McKenzie swapped first round picks with the Miami Dolphins as the Silver and Black fell back to the 12^th spot in round one. In addition the trade netted Oakland a second round pick lost in the Carson Palmer trade. It’s almost as CP3 never happened. Almost…

Now all that remains is to see what McKenzie does with those picks acquired from Miami. No matter what though it was the best move he could have made.

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I know…I know. One player is no more responsible for a team’s failure than he is for its success. And I’m fully aware Carson Palmer entered a football house of pain when he was traded to the Oakland Raiders. No matter what things were going to end this way with CP3.

And I’m also aware that Palmer didn’t negotiate the hideous trade Hue Jackson orchestrated out of desperation. So I’m not laying all the blame for the Raiders’ woes during the Palmer era on Carson.

That said it is very revealing that Palmer’s record as a starter in Oakland is 8-16 whereas JaMarcus Russell notched a 7-18 mark during his tumultuous tenure.

It’s also undeniable that Palmer was as horrible in the clutch as Jerry Sandusky’s lawyer was in court. Some losing causes just aren’t worth fighting for. And that’s pretty much how Palmer played when the game was on the line.

Cue the typical Palmer apologist comments now…

He threw for 4,000 yards with no receivers.

Yeah, but most of those yards were between the 20s, not inside of them where QBs earn their paychecks. The red zone isn’t just a bonus level on Metal Gear.

But Carson was a hard worker.

So is Tim Tebow. For once can we just all agree that the overwhelming majority of men that make a career out of playing pro ball work hard? To quote Chris Rock “whatcha want a cookie?”

Palmer had to play in that hideous Greg Knapp offense.

Touché…

All things considered Palmer was an absolute failure in Oakland. The team regressed on his watch and no matter whose fault that was is irrelevant. Dude was supposed to be a franchise QB. Franchise QBs find ways to win when the game is on the line. They don’t massage the rock during a two minute drill. They don’t throw pick sixes in the clutch. They don’t rack up pointless stats when the outcome is no longer in doubt. And they certainly don’t refuse a pay cut from one bad team just to take one for another bad team.

Most of all they don’t get traded for a 7^th round pick.

Thanks for nothing, Carson Palmer.

I’m not taking the high road just because he did. My best friends are good guys too. But if they stunk it up on Sundays in Silver and Black I’d say the same thing. Have we forgotten the Raider motto?

Just…what, baby?

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After much discussion over the last few days the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks have finally come to terms on a deal that will send backup QB Matt Flynn to the East Bay in exchange for two future draft picks.

Let the Carson Palmer sweepstakes begin.

Already there is word spreading that the Raiders and Arizona Cardinals are in talks to send Palmer to the desert where is career will surely dry up and wilt in the heat.  Supposedly the Raiders and Cardinals are discussing a late-round draft pick as compensation for Palmer. Hardly equal value considering the king’s ransom Hue Jackson paid for CP3.

Luckily the pick acquired for Palmer would help offset the two late round picks Reggie McKenzie handed over for Flynn.

With Flynn now in Oakland the camp battle at QB can become an official talking point. Last year Flynn rode a stellar performance replacing Aaron Rodgers for one game in 2011 to a 3-year contract in 2012. Of course Seattle wasn’t sold on Flynn and thus drafted Russell Wilson. As we all know Wilson went on to lead the Seahawks to the playoffs while cementing himself as Seattle’s franchise quarterback.

Now Flynn has been given a second chance at a first impression as he’ll be dueling with Terrelle Pryor to take over the job as Oakland’s first string signal caller.