Carson Palmer Trade Shows the Time Is Now for Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson's mantra for 2011 is "The time is now!" Jackson is really making believers out of Raider Nation now as he has traded for Carson Palmer.

According to Jason LaCanfora on NFL Network, the Raiders are reportedly giving up a 2012 first-round pick and  a 2013 second-round pick that could turn turn into a first-round pick for Palmer. The move is worth the picks 10 times over as the Raiders are loaded with young talent already.

I didn't see this one coming as Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown usually doesn't give in to trade demands. But I guess a first-round pick, maybe two, is too much to refuse for a guy that would rather retire than play for you.

Turn the page to see how the move signifies "the time is now."

Resume

Palmer is a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback that's been to the playoffs twice—winning the tough AFC North in 2009. He has 11 fourth-quarter comebacks and 17 game-winning drives—showing he can bring a team back.

Individually, Palmer has thrown for over 4,000 yards twice and over 20 touchdowns in five of his seven years in the NFL. His career touchdown-to-interception ratio is 152-100 and his career quarterback rating is 87.

Last year, with his heart not in it, Palmer threw for 3,970 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is a second-tier elite quarterback and Raider Nation will get to see what he can do with his heart in it.  

With the weapons he will have, Palmer could move into the first tier.

Leadership

Jason Campbell did a good job as a leader but Palmer's resume gives him more credibility as a leader. His career numbers speak for themselves but let's remember that he did so in the AFC North.

One-fourth of his 16 games were played against the Steelers and Ravens defenses each season. This will give him instant credibility in the Raiders offensive huddle—similar to what Seymour has in the defensive huddle.

This young Raiders team will rally around him—believing in him.

Skill Set

Palmer's skill set is a match made in heaven for the Raiders.

We all know that the Raiders love big-armed quarterbacks and Palmer has a huge arm. But it's really no use to have a quarterback with a big arm if he throws a deep ball that can't be caught by his receivers.

Palmer has a huge arm and he throws a beautiful, accurate deep ball. This is a major upgrade for the Raiders as Campbell has struggled with the deep ball throughout his career. 

That doesn't bode well for opposing defenses trying to stop the Raiders offense—full of track stars at receiver.

The bomb is back in Oakland and Palmer is the next "Mad Bomber."

With Shane Lechler wearing No. 9, Palmer will probably wear No. 3—his number in college.

Familiarity

Jackson and Palmer go way back like babies and pacifiers!

Jackson has known Palmer since high school—recruiting him then becoming his offensive coordinator at USC. The two were also together for four years in Cincinnati—giving them even more familiarity with each other.

With Palmer having been in Jackson's system before, he will know all the verbiage and the Raiders offense shouldn't miss a beat. Palmer may know this offense better than Campbell does—having been in it longer.

Remember how Tom Cable wanted to tie himself to Bruce Gradkowski like most great quarterback/head coach combinations?

I looks like Jackson has going to tie himself to Palmer—a player he knows!   

What the Raiders Are Giving Up

Jackson has particularly tied himself to Palmer in giving up a first-round pick in 2012 and a possible first-round pick in 2013. That means Campbell's days as a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders are likely over.

You don't give up a first and a second-round picks to wait for another quarterback to get healthy again. Some will question this move because a first-round pick is one of the most valued things in NFL football.

But the move shows me that the time is now!

Strategy

Opposing teams were getting hip to what the Raiders do and the NFL is a copycat league. The game plan against the Raiders shifted to stopping the Raiders running game and making Campbell beat you.

Campbell wasn't up to the task against the Patriots and he missed five deep balls that could have been touchdowns against the Texans. The Raiders pulled that game out but it was confirmation that the strategy gives teams the best chance against the Raiders.

What will opposing teams do now?

Palmer won't miss on deep balls as frequently as Campbell did.

If opposing teams put eight in the box against the Raiders, they're done.

The Raiders can beat you with the passing game now.

Pick your poison!

Overview

This trade is a win for both teams as the Bengals get two first-round picks and the Raiders don't really need one the next couple of years. Terrelle Pryor would have been a first-round pick in 2012 but the Raiders got him for a third-round pick.

As I said before, the Raiders are loaded with young talent so it won't do any damage to the Raiders. Pryor will be ready to take over for Palmer by the time he's no longer able to do it and that won't be until after 2013 anyway.

Jackson has shown he has a lot of Al Davis in him as Davis did what ever he had to do to get his man. Jackson went after his man as Palmer been his man since Palmer was a teenager.

But what Jackson has really shown is, "The time is now!"