Palmer had an elbow injury in 2008, but he now says he’s healthy and ready to go.
– Raiders head coach Hue Jackson, never one to set the bar low, called Tuesday’s trade for quarterback Carson Palmer “probably the greatest trade in football.”
But for whom? Jackson, in landing the “franchise quarterback” he coveted, and the Raiders gave the Cincinnati Bengals at least a 2012 first-round draft pick and a 2013 second-round pick for the 31-year-old. The 2013 pick becomes a first-round selection if the Raiders (4-2) reach the AFC Championship Game this season or next.
Jackson said he “never hesitated” when he realized Palmer could cost two first-round picks.
“I know exactly what I am getting,” Jackson said. “I recruited and coached Carson in college, and was with him in Cincinnati, so I have a long-standing history with him.”
Jackson went to owner Mark Davis (Al’s son) and chief executive Amy Trask to pitch the idea of trading for Palmer.
Said Jackson: “I said, ‘Hey look, this is the person that I think we need to add in order to get where I want to take this organization – being that Jason is not here.’ “
Oh yes, Jason. Starting quarterback Jason Campbell broke his collarbone in Sunday’s game and was to be out at least six weeks. Now he is out as the team’s quarterback of the future. He was in the last year of his contract, and the Raiders restructured Palmer’s contract and have him for the next four years.
The Raiders owe Palmer $ 2.5 million guaranteed for the rest of this season, $ 12.5 million with $ 5 million guaranteed in 2012 and a non-guaranteed $ 13 million in 2013 and $ 15 million in 2014. Not a bad turn of events for Palmer, who was so unhappy in Cincinnati that he asked to be traded and “retired” rather than collect his $ 11.5 million salary.
The Bengals were holding a grudge, and said again Monday that they wouldn’t trade Palmer. But when the Raiders threw in the possibility of a second first-round pick, Cincinnati couldn’t say no.
“I went to bed at 10:30 a retired football player and got a text message at 4 a.m. and was told to get on a plane to Oakland,” Palmer said. “So, it’s been a whirlwind, and I understand what’s expected of me.
“I have played in this league for eight years. I know what it’s about. I know what playing quarterback is about, and it’s about winning. I want to come in and contribute and do whatever I can to help this team.”
That might be starting as early as Sunday against the Chiefs, though Jackson said he wouldn’t tip his hand yet. Jackson and Palmer were together when Jackson was the Bengals’ receivers coach from 2004 through ’06, so Palmer knows a lot of the Raiders’ offense and terminology. It’s all a matter of seeing this week in practice how rusty Palmer is.
“It’s gonna take some time. I think the only way you can get in football shape is by playing football,” said Palmer, who has been working out with former Jets quarterback Ken O’Brien and former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. “You can run wind sprints and lift weights and all those things, but calling a play in the huddle when you’re tired, after you just ran, you get the wind knocked out of you … that’s football shape and the only way to do that is in practice and in games.”
If Palmer can’t start, then Jackson will go with backup Kyle Boller, who finished Sunday’s 24-17 win over the Browns and, for a couple of days, was buying into Jackson’s “next man up” mantra.
Jackson couldn’t pass up the chance to get Palmer and the big arm that late owner Al Davis loved. No matter what the cost.
“This guy can play and he knows how to play the game and he knows how to elevate the players around him,” Jackson said. “I think he’s one of the best and that’s why he’s on this football team now. … I brought him here because I think he can help this team win a championship.”
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