Why the Oakland Raiders Should Guarantee Carson Palmer Nothing in 2012

The Oakland Raiders gave up a lot to bring quarterback Carson Palmer into the fold during the 2011 NFL season, and despite unloading several high draft picks to acquire him, the Raiders shouldn't guarantee Palmer anything in 2012.

After the 32-year-old finally got on the field he turned in a mediocre season. He completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 2,753 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. His passer rating of 80.5 ranked 19th of the 34 NFL quarterbacks who qualified.

To be fair, Palmer hadn't played in months before he suited up for the Raiders, and he was on a new team, with a new playbook and new targets. That said, next season he won't have those same excuses to fall back on.

I like Carson Palmer, and I actually think he still has the ability to be a good starting quarterback in the NFL, but he has certainly been headed down hill over the past few seasons.

The Raiders gave up a lot to bring him into the fold, and were hoping that he could be the franchise-type quarterback they have been lacking for years. But he didn't perform up to those expectations in 2011.

With a new general manager and a new head coach in place in 2012, Palmer is almost certain to have to work to keep his starting role. According to Profootballtalk.com, new head coach Dennis Allen has said that Palmer is "absolutely" the team's starting quarterback, but unless he shows some of the form that made him a two-time Pro Bowler, don't be surprised if the Raiders start to look at other options.

Palmer has a chance to do something special in Oakland, but unless he improves upon a disappointing 2011 season that opportunity will never be realized.