Jason Campbell Reflects On Injury, Raiders Acquiring Carson Palmer, His Future In NFL

Raiders Vs Chiefs Odds: Line Drops After Rumors Surface That Carson Palmer Won't Play

Apparently Las Vegas doesn't have a lot of faith in Kyle Boller and Terrelle Pryor. With reports surfacing that new Raiders QB Carson Palmer may not start - or may not even play - the line in the Raiders/Chiefs game went from -6 to -4 in a matter of less than an hour. 

Reporter John Dickinson posted on Twitter that Raiders Head Coach Hue Jackson was hinting at the idea that more than one QB could see the field this Sunday, and Adam Schefter is reporting that his sources tell him it's looking like Carson Palmer won't even see the field.

"I'm 95 percent sure he is not going to play," one source close to the situation said Friday afternoon. "Practicing Wednesday and Thursday, he felt he's not ready to make those high-velocity throws yet. Maybe they could decide something at the last minute, but I don't think he's going to play."

This comes after Raiders' Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders said earlier this week, matter-of-factly, that if Palmer "is breathing, he's playing." It looks like that's maybe not the case. Getting off your couch, learning an offense, and playing in an NFL game in a matter of a few days might not be the best gameplan, even if Palmer is the most talented option for the Raiders. With their bye week coming up, Oakland may decide it's best to give Palmer more time to transition and rely on their backups for one more game. 

For more on the Raiders, head over to Silver and Black Pride.

Hue Jackson's Drink of Choice? Irish Coffee of Course...

Raiders vs. Chiefs: ESPN Flip Flops, Now Cites Sources Saying Palmer Will Not Start

One of my biggest pet peeves about sports reporting in today's technology driven world is the desire to be the first to report a story. As a result, the number of stories citing "sources close to the situation" has sky rocketed. Now, this trend has led to ESPN becoming the sports news version of John Kerry with regards to the "is Carson Palmer starting on Sunday?" question. I am just waiting for someone from ESPN to let us all know that "I reported for it before I reported against it". 

Earlier in the week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Carson Palmer would be starting for the Raiders this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs. At the time, Hue Jackson, the only person who really knows if Palmer will start, had stated that he had not yet made his decision. Despite this fact, something that Schefter and ESPN knew, they went ahead and ran with the misleading story that lead many to report Palmer was going to start against the Chiefs.

Which brings me to the latest "news" to break on ESPN.com. Now, ESPN is reporting that Palmer will likely not start on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Shockingly, ESPN fails to mention the fact that they had reported earlier in the week that Palmer would be starting for sure. But it is ok, because they have "sources".

Here is the problem with all of this. I have a source too. His name is Hue Jackson and no one is closer to the situation than he is. According to my source, there has not been a decision made as to whether or not Carson Palmer will start. In addition, Jackson has shown that in true Raider fashion, he is going to be tight lipped about a decision like this until the last second. In all likelihood, the "sources" noted in the ESPN article were nothing more than Raiders employees who were simply giving their opinion. An opinion, by the way, that holds about as much water as my opinion.

The only person whose opinion counts in this situation is Hue Jackson's, and let's face it, guessing what Hue Jackson will do is about as easy as guessing winning lottery numbers. So, until he has his Irish coffee, there is no way of guessing who will be the starter against the Chiefs on Sunday.

Carson Palmer Should be the Starter Against Kansas City, and Here is Why

People have been focussing on whether Carson Palmer will start against the Chiefs, but have been largely ignoring whether he SHOULD start against the Chiefs.

Carson Palmer Trade: Rich Gannon Thinks Raiders Picks Are ‘A Lot To Give Up’

The Oakland Raiders acquired quarterback Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, parting with their first-round draft pick in 2012 and their second-round draft pick in 2013 along the way. Some fans and analysts are skeptical about the move, given the high picks that the trade cost the Raiders. Count former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon in that group. According to Raiders the Bay Area Times' Steve Corkran, Gannon thinks that the Raiders gave up a lot for Palmer.

Gannon speaks from a position of experience. He spent 17 years as an NFL quarterback and his last six seasons with the Raiders. He powered the Raiders league-leading offense in 2002, leading the team to Super Bowl XXXVII before falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here's Gannon's exact quote: "It's a lot to give up for a quarterback that hasn't been the same player in the past couple years." Palmer may not be the same player he was early on in his career, but last season's numbers actually match-up pretty closely with his early season performances. In 2010, Palmer passed for 3,970 yards with 26 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Palmer passed for roughly 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptiosn during each of his three seasons from 2005 to 2007. Aside from the interceptions, Palmer's numbers from last year come pretty close to his earlier seasons.

Whether or not those two Raiders picks were too much to give up for Palmer may be an issue of personal preference for football fans everywhere. For now, the jury is still out. Palmer will get to prove to the Raiders organization and fanbase alike that they made the right move this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hue Jackson Discusses Carson Palmer's Potential With Grant Napear on Sacramento's KHTK

Carson Palmer Trade: Hue Jackson Believes Palmer Can Help Raiders Win Title

The Oakland Raiders have acquired former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2013. Some Raiders fans may consider that duo of draft picks too much in the early hours following the trade, but Raiders head coach Hue Jackson doesn't think so. According to Steve Cockran, Jackson thinks that Palmer can help the Raiders win a title.

Jackson praised Palmer's traits and stated that the nine-year veteran has the qualities in a quarterback that the Raiders organization is looking for. In Jackson's view, Palmer isn't just a replacement for quarterback Jason Campbell but a central figure in the ongoing re-emergence of the franchise.

The Raiders coach also addressed the draft picks that the team gave up in this trade: "As far as the draft picks, what we had to give up to get this young man, I never hesitated." That's a huge vote of confidence in Palmer, whose veteran experience should bring a nice balance to a Raiders pass attack that features young guns Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bay.

Jackson summed things up nicely in another statement: "We're not putting people on the team just to put them there. We're chasing a championship." The Raiders are giving off the perception that they do not expect to miss a beat with Palmer at the head and that they want to win now. Palmer will likely get his first chance to prove himself and impress Raider Nation against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week Seven, just ahead of the team's bye week.

Carson Palmer Trade: Did Adam Schefter Know In Advance?

Carson Palmer Trade: Would Raiders Have Made The Deal If Al Davis Were Alive?

The Carson Palmer trade should ensure that the Oakland Raiders don't drop out entirely of the AFC Playoff race with Jason Campbell out indefinitely. Palmer provides the Raiders with instant experience on offense and should be a suitable replacement, even if he's not even close to the same player who powered the Cincinnati Bengals early on in his career.

But a bigger question remains. Would the Raiders have made this trade if their legendary owner was still with them? Michael Lombardi of NFL.com says no, because Oakland gave up way too much to give him.

In many ways, this makes sense. Davis's strategy of "Just win, baby!" didn't just stop at the football field. He wanted to win everything, including his trades. Conceding these draft picks is a huge price for the Raiders to pay, and something Davis might have been reticent to do. I doubt Palmer is a Raider now if Davis is the owner, for better or for worse.

To talk more about the Raiders, head to Silver and Black Pride.

Raiders vs. Chiefs: Carson Palmer Could Very Well Start Against Kansas City

Traditional logic would dictate that the Oakland Raiders' new quarterback, Carson Palmer, will take a week or two to learn the Raiders' playbook and become comfortable with the offense enough to get a start. That would mean that Kyle Boller would start this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs and Palmer would get his first start after the Raiders' bye week, at home against the Denver Broncos.

However, as this season has shown, Raiders coach Hue Jackson is anything but predictable.

This is the same guy who ran a fake punt and a fake field goal two weeks in a row. The same guy that traded for outside linebacker Aaron Curry, then gave him the start after only one day of practice with the team. The same guy who went for it on fourth down late in the game against the Cleveland Browns when the chip shot field goal would have given them a three score lead and all but assured a win. With Hue Jackson, you can throw traditional logic out the window like caution to the wind.

I highly doubt that Jackson would start Carson Palmer on Sunday unless he was sure that Palmer was ready to start. By all reports, Palmer is in good physical condition and has spent his time off practicing in Los Angeles with TJ Houshmandzadeh. Therefore, Palmer is probably ready to go physically. All that leaves is how long it will take Palmer to get comfortable with the terminology and playbook in Oakland.

Given the fact that Hue Jackson has worked with Palmer both at USC and when they were both with the Cincinnati Bengals, I would not put it past Jackson to have more faith in Palmer than most would. If Jackson likes what he sees out of Palmer this week, I could very well see Jackson using a dumbed down version of the passing game against the Chiefs so that Palmer could get his feet wet in Oakland sooner rather than later.

Needless to say, regardless of what I or anyone else thinks, it is near impossible to guess what Hue Jackson is going to do next.

Trent Edwards Doesn't Like The Raiders, Or Employment Apparently

Carson Palmer Trade Official: Raiders Land Former Bengals QB, Should Debut After Bye Week

Carson Palmer is officially headed to take over the Oakland Raiders. The trade is official according to the Oakland Raiders Twitter,  and they've placed the former Bengals starting QB in a Raiders jersey.

Courtesy of @Raiders and Raiders Facebook

Trey Wingo of ESPN points out that the Raiders are now deprived of all their draft picks from the first four rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. It does feel like a lot to give up for a potential half-year rental of a starting quarterback, but that appears to be how it's going to work.

Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times postulates that Palmer isn't likely to start this week and will not debut until after the bye week against the Oakland Raiders. That way the Raiders can help Palmer get his feet wet with the Oakland playbook. While Palmer and Hue Jackson are familiar with one another from their USC and Cincinnati days, it's possible Palmer has been out of the swing of things for too long. Thus expect to get one start from Kyle Boller before Palmer is ready to go.

To talk about Palmer with Raiders fans, head to Silver and Black Pride.

Carson Palmer Trade: Oakland Raiders Give Up No. 1 and Conditional No. 1 Pending Playoff Win

The Oakland Raiders made big news on Tuesday as they worked out the framework of a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals to acquire disgruntled semi-retired QB Carson Palmer. After some back and forth, the deal sends the Raiders first round pick in 2012 and the Raiders second round pick in 2013 to the Bengals. However, that 2013 pick would turn into a first round pick if the Raiders win a playoff game between now and then. There is no word on if the playoff win has to happen this season or if it could be this season or next season.

Many consider this drastic over-paying by the Raiders even if it is just the first and second. They are adding a 31-year old who has struggled in recent years but who is coming to play for a man he worked with in Cincinnati and at USC. Maybe it will work and maybe it will blow up in their faces. The mood for Raiders fans seems to be a sort of "Screw it, we're all in".

The Raiders have started to establish themselves as a playoff contender this season thanks in large part to a dominant rushing game and fantastic special teams. The defense has made improvements and the passing game has developed, but rushing and special teams have been huge. Even if Palmer ends up being the same as Campbell, as opposed to any kind of upgrade, this is a team that can win playoff games. It remains to be seen if it is enough to win a Super Bowl, but they are a very dangerous team. I would say the odds are fairly high that the second pick turns into a first rounder.

Carson Palmer Trade: Palmer Was Not The Raiders Only Option

The Raiders are the talk of the NFL this morning and for the first time since Al Davis' death, it is purely football related. It is official now that the Raiders have traded for formerly retired quarterback Carson Palmer for an expected compensation of a 2012 first round pick and a conditional no. 1 in 2013.

But earlier this morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that the Raiders also looked into trading for Eagles quarterback Vince Young before settling on Palmer due to Palmer's past relationship with Raiders coach Hue Jackson at USC and in Cincinatti. It's an intriguing consideration if you consider the quarterback that was already in place prior to his injury in Jason Campbell. Stylistically, Campbell is more athletic than Palmer but not in the athletic class of Young. He's a better pocket passer than Young but not of the caliber of Palmer.

Though it ultimately came down to past relationships, going with Palmer over the pursuing of Young is also a testament to how the Raiders want to play. Run the ball down your throat with Darren McFadden to set up the long ball with Palmer and his new toys at wide receiver.  

Somehwere, Al Davis is smiling.

Carson Palmer Trade Likely Signals the End of Jason Campbell's Tenure in Oakland

Boy do I feel bad for Jason Campbell. I already felt terrible for Campbell when he got injured in the Oakland Raiders' win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Campbell's entire career has been stifled by coaching changes, system changes and being surrounded by below average talent (until he came to the Raiders that is).

This season, Campbell had the opportunity to show what he could do after being in the same system with the same players for two years. And until he got injured, Campbell was starting to show that he could be a very good quarterback. He still made mistakes like the unbelievable interception he threw in the end zone during the New England Patriots team, but he was looking like a quarterback that could lead the Raiders to the playoffs.

Now, not only did his break out season come to an early end, it looks as though his tenure with the Raiders has come to an early end as well. With the Raiders trading a first round pick along with another conditional first round pick, it is clear that Palmer will be the starting quarterback in Oakland for a number of years. That means Campbell, whose contract is up at the end of this season, will be looking for another job next year.

While I am excited for the potential that Carson Palmer brings to the Raiders, I truly feel bad for Jason Campbell and wish him the best wherever his career takes him next.

Carson Palmer Trade is a Fitting Tribute to Al Davis

Right before the start of the 2009 season, Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders shocked the league by trading away their first round pick for an aging veteran. Everyone thought this was a bad move on the part of the Raiders. It was seen as giving up a first round pick with potential for future success in order to take a shot at present success with a player who was over the hill.

Fast forward three years and Richard Seymour is one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the league and is a major reason why the Raiders are sitting at 4-2 and are a serious playoff contender.

Just over a week after the infamous leader of the Raiders passed away, whoever is calling the shots in Oakland, is doing so as if they were Al Davis themselves. First, in typical Raider fashion, Oakland traded for a first round reclamation project in Aaron Curry. Much like many of the great Raiders in history, Curry is a former first round pick with incredible athletic abilities, a true Al Davis player.

Now, the Raiders make another Seymour-esque trade by going out and getting Carson Palmer. The rumor is that the Raiders will be giving up a first round pick this season, along with a conditional first round pick in 2013. That is a lot to give for a 31 year old quarterback that will be turning 32 in December. But then again, that is what everyone said about the Seymour trade and in hindsight, that trade was brilliant.

Carson Palmer Traded to Raiders, According to Unconfirmed Reports

The Oakland Raiders may have found their replacement for Jason Campbell. Jay Glazer is reporting that the Raiders are close to having a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to trade for quarterback Carson Palmer.

If the trade does in fact occur, the Raiders would essentially be going all in this season. It is rumored that in order for the Raiders to get Palmer, they will be giving up a first round pick, along with a conditional pick (also rumored to be a first rounder) in 2013. That means the Raiders would be giving up two first round picks for an older quarterback that has not been playing at all this season. It is a risky move to be sure.

While Carson Palmer has shown that he is capable of being one of the best quarterbacks in the league, there is no telling how soon he will be ready to lead the Raiders. He did not go to training camp, nor has he played this season. In addition, he will need to learn the Raiders playbook quickly. And that is not to mention the fact that Palmer is not exactly a spring chicken. He is 31 years old and will turn 32 in December.

Here is to hoping Carson Palmer can lead Oakland to the promise land because this is a lot for the Raiders to give up for one player when you consider that nothing in the NFL comes with a guarantee.