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.