In his conference call with the Cincinnati media Thursday, Jay Gruden called the new scheme quarterback-friendly and believes it will energize quarterback Carson Palmer, currently a question mark with a trade request. The Bengals hope the West Coast brings the quarterback back from the West Coast.
"I think he'll welcome the challenge and be open to the change because it will be a major change for him," Gruden said. "He's been in the same system for a long time. The terminology is going to be different. We'll try to take the success the Cincinnati Bengals have had over the years and keep those in place, but for the most part everything is going to be new to him. It will be a challenge but I think he'll enjoy it once he sits down and checks it out.
No word yet from the Palmer camp, but running back Cedric Benson, not pleased with Palmer's franchise-high 586 passes last season, had to like Gruden's opening act.
"We have to run the ball between the tackles," Gruden said. "We have to be a physical team up front. We're going to challenge our offensive line to be physical. We're not going to spread out and go no-huddle every down and throw the ball 65 times a game. I intend on pounding the ball and being able to pound the ball."
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