Palmer v Burrow

[CJD]

I haven't read this whole thread yet, so if this has been brought up I apologize. But I looked through some 2003 internet articles (there aren't many) about Carson and this basically answers your question about leadership:

"Leadership? More debate. One scout notes that "Palmer is a nice kid....very well-liked by his coaches and teammates." Another scout calls him, "a wallflower...real low on personality...hardly inspirational.""

http://www.espn.com/chrismortensen/s/2003/0318/1525546.html

So, basically, people didn't think he was that great of a leader. Well liked, but quiet and boring.