Silver and Black Report

SBReport.net will take a look at the best and worst moments for the 2011 Oakland Raiders; including top plays, standout players and performances, and a lot more…

MVP (On Offense)

Michael Bush, RB

Why Bush? If not for his 977-yards rushing, 418-receiving and eight total scores, Oakland would have been in deep trouble. Yes, Darren McFadden is their most dynamic player and a superstar-type talent, but he missed the entire second half and if not for depth at that position, the Raiders offense would have been stagnant. That’s why both need to be kept together.

Honorable Mention: Jared Veldheer, LT – He faced Jared Allen, Tamba Hali twice, Julius Peppers, Elvis Dumervil twice, Andre Carter, Cameron Wake in a season of growth and maturity into one of the better young left tackles in the league.

MVP (On Defense)

Tommy Kelly, DT

I felt he had a better overall season than Richard Seymour and got slighted in the Pro Bowl selection process. He had 7.5 sacks and was steadier game in and game out.

Honorable Mention: Tyvon Branch, SS – Improved his coverage skills greatly and continued to be stout when placed around the line of scrimmage. Now, it’s time for a payday.

MVP (Special Teams)

Sebastian Janikowski, PK

He altered the look of the offense. When other teams opt to punt, Oakland strolls out their powerful kicker. With a better defense, imagine if the Raiders offense didn’t feel the stress of going long-distances on drives with Janikowski on their side.

BEST COACH

Bob Wylie

Veldheer became an anchor and Samson Satele has proven to be reliable and durable. Stefen Wisniewski did not play like a rookie and the right side, which was a major question mark coming into the season, held their own. With a top ranked running game and very few sacks allowed, Wylie easily was Oakland’s most valuable staffer.

MOST IMPROVED (On Offense)

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

In a landslide… the maligned target ended with 64-receptions for 975-yards and four scores.

MOST IMPROVED (On Defense)

This award will not be given to anyone.

BEST ROOKIE

Denarius Moore, WR

A true play-maker who can stretch the field… and he was drafted in what round?

PLAYERS WHO DISAPPOINTED…

Lamarr Houston trying to amp-up the crowd vs. the Chargers.

Kamerion Wimbley, LB – Only had seven sacks, but four of them were in one game versus the Chargers. If he’s going to be out there, Oakland needs him to be a menace pass rushing and not caught in bad match-ups with the likes of Antonio Gates.

Rolando McClain, LB – An arrest, very few impact plays at middle linebacker… if he wouldn’t had the off-field issues, it could’ve been easier to ship the talent who may need a new start elsewhere.

Lamarr Houston, DE – Only one-sack for the second year pro.

CLASSIEST RAIDERS

Quentin Groves, LB – Moved out of the starting line-up when Aaron Curry was acquired, the linebacker got on special teams and played well.

Jason Campbell, QB – At the beginning of the season, it appeared that the stars were aligned for Campbell – team on the rise, he’s at the helm playing well, at the end of a contract. Now, he may not have many options in the market to start and may have to settle on being Carson Palmer’s back up.

PLAYER MISSED THE MOST… (due to injury)

Matt Shaughnessy, DE – He has a motor, can bring the heat and is a solid edge defender. It could’ve helped.

PLAYER MISSED THE MOST… (due to departure)

Nnamdi Asomugha, CB – Boy, did that secondary need someone opposing passers feared.

PLAYER WHO NEEDS TO BE INCORPORATED MORE…

Kevin Boss, TE – They are paying him well for only 39-targets, 28 catches for 368-yards and three touchdowns. Oakland’s offense also features a very good receiving fullback (Marcel Reece) and with all the youth at receiver and rushers than can also be threats as pass-catchers, its easy to forget about Boss.

MOST OVERRATED (on offense)

Jacoby Ford, WR

Injuries slowed him, but he rarely showed any of the glimpses we saw in his rookie season.

MOST OVERRATED (on defense)

Matt Giordano, FS

Yes, he led the team with five interceptions, but many of them were in the ‘right at him’ category. Too many times he took horrible angles in run support and missed on tackles to spring running backs for bigger gains.

Honorable Mention: Stanford Routt, CB – How many times did he get flagged? Teams were not afraid to go after him – not what you want out of a top-paid cornerback.

BEST MOMENTS

Tommy Kelly, Jarvis Moss & the rest of the defense had fun bullying Mark Sanchez.

• Rallying versus the Texans on the weekend of Al Davis’ passing – On a emotional afternoon, with heavy hearts, Oakland overcame a deficit and held on late, on the game’s final play to win their first game without the legendary owner.
• Bullying the Jets in front of the ‘Black Hole’ – They ran for 234-yards, beat up Mark Sanchez and enjoyed a 34-24 victory against a top team.
• John Madden lighting up the torch – It was the Raiders first game at home without Davis, and during halftime, the coach who made his mark with the Silver & Black, lit up a cauldron during a ceremony to remember his life.
• Winning three in a row and getting to 7-4 in late November.
• The Raider fans selling out all eight home games.

WORST MOMENTS

• Al Davis Dying – It’s still unimaginable that the man synonymous with the Silver & Black will no longer be with us.
• Second-Half vs. Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick torched Oakland, as Buffalo scored at will on every possession in the second half. One stop by the defense, and the Raiders could’ve had another win.
• Chiefs Stomping – Losing to the Chiefs is always painful for the Raiders. But getting trounced at home 28-0 was just embarrassing.
• Losing four out of their last five games to end the season, including an embarrassing collapse against the Lions and the disastrous finale versus the Chargers.

BEST PLAYS

• Janikowski’s 63-yard field goal versus Denver – Tied for the league’s longest kick and gave the Raiders a 16-3 halftime lead. Oh, Janikowski didn’t really hit it cleanly.
• Moore’s 50-yard TD catch in Buffalo – That gave Oakland a 35-31 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Bills eventually won, 38-35.
• Huff’s INT versus Houston – The free-safety sealed the game with his interception, as time expired, and with the Raiders one-man short.
• Lechler’s TD – Oakland went up 24-7 against the Browns when Shane Lechler connected with Kevin Boss for a 35-yard score, off a fake field goal.
• Heyward-Bey’s 53-yard catch to set up the game winning field goal in overtime against the Chiefs.

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES

• Wimbley’s sack parade vs. the Chargers.
• Carson Palmer’s 14-20 for 299 and 2 scores against the Chargers.
• McFadden’s 171-yards rushing vs. the Jets.
• Michael Bush’s record breaking night against San Diego.
• Janikowski’s six field goals vs. the Bears.

BEST PASS BY A NON-QB

Shane Lechler’s TD to Kevin Boss.

WORST PASSES BY A QB

How many did Kyle Boller attempt vs. the Chiefs?

MID-SEASON ACQUISITION THAT WILL STICK AROUND…

Aaron Curry

MID-SEASON ACQUISITIONS THAT WILL NOT STICK AROUND…

Lito Sheppard

BEST QUOTE

“I’m watching [the] History Channel and Fox Sports Soccer.” – Tommy Kelly after being eliminated and asked if he would watch the playoffs.

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SBReport.net wishes everyone a festive evening and a Happy New Year. As we sign out 2011, we bring in a new year with some resolutions for the Oakland Raiders:

Kyle Boller, QB

As soon as Jason Campbell was lost for the season, Oakland pulled the trigger on the Carson Palmer deal. Boller, who started the Raiders first game right after, bombed with three interceptions in the first half versus the Chiefs and never saw action again in 2011.

Resolution: To find a way to obtain the trust of any team as a back-up quarterback.

Kevin Boss, TE

After back-to-back 500 yard-plus seasons with the New York Giants, the tight end, who inked a deal with $8 million in guarantees, has had his number of targets and touches go down dramatically in this wide-receiver friendly system that also have dangerous pass catchers out of the backfield.

Resolution: Boss will draw-up a few more plays himself and sneak them into Hue Jackson’s playbook.

Tyvon Branch, SS

The starting string safety was named a Pro-Bowl alternate this week after a solid campaign.

Resolution: More impact plays in 2012 to ensure he gets the attention needed to make it to Hawaii.

The Oakland Front Office

Resolution: Find a general manager to work in cohesion with Hue Jackson.

Michael Bush, RB

He has compiled 1,316 total yards from scrimmage this year – not too shabby for a back up.

Resolution: To get a big payday. After injuries derailed his final season at Louisville, the rusher missed at a chance of going higher in the draft and earning a lot more money.

Jason Campbell, QB

He was Jackson’s quarterback till the injury. Now, with Palmer in the mix, if he wants to start, Campbell will have to go elsewhere.

Resolution: To find a team that desperately needs a quarterback. There aren’t many options and with Vince Young and Kyle Orton out there, it will be very difficult for Campbell to realistically start anywhere.

Aaron Curry, LB

Resolution: To fulfill his high draft-day expectations as a member of the Silver & Black after Seattle gave up on his career.

Jacoby Ford, WR

Resolution: Better conditioning on those lower extremities. A quad injury, hamstring issues and a foot ailment have been some of things the second year talent had dealt with in 2011.

Matt Giordano, S

Resolution: To parlay this solid campaign in Oakland into a multi-year deal.

Tommy Kelly, DT

Resolution: To make the Pro Bowl in 2012.

Rolando McClain, LB

Last year’s resolution: “To land jaw-dropping hits on opponents that weigh over 190 pounds and leave his impression on the Raider defense.

Resolution: See above. Oh, and stay out of the police blotter.

Darren McFadden, RB

Resolution: Play 16-games!

Carson Palmer, QB

Resolution: Regain his form with a full camp and pre-season – he’s not that far away.

Stanford Routt, CB

Resolution: To cut down on the flags… then we’ll hear talk about him being one of the AFC’s top cornerbacks.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

Our resolution last year for him was: “To break the 50-catch mark in 2011. Thirty-five career catches for a seventh overall selection – the letters B.U.S.T are ominous.” Well, mission accomplished.

Resolution: To become the ‘go-to guy’ in Oakland and turn into a versatile pass catcher on short and deep routes.

Chaz Schilens, WR

Resolution: To bottle-up whatever he took prior to the season and give it to McFadden and Ford. Schilens’ 2011 was not decimated by injuries.

Jared Veldheer, LT and Stefen Wisniewski, LG

Resolution: To get to Hawaii as a tandem.

Kamerion Wimbley, LB

Resolution: More sacks against teams not named the San Diego Chargers.

Here are last year’s resolutions for Campbell, DHB, McClain, Veldheer and others:

Oakland Raiders: New Year’s resolutions for 2011

Not bad, huh?

Happy New Year to everyone in the Raider Nation!

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Here’s a look, through Bob Carr’s lens – SBReport.net’s photojournalist – at Kansas City’s 28-0 victory at the O.Co Coliseum versus the Oakland Raiders.

A USC fan pulled a Carson Palmer jersey out of her closet, just in time to see his debut as a member of the Oakland Raiders.

 

Taiwan Jones had 3 carries for 18-yards and one reception for 30-yards. With Darren McFadden injured, Oakland leaned on Michael Bush and sprinkled in some more of Jones.

 

Richard Seymour had his sight set on Matt Cassel. “It sucks that we got a bye week,” he said after the loss. “When you take one like this, you just want to get back out on the field, ready to fight again.”

 

The Raiders played the QB shuffle yesterday. But there is no question who will be the starter the rest of the way. [Carson Palmer #3, Kyle Boller #7]

 

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“Carson Palmer didn’t lose the game,” Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said after yesterday’s 28-0 drubbing versus the Kansas City Chiefs. “Kyle Boller didn’t lose the game. Coach Jackson lost the game. And you guys can write that. And that’s fine. We will be back. This is a really good football team in there. We need to get healthy and we need to go to work. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Jackson was right about a few things there…

None of his passers were the sole reason they lost. Were both quarterbacks dreadful and did they both equally hinder any attack Oakland was trying to muster up? Absolutely.

But other reasons include a slew of penalties (14 for 120-yards), allowing 139-yards on the ground, giving a lackluster effort on offense without injured superstar Darren McFadden and the coach’s inability to get this team to play respectable football amid a three-game home stand.

Being shutout at home and losing by 28-points speaks for itself. That performance was Oakland football from the 2003-2009 vintage.

Jackson is a better coach than that, and the team is a better grouping as well.

Yesterday proved that they are still in the process of learning how to win and taking care of business. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the game and all the hoopla regarding the transactions made recently, the Silver & Black had a shot to go into their game against the Chargers at 6-2.

Now, they have a bye week to let this loss linger, get their offense in order, heal whatever physical or emotional ailments they have after this contest and aim at another rival.

This bye came at a perfect time, as now; they have to get their heads right for a stretch run.

“That’s what we’re still striving to be. We’re striving to be a really good team that, hopefully, we can get to the point where these games are a thing of the past. But, obviously, we still got a lot of work to do,” said Mike Mitchell.

The Raiders are a good team who hit a really big bump on the road. What they want to be is a contending club. They didn’t look like that yesterday and a outcome like Sunday’s can either help a team move forward, or set them back for the remainder of the season.

Which way will the Raiders go?

GAME NOTES

Michael Bush had to carry the load after Darren McFadden injured his foot.

• Chiefs’ CB Brandon Carr stated: “We came into a hostile environment, in a rivalry game with high stakes on the line and the competitive juices were flowing. You could feel it as soon as you got off the bus today.”
• The defensive backs for Kansas City had a field day with six interceptions. That set the tone for the Chiefs and the boo birds in Oakland quickly turned on their starter. “We knew that they had a quarterback controversy,” Kendrick Lewis said. “We studied film and studied their routes. We knew that they were going to give [Palmer] a limited playbook, so when we had an opportunity to make plays and capitalize, that’s what we did.”
• TE Kevin Boss had a concussion.
• McFadden left the game early with a sprained foot. Michael Bush carried the load and ended with 99-yards. “I feel like I can step in and do a good job,” Bush said. “I had a good game today. Not to take away from myself, but I mean, like I said, this offensive line is doing a very good job in the running game, and when one guy goes down, somebody else has to step in.”
• Rolando McClain had a lower leg injury and Matt Giordano had neck spasms.

 

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Rhys Lloyd, Ricky Schmitt and Dave Rayner worked out on Friday for the Oakland Raiders, as the team prepared contingency plans just in case Sebastian Janikowski couldn’t play tomorrow. “It’s a huge part of our football team if he can’t go,’’ head coach Hue Jackson said. “I’m not going ot make any excuses. If he can’t go, he can’t go. We’ll get somebody that can. That’s the way it goes. We’ll be fine.’’

Today, Adam Schefter reported on Twitter that the Silver & Black added Rayner, most likely meaning that Janikowski will miss the game on Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rayner was the most experienced of all the kickers in for work-outs, playing for the Colts, Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Lions, Bengals, Redskins and Cowboys during his seven year career.

Originally drafted by Indiniapolis in 2005 in the 6^th round, Rayner has made 55-career field goals, at a 73.3% rate. He does posses a strong leg; a trait Oakland will miss with Janikowski’s absence.

Oakland did not want to risk further injury to Janikowski’s hamstring (left).

OUTLOOK:

This alters what decisions are made at midfield when Oakland is on offense. Longer distance field goals were a part of their attacking style, as the offense didn’t have to worry about scoring on every drive – not with Janikowski at their disposal. Maybe Jackson thinks twice about kicking long field goals? And on special teams, it was expected that Janikowski would blast them deep into the end zone – not a guarantee with Rayner. If Oakland is in a tight game this weekend, it will be interesting to see what decisions will Jackson make when they are in scoring position on 4^th downs.

CAMPBELL ON TRADE

Jason Campbell was recovering from his surgery when all the news went down about the Carson Palmer trade.

Not only was he out of the loop, but he was also cloudy about his future with the team and what just occurred when he first found out due to his procedure.

“On Sunday night I had some pain pills for my shoulder, so I was pretty much sleeping all night Sunday,” Campbell said on the Bay Area radio station 95.7 FM ‘The Game’ on Friday. “And then Monday I had my surgery, so I was pretty much out of it then.”

“As a player in this league, you can’t worry about the things that go on from a business side of it, the political side of it,” Campbell continued. “You know what you’re worth, you know what you’ve done to help the franchise you’ve got here, put us in the position we’re in now.”

OUTLOOK:

It’s safe to assume that Hue Jackson never lied to Campbell and was always genuinely encouraging about the passers time with the Raiders and his vision of him as the starter. Campbell was given the job as soon as Jackson took over and the coach has always been a proponent of Campbell.

But Campbell experienced the cold reality of what occurs in the NFL when you suffer an injury and a team in need has to make a move.

Oakland came into the 2011 season with big hopes for Campbell, as both parties knew that a solid campaign would lead to fruitful dealings with each other in the signal caller’s contract season.

But all that went out the window when Palmer was acquired, after Campbell was lost with the season with an injury.

You can’t blame Jackson for going ‘all-in’ in trying to find ways to improve the club. And acquiring Palmer potentially makes the team better and secure at the quarterback spot for years to come.

Campbell will now have to deal with his rehab and hope that someone else sees him in the same light Jackson saw him as, prior to his injury.

NOTES

• It was smart of Oakland not to declare a starter for their game against the Chiefs. If they go with Boller, it saved the passer a week’s long worth of dealings with the media and continual questioning about Sunday’s match-up. It eased up the pressure and kept the Chiefs wondering who would it be. If it is Palmer, there’s far more than just knowing the playbook and getting used to his targets for him to get used to. Getting into game-shape, used to the game’s speed and making quick decisions for an entire contest are things that usually are worked on for weeks at a time in the summer prior to the start of a regular season.
• Starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain did not practice all week, but is expected to play. This could be a recurring theme until he completely heals his sprained ankle.
• Chuck Bresnahan on Oakland’s new safety: “Chinedum’s a physical player. When he hits you in the middle of the field you know it and he can make some impact hits.”

 

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After losing twice to the Oakland Raiders (4-2) last season, the Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) have revenge on their mind as the travel to the Bay Area. Over the last two-weeks, Oakland has turned over a few spots on their roster, but the question still remains, will Carson Palmer make his debut in Silver & Black this weekend?

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

After circulated on Thursday that Palmer will start against the Chiefs, today, news and unnamed sources have stated that Kyle Boller will serve as the quarterback for the Raiders.

The uncertainty may be deception in the part of the Raiders, even though offensive coordinator Al Saunders stated to a Kansas City radio station that if Palmer “is breathing, he’s playing.”

Oakland could be better off with Boller, due to him being within the system a lot longer, familiarity with targets and the fact that Palmer isn’t game ready physically, or mentally, after two-practices with the Raiders.

This is the type of game Oakland should lean heavily on their ground attack, especially since Darren McFadden has compiled 312 yards rushing [5.1 per carry] and two touchdowns in five career games versus the rivals. Without McFadden in the season finale in 2010, Oakland still managed to tally 209-yards on the ground.

“I think first and foremost we’ve got to stop one of the best running attacks in the league and one of the best backs in the league. If we don’t do that, it will be a long day for us and it won’t matter really who is playing quarterback,” said Chiefs head coach Todd Haley.

On Defense:

Oakland’s rush defense has played better recently and now will face a club that lost their top rusher for the season, and will have Le’Ron McClain (neck) and running back Jackie Battle in the line-up after coming off injuries.

Matt Shaughnessy will be out of the line-up the rest of the season, after being placed on injured reserve. The Raiders need Desmond Bryant to step, Jarvis Moss to continue his solid play and the continued growth of Lamarr Houston, as they fill in at defensive end with bigger roles. And that job will be easier when the Chiefs come into town.

“When you’ve got a division rival like Kansas City, you get to play them twice a year. They’re huge – you’ve got to win these to stack up wins in that division. You’re trying to get that first-round home game in the playoffs. So, the division is huge. The rivalry, the tradition with it; it’s just great to be in the Black and Silver of it,” said Moss.

Coincidentally, the Chiefs only average 176.2 passing yards a game (29^th in the NFL), an area Oakland has struggled mightily with in 2011.

This could be a game in which the Raiders can get some of their swagger back pass rushing and in the secondary defending Matt Cassel’s targets. Kansas City has allowed 10-sacks this season.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

On Offense:

“You can just see how they hustle around, how they hit you and how they create pressure on the quarterback. It’s a team that you can see them play hard each and every play. That’s what I mean by physical. You can also tell just from the physicality of looking at them. They’re all big players. Even their linebackers are big guys, so that’s how they play,” stated Cassel about the Raiders’ defense.

Kansas City will have to get some balance on offense if they want to stay competitive for four quarters. It starts up front with their offensive line and how they manage to open up holes for their rushers.

The Chiefs are averaging 127.4 yards per game (6^th in the NFL).

Jonathan Baldwin will be a game-time decision, and if he plays, along with Steve Breaston and Dwayne Bowe, this could be the week Cassel gets going.

On Defense:

If it's Kyle Boller at quarterback, Kansas City will try to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.

“They don’t give up on (running).  They will run the same play three times in a row. They’ll just keep doing it. I think they’re banking on one of them opening up and popping off for a long run. It’s about the fits. You have to be consistent with your play, even more so against a team like this,” commented DL Glenn Dorsey.

If Boller starts, forcing turnovers and keeping him in long down and distance situations will be imperative.

“Whoever they put in, I’m sure they are going to get him ready to go,” Dorsey continued, regarding the Raiders quarterback situation. “Hopefully we can try to take advantage of that [inexperience] and see how it goes.”

KEY MATCH-UPS

Raiders Ground Attack vs. Chiefs’ front-seven

If Oakland continues to pile up yardage against the Chiefs, it won’t matter who’s under center.

Cassel vs. Raiders pressure & Secondary

Cassel needs to rev up the Kansas City offense. Oakland has allowed a lot of yards in the air, and that will be the only way the Chiefs may be able to stay close in this contest. Chuck Bresnahan is blitz happy, so how Cassel handles the heat, and how KC can connect on short quick routes, could determine how interesting this game could get.

Special Teams

Jacoby Ford is healthy and looking more spry. And lets not forget the coming out party he had last year as a receiver and return man versus the Chiefs. Sebastian Janikowski’s health is of utmost importance, as it effects the offense and how they attack at midfield and special teams as well.

GAME NOTES

• Cassel on Hue Jackson: “He was my quarterback coach my freshman year at USC, so I know Coach Jackson real well. He’s a good man. I know his family. He’s doing a good job up there.”
• “He’s just got crazy speed,” Chiefs LB Cory Greenwood said of Jacoby Ford, who had a monster game in Oakland against the Chiefs last season. “No one is catching him if he turns up the sideline. I saw him run away from [Antonio] Cromartie of the Jets one time and he’s a fast corner.”
• The Chiefs are 52-46-1 against Oakland in the regular season and 2-1 in the playoffs.
• Battle compiled career highs in nearly every category in the Chiefs win versus the Colts. He finished the day with 119 rushing yards on 19 carries for a 6.3 yards-per-carry average.
• Rhys Lloyd, Ricky Schmitt and Dave Rayner worked out on Friday for the Raiders, as the team prepared contingency plans just in case Janikowski can’t play. “It’s a huge part of our football team if he can’t go,’’ Jackson said. “I’m not going ot make any excuses. If he can’t go, he can’t go. We’ll get somebody that can. That’s the way it goes. We’ll be fine.’’

PREDICTION

Raiders 26 – Chiefs 16

The Raiders realize the importance of this three-game home-stand. If Boller plays, the offense won’t be as dynamic and Hue Jackson will surely try to call safe plays to avoid any disasters. That doesn’t mean he will shy away in trying to get the ball into his playmaker’s hands – screens for McFadden, getting Ford and Denarius Moore in space and trying to continue the hot-streak Darrius Heyward-Bey is in. It all will stem off the run game. The defense just needs to apply enough pressure on Cassel to keep his very capable targets from torching Bresnahan’s secondary. Oakland will escape with a win and head into the bye week confident that they’ll be able to get Palmer in sync with the playbook and his targets.

 

 

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According to sources, the Oakland Raiders are looking to start Carson Palmer this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just a day after his acquisition, Palmer was working with the Silver & Black’s first team offense, donning the no. 3 jersey. Kyle Boller was also observed taking snaps with the first team.

Center Samson Satele worked with the first unit after sustaining a sprained knee last Sunday. Tight end Richard Gordon returned to practice.

Fullback Marcel Reece and defensive end Matt Shaughnessy still are not healthy enough to participate during drills. There was a new face at the facility, no. 70, offensive lineman Zach Hurd, who was added to the practice squad.

Both passers taking reps could mean a few things. They could keep Kansas City guessing on who will be under center. Hue Jackson may also want both signal callers in tune with what they want to accomplish on Sunday, just in case Palmer isn’t ready for live action.

OUTLOOK:

If you are going to get his feet wet, why not now? Palmer will be facing a Chiefs defense that is last in points per game allowed. Oakland has had big rushing games against Kansas City in recent years, and Darren McFadden has enjoyed a lot of success against the rivals. Lean on the ground game, let him get started in his in-game conditioning and then you have bye week to get Palmer ready for the Broncos.

 

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The Oakland Raiders have acquired a legitimate Pro Bowl type passer.

How did it get done? Give all the credit to Hue Jackson.

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown was unrelenting in his stance not to trade Carson Palmer. He even stated that he would not “reward” the disgruntled passer, after the former USC star made his feelings known about wanting out of Cincinnati.

But Jackson, who has a good working relationship with Brown, facilitated the deal, in hopes of reuniting with Palmer.

The fact that Oakland gave a hefty compensation didn’t hurt.

Reports state that the Silver & Black gave up a first round selection in 2012. Which isn’t such a bad deal, especially since the Raiders were 8-8 last season and possible looking at a lower pick than usual this off-season, with aspirations of playoffs after starting the campaign with a 4-2 record.

But the kicker here, a conditional draft selection also involved in the trade that can turn into a first rounder in the future based on Palmer’s production and play.

Jackson has taken a huge risk bringing in a quarterback who has been inactive for months and is 31-years old.

It’s a lot of compensation, but this will be well worth it if Oakland gets the Palmer that was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

With an already potent ground attack, Palmer won’t have to carry the load with the Raiders. His play can potentially help Oakland’s youthful wide-outs development. Nothing makes it easier on a young target than a very good quarterback. And Oakland has some talent in Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who just recently, has enjoyed his best three-game stretch of his career.

The Raiders also have a tight end with a high skill set as a pass catcher. Combine that with a youthful left side of the offensive line and a group in the trenches that has kept their quarterbacks clean, Palmer is stepping into a really good situation.

Kyle Boller will start versus the Chiefs this weekend. Then Oakland will have a bye week to matriculate Palmer into the offense.

Good quarterbacks are hard to come by in this league. Palmer is considered among the best when healthy and on his game.

Cincinnati, who drafted Andy Dalton, and are completely happy with the rookie passer, and the start to their season, had no reason to keep Palmer tied up. Now, they can continue their rebuilding with the compensation they acquired from the Raiders.

Oakland will not have a selection in the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd or 4^th rounds in the 2012 draft.

At first glance, that seems extreme, but with all the youth already on the roster, and if Palmer regains his form, they’ll have themselves a franchise passer leading a team ready to win now and for the foreseeable future.

This is a win now move. Palmer, with this current crop of Raiders, will have a shot to contend.

A move this big isn’t generally pulled off mid-season.

Oakland did it, and will now have a shot to make a post-season push. Not only this year, but for the next few years.

Lost in all of this could be Jason Campbell. After getting himself adjusted in his second season with Jackson, it appears now that he’ll be a goner. Palmer is an upgrade.

His potential with the Raiders is far greater than Campbell’s.

Campbell, if he still believes he’s a starter, will have to look for a job elsewhere in the off-season.

This is a gamble, but one worth taking. Palmer could potentially make the Raiders a team no one will want to face. You can’t say that about this team with Campbell or Boller under center.

 

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The Oakland Raiders appear on the verge of acquiring Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, per a report on Twitter by NFL insider Jay Glazer.

According to Glazer, Oakland will give up a first round pick in 2012 and a conditional pick in the future.

The selection won’t be atop the draft if the Raiders continue to play well throughout the season, and improve on their 8-8 record from last year.

The Raiders (4-2) lost Jason Campbell on Sunday with a fractured collarbone.

Rumors swirled as early as Sunday evening regarding Palmer’s future with the Silver & Black.

David Garrard, Trent Edward, Josh McCown are some other passers linked to Oakland since Campbell’s injury.

Kyle Boller is expected to start on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Oakland then has a bye week to get Palmer acclimated to his new surroundings if the deal goes through.

Glazer cites Hue Jackson’s great relationship with Bengals’ owner Mike Brown as a major factor in getting the deal done. Brown was not budging on his stance, stating that he would not ‘reward’ Palmer with a trade.

 

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Lost in all the talk about whom the Oakland Raiders will acquire to replace Jason Campbell has been the fact that Kyle Boller was the back up, and now the starter.

Boller got the save in relief on Sunday versus the Browns, but things are vastly different as a starter who needs to deliver wins.

Luckily for the former first rounder out of California, the Silver & Black plays the Kansas City Chiefs, who are allowing an average of 30.0 point per game, worst in the NFL.

Then, Oakland has a bye week to further assimilate Boller into the offense and get him in sync with his targets.

“I know we can put an offense around Kyle and win,” Hue Jackson said.

The Raiders internally may not feel completely comfortable with Boller, hence all the talk about David Garrard, who if healthy, would’ve been brought in to start.

Not the biggest confidence booster for Boller, who won the back-up job in the summer. Theoretically, a team should have complete confidence in that back up signal caller just in case anything happens to the starter. Yet it appeared that Oakland was gun ho about getting a new guy in to lead the attack.

As Raider beat-writer Jerry McDonald stated in his blog: “If the quarterback isn’t Boller and they found someone to come in and replace him in short order, that means they made a colossal mistake in constructing their roster. Boller should have never been the backup in the first place.”

“Hue brought me in here,” Boller stated. “Being here, I owe it to him. I have a great relationship with him; I know the way he thinks and what he wants to get done, so I’m glad to be the guy to go do it.”

The rush to get another body in to back him, a journeyman passer who will know his role as a reserve is what the Raiders are headed for.

Terrelle Pryor being next in line is a scary proposition. Oakland fooled around for weeks going with only two passers on their roster and Shane Lechler as the emergency outlet. That can no longer happen.

Todd Bouman will be one of the quarterbacks they will work out. Josh McCown and Trent Edward, both who have spent time with the Raiders will get looks.

Todd Collins, who has ties with Al Saunders, is planning to retire, but news did circulate about Oakland being interested in his services.

Campbell has stated that he could be back early. But that’s no guarantee.

So all signs point to Boller. The coach and his teammates must get behind him and give him a nod of confidence.

If they don’t believe in him and continue to look for answers, the promising start Oakland had to their season will fizzle out as quickly as those phone calls late Sunday to potential candidates to replace Boller.

 

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