Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

No surprise at all that Jason Campbell and the Raiders officially parted ways. Once Carson Palmer was acquired the writing was on the wall. What is a surprise is where Campbell chose to take his talents. The man Al Davis once compared to Jim Plunkett is headed to Chicago where he’ll carry a clipboard behind Jay Cutler.

Campbell could have easily found work elsewhere in a situation that might have provided an opportunity to be a starter. Behind Cutler his only chance to play will come via injury. Of course that isn’t too much of a longshot given the former Bronco’s recent history. Then again, maybe Campbell just wants to be on a team in contention.

Any team looking for an open audition at quarterback isn’t one that is going to be making much noise come January of 2013.

For Campbell this is yet another stop on an otherwise unfortunate career. Once upon a time he was a first round pick out of Auburn pegged to be the QB of the future in Washington DC. That situation never provided any stability for JC and once the Redskins turned the page by signing Donovan McNabb it was Oakland who came calling.

Known for his leadership qualities, tireless work ethic and arm strength, Campbell was the breath of fresh air Mr. Davis needed to end the disaster that was JaMarcus Russell. With Campbell under center the Raiders returned to the top of the NFL in offensive production. His first year in Oakland saw the Raiders end a hideous string of losing season as the silver and black finished with a respectable .500 record.

Campbell’s second year in the Bay saw him get was off to the best start of his career before disaster struck. A broken collar bone ended his season then the panicked trade for Palmer claimed his job. Injury in a contract year usually spells uncertainty during the offseason. Luckily Campbell’s resected enough around the league that a team like Chicago would gladly welcome him given their lackluster backups to Cutler.

You can’t help but root for a guy like Campbell. He’s a pro’s pro that never complains, always shows up ready to go to work and was precisely what the Raiders needed before things began to spiral completely out of control. Having signed a one-year deal with the Bears, Campbell will likely be back on market again next year where a better opportunity might present itself. Here’s hoping the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL gets his due one of these days.

Look no further than the position of tight end and you’ll see a very direct link to hoops. In modern football the position of tight end has been transformed from extra offensive lineman to hyper-productive pass catcher. Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and one-time Raider Rickey Dudley all came to the NFL with a basketball background. But it’s not just the tight ends. We’re seeing bigger, stronger and faster wide receivers that can simply use their height to win 50-50 balls in the back of the end zone.

You see it’s not just the size and skill set hoops offers in way of making a great NFL tight end or wide receiver. It’s also the very hoops-centric idea of exploiting matchups that makes the receiving positions so valuable these days.

Put a slow plodding linebacker on an athletic freak likes Gates and it’s a bigger no contest than Albert Haynesworth in court on assault charges.

Put any 5’9” corner on Larry Fitzgerald in the red zone and watch that DB’s 45-inch vertical mean less than Donovan McNabb’s contract in Washington.

Which brings us to the newest toy in Al’s collection – Terrelle Pryor.
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TMZ Sports cites a source close to McNabb stating that he has no interest in playing for the Oakland Raiders and would use his contractual status as a means to avoid being under the thumb of Al Davis in 2010. Without a no-trade clause, McNabb is powerless to veto any dealings the Philadelphia Eagles may engage in. Therefore he’s left with his one year contract as the sole means to do any leveraging.

If this is true, I have but one thing to say to McNabb. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Did Richard Seymour’s contractual status and delayed arrival in Oakland deter Al Davis?

Money talks and Mr. Davis is fluent in cash.

Perhaps the McNabb to Oakland talk is all a pipe dream for Raider Nation. At least that’s what JaMarcus Russell was betting on in Vegas this past weekend.    

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