Boomer sounding board

[akiliMVP]

Boomer sounding board
5/27/2005 - 5-27-05, 6 p.m.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
Willie Anderson, dean of the Bengals with 142 games that started in Spinney Field’s old school and is now in Marvin Lewis’ new school, knows a thing or two about leadership.

So he smiled a little smile this week when he heard Carson Palmer’s joking rejoinder to Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson.

”How you going to stop me?” Johnson brayed during warmups one day this week. “How you going to stop 85, Carson?”

Palmer thought only briefly.

“I’ll just throw it to T.J.,” the quarterback said.

“He was joking, they were being sarcastic. They were playing,” Anderson said. “But guys have to know that.”

His guys have to know that the quarterback is in charge of the best teams. Anderson has seen it at Pro Bowls with Tom Brady and Petyon Manning. As one of the last two Bengals who played with Boomer Esiason, he saw it up close here for a season. Now Palmer has developed a close relationship with Esiason, the headmaster of leadership.

BABY BOOMER
Palmer-Esiason comparison of first 13 career starts
Record Att Comp Pct Yds Yds/Att TD Int Rating
Palmer 6-7 432 263 60.9 2897 6.71 18 18 77.3
Esiason 8-5 346 196 56.6 2454 7.12 18 10 84.1


“He called me after almost every game last year,” Palmer said. “Just going over little things, trying to help me out. We always talk. Never a whole lot about football. A lot about Cincinnati, golf, family. He’s a guy that I can look up to and get advice from.”

Esiason has had ample opportunity the last two weekends to get Palmer’s ear. Two weeks ago they were at the NFL Quarterbacks Challenge, which Esiason worked for CBS and will be seen on the network July 17. Last week, they were in town at the Marvin Lewis Golf Classic.

“I just tell him to make sure that this is his team,” Esiason said. “They’ve got a lot of great players on offense. They’re very talented. But this has to be his team.”

Palmer thinks it is already because, “That’s just the way it is when you’re the quarterback.”

He’s accessible, and you can see it when defensive guys like Carl Powell and Kevin Kaesviharn walk by him in the locker room after practice and lightly punch him, or they trade some verbal jabs.

It may not be Esiason’s Long Island-cut-the-BS-brashness, but Palmer can also send a message in his Southern California cool. Palmer isn’t the Boomer quote machine or the locker room magnet. But even if he’s not loud, he’s got a noisy presence with his height, Heisman Trophy, and howitzer hanging off his right side.

“He’s very subtle about it,” Kaesviharn said. “He’s not a great rah-rah, guy, but when someone is cracking a joke on him, he’ll be able to crack right back on someone, and I think guys respect that and enjoy it, too. He likes to relax, and enjoy himself, but still get his work done. You don’t always have to be a rah-rah guy to be a leader. I think he wants to be a leader by example and he’s done that to this point throughout his career.”

But everyone seems to know it takes a little more than that to lead in the NFL. Kaesviharn says he might not be vocal team wide, but he’s a talker in small groups. Palmer says he’s always pulling aside guys during practice and points to the rapport with his receivers.

“Chad and I talk after every completion and incompletion,” Palmer said. “About the route, the throw, the read. . . .I’m not going to run around with a crown on my head. The idea is not to act better than everybody else. I’m not. But I know when you play this position what it means.”

So if Palmer is subtle, what did that make the ever-blunt Esiason?

“The thing with Boomer is that he had such command of the offense,” said Anderson, a second-year right tackle during Esiason’s last season in 1997. “Don’t worry about the team. You can’t play defense and this is Marvin’s defense, anyway. But the one thing we do know (about the quarterback) is that this is his offense and he’s got to take that by the rings. (Palmer is) getting that way in the huddle. He’s coming along. The only two guys I’ve seen who could have the big input with the coaches are Boomer (and Jon Kitna), and at some point that’s where Carson is going.”

Palmer has talked to Esiason about virtually everything Bengal. The kid can hear and understand the passion.

“He loves the city, he loved playing here, and he misses it,” Palmer said. “He’s telling me to take advantage of a great opportunity in a great city. He has only told me good things about the organization. He says it’s headed the right way and I’ve got the chance to help them get back to where they were when he was here. It’s exciting. It’s great to have a guy like that on my side.”

Anderson has to love it that Esiason has become Palmer’s court counselor. He counts himself lucky that he and Rich Braham played with the 36-year-old Esiason down that heady 4-1 final stretch that had all the feel of an old rock band reunion.

“I didn’t see him in ’88, but I saw him at the end when he understood the power of the position.” Anderson said. “The prince might not want to be the king when his Daddy dies, but it’s his birthright.

“I see it at the Pro Bowl,” Anderson said. “Tom Brady was the only Patriots guy there from the offense. But you could tell how the defensive guys reacted to him. ‘What’s No. 12 doing?’ Same thing with Peyton. Those guys, they’re all looking at No. 18.”

Palmer knows they’re all looking at No. 9.

“That’s just the way it is,” Palmer said.

In the locker room, in front of the media, Johnson gave Palmer another chance for his one-liner.

“How do you stop me?” he asked his quarterback.

Well, I could throw it to T.J., P.Dub. . . and Johnson laughed with all his mid-week teeth. Maybe Esiason would have kiddingly thrown a few New York profane bombs Johnson’s way while ripping his sometimes gold teeth, but the Southern Cal deadpan seemed to be working just fine.

“Little things like that. He’s still in charge,” Kaesviharn said. “But at the same time, he’s having fun. Subtle.”

[CatScratchFever]

Good article. The team seems to have way more confidence, get along better, and are having more fun playing football than they have in many, many years. This is going to be one hell of a season.

[Guest wat]

Have we mistaken Boomer Esiasan? Judged him too soon?? Maybe he should show some of that love for the Bengals when other people are watching.

[|Lucid|]

[quote name='wat' date='May 27 2005, 07:56 PM']Have we mistaken Boomer Esiasan?  Judged him too soon??  Maybe he should show some of that love for the Bengals when other people are watching.
[right][post="97064"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I never thought that Boomer turned his back on the Bengals. Last year during the QB challenge he fucked with Carson alot... On the surface it seemed like he was just giving him a hard time... But I thought at the time that it was obvious he just cared more.. It was more paternal than bully.

Ever notice how you are sometimes the meanest to the people you care about most? You'll say and do hurtfull things that just don't make sense. This is because you actually really care. It's so much easier to be easy going with people you could give a shit about.

It's the people that don't care so much who'll be cool with you fucking your life up.... It's your family and best friends that will kick your ass, call you names and cuss you out. But when push comes to shove, and you find yourself fucked, who's left?

Not your "buddies"

I think it is this way for Esiason, Trumpy and a few others that have been down on us the past few years. Because we sucked... Just plain awful. And the whole orginazation needed a face lift. I think he could have caught on sooner when things began to turn around. But even Trumpy seemed pretty sceptical at first.

[Guest Matt_Six]

[quote name='Lucid' date='May 27 2005, 07:34 PM']I never thought that Boomer turned his back on the Bengals.  Last year during the QB challenge he fucked with Carson alot... On the surface it seemed like he was just giving him a hard time... But I thought at the time that it was obvious he just cared more.. It was more paternal than bully.

Ever notice how you are sometimes the meanest to the people you care about most?  You'll say and do hurtfull things that just don't make sense.  This is because you actually really care.  It's so much easier to be easy going with people you could give a shit about.

It's the people that don't care so much who'll be cool with you fucking your life up.... It's your family and best friends that will kick your ass, call you names and cuss you out.  But when push comes to shove, and you find yourself fucked, who's left?

Not your "buddies"

I think it is this way for Esiason, Trumpy and a few others that have been down on us the past few years. Because we sucked... Just plain awful.  And the whole orginazation needed a face lift.  I think he could have caught on sooner when things began to turn around. But even Trumpy seemed pretty sceptical at first.
[right][post="97080"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Nice way of looking at things... I don't care for Boomer much, personally...

But hey... if he wants to help out our QB, then keep the advice coming!

[Guest BengalsOwn]

If Esiason didn't act like a prick on his radio show every week with Trumpy during the football season, I would't think he's an asshole.

[|Lucid|]

[quote name='BengalsOwn' date='May 27 2005, 08:41 PM']If Esiason didn't act like a prick on his radio show every week with Trumpy during the football season, I would't think he's an asshole.
[right][post="97085"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Oh I never said he wasn't an asshole. I think most people could agree on that.

[-Dan_Bengals_FL-]

I thought is was a good article put together by Hobson. I can't imagine Kaesviharn making remarks to Palmer. Palmer probably thinks of a million come-backs in a matter of seconds. Such as "you couldn't pick off Akili Smith." However, I find it great that the locker-room has an easy going sense of humor. It makes it easier to talk to your teammates about making improvements, when everyone knows each other and gets along.

On another note, although Boomer appears to be an asshole on certain occasions. It is obvious that he cares about the Bengals organization and wants to see them turn the corner and become a Super Bowl team.

[-GoBengals-]

[quote name='BengalsOwn' date='May 27 2005, 07:41 PM']If Esiason didn't act like a prick on his radio show every week with Trumpy during the football season, I would't think he's an asshole.
[right][post="97085"][/post][/right][/quote]


[quote name='Lucid' date='May 27 2005, 07:43 PM']Oh I never said he wasn't an asshole. I think most people could agree on that.
[right][post="97086"][/post][/right][/quote]



atleast we all agree.

[Guest Matt_Six]

[quote name='GoBengals' date='May 27 2005, 09:11 PM']     atleast we all agree.
[right][post="97115"][/post][/right][/quote]

I just noticed you have a porn store, too...


hmmm, interesting

[-GoBengals-]

[quote name='Matt_Six' date='May 27 2005, 09:15 PM']I just noticed you have a porn store, too...
hmmm, interesting
[right][post="97116"][/post][/right][/quote]





design in bengals colors might i add....

[bwwasb]

hi everyone this is my first post......i read this board at least twice a day and was a poster at jts board when it was up.........but anyways.........how can you sit and put boomer down??????he only spoke the truth about the bengals like we all did.............we hated the way they played and was tired of it...............after 14 years of rooting for a losing team we get aggravated and demand some changes.......and that we got.now we have something to look forward to besides losing........you cant blame boomer for being outspoken.....i am and im sure the rest of you were too........im sure at 1 point you said im tired of these sorry asses.and as far as someone saying they dont like boomer,,,,,,,,,he has done alot for the team while playing and while retired.........to me it is ridiculas to hear any of you dog him.......just by reading the board daily it seems like theres alot of youngsters posting....i suggest you watch some old tapes from the late 80s and 90s...i have plenty if you would like to see any...........take no offence to my post.

[Guest BengalsOwn]

[quote]i suggest you watch some old tapes from the late 80s and 90s[/quote]

Why, so we can see when all of the losing began?

[-GoBengals-]

[quote name='bwwasb' date='May 27 2005, 10:25 PM']hi everyone this is my first post......i read this board at least twice a day and was a poster at jts board when it was up.........but anyways.........how can you sit and put boomer down??????he only spoke the truth about the bengals like we all did.............we hated the way they played and was tired of it...............after 14 years of rooting for a losing team we get aggravated and demand some changes.......and that we got.now we have something to look forward to besides losing........you cant blame boomer for being outspoken.....i am and im sure the rest of you were too........im sure at 1 point you said im tired of these sorry asses.and as far as someone saying they dont  like boomer,,,,,,,,,he has done alot for the team while playing and while retired.........to me it is ridiculas to hear any of you dog him.......just by reading the board daily it seems like theres alot of  youngsters posting....i suggest you watch some old tapes from the late 80s and 90s...i have plenty if you would like to see any...........take no offence to my post.
[right][post="97143"][/post][/right][/quote]


A: welcome to posting here, i hope you do alot more.

B: boomer is an asshole, his bashing didnt happen when we were being blazed on the field, his bashing came the same time the writers in cincinnati turned thier backs on the team, when the media spotlight was on us, his drunkin sounding foolishness around the MNF game urks me the most, he is no saint, he did nothing for this franchise that he didnt do for himself, boomer is a cincinnati "star" where someone like munoz is a cincinnati "icon"... boomer brings no sense of pride to this team or this city. others do, if he wants to help carson, thats dandy, ..thats all he is good for.

[quote name='BengalsOwn' date='May 27 2005, 10:33 PM']Why, so we can see when all of the losing began?
[right][post="97146"][/post][/right][/quote]


your a bitter man...

[Guest BengalBacker]

I think Boomer tried to stick up for us for a long time, and he took a lot of shit for it from the other talking heads. He probably reached a point where he decided to wait until we do something deserving of praise before he'd stick his neck out again. I'm sure he wants us to do well, if for no other reason than the fact that he's associated with us, and always will be.

I loved him as a QB and I think he was very underrated. Not many QB's could run the no huddle the way he did. I've never seen ANY QB as good at the play fake. That's what he needs to teach Carson. If you can sell the fake the way Boomer did, your offense immediately gets much more dangerous.

Asshole or not, I'll always like Boomer. He gave me some great memories.

[Bengals_12th_Man]

[quote name='BengalBacker' date='May 28 2005, 02:02 AM']I think Boomer tried to stick up for us for a long time, and he took a lot of shit for it from the other talking heads. He probably reached a point where he decided to wait until we do something deserving of praise before he'd stick his neck out again. I'm sure he wants us to do well, if for no other reason than the fact that he's associated with us, and always will be.

I loved him as a QB and I think he was very underrated. Not many QB's could run the no huddle the way he did. I've never seen ANY QB as good at the play fake. That's what he needs to teach Carson. If you can sell the fake the way Boomer did, your offense immediately gets much more dangerous.

Asshole or not, I'll always like Boomer. He gave me some great memories.
[right][post="97196"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]


Praise to that post. I noticed a change after he called for us to go to the playoffs some time ago and we didnt. I too think thats why he changed his tone. If people who dog the Bengals are assholes, we all have been (from time to time).

[Bengalnutt]

[quote name='Bengals_12th_Man' date='May 28 2005, 09:34 AM']Praise to that post. I noticed a change after he called for us to go to the playoffs some time ago and we didnt. I too think thats why he changed his tone. If people who dog the Bengals are assholes, we all have been (from time to time).
[right][post="97198"][/post][/right][/quote]
... I can`t say I have seen every Boomer quote or interview. But it has always been my impression that he wanted the team to do well. That he took pride in playing for the Bengals. Hey, even talked to Palmer before he was drafted and said nothing but positive things about the city and the organization. Everone has their own opinion. I don`t agree with Bashing Boomer. I have seen him stand up for the Bengals on National TV when it was very hard to admit you were even a fan. If it makes you all feel better about youselves to knock him go for it. But I have lost some repect for those that do. He was a good leader for our team and a real class act if you ask me. Ok.. I said it and I stick by it. So now, have some fun and bash me. .. Who-Dey all...

[Guest wat]

[quote name='Bengalnutt' date='May 28 2005, 11:25 AM']     ... I can`t say I have seen every Boomer quote or interview. But it has always been my impression that he wanted the team to do well. That he took pride in playing for the Bengals. Hey, even talked to Palmer before he was drafted and said nothing but positive things about the city and the organization. Everone has their own opinion. I don`t agree with Bashing Boomer. I have seen him stand up for the Bengals on National TV when it was very hard to admit you were even a fan. If it makes you all feel better about youselves to knock him go for it. But I have lost some repect for those that do. He was a good leader for our team and a real class act if you ask me. Ok.. I said it and I stick by it. So now, have some fun and bash me. .. Who-Dey all...     
[right][post="97207"][/post][/right][/quote]

listen to his radio show and watch his TV pre-game program every week during the season, then come back and tell us your impression of him.

[Jason]

[quote name='wat' date='May 28 2005, 11:38 AM']listen to his radio show and watch his TV pre-game program every week during the season, then come back and tell us your impression of him.
[right][post="97222"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

I listened to his show a lot last year. You know what I heard? Boomer defending the organization and believeing they would sign Rudi while Trumpy slammed the team saying Rudi was gone.

[Bengalnutt]

[quote name='Jason' date='May 28 2005, 04:48 PM']I listened to his show a lot last year.  You know what I heard?  Boomer defending the organization and believeing they would sign Rudi while Trumpy slammed the team saying Rudi was gone.
[right][post="97223"][/post][/right][/quote]
... I have listened to him and Trumpy go at it during there weekly Radio show. I just hear him tell it like he sees it. Sometimes I agree sometimes I don`t. I have seen him on the TV pregame shows a lot and he is usally taking crapp for supporting the Bengals. I can`t find a reason to Dog him for that. Like I said, I think he is a class act. I am glad to say he is a former Bengal that got the job done on many a Sunday for the Team and the fans. WHO-DEY all...