Oakland Raiders: Goodson Trade Latest Shrewd Move by Oakland Front Office

Either we've all fallen through the looking glass into some bizarre parallel universe like an old Star Trek episode or the culture in the Oakland Raiders front office really is changing because the Raiders once again made a shrewd personnel move on Friday, acquiring running back Mike Goodson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

Goodson, who barely played in 2011, but rushed for 452 yards in 2010 (including three starts) was acquired in exchange for reserve offensive tackle Bruce Campbell, and the 24-year-old fourth-year pro broke the news of the deal himself on Twitter.

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Newest Oakland Raider !!!!!Headin to Cali!

— Mike Goodson (@GoodNplenty33) March 30, 2012

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An ESPN report expands on Goodson's tweet, stating that while the former Texas A&M star, who had fallen to fourth on the Panthers depth chart behind DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and the newly acquired Mike Tolbert, was happy in Carolina, he welcomes the chance for additional playing time that this change of scenery will bring.

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"Being behind DeAngelo and Stewart for a couple of years has been difficult just wanting to play and being a competitor," Goodson said. "I wasn't looking to leave but anywhere that gave an opportunity, I'm definitely up for that."

"I thought going in, with the way I performed, I'd definitely get an opportunity to play," Goodson said. "Some things happened. I didn't get the opportunity I thought I should have. Then I got injured, and it really didn't go the way I wanted last year."

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The defection of free-agent tailback Michael Bush to the Chicago Bears left only second-year scat back Taiwan Jones behind oft-injured starter Darren McFadden. That lack of depth made the acquisition of Goodson, who has shown flashes of talent in the past when given the opportunity, but has also had fumbling issues, more than worth the cost of Campbell, who has played sparingly over his two-year career.

After restructuring a bevy of contracts to free up some much needed salary cap space and receiving some desperately needed compensatory draft picks, new Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie once again struck gold by picking up some running back depth without having to give up one of their precious few draft picks.

If the Raiders can continue their offseason success over onto the playing field then they just might make some noise in 2012 after all.

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