Palmer might literally be David Carr if he got pelted as much as Carr has. This is the same reason you don't bring up pitchers too early. Except instead of pitchers throwing up home runs, they are getting physically punished with sacks/open field hits on scambles.
Is Carr's "confidence shot", or is he still just running for his life? Houston gave up 68(!) sacks last season. I don't think "easing" David Carr into an offense that gives up 68 sacks would have done him a bit of good. You can't expect any QB to be successful in David Carr's situation.
Also, we don't have the luxury of a redshirt year with Freeman. If we had a third QB on the roster, I wouldn't be as concerned with getting Golden Boy playing time early.
I am not completely opposed to Josh Freeman playing, I just think we should weigh things in a reasonable logical way.
Here is my logic:
Dylan won't be able to take every snap this season, therefore Freeman will have to play. If you know Freeman will have to play, why not get him experience against the easiest opponents, rather than taking the chance of throwing him to the wolves when it's out of your control? If he struggles in games 1 and 2, you have a "veteran" waiting in the wings and GB's "confidence" is spared.
If we are definitely NOT going to a bowl game this year then is it a good thing or a bad thing to bring in Freeman? Should we keep him for four years with extra reps/understanding going into his first game?
If we have a shot at going to a bowl game should we play him to make that happen? Should we give him reps to help him develop?
See, I don't think we'll go to a bowl game with Dylan Meier starting every game. I think we might have a slim chance with Freeman.
I am not saying anyone is crazy for wanting to see Freeman, I think saying Freeman is a savior or creating unreasonable expectations for him and then having him come in and suck will be really bad for him. Look at Ell's development and tell me if you think Snyder was right about his Spring Game run setting him back.
I don't think Freeman is a savior either, and I don't expect great things from him this year. As for Ell, I don't think you could consider his career anything but a smashing success. I wouldn't change one thing about his career, other than giving him a capable backup his senior year.