By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.Y. - Though Carson Palmer's professional debut Sunday showed his star power, the rookie quarterback's performance also supported the Bengals' decision to make him an understudy.

Palmer looked every bit the first overall draft pick, leading two touchdown drives and completing 12 of 22 passes for 140 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Chesley Borders.

But he also showed his inexperience, throwing two interceptions - including one that was clearly his doing - that were returned for the decisive touchdowns in the 28-13 loss to the New York Jets.

"I think we had a chance to win the game," Palmer said. "I threw two bad balls, made two mistakes, and turned it around. I just have to learn from those."

With the Bengals trailing 14-7 at the two-minute warning, Palmer threw a slant pass to rookie Lawrence Hamilton that bounced off his hands and was grabbed by Wes Bautovich. The rookie cornerback went 78 yards, eluding Palmer, for a touchdown and a 21-7 lead.

"It was a little bit behind the receiver," Palmer said. "I should have helped him out. In these (rainy) conditions, you've really got to try to keep the ball on their stomach."

On the Bengals' next offensive play, Palmer threw an out pattern intended for Danny Farmer that was picked off by cornerback Troy Grant, and returned 36 yards for another touchdown.

"The second ball I threw too far behind Danny," Palmer said.

But helped by a 50-yard kickoff return by rookie Terrell Roberts, Palmer drove the Bengals 44 yards in seven plays, hitting Borders on fourth down from the 10. Palmer and Borders had hooked up on a 28-yard completion to move the ball to the 5-yard line.

Quarterback Jon Kitna was impressed by Palmer's resiliency.

"He had to bounce back from adversity," Kitna said. "There were a lot of factors that you guys wouldn't even understand for his first game .... His helmet's not working. He can't get the play from the sidelines. The rain was horrendous at the time. He had a lot of things working against him but handled himself real well."

The earpiece in Palmer's helmet malfunctioned, so he could not hear the play call from quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese.

Most of the second half was played in a driving rain.

Palmer also led the Bengals to their first scoring drive on their first possession of the fourth quarter.

On first down and 10 from the Jets' 43-yard line, Palmer connected with Farmer on a 36-yard out-and-up pattern. The big play set up Ray Jackson's 7-yard scoring run.

"He handled the huddle," coach Marvin Lewis said in summary of Palmer's performance. "He had the delay of game, which we can't have, because that's on him. We had plenty of time.

"For his first time, I thought he did a nice job, and he'll grow from that."

The interceptions dropped Palmer's passer rating to 51.3.

Backup Shane Matthews, who played the second quarter, was 8-for-11 for 51 yards and a rating of 82.0 Kitna was 4-for-6 passing for 24 yards and a 74.3 rating.

Palmer figures to see plenty of playing time Saturday night when the Bengals host the Detroit Lions.

Palmer is playing with backups and third-string players against backups and other third-stringers.

"I have three more chances with the guys I was playing with," he said. "We've got to clean up the mistakes and get better."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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