Seattle Seahawks Trade Speculation: Carson Palmer and David Garrard Just Talk

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback situation has prompted NFL analysts to muse about moves to acquire Carson Palmer and David Garrard, among other free agent options.

The "trade rumors" have erupted on Twitter and Facebook, sending many fans into a spiral over what would prompt the Seahawks to make some of the reported moves.

The problem is the Seahawks and head coach Pete Carroll have said they are comfortable with their quarterback situation.

When asked about looking for a free agent quarterback if Jackson misses much time, Carroll stated "No, Josh Portis is here to play. He’s here to play football for us. Josh is a very talented kid and if he’s in the No. 2 spot, I’m going to get him ready to play. I’m not going to have any hesitation putting him in the game. I’ve seen enough of him. I know what he can do.”

That hasn't stopped reports linking Seattle to miscellaneous quarterbacks.

A "potential trade" for Carson Palmer popped up on NFL.com. The problem is this isn't a trade rumor. It is a hypothetical situation being thrown out as a move that one analyst believes would make sense for both teams.

I, along with most every other Seahawk fan, think the proposal is heavily one-sided. Gil Brandt suggests that Seattle sends its surprising star rookie wide receiver Doug Baldwin and a conditional first to third round draft pick to the Bengals for Palmer. Parting with Baldwin, who has already been seeing nominations for rookie of the week, might be tough for the Seahawks.  

It is hard to imagine the 31-year-old Palmer is still worth a first-round pick, let alone that plus a promising rookie receiver that will play for the league minimum for four seasons.

Bengals owner Mike Brown doesn’t like to talk about his personnel issues, but was still asked about the team’s willingness to change its stance on trading Palmer prior to the October 18^th trade deadline. "I don't have a thing to say about that," Brown said.

While this certainly doesn’t state he has changed his mind, it isn’t a refusal to alter his stance if the right offer was made.

Palmer is still a quality NFL quarterback. Despite having talent concerns around him, he threw for just under 4,000 yards last season and 26 TDs. He would be a definite improvement over Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst.

It is fair to question how many productive seasons Palmer has left. However, there is no reason to assume he won’t provide quality play for the four seasons he has left on his contract.

This would give Seattle a little breathing room to determine if Josh Portis is its quarterback of the future or to find the guy who is.

On the David Garrard front, John Clayton made a passing comment about the Seahawks looking for a backup if Tarvaris Jackson had to miss meaningful time with his pectoral injury.

Carroll is clear that he is comfortable with Portis. That could just be coach-speak, though, and if Jackson is not able to return in the immediate future the Seahawks may be forced to sign another backup.

In the spirit of some of these hypothetical transactions being confused as trade rumors, I'd like to throw out some options for the Seahawks to consider.

Seattle could certainly use a bump at quarterback, cornerback and a pass rusher:

Chris Clemons, Walter Thurmond and a conditional draft pick for Peyton Manning.

Sure, it makes sense for Peyton Manning to finish his career with the franchise he brought back to relevance. Plus, why would another franchise want to pay him the incredibly bloated contract for a 35-year-old? Well, aside from the fact he is still the best quarterback in the NFL until he proves he’s no longer able to play.

The Colts are going to tank the season and end up with Andrew Luck, so something has to give. They will be hard-pressed to pass on Luck, and it will be even more difficult to watch him sit on the bench for the duration of his rookie contract. They need help with the pass rush and in the secondary which Clemons and Thurmond would offer.

If NFL.com analysts can dream big for the Seahawks, why not start at the top?

Doug Baldwin for Matt Flynn:

Actually, this proposal isn’t so crazy. The Packers need to be thinking about their future at the receiver position and Aaron Rodgers won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

Packer fans may think this proposal short-changes Green Bay, but Flynn is still an unproven commodity. Baldwin has already shown the ability to make big plays, which will make many Seahawks fans cringe at this deal.

If fans from both teams would be unhappy this seems to have the makings of a great trade!

Acquiring Flynn may not help out the Seahawks in 2011, but could set them up for 2012 and beyond.

Alan Branch for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie:

The Seattle Seahawks seem to have an issue brewing at cornerback with Marcus Trufant once again experiencing back problems. The Philadelphia Eagles and their “dream team” are having all sorts of issues, and stopping the run is certainly among them.

With the emergence of Anthony Hargrove and the presence of Clinton McDonald, Branch isn’t as critical to the Seahawks run defense. Rodgers-Cromartie isn’t being utilized by the Eagles.

Seattle acquires a large corner that can play in Carroll’s press scheme, and the Eagles get help stopping opposing rushers. Seems like a beneficial move for both teams.

Anthony McCoy and a second-round draft pick or Brandon Mebane for Osi Umenyiora:

Yes, Umenyiora seems to have forgotten his contract issue with the Giants. However, when Justin Tuck returns to play, the Giants have a dearth of talent at defensive end.

Jake Ballard is playing well at tight end for the Giants, but some depth and another pass-catcher at the position would be a good thing for New York. The Seahawks need to make room for Cameron Morrah to come off the Physically Unable to Perform list, making McCoy expendable pending the status of Zach Miller.

Brandon Mebane is a quality defensive tackle, and the thought of him leaving will make many Seahawks fans grimace. However, he has been losing playing time to the strong and athletic Hargrove. It would be a difficult loss, but it is hard to argue the team would be better off with Umenyiora over Mebane.

The Giants need some help stopping the run, and that is Mebane’s specialty.

Since there seems to be no restrictions on NFL.com analysts coming up with outlandish trades, why not throw out a lopsided trade idea for one of the best sack-machines in the NFL?

Feel free to post the above “trade rumors” on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube or your favorite blog. But remember—just like the Seahawks getting Palmer or Garrard, these aren’t actual trade rumors. They are hypothetical musings.