Raiders

"I can't believe Mike Brown pulled this off! What a steal!"

Yes, believe it, that even Mike Brown, owner of the Bengals, isn't completely inept. That he realized the trade deadline was rapidly approaching, and got a nice sum for oft-injured and possibly weak-armed Carson Palmer.

Btw, everyone should not only thank @JayGlazer, but should follow his twitter as well. ESPN referring to "sources?" Really? Like, sources that don't work for us? If it was the NYTIMES would ESPN call it "sources?" Somehow I doubt that. Give some effing respect and credit already. Moving on...

On it's face this doesn't seem great, but if the Raiders don't win a playoff game then they only lose one first round pick. If they win a playoff game, is it not worth it already? I mean, does that not mean Palmer was successful? Besides, Al Davis just wanted to "win, baby", and to me this is putting it all on the line. Yeah, the deal isn't exactly a thing of beauty for the Raiders, but all anyone around these parts (I live in Oakland) wants is to win NOW. For Al. Today. With this team.

The Raiders really are a built to win team now. Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly anchor a defense and they're not young. McFadden is hitting is stride, as are some of the WRs. This team isn't rebuilding. AND, if this experiment fails, doesn't the Terrelle Pryor era begin? Had Pryor remained at Ohio State (and played), he'd be a first round draft pick. Would he be great in the NFL? I have no idea. In fact, I think the likelihood is pretty bad, but considering the early success of young QBs around the NFL there's no reason to not roll the dice on him.

Don't forget that NFL First Rounders aren't a lock to be good, and you're more likely going to sign a worthwhile free agent. That could be cash better spent to a team trying to win today.

The Raiders must be feeling the same way, to some extent.

Oh, and btw, Trent Edwards, how bad are you?