Carson Palmer: The Pros and Cons of Oakland Raiders' New Quarterback

A few days after the Oakland Raiders acquired Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals, many believe this is the move that makes the Raiders true playoff, and maybe even Super Bowl, contenders.

The Raiders already have a productive offense, and with a quarterback like Palmer, this offense can now keep up with the powerhouses of the NFL.

However, with optimism also comes pessimism. Many also believe the Raiders gave up way to much for a quarterback who may not be as good as he once was and, at the end of the day, quit on the franchise that drafted him.

Personally, I think Palmer made the right decision deciding to force his way out of the Bengal jungle. That franchise has made plenty of questionable decisions due to their owner's stubborn way of thinking.

Say what you want about Al Davis, but if you decided you didn't have the heart of a Raider, he would part ways in a heartbeat, and Palmer certainly did not have the heart of a Bengal, so you can judge the mentality of Mike Brown yourself.

Now the Raiders have a quarterback who keeps them relevant, but there are definitely some concerns heading into the future.

Pro: The Experience

At the end of the day, the Raiders now have a quarterback that was once considered one of the best in the NFL. For whatever reason, whether it had been injury or his environment, Palmer did not play at that level in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

However, his experience gives this team some veteran leadership that this young team needs. True, Palmer has not won a playoff game, but he has led his team to the playoffs, which is more than could be said of Jason Campbell.

Palmer's experience with Hue Jackson also will go a long way. I do think there will be a learning curve with Jackson's offense, but because the philosophy is similar to what Palmer did with the Bengals, he will adjust much more quickly than what people are giving him credit for.

Once Palmer gets a hold on this offense, because of his experience, we can now pull out shootout games with the likes of Detroit, San Diego, Chicago and Green Bay.

Well, maybe not Green Bay, because lets be real, Aaron Rogers is on another planet right now.

But you get the point.

Con: The Price

Giving up all these draft picks is my biggest problem with this move. I know Hue Jackson feels he is not sabotaging the 2012 draft and maybe even beyond if it means bringing in a franchise quarterback, but the fact is, he is.

I love Hue as a head coach, and I think he is flexing his general manager skills.

This is just a unique situation. If the Raiders were going to stay on their playoff path, Carson Palmer was the only quarterback out there who would not hurt those chances. So I understand why the move had to be made.

But for those who believe building your team through the draft is an outdated strategy, you're wrong. I think the Raiders 2010 and 2011 draft classes prove that. But going into the 2012 draft, the Raiders have no ammo.

So the Raiders must feel like their team is so strong, that if they miss the Super Bowl this year, they will accomplish the dream next year. That is the only way I make the move if I were in that position.

The Raiders will definitely get some compensatory picks, but those will not come before the third round. So the Raiders will relax a bit when the 2012 draft comes. That is not a good thing.

Pro: The Progression of Darrius Heyward-Bey

I think this receiving corps is going to get a huge boost. But the biggest boost will go to Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Heyward-Bey has become this team's No. 1 receiver. When Louis Murphy went down, DHB stepped up. When everyone wanted to give the No.1 receiver job to rookie Denarius Moore, DHB kept fighting. Now, when Michael Crabtree is busy getting pulled over during his bye week and missing flights, DHB is making plays.

DHB's progression will only get better with Palmer because Palmer is a much more accurate quarterback than Campbell. Though Campbell had chemistry with DHB, I think Palmer's overall football IQ is better than Campbell's, and that will take over where chemistry lacks.

In the latter part of the season when Palmer and Heyward-Bey have had time, the chemistry will finally kick in.

DHB was on a pace to break 1,000 receiving yards before Campbell went down, and with Palmer, he can stay on that track.

Con: The Decline in Production for Darren McFadden

I'd be lying if I said I was too worried about this one, but I think we all need to worry about the possibility. For the first few weeks, the Raiders will see a lot of defenses crowding eight men in the box. It won't stop until Palmer proves he can take advantage of the man-to-man coverage.

Again, I think Palmer can handle it, but it is hard to believe Palmer is going to play at a high level right off. So that means Darren McFadden is going to have a lot of pressure because teams know he will get the ball maybe 25+ times.

Over the past few weeks, McFadden's production has been solid, and he still leads the league in rushing, but we haven't seen that big game from McFadden in a few weeks because teams are zeroing in on him.

That will change once Palmer gets his feet under him and starts taking advantage of the speed of his receivers. McFadden will be his usual Beast Mode self, but when that will happen is anyone's guess.

Pro: The Progression of Terrelle Pryor

For those who believe that Palmer's presence means Terrelle Pryor is primed for a official position change, that is wrong. Pryor is still this team's future quarterback, and getting Palmer ensures the Raiders' ability to take their time in his growth.

Carson Palmer knows what it takes to play at a Pro-Bowl level, and he knows about the preparation it takes to play at that level consistently. That is the kind influence we need Pryor to have. I thought Jason Campbell was the perfect mentor, but Palmer may be the guy who helps Pryor's fundamentals the most, especially since the Raiders don't have an official quarterback coach.

Palmer may help this team over the next few years, and he keeps us at a playoff level, but a four-year contract is not exactly the biggest level of commitment. Especially when you consider Aaron Rogers sat on the bench for three years before he got his chance, and the Raiders are still an injury away from needing Pryor sooner or later.

Why do I still think Pryor is still the quarterback of the future?

Because sooner or later, the Raiders will need a young QB that they develop on their own. Not someone else's failed project, and with the Raiders basically giving up the majority of their draft picks in 2012 and most likely their first rounder in 2013, Pryor is the best young quarterback option out there.

Con: The End of Jason Campbell

I think this is when the business of the NFL hurts a player with a whole lot of heart. Jason Campbell's professionalism was great to watch after the blunder that was JaMarcus Russell.

Campbell had his ups and downs in year one, but in year two he was hands down this team's leader. He had the Raiders in position to win five out of his six contests and got this team to a winning 4-2 record.

Now being done for the season despite his optimism, the writing is on the wall for Campbell in the Silver and Black. The Raiders are putting their faith in a new signal caller.

As a fan of Campbell's, this hurts me a lot, and I hope to see Campbell do well. Whether he stays with us as a backup or finds a new gig, I want to see Campbell be the quarterback I hoped he could be.

Jason Campbell, thank you.

Pro: If This Works Out!

If this works out, not only do the Raiders make the playoffs, but they go pretty deep. Not only do they go deep in the playoffs, but Hue Jackson is called a genius and is the best candidate for coach of the year.

Jackson has been in a situation that no other coach will ever be in. With everything this team has been through the past decade and in particular the past 10 days, if this all works, how can Jackson not be coach of the year?

I don't want to put too much pressure on Palmer too soon, but you cannot deny the expectations the Raiders had coming into 2011, and the expectations have only grown since he joined this roster.

Con: If This Doesn't Work Out!

If this does not work out, the Raiders are set back at least two years. The Raiders have very few draft picks heading into the future.

If this does not work out, that means the Raiders are not as close to being a contender as they think, and without help from the draft, it won't be to easy to improve the corps of this team.

Free agency may help, but we have to be smart with the salary cap.

The Raiders are putting all the eggs in one basket, and as great as the upside is, the downside could hurt.