It has been a crazy few weeks for Bay Area fans in Oakland as their pride and joy, the Oakland Raiders lost long time owner and NFL personality Al Davis. One of the most vocal and famous owners in sports alongside the likes of Mark Cuban and Dan Snyder, Davis wasn't afraid to make a tough decision or speak his mind. In the two weeks since his passing, the Raiders are 2-0 with the Chiefs and a bye week in the near future.
Not all has been well for Raiders fans as they also lost starting QB Jason Campbell to a broken collarbone this past Sunday in a 7-point home win vs the Browns. An awkward game for Raiders fans as 2 TD's were scored by kickoff return and fake FG TD pass. Back to Campell for a moment, he goes down with a potential season ending collarbone injury (Campebll's a free agent to be) anf the team sitting at 4-2 feels they can win now. So with or without their longtime owner Al Davis they make a move for the ages. I've heard on some radio shows that this may have been the best trade ever- for the Cincinatti Bengals (not the Raiders). Wait a second- not for the Raiders? Nope, Cincy may have struck gold.
The Bengals at 4-2 sent outcasted and forgotten one-time Pro Bowl QB Carson Palmer (USC former Heisman Trophy winning QB) to the Raiders for a 2012 first round draft pick and either a first or second round draft pick in 2013 depending if the 2011 Raiders get to the AFC Title Game this season (unlikely). Wow that's a huge trade for the Bengals to get possibly 2 first round picks for a player who is not even on the 53-man roster. The Bengals have faith in rookie QB Andy Dalton from TCU and with him playing as well as he has, the Bengals will only get better. They'll likely have 4 First round picks in the next 2 years- Amazing. With Cedric Benson on a 1-year deal look for the Bengals to draft RB Trent Richardson in 2012.
Did Oakland give up too much? What's wrong with backup QB Kyle Boller? How about former Ohio State QB Terelle Pryor? Well apparently they aren't the answer to replace Campbell. The Raiders will likely start Carson Palmer this weekend and will need him to pickup this offense fast. Don't get me wrong he's easily the better Qb option over Boller and Pryor, but for 2 first round picks? For a guy who hasn't played football all season, missed training camp and preseason, and is 6-years removed from a 32 TD campaign? We will see...I hope Al Davis isn't rolling over in his grave on this trade, but someone needs to become a playmaker next to RUN DMC (aka Darren McFadden).
I like the trade for both teams, the Bengals need to compete in a tough division run by Baltimore and Pittsburgh and the Raiders are in weak division (went 6-0 last season) and have the talent to win that division this season. Raiders are ready to win and the Chargers (4-1) are not a scary 4-1 team at all with Rivers playing mediocre QB all season and Antonio Gates injured.
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