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The refusal to play was a tough thing to take, as was his decline after the knee injury. Personally, one of the more disappointing things I recall about Carson was the 08 season, going to games and eventually having to accept that dude was def not coming back that year. That season sucked.
Still though, his leaving and decline don't overshadow what I remember most about him. That was in 04 and 05, when it looked like we'd have a top 3 qb for the next ten seasons. The sky was the limit and we were feeling pretty dang good as a fanbase coming off of a lost decade. It was awesome for a short period of time. The most fun I've had as a Bengal fan in my adult life.
Then there was 09 and the Pittsburgh "Touchdown Andre Caldwell!!!" game. That was a good time, as was the away game in Baltimore that had a very similar outcome. He was a much more limited player that year leading a poorly regarded team to unlikely victories. Also a lot of fun for fans at the time.
I wish it ended different. I don't feel any particular way about Carson. He was a Bengal, then he wasn't. Doesn't change the good or bad that I remember about him.