January 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) talks with wide receiver Danarius Moore (17) after the Raiders scored a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

During the 2012 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders were nearly invisible. From a fan’s perspective the draft was an empty one. The Raiders sat by and watched as other teams inked deals with big name players who will be hoping for a long NFL career. The fact of the matter is that no matter how good these players did in their underwear workouts the touchdowns they scored in college wont be translating over to the big leagues. I would love to see what Jeff George has to say to Andrew Luck about that. I wonder if RG3 recalls the name Heath Shuler (number 3 overall pick in 1994)? The Raiders on the other hand wont be leaving the fate of their franchise in the hands of a rookie.

Since the Raiders were not mentioned much on draft day lets talk about who they received for a first round pick. With the 17th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders selected former Bengal, Carson Palmer. Picked by Cincinnati with the first overall pick in 2003 Carson Palmer had just won a heisman trophy. He was originally from Fresno, California and had decided to play college ball with the Trojans of USC. During his senior year at USC, Carson set school records in almost every category possible for a QB (passing yards, completions, and passing touchdowns). Becoming worthy of being selected number 1 overall by the Bengals. (Palmer was succeeded by Matt Leinart who ironically has been reported to be talking with the Raiders)

Carson Palmer rode the bench his rookie season learning under veteran, Jon Kitna. The next season Carson led the team to an 8-8 record struggling with interceptions which have since plagued him throughout his career. The following season (2005) the Palmer lead Bengals won the division with an 11-5 record making it to the playoffs. Unfortunately for Palmer his best season as a pro would be short lived. During the first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Palmer suffered a career threatening knee injury. The knee injury didn’t stop a still young and determined Carson Palmer who bounced back the next season passing for over 4000 yards. Despite his success the Bengals would finish 8-8 and Carson would never again experience a winning season with the Bengals. The frustration of losing soon drove Palmer out of Cinncinatti and into Oakland.

The Raiders now for the first time since Rich Gannon, have a QB with a great future. The 2011 season showed everybody a glimpse of the rejuvenated Palmer (Throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns against the rival San Diego Chargers in only his second start). Carson Palmer has since had a whole off-season with his new team and new staff, and seems to have a very positive outlook on the upcoming season (as evident in his interviews). The Raiders first pick in the draft at number 95 says it all. Picking a big offensive lineman is the best way to tell your QB that he is going to be given the opportunity to lead his team on his feet rather than his back. The Raiders opening up on Monday Night Football will give Carson the stage to show everybody why he is the best pick for this team in the 2012 draft.

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

On paper it would appear the Raiders landed a pretty manageable schedule for the 2012 season. Manageable only in the sense that they don’t play any back-to-backs on the road until the end of the season. As far as winning any of these games go…well…that’s a completely different story. One quick glance and you’ll notice the names of some pretty prominent NFL franchises. There is still plenty of business to be done before we start getting any idea of what Dennis Allen’s team will be looking like come September or any of the Oakland opposition for that matter.

While the Raiders won’t have to worry about any extended stays on the road they will have to contend with that problem that plagues all of us on the West Coast – adjusting to the three hour time difference when traveling east.

For the first time in franchise history the Raiders will be playing in the Eastern Time zone five times during the regular season. Typically West Coast teams don’t fare well when making the journey back east. So you can already see what type of a challenge Coach Allen is going to be up against.

Those five games are Week 2 in Miami, Week 6 in Atlanta, Week 10 in Baltimore, Week 12 in Cincinnati for Carson Palmer’s revenge game and Week 16 in Carolina.

Even more challenging is that three of those teams were in the playoffs with the other two being equally tough tests. Let’s not forget how the Dolphins did the silver and black last year in Miami and how much more improved the Cam Newton led Panthers might be.

But, again, this is all on paper. For all we know every one of these Eastern opponents could miss the postseason in 2012. For all we know the Raiders could be the best road team in the league in 2012. All we know right now is the Raiders have a full slate of games to get prepped for. We’ll start sweating the details once we have a 53-man roster in place.

Jackson's time in Oakland was an up and down ride. (Photo: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Hue Jackson has found work just not the type I’m sure he expected with a head coaching title on his resume. His former employer, the Cincinnati Bengals, have given Jackson a job as an assistant on Marvin Lewis’ staff where he’ll help coach the secondary and special teams.

For Jackson the move can’t be viewed as anything but a step back. Two years ago he was hired by Al Davis as an offensive coordinator then one year later promoted to head coach. For a man with an offensive mind, coaching special teams must seem a little awkward. Then again, Jackson did call up some innovative trick plays on special teams for the Raiders last season.

Jackson’s one year as a head coach was truly a rollercoaster ride. At one point the Raiders were 7-4, squarely in the driver seat for taking the AFC West. Jackson’s confidence, at times bordering on arrogance, pushed him to pay a high price for Carson Palmer then proclaim the move as the “best trade ever.”

As we all know the wheels completely came off as the Raiders won just one of their final five games. Jackson, in turn, tossed his team under the bus. Jackson’s emotional reaction to the way the season ended for Oakland might have helped Reggie McKenzie make his first order of business finding a new head coach.

Al Davis’ decision to let Tom Cable walk in order to promote Jackson was met with plenty of backlash. From a business stand point the move was genius as the Raiders sold out every home date for the first time since their return to the East Bay. However the fact that Cable resurfaced in Seattle as an assistant head coach while Jackson is now coaching a unit he hasn’t worked with since the late 1980’s says a lot.

Jackson is a fiery coach with plenty of offensive acumen. His mismanaged ego got the best of him at times but that is true of any professional coach. Where Jackson’s greatest failure occurred was in his inability to keep his players focused. NFL records in penalties and a complete collapse down the stretch doomed Jackson and perhaps ruined any chance he might ever get at being a head coach in the NFL again.