Quarterback Carson Palmer joined his Bengals teammates yesterday for the start of voluntary workouts in Paul Brown Stadium, pronouncing himself healthy and energized for the challenge that awaits. While he rebuilt his injured right elbow in recent months, team officials retooled the offense, from personnel to the playbook.
There is much room for improvement, after the Bengals finished last season with the fewest yards and points in the NFL.
"We've got a lot of work to do, a long way to go, but we've got the right guys to get that work in," Palmer said.
He spent time recently working with young receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell and watching video of the team's newest receiver, free-agent signee Laveranues Coles.
It was the same program Palmer followed in previous winters. He said he is no longer affected by the elbow soreness that forced him to miss 12 games last season. "I'm throwing a lot, I'm 100 percent," he said.
The only difference is the players he is throwing to: T.J. Houshmandzadeh signed with Seattle and Chad Ocho Cinco has kept to himself. Palmer said he has not spoken to Ocho Cinco since last season ended, and Ocho Cinco's locker was conspicuously undisturbed yesterday.
The Bengals would not release an attendance report, and coach Marvin Lewis refused to discuss individual players, but it was apparent Ocho Cinco was one of the few players who skipped the meeting and conditioning work.
In his absence this winter, Palmer worked out with -- and developed a new respect for -- Simpson and Caldwell, high draft choices who combined for only 12 catches as rookies last season.
"For them to be in the shape they're in and to be as mechanically sound as they are at this point in the year, it's exciting," Palmer said. "It shows the dedication, the work ethic, the desire to be great receivers. That's the most exciting thing for me. ... These guys drastically improved themselves at a time when not many guys are working."
While Simpson and Caldwell were refining their footwork and Palmer was rehabilitating his elbow, Bengals coaches picked the brains of colleagues in the NFL and college for ways to pep up the struggling offense. Lewis has been coy about what changes will be made, except to say he expects a more consistent running game and more explosive passing game.
After years of offensive success, the Bengals suddenly face some urgency to incorporate new personnel and master new plays and formations.
"Carson and I had a lot of time to talk last year," Lewis said. "There are some things that myself, (offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski) and all the offensive coaches felt like we needed to do a better job of.
"We tried to really put the pieces back around Carson to maximize his abilities and help ourselves offensively."
spriestle@dispatch.com
