured for most of the season with a partially torn ligament and tendon in his right elbow. Palmer believes he’s ready to play football for next season opting out of having surgery to repair the elbow and letting it heal on its own, "It's 100 percent and I'm healthy and I'm happy. Had I gone the other way, I don't know when I'd be able to throw again, but it wouldn't be now."

It’s a little big deal that Johnson isn’t there because Palmer is coming back from an injury. I think it would be a good idea for both Johnson and Palmer to meet and get an early start by working on some drills throwing and catching passes to help build up Palmer’s confidence and gets his feel back. I know the young WR are at the offseason workouts which is good, but the main target for Palmer is Johnson and Coles. Johnson needs to be there to show Palmer that he is serious in winning a ring and is committed to the team. How do you think Manning and Harrison have become one of the best WR/QB duos? They worked at it with perfection. Palmer’s time is kind of running out (29, has few more good year left if remains healthy) and so is Johnson’s (31 in age). Really, Palmer has missed two seasons if you think about it. He missed the Steelers game in 2005 playoffs where he got hit low and last year with the elbow injury. He lost a chance in 2005 to take the team to its furthest potential. That was his last shot to taking the team deep in the playoffs and was the last time the Bengals had a winning season too. If Palmer was in the game, they could’ve won. They lost to the Steelers, 31 to 17.

At least this year Ocho Cinco isn’t creating a big deal where last season he wanted out from Cincy and demonstrated that by missing Bengals workouts. If this keeps up and he doesn’t call the Bengals letting him know why he was absent or any indication that he will be returning to the team by the mandatory workouts…then we have a problem. I think Johnson will be with the Bengals and they could have a decent season next year if Palmer is healthy and Johnson cooperates. With the addition of Coles and Johnson on the other side of the field lined up, Palmer has options to throw the ball with another slot option in Chris Henry. Let’s hope the defense gets better. When draft day comes and goes, we will have a better idea on what teams will be good next season and which might not.