Carson Palmer: 5 Reasons Why He Is a Good Fit for the Seattle Seahawks

Carson Palmer makes sense in Seattle
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Carson Palmer has asked the Cincinnati Bengals to trade him. The Seattle Seahawks would be wise to make an offer for Palmer.

The Bengals' owner, Mike Brown, has said he won't trade the unhappy quarterback. However, saying that is the only way that he can maintain any leverage in trade talks. Palmer would be let go if the price was right and Palmer may be traded even if it isn't.

Click here for an idea of what it would take to get Palmer.

Here is why Palmer is a good fit for the Seahawks.

1. Carson Palmer Can Still Play

Palmer still has skills
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Carson Palmer played in the AFC North. The Steelers and Ravens are top defenses year after year.

Bill Barnwell at footballoutsiders.com says here that Carson Palmer had the second toughest "schedule for a quarterback who played all season."

Despite this, Palmer had a decent season. Here are his stats:

Quarterback rating: 82.4

Completion percentage: 61.8

Yards: 3,970 (sixth best)

Touchdowns: 26 (ninth)

Interceptions: 20

Palmer may not have the arm that he had in 2005, but he can still perform at a high level. The Bengals of 2010 were a mess offensively. They had a predictable offense with a poor running game (3.5 YPC), which force Palmer to throw more than normal. Palmer would perform well in a better situation.

2. A Veteran Quarterback Is Low Risk

Carson Palmer can help the Seahawks
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Sure, the Seahawks could draft a quarterback and groom him for the future. Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Locker looks like a perfect fit.

However, if they can get a quarterback like Locker, Ryan Mallet or (gasp) Cam Newton, it will be a long road back to the playoffs. All draft picks are a gamble. If an NFL team turns over the keys of the franchise to a rookie quarterback and he doesn't pan out, it sets them back years.

Everybody knows what Carson Palmer brings to the table. He is an average quarterback on some days, but an elite quarterback on other days.

3. Matt Hassleback Is Finished

Matt Hasselbeck's best days are behind him
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Matt Hasselbeck has been a very good quarterback in his career. He is 35 and can still make the throws, but his best days are in the past.

In 2010, he threw 12 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Those numbers are unlikely to improve at this point. Hasselbeck is a decent quarterback, but has not had a good year since 2007, when he put up a 91.4 quarterback rating.

4. What Are the Other Options?

What about Kevin Kolb
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The Seahawks can resign Hasslebeck and roll with him for another season or two. What are their other options?

Well, they could try to get a free agent quarterback. There isn't anybody close to Palmer available, but Matt Moore, Matt Leinert or Alex Smith are out there. Not very enticing, huh?

What about Charlie Whithurst? Pete Carroll could give him a shot and draft a quarterback in 2012 if it doesn't work out.

Maybe they could work out a deal for Donavan McNabb. McNabb isn't better than Hasslebeck, so why bother?

The Seahawks could acquire Kevin Kolb. The asking price for Kolb is steep. The Eagles want a top pick and another high pick to go with it.

Palmer could likely be had for a second, or even third round pick.

5. Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll and Carson Palmer know each other well
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Pete Carroll and Carson Palmer go way back. Carroll was Palmer's coach back at USC. They have stayed in touch ever since Palmer left.

Palmer still lives in Southern California and would love to play in the same time zone.

This looks like a perfect match.