Carson Palmer and 10 Players Who Need To Be Dealt

While we may be only one week into the NFL season, we have had the opportunity to find weaknesses amongst the 32 teams and who are potential bad apples.  Additionally, with some teams performing so terribly, you can already see what teams may quickly be thinking about the 2012 draft rather than this season.

There are a number of players that need to be dealt before the trading deadline, but one thing that is clear is that Carson Palmer needs to be at the head of the list.  The Cincinnati Bengals and owner Mike Brown are stubbornly holding onto Palmer as a matter of principle, even though it's a detriment to the team. 

While Palmer hangs out in semi-retirement, the Bengals have an asset they could trade to improve their team either this year or for the future.  The teams that could use him most right now are the Seattle Seahawks and obviously the Indianapolis Colts who don't know how long Peyton Manning will be out.

Palmer certainly isn't the only person that needs new scenery though.  Here are 10 players who need to be dealt as soon as possible. 

James Jones: Green Bay Packers

Amidst the wild 42-34 Green Bay Packers victory over the New Orleans Saints last Thursday was a revelation of just how far James Jones has fallen on the team's depth chart.  Despite being one of the primary targets of the 2010 season, Jones only had one catch for one yard against New Orleans.

Jones had 50 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns last year, yet it appears that not only Jordy Nelson has supplanted him as the No. 2 receiver, but rookie Randall Cobb might be taking over at No. 3.

Combine that with tight end Jermichael Finley coming back and the use of players like tight end Andrew Quarless and fullback John Kuhn in short-yardage situations, and it appears Jones's role is going to dramatically decrease.

Before Jones becomes a forgotten man, the Packers should try to trade him while he still has value.  Jones has the talent to still be a No. 2 man on a number of teams in this league.  The problem for him is the Packers are so deep at receiver, he may no longer have a future there.

Best destinations: St. Louis, Cincinnati, Jacksonville

Ted Ginn Jr: San Francisco 49ers

Football fans across the country fell over in laughter when former Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron said he drafted Ted Ginn Jr., in the first round in large part due to his great returning abilities.  To this day, he's pretty much been a bust considering he was a top 10 pick.

However, Ginn made the highlight reels this past week as he returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns within a minute during the fourth quarter.  This could very well be the best moment in Ginn's career, and the 49ers would be smart to try and deal him while he's still fresh on the minds of teams who may be looking for a solid returner.

While having a kick returner is great, if the 49ers could get a mid-level draft pick for Ginn, a receiver who only had 12 receptions last year, you take that kind of deal in a heartbeat.  The question is finding a team who'd actually look for that kind of talent.

Possible Destinations: Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills

John Carlson: Seattle Seahawks

Carlson's situation is similar to that of James Jones. 

Given the roster the Seahawks have and how they struggled against a mediocre San Francisco 49ers team, it does not inspire much confidence for their 2011 season.

John Carlson was supposedly the tight end of the future for the Seahawks just two years ago, yet the team signed Zach Miller, one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL.  While the league is adopting more two tight end sets in which both tight ends are receiving threats, the fact is, even if Carlson were to stay, the Seahawks are not likely to do much this year.

There are those that still feel that Carlson can be a very good tight end in this league.  However, fewer and fewer people are going to feel that way if Carlson doesn't see the field much.  The time is now to try and find him a new home before it's too late.

Best destinations: Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants. 

Jimmy Clausen: Carolina Panthers

Well, if last week was any indication, Cam Newton will not be relinquishing his role as starting quarterback in Carolina.  He was magnificent throwing for over 400 yards in his pro debut—an NFL record en route to a three-point loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

There was talk in the preseason that Jimmy Clausen, the former franchise quarterback of the team still might have a chance to start this season.  However, it's pretty clear that it's not going to happen, and thus, he has no real future with the Panthers.

If he sits on the bench for the next three years, Clausen will have no value for the team nor himself whenever he either gets cut or becomes a free agent.  It would be the best for both parties involved if they go their separate ways.  There may be a team willing to bring in Clausen and see if he could be a future starting quarterback, but if he doesn't find a new home soon, he may soon become a totally forgotten man.

Best destinations: Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks. 

Pierre Thomas: New Orleans Saints

If there was anyone unhappy with the performance by Darren Sproles last Thursday, it was Saints running back Pierre Thomas who is watching his role as starter slowly slip away.

The Saints drafted Mark Ingram in the first round to be the work horse running back while Darren Sproles quickly made Reggie Bush an afterthought with his explosive performance.  He did have 31 yards on five carries against the Packers, but it was made pretty clear that he is not considered part of their long-term future.

If Thomas can stay healthy, he can still start for teams in this league or at least provide a solid one-two punch.  In New Orleans, he may be even further demoted once Chris Ivory comes back from the physically unable to perform list. 

Time is of the essence to get value for Thomas before his begins to ride the bench more frequently or ends up injured.

Best destinations: Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos

Champ Bailey: Denver Broncos

One has to wonder where the Broncos are going after they got manhandled by the Oakland Raiders in their 23-20 loss.  If the Raiders can dominate them, it's worrisome to think what will happen when they start facing stiffer competition.

A bright spot in that game was the fact it looked like Champ Bailey still had some juice left even though he is 33 years old and plays a position that requires lightning speed.  However, you have to wonder what place a grizzled veteran like Bailey has on a team that looks like it needs to go through a full rebuild.

Bailey should have value for a contending team that could use a second or nickel cornerback.  The Broncos should not keep Bailey if they can bring in a mid-level draft back so they can work for the future. 

Best destinations:  Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens 

Asante Samuel: Philadelphia Eagles

We now enter the "potential cancers" of the list starting with Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. 

Samuel came to the Eagles in 2007 with the expectation he would be the franchise cornerback for the future.  While he's constantly had issues with tackling, he still has 20 interceptions in three seasons in Philly.  

Despite this, the Eagles brought in Nnamdi Asomugha, arguably the best cornerback in the NFL.  Additionally they brought in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was acquired in a trade for cornerback Kevin Kolb.  All of a sudden, Samuel may be the nickel corner on the team, and he hasn't hidden his displeasure at this possibility.

For a team that has holes at linebacker and offensive line, Samuel could be a very attractive player to a number of teams.  If a team has a strength at one of those two positions, they could bring in a player who could well be their No. 1 cornerback.

Best destinations: Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots (have they ever really replaced him?)

Osi Umenyiora: New York Giants

Osi Umenyiora is a defensive end who is still one of the more dominant players at his position.  He forced 10 fumbles last year, which was an incredible feat.  The problem is he wants a new contract, and the Giants are reluctant to give him one.

The two sides had an ongoing feud all throughout training camp and the preseason, and an uneasy truce was announced.  However, with a team that may very well struggle due to the horrible rash of injuries the defense endured, it may be a matter of time before the Umenyiora volcano goes off.

What's ironic is that while the defense was crippled at linebacker and cornerback, they emerged relatively unscathed on the defensive line.  Justin Tuck is an All-Pro, and Jason Pierre-Paul looks like he could be a potential star as well.  

With those two at end, it could make Umenyiora expendable, especially if he starts becoming a distraction.  The Giants would be smart to take the initiative and max out on their value for Osi before that happens.

There is one team that would make a particularly good destination—the Cleveland Browns.  They have a surplus of good cornerbacks, and he could lead an inexperienced defensive line. 

Tim Tebow: Denver Broncos

This is a trade that should have been made several weeks ago. 

Personally, I don't understand what John Fox and the Broncos are doing.  First, it looked like Kyle Orton was going to be traded to the Miami Dolphins, which quite frankly excited Broncos fans.  Then Tebow not only lost out on being a starter but lost out on being a backup too.  In fact, there are those that way he's actually the fourth string.

It appeared that Tebow had no future in Denver, yet the Broncos kept him on the roster—a risky proposition for the other quarterbacks given the fans want Tebow starting right now.

So imagine how "shocking" it was that Denver fans were calling out for Tebow when the Broncos lost, even though Orton threw the ball for over 300 yards in a soggy night when his running game was nonexistent.  Now, there are stories that Bronco fans are purchasing billboards to see Tebow play.

The whole situation is unfair to Orton who may be one of the most unappreciated players in the NFL.  It's equally unfair to Tebow and the entire Broncos team who are going to be forced into a quarterback controversy that is being created by the fans.

If the new Broncos front office is so sure Tebow isn't starting material, then they need to get him out of town as soon as possible.  Normally, a team could ride out this storm, but it's a whole different animal with Tim Tebow. 

Unless they rectify this situation, the entire season could be sabotaged.

Best destinations:  Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings. 

Chad Ochocinco: New England Patriots

So it took one whole week for Chad to get stuck in controversy.  His tweet talking about how he liked watching a well-machined Patriot offense enraged former Patriot Tedy Bruschi.  While his criticism may have been a bit harsh, the fact remains that while Tom Brady completed 32 passes for a career high 517 yardsonly one of those passes went to Ochocinco for 14 yards. 

In fact out of 80 offensive plays, Ochocinco was only on the field for 19 of those plays.  It's clear he's not getting acclimated to this offense.  If this were a less vocal player that wasn't so polarizing in the media, this is a situation that would be dealt with much more quietly.

However, Ochocinco and quiet mix together about as good as chocolate and carrots.  Coming off this weak performance, there will be an even bigger microscope on how Ochocinco does every week that goes by.  If people think this is controversy, imagine if Ochocinco only has ten receptions by October. 

There is still a market for Ochocinco.  A lot of team could use a good receiver in this league.  It was pretty clear the Patriots don't need Ochocinco given that Brady threw for 503 yards to other receivers.  The time is now to cut bait and end the controversy before it gets out of hand.