Carson Palmer: 5 Reasons Why He's a Good Fit for the Tennessee Titans
Carson Palmer has asked the Cincinnati Bengals to trade him. The Tennessee Titans 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 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 Tennessee Titans.
1. Carson Palmer Can Still Play at a High Level
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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 forced Palmer to throw more than normal. Palmer would perform well in a better situation.
2. A Veteran Quarterback Is Low—Risk
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The Titans could draft a quarterback and groom him for the future.
However, even if they can get a quarterback like Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallet, or (gasp) Cam Newton, it will be a long road 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. The Titans Need a Quarterback
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Kerry Collins can still win a game here and there, but his days are numbered. The Vince Young era is clearly over.
Jeff Fisher is no longer the coach at Tennessee. You can read more about that here. We don't know who his replacement is yet. However, new regimes are more prone to draft quarterbacks and start fresh rather than go with a veteran quarterback. That, of course, remains to be seen.
Still, Carson Palmer is the best quarterback the Titans could sign that could get them to the playoffs.
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4. What Are Their Other Options?
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The Titans can make amends with Vince Young or stick with Kerry Collins.
What are their other options?
What about Rusty Smith or Chris Simms? Either of those obviously won't happen.
Well, they could try to get a free agent quarterback. There isn't anybody close to Palmer available, but Matt Moore, Matt Leinert, or Matt Hasslebeck are out there. Not very enticing, huh?
Maybe they could work out a deal for Donavan McNabb. McNabb may be good for one or two more decent years, but he is a little older than Palmer.
The Titans 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. What If the Top Quarterbacks Are Gone?
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All signs point to the Titans taking a quarterback with their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Bud Adams may force the issue. If their top choice is gone (Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Mallet, Cam Newton, or Jake Locker), should they settle and take the next guy on their list?
No, there is no reason to waste the eighth overall pick on the third or fourth best quarterback in the draft.
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