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It appears that Canadian quarterback Jesse Palmer might not break camp with the Montreal Alouettes. A report in Friday's Montreal Gazette said Palmer's attendance was "unlikely."
The Gazette spoke to the quarterback's father, Bill Palmer, and he expressed doubts that his son would attend Alouettes camp "due to the complete indifference by Montreal."
The senior Palmer also expressed disappointment over the development.
"This is a bilingual Canadian kid who would have been happy playing there 10 years," he told the Gazette. "If they don't do something with him, they'll lose him. The kid deserves to play somewhere. It's going to be a sad day if he doesn't."
The elder Palmer contends that the team does not intend to give Jesse a chance to compete with incumbent starter Anthony Calvillo. The younger Palmer is entering his option year with the Alouettes and can be a free agent after the 2007 season.
"He had to go to Montreal because they drafted him," Palmer's father told the Gazette. "But he didn't have a terrific experience. He had no choice, but now he does have a choice. He wanted to go and compete for the starting job or look at his options. But now they can trade him or he'll retire or pursue broadcasting."
Broadcasting is certainly a viable option for Palmer, who would likely make more money on TV than on the field. He has already covered the NFL for FOX, and will work for the NFL Network at this weekend's draft. According to the Gazette, Palmer already has an offer from MSG to work on New York Giants and Jets games, and is negotiating with FOX, ESPN and CBS.
That doesn't leave the Alouettes out, however. Said palmer's father, "the kid just wants to play football."