Buying or Selling Carson Palmer as Oakland Raiders' Starting QB in 2013?

In 2011, quarterback Carson Palmer was quickly signed by then-Raiders coach Hue Jackson to save the Oakland Raiders season and help them push for a playoff spot.

The 2012 Raiders are now in their first year under new General Manager Reggie McKenzie, new head coach Dennis Allen and new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. Carson Palmer has been asked to help lead a new, more mobile West Coast offense.

At this point in the 2012 season we’ve had a chance to see Palmer lead the Oakland Raider offense. So the question is, are you buying or selling on Carson Palmer as the Oakland Raiders quarterback in 2013? Let's discuss opposing views in this debate and let YOU decide!

Selling

Carson Palmer is in the waning years of his now 12-year career. He has 121 career interceptions and 176 touchdowns. There are many questions concerning his accuracy and ability to effectively run a West Coast offense.

The latest Raiders quarterback isn’t a typical fit for the offense he is being asked to lead.

He’s a long ball thrower, more skilled for the Al Davis-era version of the Oakland Raiders. Palmer is not a quick read, short pass quarterback that can run an offense that is void of a sure-handed veteran wide receiver.

He has had wide receivers such as Chad Johnson,  T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Terrell Owens to support him. Palmer has none of those weapons with the 2012 Oakland Raiders.

Additionally, Palmer isn’t a vocal leader.

He doesn’t fit the “field general” mold that former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon was, nor does he fit the legendary “renegade player seeking redemption” mold like former Oakland Raider and two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jim Plunkett.

In the end, for what the Oakland Raiders are trying to accomplish in 2012 and into 2013 under new leadership,  Carson Palmer is not the right fit. It’s time to bring on a young quarterback to lead this team

Buying

Carson Palmer has been the lone, veteran presence of the 2012 Oakland Raiders offense.

He’s on pace to pass for over 4000 yards in 2012 (something he hasn’t done since his 2007 season with the Cincinnati Bengals). He’s been more protective with the football under Greg Knapp’s West Coast offense with a  9-to-5 touchdown to interception ratio.

Palmer and the 2012 Oakland Raiders have been able to accomplish this with one of the youngest and most inexperienced set of wide receivers the quarterback has ever had to work with.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Denarius Moore, Derek Hagan and rookie Rod Streater are not the greatest route runners, nor do they have the best hands.

But with Carson Palmer’s conservative play, and help from tight end Brandon Myers and running back Darren McFadden as reliable receiving threats, Palmer is quietly leading this young team through one of the largest transitions in Oakland Raiders history.

As the Oakland Raiders head towards the 2013 season, they’ll need Carson Palmer’s veteran leadership to help tutor Terrelle Pryor (or another young quarterback if they choose to draft one) for the future.

Conclusion

What do you think, Raider Nation? Is Carson Palmer a “buy” or “sell” as the Oakland Raider’s quarterback for 2013? Vote in the poll!

Ray Garcia is a sports radio host and owner of TPSRadio.net (The People's Sports Radio Network). You can follow him on Twitter @tpsray