This version of MUT 23 ltds cards is cruel and shitty for many reasons, but particularly for USC quarterbacks who are pushed onto professional teams with lesser talent to the opposition. These pro teams are invariably located in cities with imperfect weather conditions and a press less likely to be awestruck by the handsome young man groomed to puberty in order to succeed. Palmer, Leinart, and Sanchez have all made millions of dollars through Madden NFL 23. but each has been victimized by any combination of injury or bad luck, poor coaching, on-field errors, and sexy jacuzzi parties.
The pass is gorgeous: a long parabolic arc which lands Chris Henry in stride on the right sideline, resulting in the 66-yard distance. It's the opening game of 2006's Wild Card game against the Steelers which was the longest pass sequence during Bengals playoff history, and the end of Palmer's short career as an elite quarterback in the NFL. The play ends with Henry getting sacked at the Steelers' 22 and Palmer fell to his five, lying on his back and writhing after Kimo von Olhoeffen hit him in the low area and tore his MCL and ACL.
This doesn't mean Palmer hasn't played well since He was quickly healed and played all 16 games that year (no problem; just look up Robert Griffin III) and even made the Pro Bowl. But it was the Palmer at the end of the 2005 season -- who dominated in the Madden NFL 23 with 32 touchdown passes and a 67.8 percent completion rate, while throwing 12 interceptions during the second year he was a starter -- never reappeared. His accuracy dipped and the Bengals organization's problems resurfaced and he was plagued by elbow injuries, probably the combination of throwing to his knee that was surgically repaired.
The time he spent in Cincinnati ended when the Bengals recorded a 4-12 record during the 2010 season. Palmer was eighth time with the team. Palmer declared that he'd rather retire at 31 than play for the Bengals once more: "I have $80 million in my account. I don't have to play football for money. I'll do it because I love football but the money isn't the only reason. I'm determined to live my life." Think about that for a moment: Palmer, the first overall pick of the 2003 Madden 23 ltds Draft, younger then both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning and was ready to never play football again at 31. That's how much playing with the Bengals sucks ass.
