NFL: Evaluating the Carson Palmer Trade

It has been the story of week 7 in the NFL, and may very well be the story of the year. Early Tuesday morning the Oakland Raiders traded their first round pick in the 2012 draft and a second rounder in the 2013 draft to the Cincinnati Bengals for former starting quarterback Carson Palmer. 

Palmer fell out of favor with the Bengals after demanding a trade in the off-season. When owner Mike Brown refused, Palmer stated that he had more than enough money to live off of, and formally announced his retirement from the Bengals and football. 

The Bengals decided to go a different route at quarterback while still playing a round of staring contest with Palmer, drafting stud wide receiver AJ Green and Andy Dalton in their first two picks of the 2011 draft. Green has put on a phenomenal campaign for Rookie of the Year, hauling in 29 catches for 453 yards and four touchdowns. Dalton rebounded from a shaky preseason to lead the Bengals to a 3-2 record, with 1,311 yards passing and 7 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. 

The Raiders got off to a quick start, moving to 4-2 on the season before quarterback Jason Campbell was lost for the foreseeable future to a broken collarbone. Not showing any faith in backup Kyle Boller, Hue Jackson and the Raiders made the move for Palmer before the trade deadline. Palmer and Jackson are familiar with each other, as Jackson was the Bengals wide receiver coach from 2004 to 2006. Jackson was also the USC offensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000 when Palmer was the starter. 

In looking at the trade, the Bengals are the clear winner. Adding two potential first round picks to an already young and talented team is vital to continuing the development of Dalton and Green on offense. I’m not really sure that Palmer, even at the height of his career with the Bengals, was ever worth two first round picks. The trade leaves the Raiders without a draft pick until the fifth round this year, although they could garner third round compensatory picks for departed tight end Zack Miller. The Raiders already lose a second rounder to the Patriots in the Richard Seymour trade, and a third rounder used in the Supplemental Draft on Ohio State “quarterback” Terrelle Pryor. Pryor clearly isn’t ready to take over as an NFL quarterback, and with Kyle Boller not being a starter since the early 2000s with the Ravens, Palmer was their last option. 

Palmer is relatively young, only 31 years old, but he has had a rich history of injuries. From his knee to his elbow, Palmer is not at the elite level that other 31 year old quarterbacks Tony Romo or Michael Vick. Palmer shouldn’t have trouble adjusting to the Raiders offense, its the same one he had his career year with in 2005 when Jackson was apart of the Bengals coaching staff. 

The real trouble that Palmer is going to have is developing a chemistry with the Raiders receivers. Ever wonder why Tom Brady and Wes Welker seem to be on the same page during every offensive play that the Patriots run? Its because Welker and Brady throw with each other every single day for the past four seasons. Palmer has no history with Jacoby Ford or Darius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders two top wideouts. 

The Raiders are a team of speed, their receivers are at their best when they run down the field and catch bombs. Palmer was never the type of quarterback to toss the ball downfield. Last season his average yards per pass was 6.78, the fourth lowest in his career. Palmer is not going to come into the season and instantly be a force for the Raiders. Last year he threw for 26 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, the latter being the most in his career. Its ignorant to think that Palmer sat on the couch all season and wasn’t working out, but there is a huge difference in tossing around on a local high school field and practicing with an NFL team. 

The Raiders are in a win now mode. They’re in prime position to make the playoffs this year, with the AFC West not being a powerhouse. Palmer and the Raiders first test is against the Chiefs, a team thats giving up 30 points per game. The Chargers are 4-1 this season, but have down so against very bad teams, with victories over the Chiefs, Broncos, Dolphins, and Vikings. If Palmer can come into the Raiders and successfully hand the ball off to Darren McFadden and occasionally be able to pick up the third and longs, the Raiders will be in a good spot. 

The trade is indefensible if your the Raiders. Your not getting a healthy quarterback with a strong arm in the prime of his career. Palmer has never been the same since tearing his ACL in the playoffs against the Steelers. I, for one, am rooting for Palmer and the Raiders. He wasn’t worth a first round pick, let alone two, but he could be just the quarterback that the Raiders need right now.