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Draft implications in Palmer deal
Just a few days ago, I was tweeting away on the topic of former first-round picks that ended up with the Raiders. I couldn't believe all the names that were popping up: Rod Woodson, Jeff George, Lincoln Kennedy, Warren Sapp, Tyrone Wheatley, Regan Upshaw, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, Jim Plunkett, Greg Bell, Brian Holloway, Mike Haynes, James Lofton, DeAngelo Hall, Mike Williams, Richard Seymour, Kyle Boller, Jarvis Moss, Javon Walker and Aaron Curry. I could go on -- really. But so can the Raiders, apparently.
Time to add another one to the list.
Carson Palmer is the latest former jewel draft pick for one team that has landed with the Raiders. My initial thought? The Bengals have landed a major draft haul and deserve a ton of credit, while the Raiders are better positioned to "go for it" than some give them credit for. And in both cases, it has a lot to do with the draft.
Raiders implications
Before you simply gasp at how empty this makes the Raiders' 2012 draft appear, let's remember that they deserve a lot of credit for creating draft flexibility by landing so many great value picks over the last few years. I've talked about this trend, as have my colleagues -- the team has built solid depth with late gets. I often get Raiders fans riled up because I question the team's sense of draft board value, but I always give Oakland credit for the talent it keeps finding late.
The last few drafts have netted plenty, and already this year they have guys like Denarius Moore, Stefen Wisniewski, DeMarcus Van Dyke and even Taiwan Jones getting major reps and playing key roles -- and the Raiders didn't have a first-round pick in April. When you're building so much roster depth out of picks past the first round (with wins to go with it), you can be a little more flexible in taking a big shot on a guy like Palmer. Then consider the raw value debate. If you can make the deal, you assume you are going to be more competitive. More wins means a lower draft pick that you're trading away. Don't get me wrong, I hate seeing draft picks sent away. But frame this around the position involved here. Even if the Raiders stood pat and tried to survive with the quarterbacks they have now, they still wouldn't have been in a position to pick one of the top QBs in next year's draft.
Palmer is a guy they feel is still a major talent at quarterback. The combination of good drafting in recent years and the value proposition of getting a solid QB might have made this an easier call than some think. And lastly, don't forget that Oakland should pick up several compensatory picks due to free-agent departures, so the cupboard isn't totally bare for 2012.
Even if this appears to be based on desperation following the Jason Campbell injury, it's still a trade idea that could have been considered. Factor in Palmer's experience with Hue Jackson, something the Raiders clearly feel can make this an easier transition, and the trade looks aggressive, not merely desperate.
Bengals implications
You have to give the Bengals serious credit here. Back at the draft I praised them with a high grade for seemingly addressing the pending concerns about Palmer by drafting A.J. Green and Andy Dalton in the first two rounds. Here we are months later, and not only are the Bengals off to a 4-2 start with both of those players grading out extremely well, they've now taken what was essentially a sunk asset and flipped it for a major draft haul.
Now you're looking at a Bengals team with a lot of young talent, underrated continuity in its transition and a bounty of draft assets in the next two years. The trade as constructed sends Cincinnati a certain first-round pick in 2012 and either a first or second in 2013. The Bengals have essentially doubled their selections in the range where you expect to get your impact talent. Consider what they did with their first two picks this year and there's plenty of reason to be excited in Cincinnati.
And just look at how the circumstances lined up. They see Campbell get hurt for a team with a coach who knows and respects Palmer, they had to have David Garrard turn down overtures from Oakland, and they had to have a team in the rare spot of being without a serious option at quarterback while in the midst of a push for the playoffs in a vulnerable division.
It just all worked out. Their patience was rewarded. And suddenly, fellow AFC North teams have to be looking at the young core Cincy has, plus the bounty of early picks over the next two years, and wonder if there might be a developing bully in the division. And that statement is no more odd than anything else that took place today.
Tant qu'on est sur les prospects un mot sur Vaughn Telemaque ? Je le trouvais déjà bon et j'ai vu qu'un match de The U cette année (le 1er ou Ray Ray était pas la) et il avait été énorme (une red zone INT si je me rappel bien, une autre passe dévié dans la red zone, plusieurs gros tacle et big play...). Il y a une chance qu'il se présente cette année avec la merde autour de the U ? Sa cote en terme de draft elle se situe ou ?
j'avais pas vu. 2h du mat.