A Double Standard?

So Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer wants traded because his ego is bruised after a season in which he blew game (record 4-12) after game for a team that surrounded him with not only great wide receivers, Terrel “TO” Owens and Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson, but also a strong running game led by Cedric Benson, who’s gained over a thousand yards the last two years.

But all season I never heard the severe criticism of Palmer that struggling Washington Redskin Quarterback Donovan MCNabb had to endure, thanks to the mainstream sports media.

Palmer’s career stats, awards, and won-loss record couldn’t hold McNabb’s jock, but he’s a typical franchise,  “supposed to be star” White quarterback that the sports media praises but who never lives up to the high expectations.

Before being mugged, shot, and having his career left for dead by Mike Shannahan in Washington, McNabb’s record was 92-49-1 in Philadelphia.  Carson Palmer’s record is a losing record, 48-52.   McNabb only had a great receiver for one year — the year he had TO  — and he took the Eagles to the Super Bowl, even though TO was out during the playoffs because of an injury.

The old adage that states:  “If you’re Black you have to be twice as good to get the same credit” is true.

Johnson and Owens must have got on Palmer’s nerves after he repeatedly missed them or threw interceptions, frequently going out of his way to blow games.  However, both are saying Palmer doesn’t like the coach, Marvin Lewis and management.

In fact, the media was speculating that Lewis would be fired after the season but he wasn’t.

But when it comes to Palmer asking for a trade, Johnson is wondering if there’s a double-standard operating and will Palmer be vilified like he was when he previously asked for a trade?  Johnson tweeted :   “Carson Palmer demands a trade? Last person demanded a trade in Cincy was crucified by the media and had to win the fans back, how will this go?”

Basically, I believe that Palmer is trying to force the team owner and management’s hand to trade him or get rid of Johnson and Owens, who do complain when they don’t get the ball enough — mainly through body language and on-field and sideline displays of disgust.  However, I watched Johnson and Owens go out of their way for the longest time before they they said much about the team’s under-achieving.  They still avoid directly criticizing Palmer because they may end up playing with him again next year and he’s still the one who decides where to throw the ball.

The other problem is the Bengal’s coach, Marvin Lewis.  He should be faulted for allowing Palmer to blow the team’s season.  Instead of benching Palmer, he gave him the “special treatment” that only a White quarterback can get.  If Palmer were Black, he would have been benched quickly after a couple of loses, including by Lewis.  If you don’t believe me, just look at the short leash for Black quarterbacks this year, including McNabb, Jason Campbell, and Vince Young.   Young even finished last season on a tear with eight wins and only two losses.  And Jason Campbell has had new coaches practically every season he’s been in the NFL.

McNabb told HBO:  “”Let me start by saying I love those guys. But they [Carson Palmer and Payton Manning] don’t get criticized as much as we do. They don’t.”

“One day we shall overcome . . . ” — I don’t think so.