Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Cars...

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer aced his first major proof of the season.

With a great brace protecting his rebuilt left knee Palmer took the hits, avoided the rush and threw three first-half touchdown passes in his first preseason game of the season, leading the Bengals to a 48-17 ruin of the visiting Green Bay Packers. The game was delayed for 39 minutes early in the fourth quarter by dint of lightning.

through the time the Bengals jogg to the locker extent with a 34-7 halftime lead, Palmer had made his case that he will be ready to start the regular-season opener tribe 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I can't say I felt real emotional," said Palmer, who was playing for the first time since suffering pair torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap during a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steeler in January. "It just felt like a business day, a chance to achieve some work in."

Showing no hesitation to take a hard tackle or to scramble, Palmer complet 9 of 14 passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns - - a six-yarder to Reggie Kelly a 33-yarder to TJ Houshmandzadeh and a 15-yarder to Tab Perry

"It felt virtuous to get hit and to know my knee could withstand the contact," Palmer said. "They can talk all they want about you being ready to advance but until you get hit, until you gain pressure on the knee from another player, that's when you know you really perceive confident about it."

Coach Marvin Lewis was encouraged according to what he saw.

"He dropp back, turn abouted out, got hit a not many times, had a chance to move the ball," Lewis said. "He considered very good, very sharp. I can't say I'm all that surprised. Maybe he was a little sharper than you'd look forward to but we've seen him working each day for six months."

Raiders sign George: The Oakland Raiders signed quarterback Jeff George to an undisclosed contract, bringing back a player who hasn't thrown a pass in the NFL in five seasons.

George, who was the No. 1 overall pick at the Indianapolis Colts in 1990 joined the team in time for the afternoon practice. He previously played for the Raiders in 1997-98 starting 23 games and throwing 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. It is not immediately clear what his part will be on the Raiders, who already have Aaron take patiently [i]or[/i] easilys Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo onward the roster.

"It's tough watching TV and seeing the frights ... and you're not part of that," George, 38 said. "So I'm just self-same thankful this organization believed in me and allowed me another opportunity. I don't know where I'd be without them."

George, who starred at Illinois, hasn't played in an NFL game since the Washington Redskins released him after the secondary game of the 2001 season. The Bears signed him late in the 2004 season, if it were not that he didn't play for them.

More QB news: The Tennessee Titans signed veteran quarterback Kerry Collins,

finally deciding they ne more experience after trading longtime starter Steve McNair to the Baltimore Ravens.

"This is a team that I be stirred I can contribute to and make an impact in," Collins said. "I've had opportunities to advance different places. This was the individual that I've really been targeting. I'm just glad it worked out"

Coach Jeff Fisher said Collins, an 11-year veteran who went 7-21 as the starter the last brace seasons with the Raiders before being sculpture in a salary-cap move, already met with

offensive coordinator Norm Chow for about an hour and will be at practice today.

Fisher said Billy Volek remains the starter, with rookie Vince Young backing him up while Collins learns the classification

Holme forward PUP list: The odds of seeing three-time Pro depression running back Priest Holmes forward the field this season got abundant longer when the Chiefs place him on the physically-unable-to-perform list. below NFL rules, Holmes will be not at home at least six weeks.

Holme missed the last nine games of last season after taking a hit from the San Diego Chargers' Shawne Merriman that caused trauma to his head and neck Doctors haven't given him clearance to practice.

"You not at any time know where his career's at right now," coach Herm Edwards said. "Only he knows that. That's between he and the doctor."

Eagles-Saints deal: The Philadelphia Eagles acquired wide receiver Donte' Stallworth from the recent Orleans Saints for veteran linebacker Mark Simoneau and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2007 The trade is pending one as well as the other players passing physicals with their fresh team.

Stallworth caught 70 passes for 945 yards and seven touchdowns last season and has 195 catches for 2791 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career.

Notes: Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Greg Jone will miss the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a preseason game Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

- The NFL is negotiating to play a preseason game nearest summer in China, and league spokesman Greg Aiello said a decision will be made by the agency of the end of September.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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